From Australia's favourite storyteller comes a story, within a story, that shows us the extraordinary power of true love and solves a decades-old mystery.

'Once upon a time, in a dark city far away, there lived a boy called Walter, who had nothing but his name to call his own ...'

The handwritten book, with its strangely vivid illustrations, has been hidden in the old house for a long, long time. Tonight, four kids and their teacher will find it. Tonight, at last, the haunting story of Walter and the mysterious, tragic girl called Sparrow will be read - right to the very end ...

From one of Australia's most renowned children's authors, comes an extraordinary story within a story - a mystery, a prophecy, a long-buried secret. And five people who will remember this night as long as they live.

Imagine 4 kids stuck with their teacher ovrnight in a house that none of the locals will stay in, not even for a few hours. Imagine finding a book that almost compels them to read aloud ... and something else that is trying to make them stop. Imagine the book is telling something like a fairytale, but there are strange similarities to things in the house.

What's going to happen if they don't finish reading it?!

I really enjoyed this book. - Kathleen @ Dorothy Butler Children's Bookshop, 2018.