High Spirits
“Millions of people will die in the war, Ellie. And it’s our job to make sure it happens. That’s why our work isn’t easy.”
It’s been two years since Ellie last spoke to Edward. She thinks she’s left the spirit world behind. But the spirits won’t take no for an answer...
When Ellie’s Mum returns to Inchwood Manor, Ellie finds herself going too... and is transported back to the 1930s, discovering a plot to impersonate the King of England.
With the Second World War coming, and the first evil spirits starting to escape into the mortal world, Ellie is fighting alongside some unexpected allies...
Published 28 October 2017
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‘Have you ever started reading a book, and it's so fun and riveting that you just keep reading, and before you know it you've read the whole book and you haven't left your chair for three hours? Well, now I can add High Spirits to the list of books I've read in less than 24 hours.
As usual, Rob Keeley's absolutely perfect storytelling, quick dashes of humor, and ghostly surprises made this a joy to read.’ - The Wood Between the Worlds blog
‘Such an interesting plot, I couldn’t stop, it caught my curiosity through the whole book!
The characters are so rich, great attention [to] details, thrilling action scenes…
Everything was so well written, clean and direct, I was completely satisfied! …
I firmly believe that this series is an excellent tool to make people, of every age, create a habit in reading, because the whole story is exciting. The book was constructed to be directed to the young audience, and it can teach a little bit of responsibility and history in an pleasurable way!’
- Goodreads reviewer
'Ellie traipses through the wormhole leading us into the exciting world of the spirits. It's surreal to be thrown straight into the throes of WWII without any inkling at all. Still more unbelievable is identifying with the protagonist's fears and apprehensions.
Rob has a knack for reeling the reader right into the book and forgetting their immediate environs, only to be shaken up by rapping monks. The switch between the worlds is subtle and one would miss it if one blinked. With a banquet that looked more like an operation than a meal, poor Ellie was homesick/time sick, but we were anything but that. Ghosts and spirits everywhere, and no one knew but her! The book even tests a unique royal conspiracy theory. What's not to like in a book that has everything from ghosts to time travel to royals to secret agents?' - Catherine Habbie, author
'I really love this series! The characters are adorable, their adventures intriguing and I love how history and the present are so well connected. This time Ellie doesn't just see ghosts but is transported back in time herself!
I really liked Clara and her open and mischievous character. She was a delight to read about... I also loved her relationship with her older brother Tom...
I loved the theme of this book. It can have devastating effects when one changes the path of history...
The ending was certainly something! And a really biiiig cliffhanger. It sets up the grand finale with higher stakes than ever! Be prepared!' - Papertea & Bookflowers blog
'I felt so sorry for Ellie as she'd been trying so hard to stay away from the spirit world. She thought she'd left all those ghostly encounters behind...
This book left me on a real cliffhanger when it ended, not knowing if Ellie would be all right or not. Fortunately I had the next and final book in the series to read so I didn't have to wait to discover what happened next!' - Secret Library Book Blog
'...a pacy adventure, a central character put into extraordinary circumstances, time paradoxes to unravel, and evil villains who lose battles but persist with the war. Rob Keeley is continuing with his winning formula and middle grade readers will eat it up.' - Jill Murphy, The Bookbag
'This is my second visit to Ellie and her world, and I loved this just as much as my last visit! The author does a fantastic job of telling the story of Ellie and her family in the present, and all the trials and tribulations that family life can entail alongside the historical aspects of travelling back in time...
There is a nice mix of royal history and that of the rise of Nazi Germany and it is approached by the author in a sensible manner that will keep readers of all ages enthralled and eager to read more of events of the time.
I found this to be another exciting adventure and had an ending that left me wanting more and hopefully it won't be too long before Ellie is back to continue her adventures!!' - Karen Mace, blogger
'a fun Children's/YA novel... a straightforward story of courage and doing the right thing, mixed in with the paranormal... a good, clean story with a great plot.' -Whispering Stories blog
'As usual for this talented children's author, the story is an action packed, intriguing read with great characters, a sense of history and more startling revelations... Although it is the fourth book in the series, I suspect it would still work well as a standalone. Like the earlier books, it is still targeted at children aged 8 to 12 years of age but will definitely also appeal to adults who, like me, enjoy this genre. It is a great read, easy to escape into and has a full range of secondary characters with significant roles to play. I continue to believe this story and the whole series is one teachers of this age group should check out as it is a great way of bringing history to life, showing the significance of how choices can affect the future and helping enhance the children's vocabulary and language choices in their own writing.' - Splashes into Books
'I haven't read any of the other books in the series but this didn't stop me from getting stuck straight into Ellie's story and enjoying it immensely... Ellie's adventures are full of well-researched history and intrigue and there is a nice balance between this and her life in the present with her family.
There is a good pace and appropriate vocabulary... An enjoyable read as a stand-alone book and would be interesting to find out what happens in the next book in the series. I would recommend this exciting book and look forward to reading more from the author.' - Emily Williams Author Blog
‘Here we have a novel with a rapid pace, a dollop of humour and a time slip, this time back into the 1930s where a crime must be prevented.
One of a series, the author handles the backstory well, so that we are effortlessly brought up to date with Ellie's past, as she weaves through her present. We are made aware of the existing tensions between her parents before Ellie has to return to Inchwood Manor, which is where she is dragged into another dimension.
Imaginative, energetic, this is part fantasy part crime novel. Good fun, many twists and turns, and with excellent period and political detail.’ - Georgina Hawtrey-Woore Award Judges
