Written by Robin Bennett
Intriguing &
Chilling ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Published by    Monster Books 15th Oct. 2026Genre Literary Mystery ThrillerPages 320 ASIN B0H5R23C5PISBN-101036959260ISBN-13978-1036959265

Having read a couple of Robin Bennett's children's stories, I was keen to read something slightly more grown up. When Dreadnaught was offered for a blog tour, I read the blurb and was intrigued.

I begin my thanking Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources for the invitation to join the tour and author Robin Bennett for a free digital copy to review.

The blurb: Dreadnought

A child sees things she’s sure don’t exist. The adults call it trauma. They’re both wrong.

On a remote Yorkshire headland known as Dreadnought, seven-year-old Cass Delaval begins to glimpse figures and fragments tied to a past that refuses to stay buried.

As the world edges toward conflict, Cass is drawn into a family mystery stretching back to the Second World War: a missing boy, a hidden weapon, and a family secret.

Because whatever has lain dormant on Dreadnought goes deep into our past … and it isn’t finished with us yet.

Dreadnought is a story of loyalty and hope, where the courage of one small girl may be our last defence.

Horror Thriller    Edge of War Story    Fiction

My thoughts:

The blurb is intriguing but edging towards a genre I would say that I'm less comfortable reading. However, it's by Robin Bennett and I've loved his children's books, so fingers crossed, I dived into Dreadnaught.

Reading through the first couple of chapters I wondered whether this was aimed at a YA audience rather than an adult one. While still debating that, I came across content that to my mind was only suitable for adults. It was then that I realised that the chapters headed 'Cass' were toned down and more simply delivered because they were written from the point of view of a seven-year-old, and that was what was making it feel like the book was aimed at Young Adults.

I found the storyline gripping but I had no idea where it was heading. Even Quintus's letter did not answer all the questions I needed answered to help me round this story off in my own mind, in particular about the unworldly goings-on.

My favourite character was local farmer Tom. He seemed to be the most balanced of the all characters and deserved better than he got.

I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy a slightly futuristic, edge-of-war tale with a side helping of the supernatural.

Purchase from:

Amazon UK     Amazon US     Amazon CA     Amazon AU    Amazon IN

Waterstones    TG Jones    Foyles

Author Bio – Robin Bennett

Robin Bennett is an author and entrepreneur who has written over twenty-five books for children. He has also written books on the swashbuckling world of business: How to Make a Good Living Running Your Own Business, Kicking the Property Ladder and Start up Smart, all published by Harriman House.

In 2024 Cracking was shortlisted for a Week Junior Book Award and Sunday Times Sports Book of the Year for Children. His YA novel 'XII' was shortlised for a British Book Award in 2023 and his very popular Monster Max Series is a Book Trust pick and won Coventry Inspiration Book Awards in 2022. Picus the Thief, won the Writer's News Indie Published Book of the Year Award in 2012.

When Robin grew up he thought he wanted to be a cavalry officer until everyone else realised that putting him in charge of a tank was a very bad idea. He then became an assistant gravedigger in London. After that he had a career frantically starting businesses (everything from dog-sitting to cigars, tuition to translation)... until finally settling down to write improbable stories to keep his children from killing each other on long car journeys.

When not writing or starting companies, Robin plays most sports. Poorly.

Children's stories I've read by Robin Bennett

Other stories I've read by

Social Media Links – Web sitehttp://www.robinbennett.net/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/robin.bennett.526 Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/robinbennettauthor/ Goodreadshttps://www.goodreads.com/author985900.Robin_BennettTikTok@robinbennettauthorX https://x.com/writer_robin


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