The Olympitis father and daughter team are back with this second instalment of the Whispers in the Park series…

Now in vibrant colour, Whispers in the Park: The Prophecy is the thrilling second book of Emmanuel and Olympia Olympitis’s enchanting series. As winter draws in around St James’s Park, a mysterious new arrival sends shockwaves through the centuries-old school for grey squirrels. A red squirrel – descendant of the school’s legendary founder – joins the ranks in a haunting echo of an ancient prophecy.

Meanwhile, for young students Shane and Sophie, and their new friend Rufus, their tranquil life among the foliage is about to become increasingly perilous. St James’s is soon under threat from the shadowy underworld of cunning foxes, ruthless rats and powerful enemies as a sinister plot emerges against the nearby royal palaces. But with Headmaster Horatio Hoyland on high alert and the ever-watchful Siamese detective Sam on the case, there is always hope that disaster can be averted.

Bursting with charm, intrigue and unforgettable characters, Whispers in the Park: The Prophecy is a spellbinding tale of courage, friendship and the fight to protect a legacy – perfect for fans of The Wind in the Willows and Redwall.

My Review

Everyone at St James School for squirrels knows about the prophecy. But is it real and will it come true?

“From Egypt’s sands, a warning clear,
In London’s oak, the end draws near …

“A red-furred son, so brave, so small,
Will stand alone to save them all.”

But when Rufus the red squirrel arrives, it is obvious that he is descended from the Founder of the school. But is he the red-furred son, so brave, so small? Being a well-mannered, intelligent squirrel, he soon fits in and makes friends, in spite of being much smaller and ‘different’. He is very good at writing – his father is a journalist, and editor of The Inverness Chatter – and football, though not very good at other sports or academic subjects.

In the meantime Fabian the wily fox is plotting a robbery with the help of the stoats and rats. Well two actually, the first one at Clarence House will be a distraction, while the second one will be the real thing. It’s all very complicated and involves wealthy property developer Silus, who hates red squirrels. It also involves gangsters from Chicago. Who knew!

But Fabian hadn’t banked on the involvement of Sam the Siamese cat, who is the detective we met in book one. She is convinced there is more to the robbery than anyone is letting on. She threatens Reinfeldt the rat for information, reminding him how he got his scar and lost an eye.

‘Fortunately, he was too slow, and the kitten leaped up as he lifted the crowbar in the air, raking his face with her claws. These claws in fact.’ Sam examined them fondly for a minute. ‘Yes. I was that kitten.’

Thinking the crime was solved, Hoyland quotes the Prophecy, but Rufus tells him that he forgot the last two lines.

‘What last two lines? That’s all there is,’ gasped Hoyland, ‘that’s the complete Prophecy. What are you talking about?’

‘Not quite.’ Rufus’s voice had deepened still more, full of doom. He was in a trance. ‘The last two lines are:

“But treason’s stain must never mark
The Crown, or all will end in dark.”

And so the crime really is solved…. for now.

As well as being a lovely story, The Prophecy also teaches children about diversity – Rufus is red and small – as well as respecting each other’s race and culture. I love the squirrels, in fact they are amongst my favourite animals, but it’s Sam the Siamese cat that stole my heart, maybe because she is like my neighbour’s cat Woody, who I can just picture being a feline detective.

Many thanks to Grace Pilkington Publicity for inviting me to be part of the blog tour.
Email: gracepilkingtonpublicity@gmail.com

About the Author and Illustrator

Emmanuel Olympitis is a British businessman who has held many public company directorships during his career. He is also the author of critically acclaimed By Victories Undone and Marked Cards.

Olympia Olympitis is a full-time illustrator based between London and Wiltshire, having studied at City and Guilds of London Art School and The University of Edinburgh. Specialising in house portraiture, landscape illustration and bespoke wedding & event stationery, Whispers in the Park was her first book.