The Hawkston Whispers
Two children. An ancient secret. Four Whispers. One destiny.
A thrilling mystery of magic, family secrets and the extraordinary world hiding along the wild Northumberland coast.
Some secrets refuse to stay buried.
Some secrets are buried. Others are waiting to be heard.
With primary school finally behind them and a whole summer of freedom ahead, Jessica and Max expect six weeks of adventure, excitement, and endless possibilities.
But when the twins arrive on the wild Northumberland coast, they soon discover that this will be no ordinary summer.
Something strange is stirring in Hawkston.
In the shadow of ancient castle ruins, where the wild North Sea crashes against jagged cliffs, and the wind carries strange whispers, the twins begin to realise that something about Hawkston isn't quite right.
Secrets lie hidden in the town's past. Secrets buried for generations. And secrets that someone, or something, is determined to keep hidden.
As the twins begin to explore, strange encounters and unsettling discoveries draw them deeper into a mystery that stretches far beyond the sleepy seaside town. The animals seem to know more than they should. The whispers are growing stronger. Somewhere, hidden between land and sea, an ancient magic is beginning to stir.
THE WHISPERS HAVE WAITED A LONG TIME TO BE HEARD.
BUT WILL JESSICA AND MAX LISTEN?
The Hawkston Whispers is a thrilling adventure of mystery, magic and family secrets, set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Northumberland coast. Perfect for readers aged 8–13 who love adventure, unexpected discoveries and the feeling that something extraordinary might be hiding just beyond the ordinary.
Behind the Whispers: the real world that inspired the story.
Hawkston might be fictional, but its roots run deep into real places, real people and a coastline that has been part of my life since childhood.
This is more than a setting for a story. It's a place that has given me memories, adventures and the little moments that eventually became a whole world.
The Day I Finished Writing Hawkston
Every story has a beginning. This was the moment I reached the end of mine. A little glimpse into the journey of writing The Hawkston Whispers.
THE REAL HAWKSTON
Discover the real places, people and memories that inspired the story.
A lifetime on the Northumberland coast
I've been coming to this coastline since I was a child. Now I return with my own family, exploring beaches, rock pools, dunes, castles and winding paths. There's something about the sea here: the stories it seems to carry, and the feeling that something might be waiting just around the next corner.
From Amble and Warkworth to Hawkston
The fictional village grew from places I know and love: Amble's harbour, Warkworth's castle and the beaches and nature reserves around Hauxley. I began to wonder what might happen if those familiar places were hiding an extraordinary secret.
Even some of the characters grew from people close to me. Jessica and Max were inspired by my own twins, while Scott and Sarah are inspired by friends from the heart of Northumberland.
Meet the real Merlin
Yes, Merlin is real. Our yellow Labrador has been part of so many family adventures by the sea that I couldn't imagine Hawkston without him. Readers who love dogs might recognise a little of their own four-legged companion in his character. Plus, everyone needs a dog in their lives, or the book they are reading.
Written for the love of writing
The first spark came while I was writing a short piece of fiction for a reading resource. It quickly became clear that this story needed more room to breathe.
Much of the book grew during family trips to the coast. Whenever I found myself stuck, a walk, a conversation or a discovery on the beach seemed to open another door. One unexpected moment with my children even helped me unlock an important part of the mystery.
Above all, I wrote this book because I wanted to tell a story: one that might make readers curious about the world around them, and eager to find out what happens next.
The adventure doesn't end with the final page.
Step deeper into the world of The Hawkston Whispers with teaching resources, reading activities and creative challenges inspired by the novel.
TEACHING RESOURCES · COMING SOONYour journey to Hawkston starts here.
Ancient secrets. Strange encounters. Four mysterious Whispers. Join Jessica and Max on a summer adventure they'll never forget.
£9.99
Paperback · Recommended for ages 8–13 · Orders completed securely through Vocabulary Ninja.