The Empty Frame

Dark Powers #5

by Ann Pilling

Sam, Floss, and their foster brother, Magnus, spend their holidays with cousin M at The Abbey. On their first night, Magnus hears a woman crying and when he goes to investigate he discovers that the 16th-century portrait of Lady Alice Neale, hung in the Great Hall, is now just an empty frame.

Genres: Fiction, Childrens, Mystery

224 pages, Paperback

First published October 5, 1998

About the author

Born in 1944 in Lancashire, British poet and children's author Ann Pilling read English at King’s College, London, where she wrote her thesis on C.S. Lewis' fiction. She has published over thirty books for children, one of which - Henry's Leg - won The Guardian Prize for Children’s Fiction. She has two sons, six grandchildren, and currently lives in the Yorkshire Dales. Since 2003, she has concentrated on writing poetry, rather than fiction.

Reviews

[Eg · Rating 2 out of 5]

Probably intended for the younger generation of readers as it failed to spark deep interest. Even getting to the end of the book took a lot of force.

[Savannah · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is definitely a book I would recommend for younger people. I say this not as an insult, but because I remember reading books like this when I was a young child myself. That is why I initially purchased it. From a second hand store, yes, but what can I say, I am all for helping out the community and giving back to society through stores like this.

But, why is it rated so low, you may be asking? Or, why, if I am recommending it, does it reside upon my 'incomplete' shelf? That answer is simple. The writing was not to my taste, and the idea lacked the intricate detail I so love in books I have grown up to read now. I am no longer that word hungry ten year old hiding under my blanket reading a crime novel I know I shouldn't be.

I was able to read the beginning, but only about thirty pages in did I feel the smallest flicker of interest. I read a little bit further, just enough to encounter the painted Lady for the first time. Then I skipped a few chapters, read a few more, then skipped to then, purely to satiate my curiosity as to how the book was finished.

I do admire the ending, and this, to me, was the highlight. Not all of your questions are answered, and this was, as Ann Pilling admits, her intention. We never know what exactly did happen to William for him to end up how he did, but there is still closure, and a sense of peace in the final chapter of the book. I do recommend it to people who are interested in mystery, and horror, and, above all, those under the age of thirteen.