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Wickergate
Ashley Goodchild is not the sort of boy who gets chosen for anything. He is short, bookish, and far more comfortable inside a novel than surviving the schoolyard at Wickergate Primary.
But someone has noticed him.
Strange, ornate writing has begun appearing on the classroom blackboard, signed with two mysterious initials. The messages are impossible. The warnings are real. And the new headmistress—with pointed teeth and a bun pinned in place by what look suspiciously like knitting needles—is exactly the sort of woman who makes troublesome boys disappear.
When Ashley sets out to unmask the Phantom Scribe, he expects a prank. Instead, he uncovers something far older—and far more dangerous—than he could have imagined. Deep within Wickergate Primary, an ancient creature is waiting. Halloween is drawing near. And Ashley may be the only person who can stop it.
A thrilling middle-grade adventure packed with secret messages, hidden rooms, and one determined ten-year-old who refuses to look away, Wickergate is perfect for bookish outsiders who have always suspected their school is hiding something.
But someone has noticed him.
Strange, ornate writing has begun appearing on the classroom blackboard, signed with two mysterious initials. The messages are impossible. The warnings are real. And the new headmistress—with pointed teeth and a bun pinned in place by what look suspiciously like knitting needles—is exactly the sort of woman who makes troublesome boys disappear.
When Ashley sets out to unmask the Phantom Scribe, he expects a prank. Instead, he uncovers something far older—and far more dangerous—than he could have imagined. Deep within Wickergate Primary, an ancient creature is waiting. Halloween is drawing near. And Ashley may be the only person who can stop it.
A thrilling middle-grade adventure packed with secret messages, hidden rooms, and one determined ten-year-old who refuses to look away, Wickergate is perfect for bookish outsiders who have always suspected their school is hiding something.
138 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2022
About the author
David M Cameron
18 books27 followersDavid M Cameron was born in Leeds in the north of England and has lived and worked in England, Papua New Guinea and Western Australia. Married with four sons, David spent forty years as a teacher and principal, developing a lifelong love of books, storytelling, and the worlds that stories can create.
He writes across several genres, including science fiction, fantasy, mystery, thrillers, young adult fiction and memoir-inspired stories.
David is the author of the six-book Moondial Series, the Gordon Bennet thrillers and the Peter McAdam mysteries. His fiction ranges from science fiction and fantasy adventures to crime, suspense, and young adult mystery.
His Cup of Tea Tales books are very different: humorous, nostalgic, and sometimes poignant stories drawn from growing up in Leeds and the North of England during the 1950s and 1960s. The stories began as part of David's blog and podcasts and developed into collections celebrating an era, a place, and a childhood that helped shape him.
His books include The Moonchild, Rock God, Hell Fire, Blaze, For All Time and Child of Time: The Rise of the Wurm, which begins a new chapter in the Moondial Series. Other books include Dead Men Don't Snore, A Trembling of Finches, Slipshod, Just After Midnight, and Where Wise Men Fear to Tread, along with others.
He writes across several genres, including science fiction, fantasy, mystery, thrillers, young adult fiction and memoir-inspired stories.
David is the author of the six-book Moondial Series, the Gordon Bennet thrillers and the Peter McAdam mysteries. His fiction ranges from science fiction and fantasy adventures to crime, suspense, and young adult mystery.
His Cup of Tea Tales books are very different: humorous, nostalgic, and sometimes poignant stories drawn from growing up in Leeds and the North of England during the 1950s and 1960s. The stories began as part of David's blog and podcasts and developed into collections celebrating an era, a place, and a childhood that helped shape him.
His books include The Moonchild, Rock God, Hell Fire, Blaze, For All Time and Child of Time: The Rise of the Wurm, which begins a new chapter in the Moondial Series. Other books include Dead Men Don't Snore, A Trembling of Finches, Slipshod, Just After Midnight, and Where Wise Men Fear to Tread, along with others.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 4, 2023
Interesting YA mystery
KindleUnlimited review. Follow Ashley’s adventures in Wickergate Primary School. The protagonist is a ten-year old boy named Ashley. He is described as an atypical hero: “he was short, with thick brown hair, brown eyes, thin legs and rather thick glasses. When others excelled at sport, Ashley always did well at homework… righting wrongs, solving mysteries...”
