The Valley of Lost Secrets

Bloomsbury presents The Valley of Lost Secrets by Lesley Parr, read by Iestyn Arwel.
A page-turning mystery about bravery and brotherhood among evacuees in the Second World War, from an prize-winning author.
September 1939.
When Jimmy is evacuated to a small village in Wales, it couldn't be more different from London. Green, quiet and full of strangers, he instantly feels out of place.
But then he finds a skull hidden in a tree, and suddenly the valley is more frightening than the war. Who can Jimmy trust? His brother is too little; his best friend has changed.
Finding an ally in someone he never expects, they set out together to uncover the secrets that lie with the skull. What they discover will change Jimmy - and the village - forever.
A perfect book for readers of 9 and over who love Michael Morpurgo's stories.
'Beautifully told. This appealing book is about losses healed, lies uncovered, cruelty defeated and goodness rewarded' - The Sunday Times

Lesley Parr grew up in a South Wales steel town. Her debut, The Valley of Lost Secrets, published in 2021 and was a Waterstones Book of the Month, longlisted for the CILIP Carnegie Medal, and shortlisted for both the Branford Boase and UKLA awards. Lesley-s books have won the Tir na n-Og Award (2022,2024) and Wales Children-s Book of the Year (2023), amongst others. All four of her novels so far have received CILIP Carnegie Medal nominations. A former primary school teacher, she holds an MA with distinction in Writing for Young People. Lesley now lives in England with her husband and rescue cat, Ramsay. She shares her time between writing stories, tutoring adults and shouting at rugby on the TV.