I've read a couple of books by this author now and will certainly be recommending them to schools. I've added the books to my website.

Ruth has lived through the harrowing events of World War II and even survived the Blitz in London with her mother, so may be forgiven for hoping for a quiet life with little more drama. Her mother and father are on the brink of divorce, and she’s in danger of losing her family home if her mother doesn’t secure a paid job working for the British Museum, where she currently volunteers. But when she answers a telephone call intended for the Curator of British Collections in the British Museum, she becomes embroiled within an underground plot of hidden treasures on a farm filled with mystery and secrets. Ruth and her mother’s careful excavation leads to the discovery of some very significant objects indeed. Rook Farm is in danger, and the treasure could very well save it, but can they keep it safe, and is the treasure all that is seems, or could somebody be keeping secrets?
I’ve made no secret that I believe AM Howell to be the queen of Historical Mystery, and The Secret of the Treasure Keepers is another addition to a stunning collection of stories. Ann-Marie drops just enough breadcrumbs for the reader to be able to piece together the puzzle in order to solve the mystery, with some distractions and red herrings of course! I adore the detail in the stories, and always truly learn something about the period, this time the story of the Baedeker raids, which, having taught all about World War II had escaped my knowledge, but piqued my interest enough to research further, as I hope it would do for a young reader. To that end, there are links in the back of the book for budding archaeologists to pursue a potential new hobby or career. I also loved that although Mary’s medical bills were going to cost a fortune, there’s the mention of a new health service which won’t cost a penny to use, and of a self-service shop to encompass the butcher, baker and grocer – imagine! This would be a great title to use alongside a WWII topic, or more specifically to look at what happened in Britain post-war.
Rook Farm is a gem of a setting, where the reader is just as welcome as Ruth, and I adored the characters involved in this mystery, and found myself getting very attached to the family, and Joey inparticular. Joey and Ruth’s awkward, suspicious friendship makes their working together difficult, but each is in danger of losing their own home, and desperate to prove themselves to their families. Anyone and everyone could be keeping secrets, and while some might appear to have motive or means, skeletons may be lurking in the most unsuspecting of closets and not every action is simply right or simply wrong.
Featuring beautiful cover artwork by Rachel Corcoran, The Secret of the Treasure Keepers is available 31st March 2022. If you haven’t already read The Garden of Lost Secrets, The House of One Hundred Clocks and Mystery of the Night Watchers, seek them out immediately!

This is a fabulous story with an intelligent,original narrative. Ruth answers a phone all whilst waiting for her mother in the British Museum.It leads them to a farm in the bleak East of England where Ruth helps discover and then solve the mystery of some hidden treasure.I loved the archaeological storyline in this book.It opens up a world that will be new to many children but which should excite those who enjoy a good mystery.The description of the grey,winter countryside creates a brooding atmosphere which is a perfect background to the plot. Ruth’s family situation is also carefully explored.: her parents are amicably divorcing but Ruth’s sadness is not downplayed.
Overall a book worthy of at least five stars, and one to recommend.

Huge thank you to NetGalley and Usborne for the opportunity to read this in return for an honest review.

I am a huge fan of historical novels and Ann Marie is a huge talent in this genre. Having absolutely loved her previous three novels, I was delighted to be granted early access to this, her latest.
I was gripped from the onset, and this wonderful tale does not disappoint. Revealing aspects of society's thinking at the time the novel is set (the immediate aftermath of WW2) and that there was no health or welfare care at the time, the reader is exposed to how desperate Joe must be feeling.
I really love how Ann- Marie draws the reader in, revealing the characters true intentions slowly. Simply stupendous storytelling. Through the writing, the reader can feel the pinch of the War on families at the time.
This is a wonderful story about friendship, family & belief. Love the interconnections between the characters & the twists & turns and the myriad of questions created as you read.
A must have read for 2022

This is a charming, historical adventure ideal for upper Ks2 and lower KS3 readers. The chapters are short and the characters are accessible and jump off the page. Many of the themes in this book- family breakdown, financial struggle, ambition, responsibility- will resonate with modern readers despite the setting of the book being more than half a century ago. This book is a modern classic, the young characters jump off the page and are instantly likeable. This would be a great book to read as a class or to read for pleasure.

This was my first Howell's book and quite possibly my first middle-grade historical mystery. I loved how the atmosphere and the authentic descriptions helped me immerse myself in the postwar era. The characters grew and matured in front of my eyes and it was a joy to follow along on their adventures and struggle to survive the difficult times.
I recommend this to everyone who likes suspenseful mysteries and stories with a lot of historic details. Marvellous from start to finish.

I do love a good mystery, but sometimes I feel as though the mystery itself is the protagonist and the characters play second fiddle. In both of the books I have read by A. M. Howell, I have loved the way she puts her heroines and their friends and families centre-stage so that not only have I really wanted to solve the puzzles unfolding in front of me, but I have wanted things to work out for those key figures doing the donkey work within the pages.

For anyone else who feels like that, this – her latest read – is another corking story with its perfect blend of mystery, well-researched historical and geographical information, and a couple of central characters for whom I really cared and wanted everything to work out to give them the happy ending I felt they deserved.

Our story opens in one of my very favourite places to visit – The British Museum – not amongst the public exhibits but close to the office of Mr Knight, Curator of British Collections, who is interviewing the aspiring archaeologist mother of our heroine, Ruth. Waiting as patiently as she is able for her mother to return, Ruth’s attention is caught by the persistent ringing of Mr Knight’s telephone and eager to help she finds herself answering it and speaking to a Mrs Mary Sterne of Rook Farm.

Believing she is talking to Mr Knight’s secretary, Mrs Sterne tells Ruth that she has uncovered some treasure on the farm and is not only desperate for advice as to what to do but is hoping that the treasure will be of value because it will help her to save her farm. Unfortunately, when her mother reappears, Ruth discovers that she has been unsuccessful and decides to try to pass on the message. Mr Knight, however, gives her a frosty reception when she tries to talk to him, resulting in her pocketing the note she intended to pass to him and leaving with it.

When Ruth explains what she has done, her mother determines to head to the farm herself to investigate and the pair of them soon find themselves speaking to Mrs Sterne in person and examining what she has found. Keen to get into Mr Knight’s good books, Ruth’s mother soon returns to London leaving Ruth to help on the farm. But as Ruth tries to find out more about the treasure, she discovers that it is not necessarily what it seemed at first and that the inhabitants of the farm are hiding a great many secrets – not just from her, but from one another. Unsure as to whom to trust, Ruth does her best to solve the mystery ahead of her mother’s return, but can she work out what is going on, or will the treasure prove not to be what it seems?

This is the second book I’ve read recently set just after WWII, and many younger readers who have studied that period of British history in school will really enjoy reading this to find out more about what life was like for people following that conflict. With its references to rationing, land girls and other details such as blackouts, the story clearly demonstrates that life for all did not go back to normal at the end of the war, but that many of the hardships carried on afterwards. Some great historical details are also included. Although the school in which I teach is close to Norwich, my class had no idea that that city had been bombed during the war – as described as part of the story – or indeed any city other than London, and so many children will have questions about their own locations as a result of reading this. With an ever-decreasing number of older members of society who remember what it is was like to live through the 1940s, books like this are going to be increasingly important in enriching our children’s understanding of their history and here they will learn effortless through their enjoyment of the story.

Bold and with a burning curiosity, Ruth is a strong heroine who is not afraid to take huge risks in her efforts to help both her mother’s attempts to secure a job at the museum and the occupants of the farm as they try to resolve its financial difficulties. As she investigates what is happening, she sometimes jumps to the wrong conclusion but she shows great perseverance and determination to keep going no matter what and I liked her all the better for her flaws.

Perfect for readers in Year 5 upwards, this is another really great story from the author – intriguing, packed with glorious descriptions of the settings and with credible characters who bring the pages vividly to life. I absolutely loved it and am extremely grateful to Usborne Publishing and Net Galley for my advance read ahead of publication on 31st March 2022.

Adventure, history and mystery combine to create an unpredictable and fast-paced piece of historical fiction in A.M. Howell’s latest offering, The Secret of the Treasure Seekers.

Set in the aftermath of World War 2, this book follows the story of Ruth and her mother as they set off in search of hidden treasure. It is jam-packed with plot twists and red herrings, leaving the reader desperate to unravel the ever-increasing amount of secrets. As always A. M. Howell’s writing is so atmospheric, it feels as if you have been transported directly into Rook Farm alongside the characters.

It’s a story of bravery and friendship, of grief and of loss. It would be the perfect addition to any UKS2 classroom bookshelf and I look forward to sharing it with my class. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

A.M. Howell’s newest book, The Secret of the Treasure Keepers, is an absolute triumph of historical fiction for children filled with positivity, hope and determination. Reading this, I felt like I was back with an old friend – comfortable and ready for a new adventure. In no time at all, I was completely immersed in the story, not wanting to be pulled out of it. Having loved A.M. Howell’s first three books, my daughter spotted me reading it and already has this on her wish list for when it is published in March 2022.

Ruth’s mum volunteers at the British Museum in post-war London. She is desperate to gain a paid position doing what she loves most – archaeology. A divorce and the impact of the war means money is short and the house is at risk. Ruth thinks her mum’s job is so exciting – carefully digging into the past and finding treasure that lay hidden for hundreds, if not thousands, of years.

One night, while waiting for her mum to finish up at the museum, Ruth answers a telephone call she shouldn’t have. Mrs Mary Sterne is concerned about some objects she’s discovered in her field at Rook Farm in Ely. Someone needs to come and take a look at it before snow covers the ground and it’s too late in the year to find out if anything else is hiding underground. Should Ruth pass the message to Mr Knight, Curator of British Collections, or is this the chance her mum has been waiting for? One that will allow her to prove her skills and finally make a name for herself…

Ruth and her mum embark on a life-changing journey. With the people of Rook Farm, they discover far more than just treasure. Ruth learns that it is important to do what is right no matter what the consequences and realises that her dad knew what he was talking about when he said most problems can be solved by having a jolly good think.

In The Secret of the Treasure Keepers, we meet a wonderful collection of characters. Each one has a story and a secret. The impact of the war is clear. Times are hard for everyone and people are willing to resort to desperate measures to survive. So often, stories are set during the war itself. Focussing on 1948 shifts the attention to what came next and allows readers to take their understanding one step further.

There is no doubt The Secret of the Treasure Keepers will be a stand-out title for 2022.