The Whispering Mountain

The Whispering Mountain is a classic fantasy adventure that serves as a prequel to Joan Aiken's acclaimed Wolves Chronicles. It follows young Owen Hughes, who, after his mother's death, is sent to live in the small Welsh town of Pennygaff. There, he discovers a legendary magical harp and, with his friend Arabis, must prevent it from falling into the hands of the truly evil Lord Mayln. The children face a thrilling and often dangerous journey involving kidnapping, murder, mysterious underground worlds, and savage creatures. It's a rich, immersive story of good versus evil, courage, and friendship, suitable for independent readers aged 8-12 or as a read-aloud for slightly younger children.

In the small town of Pennygaff, where Owen has been sent to live after his mother’s death, a legendary golden harp has been found. Knowing of the prophesy of the Harp of Teirtu, Owen must prevent the magic harp from falling into the evil clutches of its reputed owner, the sinister and diabolical Lord Mayln. But it won’t be easy. Owen and his friend Arabis are plunged into a hair-raising adventure of intrigue, kidnapping, exotic underground worlds, savage beasts...even murder. For only too late will Owen learn that Lord Mayln will stop at nothing to have the golden harp. Winner of the Guardian Prize for Fiction