Boy Underground

by Isabelle Marinov, Caius Nicholas (Narrator)

Boy Underground is a powerful adventure story about Hugo, an autistic boy who decides to go all the way into the Paris underground to find a place where he belongs.

For Hugo, the world can be too loud and bright. He likes the quiet. He likes the dark. And he loves maps.

When Hugo learns that there’s a whole other world under Paris, a network of tunnels, quarries and catacombs mapped beneath his feet, he sets off on an adventure.

Navigating secret passages, narrowly escaping robbers and returning to old friends, Hugo discovers more than just buried treasure.

Audible Audio

Published August 21, 2025

About the author

Isabelle graduated from Cornell Law School (USA) and has worked for 15 years in the legal world before becoming a full-time author. She speaks four languages fluently, but for a reason that defies her understanding, English is her preferred language for prose. Isabelle lives in Luxembourg and holds the Luxembourgish nationality.

Her picture books, published by Templar (Bonnier Books) and Enchanted Lion Books, have been translated into numerous languages. Her latest, Henri and the Machine, was nominated for the Klaus Flugge Prize 2024 and, like Leo and the Octopus, is currently in development as an animated feature.

Her debut middle-grade novel, Boy Underground (Sweet Cherry Publishing, 2022), shortlisted for the Edward Stanford Award 2024, and the Prix Servais and is in development for film/TV. Its sequel, Boy Overboard, was published in 2025.

Isabelle is a state-certified fitness coach, freediver, runner and weight lifter.