The Tricksters

Three strange men stood behind her. They could have touched her if they had wanted to. 'You're not alone on Teddy Carnival's Beach,' said one, not asking a question but sounding as if he were giving her a warning.

The Hamiltons look forward to their annual Christmas holiday at the beach. Jack and Naomi, their five children and their guests are settling in to the chaotic family atmosphere at the sprawling home known as Carnival's Hide when the world is thrown out of order by the unexpected arrival of three visitors.

Charming, enigmatic and sinister, the three brothers have come to stay. Only 17-year-old Harry questions their strange ways, but even she isn't sure what is real anymore: are they really related to Teddy Carnival, said to have drowned on that beach many years ago, or are they tricksters - conjured by her overactive imagination?

This will be a Christmas to be remembered, where long-buried secrets will be revealed and no one will ever be quite the same.

'A gripping, eerie fantasy' The Guardian

“With the appearance of this haunting, intriguing novel, Mahy (twice a winner of the Carnegie Medal) has written perhaps her best work yet. - Publishers WeeklyMahy's writing has a clarity and lyricism that looks effortless - The GuardianBrilliantly crafted - The ObserverA dazzling fantasy - The Times Literary SupplementSpellbinding - Kirkus”

With the appearance of this haunting, intriguing novel, Mahy (twice a winner of the Carnegie Medal) has written perhaps her best work yet. - Publishers Weekly

Mahy's writing has a clarity and lyricism that looks effortless - The Guardian

Brilliantly crafted - The Observer

A dazzling fantasy - The Times Literary Supplement

Spellbinding - Kirkus

Margaret Mahy (1936-2012) is one of New Zealand's most celebrated children's writers. She is the author of more than 150 titles, which have been translated into many different languages and sold around the world. Appointed to the Order of New Zealand in 1993, Mahy also won many global prizes for children's writers, including the Carnegie Medal and the prestigious Hans Christian Andersen Award.

'It is in the nature of books, that they have the capacity to make you feel powerful about what you can alter and achieve in your life' - Margaret Mahy

Three strange men stood behind her. They could have touched her if they had wanted to. 'You're not alone on Teddy Carnival's Beach,' said one, not asking a question but sounding as if he were giving her a warning. The Hamiltons look forward to their annual Christmas holiday at the beach. Jack and Naomi, their five children and their guests are settling in to the chaotic family atmosphere at the sprawling home known as Carnival's Hide when the world is thrown out of order by the unexpected arrival of three visitors. Charming, enigmatic and sinister, the three brothers have come to stay. Only 17-year-old Harry questions their strange ways, but even she isn't sure what is real anymore: are they really related to Teddy Carnival, said to have drowned on that beach many years ago, or are they tricksters - conjured by her overactive imagination? This will be a Christmas to be remembered, where long-buried secrets will be revealed and no one will ever be quite the same. 'A gripping, eerie fantasy' The Guardian

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