Smugglers’ Fox

by Susanna Bailey

A spellbinding and poignant new adventure from Susanna Bailey, the critically acclaimed author of Snow Foal.


Perfect for fans of Jacqueline Wilson and Hannah Gold


‘Haunting and lovely’ – Anthony McGowan


Jonah is Rio’s big brother. It’s his job. It always has been. Especially when Mam does one of her disappearing acts, like now. Her name’s Marina, which means ‘from the sea’. And just like the she changes with the wind. She comes, she goes.
The sea was there the last time Jonah and Rio saw her. The Whitby Sea. And it wasn’t in a good mood. No-one has seen Mam since that day and the social workers say . . . she’s not coming back this time.

304 pages, Paperback

Published July 6, 2023

About the author

Sue grew up in Northern England, close to purple moorland and long, silvery beaches. Books were her earliest friends. She learned the joy of ‘making things’ from her wonderfully creative mother, who was a great weaver of tales. She drew fabulous pictures to illustrate her ideas, and encouraged Sue to do the same. When small, Sue often made up stories and brought them to life, with paper people on cardboard theatre stages.

Sue has seen just how helpful stories – and animals – can be when children (and adults) are confused, sad, or afraid. She has learned about the healing power of nature; of wild, quiet, green spaces. Seven years ago, she decided to see if she could write about these things, and went to university to study creative writing. In 2016, Sue was awarded the Bath Spa University Undergraduate Prize for Writing for Young People. The following year, she graduated, with distinction, from Bath Spa’s wonderful MA Writing for Young People. Her MA Novel, Snow Foal, was shortlisted for the 2017 Joan Aiken Future Classics Prize, and given ‘honourary mention’ in the United Agents/Bath Spa University Prize for the same year.

Sue now lectures part-time in Creative Writing.