This suspenseful mystery story has the protagonist investigating the truth about Covenfield. Is the school principal, Mrs Killfeather, a strict disciplinarian or a sinister administrator. The Phantom Scribe alleges the principal is s witch! The wicked rumor as well as the identity of the Phantom Scribe is the talk of the classroom and playground. Is it a simple prank or more nefarious?
The Wickergate chapters are fast pace and contain an engaging story. The reader will undoubtedly make comparisons between Ashley’s adventures with witches and another famous wizard named Harry. Also, there is a nod to the Scarlet Pimpernel and Frankenstein which might encourage the reader to explore other classic stories. The target audience is 9-18 year olds but anyone who enjoyed the Hogwarts wizard series will like the Wickergate Primary School mystery.
KindleUnlimited review. Follow Ashley’s adventures in Wickergate Primary School. The protagonist is a ten-year old boy named Ashley. He is described as an atypical hero: “he was short, with thick brown hair, brown eyes, thin legs and rather thick glasses. When others excelled at sport, Ashley always did well at homework… righting wrongs, solving mysteries...”
This suspenseful mystery story has the protagonist investigating the truth about Covenfield. Is the school principal, Mrs Killfeather, a strict disciplinarian or a sinister administrator. The Phantom Scribe alleges the principal is s witch! The wicked rumor as well as the identity of the Phantom Scribe is the talk of the classroom and playground. Is it a simple prank or more nefarious?
The Wickergate chapters are fast pace and contain an engaging story. The reader will undoubtedly make comparisons between Ashley’s adventures with witches and another famous wizard named Harry. Also, there is a nod to the Scarlet Pimpernel and Frankenstein which might encourage the reader to explore other classic stories. The target audience is 9-18 year olds but anyone who enjoyed the Hogwarts wizard series will like the Wickergate Primary School mystery.
November 14, 2022
Definitely a goody!
Though I do get tired of school stories because all the same things happen (but that’s school isn’t it?) However, as things spice up, so do the unexpected events. And even a little smidgen of Tolkien here in there so I highly recommend this book.
Though I do get tired of school stories because all the same things happen (but that’s school isn’t it?) However, as things spice up, so do the unexpected events. And even a little smidgen of Tolkien here in there so I highly recommend this book.
November 4, 2023
Karl
This book reminded me of middle school and the many Goosebump books I consumed at that age. After reading the book, and looking into the author info, I ended up loving the book even MORE. The author happens to be a school principal/headmaster too!! If you read this book, you’ll appreciate the irony.
As a book categorized as a ‘children’s book’ I expected a picture book to share with my kids. Nevertheless, I am happy I kept reading. I could see myself reading this book as a fifth or fourth grader. If you're into mystery and supernatural vibes, "Wickergate" is worth a read.
This book reminded me of middle school and the many Goosebump books I consumed at that age. After reading the book, and looking into the author info, I ended up loving the book even MORE. The author happens to be a school principal/headmaster too!! If you read this book, you’ll appreciate the irony.
As a book categorized as a ‘children’s book’ I expected a picture book to share with my kids. Nevertheless, I am happy I kept reading. I could see myself reading this book as a fifth or fourth grader. If you're into mystery and supernatural vibes, "Wickergate" is worth a read.
March 18, 2026
Audiobook review.
This story is the perfect blend of suspenseful adventure, high stakes sleuthing, and supernatural vibes. The worldbuilding is excellent and I loved Ashley: he is very brave, brilliantly clever and an amazing hero. The book is particularly well narrated by the author.
A review copy of this book was sent to me by the author. All of the above opinions are my own.
This story is the perfect blend of suspenseful adventure, high stakes sleuthing, and supernatural vibes. The worldbuilding is excellent and I loved Ashley: he is very brave, brilliantly clever and an amazing hero. The book is particularly well narrated by the author.
A review copy of this book was sent to me by the author. All of the above opinions are my own.
May 26, 2022
While this book is aimed at 10+, as an adult, I enjoyed it very much. Sometimes I like to mix it up, and I love a good mystery. The book has it all, suspense, red herrings, and an evil witch disguised as the new head of school. And there are humorous moments too. Ten-year-old Asley decides to solve the puzzle of those messages and finds himself tasked with saving the world from evil. From the moment the first mysterious message from the Phantom Scribe appears on the blackboard to the moment Ashley figures it out, the author maintains good pacing, well-sprinkled clues, and humor.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews