Jackie Loxham
MYSTERY ADVENTURES FOR GIRLS & BOYS
DRAGONDAH • THE SECRET LEGACY OF OTTILLEE BOTTOMLY
If you're looking for a children's adventure that whisks you away from the very first page, Dragondah: The Strange Legacy of Ottillee Bottomly by Jackie Loxham is a brilliant pick. It's packed with mystery, humour, fantasy and just the right amount of spooky atmosphere to keep young readers completely hooked. The Cornish setting feels wonderfully vivid too – all creepy houses, hidden secrets and ancient legends lurking around every corner.
Ottillee is the sort of heroine readers instantly warm to. She's feisty, curious and brave, even when everything around her seems strange and slightly terrifying. Her friendship with Finn, the mysterious local boy who prefers animals to people, adds real heart to the story. Together they make a fantastic team, and their adventures are full of twists, surprises and edge-of-your-seat moments that make it hard to stop reading “just one more chapter.”
What really makes this book stand out is how much fun it is. One minute you're laughing at Ottillee's sharp observations, the next you're trying to solve the mystery alongside her. The story moves at a cracking pace, but there's also plenty of warmth and emotion woven through the action. Younger readers will love uncovering the secrets of Dragondah, while adults reading along will appreciate the clever storytelling and memorable characters.
It's easy to see why this book picked up a Silver Medal in the Wishing Shelf Book Awards. Dragondah feels like the start of a classic children's mystery series – exciting, imaginative and bursting with personality. Perfect for readers who enjoy magical adventures with strong heroines, hidden legacies and plenty of unexpected twists along the way.
I also gave the book to my 12-year-old daughter. These were her thoughts: “I really loved this book because it was exciting and mysterious the whole way through, and every time I thought I knew what was going on, something unexpected happened. Ottillee was such a cool character, and Finn was probably my favourite because he was so strange and different. It felt spooky, magical and funny all at the same time, and I really wanted to keep reading to find out the secrets of Dragondah.”
A 'Wishing Shelf' Book Review