Allison Rushby, the daughter of an author, was raised on a wholesome diet of classic English literature. Some of her favourite books, re-read countless dog-eared times, include Rumer Godden’s The Dolls’ House, Frances Hodgson Burnett’s The Secret Garden, Joyce Lankester Brisley’s Milly-Molly-Mandy series and Noel Streatfeild’s Shoes series. She adores cities with long, winding histories, wild, overgrown cemeteries, red-brick Victorian museums, foxes and ivy. She likes to write with a cup of Darjeeling tea by her side and a Devon Rex cat called Claudia curled up in her lap. The Turnkey is Allison's first book with Walker.
Allison Rushby cleverly weaves a supernatural plot into a
page-turning mystery with a fresh historical perspective and a
strong heroine at its centre.
*Books+Publishing*
‘The Turnkey’ is full of research potential for the classroom or
out of personal interest. Allison Rushby has cleverly woven
accurate historical details, places, people and objects such as the
Holy Grail and Mayan crystal skulls, through the gentle but
fast-moving narrative.
Highly recommended – even if you don’t like ghosts. Actually I feel
bad even saying that, Flossie was absolutely gorgeous and I’m sure
we would be friends, if she existed, which I kind of hope she
doesn’t because…well…ghosts.
*Childrens Books Daily*
I am always on the lookout for strong female role models in
literature and Flossie ticks all the boxes, especially her
kindness; we could do with more kindness in life and in afterlife.
Flossie is a character who many young readers will connect with,
despite her translucence!
*Children's Book Daily*
The Turnkey is a solid, original and intriguing tale that has the
perfect blend of mystery, history and paranormal activity.
*The Bookshelf Gargoyle*
The Turnkey is not only a gratifying read for middle graders and
above but also an interesting inference of how the second world war
might have eventuated had there been more ghosts like Flossie to
influence its outcome.
*Boomerang Books*
The Turnkey is a unique and enchanting mystery for middle-late
primary reader. Highly recommended for school and public
libraries.
*Magpies Magazine*
The historical and supernatural plot is filled with surprises,
breathtaking twists and turns, and sudden revelations that will
keep the pages turning. Prepare to read this in one sitting!
*Kids' Book Review*
...the slow-building tension allowed the characters to evolve and
show us who they were. I’m usually not one for ghost stories, but I
love Allison Rushby’s ones – I think this is because they’re not
overly scary – or not as scary as some ghost stories can be, and
they have a gentleness to them at times that is reassuring...
Flossie is the kind of guide, or guardian that we should all get to
have. She’s sensitive, kind, and caring, and the ghosts she takes
care of are very lucky to have her. I know she is a fictional
character, but I am wondering what she has been doing since the
war, and if she is still the Turnkey of the Highgate Cemetery – she
seems like the sort of person who would continue that job as long
as she could. I am going to embark on reading the sequel soon and
will get that review up as soon as I can.
*Ashleigh Meikle*
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