A WIND IS BLOWING

Collins 1969 First Edition

Set around Rye, Sussex. The author's last children's novel. The two main characters from the Sussex series of books, Tamzin and Meryon, are the only ones featured. A crime starts the story, but it is the aftermath of the crime, its affect on Meryon, that forms the core of the tale. His whole future is put in hazard and the relationship with Tamzin which has built up and developed over the years is put under the greatest strain.

First edition: dark blue boards, silver blocking; 135x200mm; 159pp; no illustrations; no map.
The full colour dustwrapper by 'Jawdokimov' supposedly shows Camber Castle and the Romney Marsh coast with an old fishing vessel off-shore. The artist was apparently not well-briefed; cover price 16s.

Engelbert (peb Bcherei) 1973: as Solange der Wind weht. hardback edition with pictorial boards; 207 x 145mm; 124pp; translation by Reinhilde Klatte; cover picture by Eva Kausche-Kongsbak; ISBN 3-536-0111-X; no illustrations.

The German edition cover Engelbert 1973

Girls Gone By Publishers October 2009:

Girls Gone By edition 2009

Unique to this edition is a 'Personal Introduction' to the book by a reader - Sally Bourne - whose personal story will move you to tears but is an honest and open account of the influence the book has had many years after its original appearance. The book includes an entertaining preface by Shelley Edwards, again llustrated by family photographs. This is followed by Joy Wotton's articles on the author and an introduction to the book. These are followed by a short Publishing History by me. As in the first edition there are no illustrations, but the publishers have included Geoffrey Whittam's map of the area which was not in the first edition. The cover is the original artwork by Jawdakimov. There are 231 numbered pages. ISBN 978-1-84745-073-9 The book is currently (2009) available from the publishers for £12 inclusive of postage.