Books with author Dennis Hamley

It is 1369 and England and France are at war. Joslin de Lay is a minstrel like his father. But when English lords visit the French castle in which they live, his father is murdered and Joslin escapes to hostile England, charged with a quest to Wales to find his lost mother. And a mysterious, threatening man follows him secretly.But no sooner does Joslin land in England than he is embroiled in murder. The great Doom painting is taking shape in Stovenham Church, but each time the face of one of the damned is painted, the person whose portrait it is meets a violent death. ‘The devil walks abroad in Stovenham,” says the travelling friar. There is danger, heartache and cruel murder before the truth is known and Joslin can continue his journey.There was no doubt. Near where the altar had once been been were legs encased in green hose, a barrel chest in a red doublet and shiny leather jerkin. Whoever it was looked sound asleep.Fearfully, Joslin crept closer.Then he caught his breath. He knew who lay there. And he was not asleep.

After World War I calls her brother to the front lines, a young woman sets out to make a difference in this powerful historical novel."I don’t know much about wars except soldiers and sailors get killed and Jack might get killed with them. But grown-up people say . . . they’re a chance for young men to go off to foreign parts and be brave and come home heroes."England, 1914. The piercing tone of the bugle changes a sleepy British village and Ellen Wilkins forever. It is the call to enlist — a chance Ellen’s brother, Jack, won’t miss. The call also spurs Ellen to leave the safety of home and begin a journey of self-discovery, one that takes her close to the front lines to pursue her calling as a nurse. In this gritty and insightful novel, Dennis Hamley deftly portrays the everyday realities of life in wartime, along with harrowing accounts of war’s lifelong effects on the young people caught in its path.

Joslin de Lay has reached Oxford. It's a place riven by hatred and violence. Joslin senses danger but has no choice but to enter. He is taken into Doncaster College where he sings for the Masters and his supper. But Death has entered with him and throughout the dark cloisters and musty libraries, bodies are being discovered. Truly a little knowledge is a dangerous thing... 'It was like no plant Joslin - or even Gilbert with so many years behind him - had ever seen. They stood in the pouring rain looking down but fearing to touch. 'What stood up from the earth was no plant. Joslin felt sick. Gilbert turned away. They saw a human hand, part of a body which must have been there for several weeks, buried next to the cursed mandrake.'

Joslin and Alys come to London with their dreadful news. But Death still follows them. A body is pulled out of the Thames. It bears both the deadly marks of the Black Death and a slit throat. How can a man die twice? There is a vengeful double-dealer in death at large and Joslin finds himself facing the same fate from the evil figure who claims the Devil’s special protection. " Will of Essex dug quickly through the loose soil and piled it high on one side. He and a constable jumped into the grave and lifted the coffin out. Carefully, because soon he would have to replace it so it would last until the Day of Judgement itself, Will prised the lid open. He leant down and shone his lantern on the dead face."

Who murdered the Head of Geography on the field trip Surely not one of the students? Only the Wizard Firebrain can save Lord Oakheft's followers as they face a terrible doom,, so why did he leave them for another other task? Who is the mysterious doctor who senda Morley to a mysterious hospital nobody has heard of, a place of nightmare and terror? (NB: it's best not to read thiks story too late at night)!) What price must hopeless Norbert pay to be the best referee in the entire Universe? (Be careful what you ask for, Norbert.)Each story has a twist and a shudder, written by an author the Times Educational Supplement called 'a specially talented yarnspinner.'

It is 1803. Britain is at war with France. Edward Trefusis, to his clergyman father’s dismay and his Rear-Admiral uncle’s delight, is now a midshipman on the frigate HMS Fortune. What does his first voyage have in store for him?It brings him a terrible task which frightens and horrifies him. It puts him in a danger which not even the oldest sailor on board should have to undergo. But it’s because he’s a boy that only he can do it, though with a companion for whom he has nothing but withering contempt as well as deep-seated fear.He is soon to have everything he has been brought up to believe denied before his eyes. He is sadder and wiser and tested nearly to destruction.“Boys is men one day, your honour.”Yes, but what sort of men can they be after this?

Who murdered the Head of Geography on the GCSE field trip? Surely not one of the students?Only the Wizard Firebrain can save Lord Oakheft's followers as they face a terrible doom, so why did he leave them for another other task? Who is the mysterious doctor who sends Morley to a hospital nobody has heard of, a place of nightmare and terror? (NB: it’s best not to read this story too late at night!)What price must hopeless Norbert pay to be the best football referee in the entire Universe? (Be careful what you ask for, Norbert.) Each story has a twist and a shudder, written by an author the Times Educational Supplement called 'a specially talented yarnspinner.’

After World War I calls her brother to the front lines, a young woman sets out to make a difference in this powerful historical novel."I don’t know much about wars except soldiers and sailors get killed and Jack might get killed with them. But grown-up people say . . . they’re a chance for young men to go off to foreign parts and be brave and come home heroes."England, 1914. The piercing tone of the bugle changes a sleepy British village and Ellen Wilkins forever. It is the call to enlist — a chance Ellen’s brother, Jack, won’t miss. The call also spurs Ellen to leave the safety of home and begin a journey of self-discovery, one that takes her close to the front lines to pursue her calling as a nurse. In this gritty and insightful novel, Dennis Hamley deftly portrays the everyday realities of life in wartime, along with harrowing accounts of war’s lifelong effects on the young people caught in its path.