A Lakeland Mystery: The Vanishing Young of Rydal Cave (A Lakeland Mystery Series Book Five)

When curious blue rays light up the sky over Cockermouth in a mysterious pattern, young sisters Mae and Isla Donaldson face shape-shifting adversaries. With the help of their irascible Granddad, the girls discover how to break a secret code and unlock the truth about a group of special agents who disappeared from a Lake District beauty spot while investigating UFOs. The girls must prove their suspicions about the glamorous new people in town before it’s too late.

Meet the Donaldson girls – primary schoolers and detectives. Mae, clever and very, very proper. Isla, a wild, artistic soul most at home wandering the fells of England’s beautiful Lake District. They are united by an uncanny ability to share their thoughts.

Reviews

“Mae and Isla are two young, quirky sisters testing the boundaries with their loving parents. On the surface just a normal modern family, except wediscover that Mae and Isla share a very special secret, and everything is not as it seems in their small English town. An exciting and fast- paced story that is hard to put down. Looking forward to the next installment!” Richard Deverson, Father, Engineer, Zurich

“The back and forth between the sisters drives the plot at a steady pace, each leapfrogging on the other’s ideas to reach their conclusions. The scientific explanations scattered through the book ensure understanding without bogging down the story. A fun read, with several threads left dangling that demand another book in the series! Jeremy Scrimes, Teacher, Children of three, Zurich

“Warren Cabral weaves together history, science, and adventure in a spooky, fast-paced story that challenges Mae and Isla to unravel a decades-old mystery involving secret Cold War projects, UFO sightings, and a pair of unforgettable new neighbors. The clever sisters must rely on their intelligence, wit, and courage to uncover the truth — and to protect their town before the past repeats itself. A great romp for young readers and their parents, or grandparents.” Jeffrey Bonnycastle, Creative director, Entrepreneur, California 

“When unique sisters Mae and Isla put their heads together sparks fly and the adventure begins in this magical sci-fi story of intrigue and villainy. Perfect for young minds to indulge their imaginations and adults too who love to read bedtime stories to them.” Carol Birch, Director, Playwright, Bermuda

"The Vanishing Young of Rydal Cave is a cerebral children's mystery, filled with both humour, and dark and unexpected twists. Cabral presents some deep musings on communication, morality, and innocence, while keeping the prose accessible to young readers. We move jauntily from chapter to chapter, as fascinating concepts go "zinging" across the page." Jonathon Frith, Singer-Songwriter, Bermuda

“When an enigmatic light show over Cockermouth baffles the ever-curious Donaldson girls, they just can't resist starting another investigation. With tales of missing people, mysterious communications and a new arrival to the village who seems too good to be true, this spellbinding story is packed with twists and turns, gripping you right until its unexpected end.” Katherine G., Biologist, Mother of one, Zurich

“Another captivating and fast-moving adventure in which the fearless and sparky sisters Mae and Isla use their idiosyncratic blend of logic and telepathy to solve the mystery - all without upsetting their long- suffering parents too much!” Alice Hart-Davis, Journalist, Author, London

“In what may be my favourite of the series, Warren Cabral brilliantly blends the fantastical, the extraterrestrial, and the local. From Isla and Mae’s wonderful relationship to the entertaining cast of secondary characters and villainous foes, coupled with the blending of the Sci-Fi and the Gothic, this is ‘The Lakeland Mysteries’ firing on all creative cylinders. A wonderful read from cover to cover.” Lu Acevedo, Writer and ESL Tutor, Mexico City.

Author biography

Warren Cabral practised law in Bermuda for 30 years before taking up his pen as author of fiction for adults and children. Even before his second career as a writer, he had written short stories, plays, pantomimes and the books for two musicals. He was the winner of The Royal Gazette prize for one of his short stories. His most recent theatrical work was On the Line, staged at The Tea House Theatre in London. The Lakeland Mysteries, of which The Fire on Slate Fell is the first book, is Warren's first venture into children's fiction.

Corryn Webb is a Welsh freelance illustrator and designer based in the rugged mountains beside the North Wales coast in the UK. Living with her husband, children and rescue dogs.With her vivid imagination and eye for detail, Corryn has been lauded for her beautiful award-winning pieces bursting to the rim with creativity. She is fascinated by the beauty, magic, and mythology of the natural landscape of Wales, which regularly inspires her art.