LP Reynolds, freelance writer

When Anthony is thrown out of the Dingleberry's Laundry works, the only home he has ever known, he finds himself wandering the perilous streets of Turdington-Fly in nothing but an old smock. Little does he know that the humble garment is a mystical and powerful surplice taken from the shuttered convent of Lola and that the regent Zenephedine wants it very, very badly. But Anthony is timid, friendless, and homeless - he also has an embarrassing tummy problem brought on by anxiety. And now that the regent is sending vagrants to fight in the foreign wars, he might be snatched off the streets at any moment.

But with the help of a band of misfits, Anthony just might learn to overcome his fears. For if they don't work together to reclaim the magical surplice, the greedy bullies in charge of Turdington-Fly will continue to destroy nature and diminish the lives of ordinary folks.

But it feels impossible! There's the bishop's pressgang to avoid, Castle Pyke prison to break into, some prisoners to rescue, a cache of illuminated manuscripts to save - oh, and one special white dress to locate amongst the endless hampers, tubs and clothes lines of Dingleberry's Laundry... Anthony just needs to remember what Brother Martin taught him -

Breathe through the nose (not the mouth!) in one long, deep breath; then breathe again, and again ... focusing on one

simple,

perfect

beautiful thing...

The inspiration for this story is the joyous found family joy of the PADDINGTON movies, the tenderness of Kate Di Camillo's THE BEATRYCE PROPHECY, the atmospheric adventure of Katherine Rundell's THE WOLF WILDER, and the madcap irreverence of the HORRIBLE HISTORIES books and TV series.

copyright of LP Reynolds, 2026 All rights reserved.