The Whistlers in the Dark: Longlisted for the Young Quills Prize 2024

The Whistlers in the Dark is an historical fantasy for Middle Grade readers. Set at the Roman fort in the author’s hometown of Kirkintilloch, it tells the story of friendship overcoming the desire for revenge and leading to forgiveness. Based on the historical records of the Antonine wall and the tribes of Central Scotland, it brings these together with Scottish legends of standing stones going walking at night to weave a tale of courage and adventure. ''An exciting new background read on an aspect of Romans in Britain that I have not seen covered in children’s literature before.'' - Veronica Price, chartered librarian and bloggerScotland, 158 AD, is a divided country. On one side of the Antonine wall, thirteen-year-old Felix is trying to become a good Roman soldier like his father. On the other, twelve-year old Jinny is vowing revenge on the ‘metal men’ who have invaded her Damnonii tribe’s homeland. At the Damnonii’s sacred circle of standing stones, her planned attack on Felix goes badly wrong, awakening a legend that threatens to bring fire and destruction down on them all. Can Jinny and Felix overcome their differences and soothe the stones back to sleep before it’s too late?

• | Author: Victoria Williamson
• | Publisher: Scotland Street Press
• | Publication Date: Sep 21, 2023
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• | Binding: Paperback / softback
• | ISBN-13: 9781910895801
• | ISBN-10: 1910895806