Forgotten Vintage Children's Lit We Want Republished! discussion

I have just added to my Want to Read list some books by Colin Andrew McLaren - from memory I think they were all published as being by Colin McLaren. They were all published in between the late 1970s and into the 80s. As far as I know they have never been reprinted or published in paperback. I remember reading his first book, Rattus Rex, when it first came out in 1978 and was impressed. Giant intelligent rats in London's sewers and it was an introduction to Steampunk before Steampunk was even invented - who wouldn't have enjoyed it?

I am almost certain I read his next book, Crows in a Winter Landscape, which Goodreads insists is called Crows in a Winter Land, and was not quite so impressed. Too violent. Medieval mercenaries slashing their way to survival with a young medical student tagging along to point them in the way of humanity.

Now I want to read his other books, if I can find and afford them: Mother of the Free - the dustjacket looks fascinating, I wish I knew how to put an image of it on here but, as always, computers defeat me; A TWISTER OVER THE THAMES. - sounds like more early Steampunk; and Warriors Under the Stone -which could be anything.

As described in the book itself, Warriors Under the Stone is "an historical adventure story set in Southern Africa during the late Victorian period - the era of the 'Scramble for Africa'. In it not only do we meet again the indomitable Jabez Rimmer and Matthew Mark - who appeared first in Rattus Rex and then in Mother of the Free - but also Rider Haggard, Miss Phipps of the Digger Detective Agency, the Thuringian Throstle (in great voice!) and lastly Os Guerreiros, the warriors, 'The Warriors Under the Stone.'"

So those make a series of three Victorian books. Crows is in the Holy Roman Empire, and Twister is set in the time of Henry VII.

McLaren is a new name to me - looks like none of his books were ever published here in the states.

Available on IA are Rattus, Crows, and Warriors.

Michael wrote: "As described in the book itself, Warriors Under the Stone is "an historical adventure story set in Southern Africa during the late Victorian period - the era of the 'Scramble for Africa'. In it not..."

Thank you, Michael. I didn't know those books were connected. It makes me want to read them even more.

If anyone reading has Librarian superpowers, there are two GR entries that could be combined:
Rattus Rex
Rattus Rex - "unknown author" shows Colin McLaren on the title page ;)

And Amazon has a cover that can legally be imported:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rattus-Rex-R...
Oh, I see - they've found a way to stymie me. Well, whatever. :)