The Broken Bell

The Broken Bell, the second book in Alan Kennedy’s Boat in the Bay trilogy. When he arranges a surprise holiday for the children Uncle Albert imagines he can look after them well enough. But before this story ends he is the one who needs looking after. Set on a remote island off the coast of southern France, an idyllic holiday gradually becomes a terrifying race against time, building to a dramatic climax. The Broken Bell also gives us the first glimpse of Poppy the painter, hardly aware of her own incredible talent, torn between the magic world of art and artists and her life with the others. But the hero of this book is the youngest of all. Ian never completely understands what is going on, but he is the one who finally discovers the secret of the broken bell. For readers of any age. ＂The writing is assured ... the implied reminders of the Swallows and Amazons series again add another dimension and are a delight＂ - Julian Lovelock, The Journal of the Arthur Ransome Society.