The Tin Snail

The heart-warming and fascinating story of the little car that helped to win a war.

I honestly never thought I’d find myself reading, let alone taken with, a book about the making of a French motor car but The Tin Snail by Cameron McAllister is a thoroughly engaging read. It manages to turn the struggle to invent the Citroen as the first people’s car, and then to keep its design from the German invaders, into a story of the Resistance, which is saying something. Plus it has a human element: the plot revolves round the designer’s young son, and his wan hopes that the car will help his parents stay together. Illustrated with panache in pen and ink by Sam Usher.

Feel-good, funny, romping, filmic adventure

A fresh and madcap novel . . . Half-silly, half-serious and full of human interest, The Tin Snail brings 10- to 14-year-olds into endearing and unusual company.

McAllister effectively turns what could have been a humdrum story about car design into a real page-turner and a daring tale . . . A feel-good story about the French Resistance that might very well inspire more than a few designers and engineers.

A fantastic family read; this is a story with a big heart based on an amazing idea . . . This is easily one of my favourite books so far this year - a brilliant and magical read that will stay with me until the day that I die. It is a great debut story with bags of drive and vroom.

Refreshingly different and very engaging . . . There is so much to enjoy in this book

I loved this delightful novel. It's intended for middle grade readers but people of all ages will love it.

The tale rollicks along with suspense, reversal, and surprise . . . Along the way, the author gives us a finely drawn evocation of the drama the French lived through, as well as an enthralling account of how a remarkable car - designed by an Italian, engineered by the French - was born. A captivating book for young people of all ages.

T.E. Carhart, bestselling author of 'The Piano Shop on the Left Bank'

My book-loving boy was immediately engrossed . . . Each chapter left him wanting to know what was coming next, and he read it cover to cover with great interest.

Cameron McAllister is a TV scriptwriter, and has worked on shows such as Robinson Crusoe, Spooks Code 9, Primeval and Emmerdale. He grew up near the beaches of Cornwall, and now lives in Brighton with his wife, four sons and Floss the dog.

It’s 1938. 
In order to save his dad’s job, Angelo needs to invent a brand-new car that can carry: 
 
a farmer 
his wife 
two chickens 
a flagon of wine 
and a dozen eggs 
 
across a bumpy field without breaking a single egg . . . and without the enemy discovering his top-secret design! 
 
Here's the extraordinary story – inspired by real events – of how one little car changed history.

Cameron McAllister

A superbly atmospheric, thrilling and satisfyingly gruesome mystery!

Jonathan Stroud, bestselling author of the Bartimaeus and Lockwood series

This book will thrill you and delight you from the very first page to the last . . . A lightening fast, stage coach of a ride . . . Packed full of mystery adventure . . . This is a fantastic five star read and is one of my favourite books this year

An absolutely brilliant book! We loved every second of it! It's fast-paced, funny, gruesome. LOVED it from first word to the last

Lisa Heathfield, author of PAPER BUTTERFLIES

A fun read for those who enjoy a gruesome mystery

Bolt your doors! Do not dare to sleep! A kidnapper known as ‘The Demon Undertaker’ is on the loose in London! 
 
Yesterday he continued his reign of terror in his most chilling crime yet – kidnapping Lady Grace Davenport from under the very noses of her family! 
 
A barrage of bullets could not stop the blood-thirsty ghoul from escaping in his black hearse – is he man or vampyre? 
 
Young Thomas Fielding, nephew of the Chief Magistrate, stumbled across the villain and gave chase. Can Thomas and his team of Bow Street Detectives save Lady Grace and catch the Demon Undertaker before he snatches his next victim?

Cameron McAllister

Praise for The Demon Undertaker

A superbly atmospheric, thrilling and satisfyingly gruesome mystery!

This book will thrill you and delight you from the very first page to the last . . . A lightening fast, stage coach of a ride . . . Packed full of mystery adventure . . . This is a fantastic five star read and is on ...

An absolutely brilliant book! We loved every second of it! It's fast-paced, funny, gruesome. LOVED it from first word to the last

A superbly atmospheric, thrilling and satisfyingly gruesome mystery!

This book will thrill you and delight you from the very first page to the last . . . A lightening fast, stage coach of a ride . . . Packed full of mystery adventure . . . This is a fantastic five star read and is on ...

An absolutely brilliant book! We loved every second of it! It's fast-paced, funny, gruesome. LOVED it from first word to the last

A superbly atmospheric, thrilling and satisfyingly gruesome mystery!

This book will thrill you and delight you from the very first page to the last . . . A lightening fast, stage coach of a ride . . . Packed full of mystery adventure . . . This is a fantastic five star read and is on ...

An absolutely brilliant book! We loved every second of it! It's fast-paced, funny, gruesome. LOVED it from first word to the last

Books by Cameron McAllister

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