It’s hard to believe it has now been a full year since Malamander was published! But I know it’s true, because Gargantis, the sequel, is emerging in storm and lightning into a bookshop near you, from the 7th of May, 2020 (and soon after in North America). I would like to thank everyone who has bought a copy of Malamander, spent time reviewing it, and been supportive of me in any way as I build the ‘Legends of Eerie-on-Sea’ series. I particularly want to thank my brilliant publisher, Walker Books, who have been truly superb on both sides of the Atlantic, and around the world. Just look at the trailer they have created for Gargantis! Publishing a book into a global pandemic where most bookshops aren’t even open is a challenge that Walker have risen to splendidly.
In Gargantis we return to Eerie-on-Sea, in the company of Herbert Lemon — Lost-and-Founder at the Grand Nautilus Hotel — and his best friend Violet Parma, to tackle a whole new adventure. A terrible storm has come to Eerie Bay, and is threatening to destroy the town. Has the monstrous Gargantis returned out of legend? It certainly seems that something sinister is afoot when a stranger in a deep hood arrives at the Grand Nautilus Hotel, and begins stirring up trouble amongst the famously superstitious fishermen. Then Mrs Fossil finds an extraordinary object on the storm-churned beach — an antique glass bottle in the shape of a fish, that flickers inside with an eerie light.
Soon everyone wants the bottle, including the stranger known only as Deep Hood, and the enraged fisherfolk of Eerie-on-Sea. So when bottle is entrusted to Herbie for safe keeping, our Lost-and-Founder finds himself the centre of some very unwanted, and increasingly monstrous attention. Violet persuades Herbie to open the bottle, catapulting herself, Herbie, and Erwin the Bookshop Cat, into a storm of events as they race to save the town. And maybe uncover a little more about Herbie’s mysterious origins along the way too.
Take a virtual visit to Eerie-on-Sea for more information, and some activities, and if you would like to buy a copy of the book (thank you!), please consider your local independent bookseller at this challenging time. If they are still trading, they will be delighted to hear from you. In fact, there is even a SPECIAL EDITION of Gargantis that is only available through Indy Booksellers, which contains an additional short story (that follows the events at the end of Gargantis) called ‘Mr Mollusc’s Sticky End’. I hope you enjoy it!
