Currently there are several pretenders to the empty throne of Roald Dahl.
Writers such as Andy Stanton and David Walliams have brought us larger-than-life tales brimming with strangeness, imagination, warmth and humour. In this, her first book, M L Peel proves she may have the right qualities to stand amongst them. What begins as a one joke premise – young hero Bruno can do quite tremendous bottom-burps – evolves into an unexpectedly epic, rip-snorting adventure in which poor Bruno finds himself embroiled in an ancient Alpine mystery.
This is deftly written, an engaging, evocative read complete with a flotilla of vivid characters and daft ideas - and not remotely as crude as you might expect. It's a real blast. Peel has come up trumps.
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