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The Not-So Great Escape
A hilarious and heartbreaking road trip adventure about friendship, grief and the stories we tell ourselves to survive.
Hedley has always played it safe, especially since the night that changed his life for ever. But when his friend Aiden steals an alpaca, Hedley is dragged on a runaway road trip that he did NOT sign up for:
An accidental robbery.
A night in a haunted wood.
And becoming internet famous #AlpacaBandit.
As the chaos builds, Hedley finds he isn't just running from the police, he's also running from the truth. And as his world comes crashing down, will Hedley play it safe, or take his biggest risk yet?
#WoollyHeist #FurryFelon #Alpacalypse
This book will make you laugh and cry - perfect for fans of Ross Welford, Jenny Pearson, Adam Baron and Frank Cottrell Boyce.
Hedley has always played it safe, especially since the night that changed his life for ever. But when his friend Aiden steals an alpaca, Hedley is dragged on a runaway road trip that he did NOT sign up for:
An accidental robbery.
A night in a haunted wood.
And becoming internet famous #AlpacaBandit.
As the chaos builds, Hedley finds he isn't just running from the police, he's also running from the truth. And as his world comes crashing down, will Hedley play it safe, or take his biggest risk yet?
#WoollyHeist #FurryFelon #Alpacalypse
This book will make you laugh and cry - perfect for fans of Ross Welford, Jenny Pearson, Adam Baron and Frank Cottrell Boyce.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 29, 2025
Very funny story, perfect for Jenny Pearson 'The Super Miraculous Journey of Freddie Yates' was definitely in my head as I read this. There are similarities and differences. But both are funny and stop you in your tracks at times.
Hedley want to be safe. He knows all about safety. But Mum still died that night in the crash. And Dad got into their bed and didn't get out of it, he said his legs didn't work, but Hedley knew it wasn't his legs.
Between Friday and Sunday Hedley stays at Bridlebank Therapy Activities Centre with his sister Lilly, and he has a roommate. Aiden. They aren't exactly friends but they need help with their emotions. Aiden takes up most of the room - he pushes Hedley's stuff into the corner and then takes it as well! He also farts a lot, and makes Hedley's life very difficult.
Hedley has a support worker called Nic, who tries to get him to talk with little success.
But right now he has arranged for the both of them to volunteer at Farmer Bert's Petting Farm, he says it'll be good for them.
Aiden of course takes Hedley's boots so he has to wear unicorn ones from the lost property box. It is at the farm they meet alpacas. But Bert winds Aiden up, so Aiden take revenge... he steals the prize alpaca, Duke! But whilst wearing Hedley's very conspicuous hat - the very same one Hedley is wearing when he shows Farmer Bert and the police the CCTV!
And so they go on the run! With an alpaca, Lilly follows them of course.
Aiden thinks they should release Duke in a field at Chalmer Gorge. But to get there they have to walk! At night. But when they get to Eaton's Woods they all agree they have to go round - no one wants to go through there! It's supposed to be haunted!
Unknown to them they become internet sensations as stories of the alpaca on the run take the internet by storm! They almost get caught when the alpaca eats a load of food in a service station, there is a robbery at a house they come to, they almost get caught again when stowing away in a caravan hoping to go to Chelmer Football Stadium.
But where do they end up, and who comes to their rescue?
Hedley is struggling with the grief for his mother, his father is unable to help as he is also struggling. The course of this adventure takes Hedley completely out of his comfort zone and makes him confront his fears.
This is a superb book.
Thanks to Usborne for the advance copy. The book is released on 1st January and is well worth reading.
Hedley want to be safe. He knows all about safety. But Mum still died that night in the crash. And Dad got into their bed and didn't get out of it, he said his legs didn't work, but Hedley knew it wasn't his legs.
Between Friday and Sunday Hedley stays at Bridlebank Therapy Activities Centre with his sister Lilly, and he has a roommate. Aiden. They aren't exactly friends but they need help with their emotions. Aiden takes up most of the room - he pushes Hedley's stuff into the corner and then takes it as well! He also farts a lot, and makes Hedley's life very difficult.
Hedley has a support worker called Nic, who tries to get him to talk with little success.
But right now he has arranged for the both of them to volunteer at Farmer Bert's Petting Farm, he says it'll be good for them.
Aiden of course takes Hedley's boots so he has to wear unicorn ones from the lost property box. It is at the farm they meet alpacas. But Bert winds Aiden up, so Aiden take revenge... he steals the prize alpaca, Duke! But whilst wearing Hedley's very conspicuous hat - the very same one Hedley is wearing when he shows Farmer Bert and the police the CCTV!
And so they go on the run! With an alpaca, Lilly follows them of course.
Aiden thinks they should release Duke in a field at Chalmer Gorge. But to get there they have to walk! At night. But when they get to Eaton's Woods they all agree they have to go round - no one wants to go through there! It's supposed to be haunted!
Unknown to them they become internet sensations as stories of the alpaca on the run take the internet by storm! They almost get caught when the alpaca eats a load of food in a service station, there is a robbery at a house they come to, they almost get caught again when stowing away in a caravan hoping to go to Chelmer Football Stadium.
But where do they end up, and who comes to their rescue?
Hedley is struggling with the grief for his mother, his father is unable to help as he is also struggling. The course of this adventure takes Hedley completely out of his comfort zone and makes him confront his fears.
This is a superb book.
Thanks to Usborne for the advance copy. The book is released on 1st January and is well worth reading.
November 22, 2025
A gorgeous middle-grade adventure with heart, humour and alpaca mayhem. A delightful read.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews