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Does anyone know this book? Long shot.....

15 replies

RedRubyBlue · 15/09/2011 14:16

I read it as a child so it must have been written by Nina Bawden, Nina Beachcroft, Joan Aitken or a writer of that era/genre.

It was about three children who for reasons I cannot remember (orphaned?) are sent from their home in Africa to live with a distant relative in a seaside B&B in England. I vaguely remember a jade horse called Pin appearing somewhere...

Warned you it was a long shot...

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DeWe · 15/09/2011 19:14

Rings a bell.
Would be surprised if it was Joan Aiken. She wrote mostly sort of historical books set in a fictional era.

I was thinking of "Half a World Away" initially, but I haven't got a copy here and I don't think they were orphaned.

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RedRubyBlue · 15/09/2011 19:29

Thanks DeWe for trying.

I shall continue to wrack my brains.

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RedRubyBlue · 15/09/2011 19:36

I remember the 'B&B' was called The Haven and they had a Japanese guest who wouldn't eat the food and the children were watching with dismay as the 'aunt' took his uneaten food way.

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AlmaMartyr · 15/09/2011 19:39

Don't remember much else but do remember a jade horse called Pin, or I think I do anyway.

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AlmaMartyr · 15/09/2011 20:07

The House of Secrets by Nina Bawden?

Three orphans (Ben, John and Mary) go to live with their Aunt Mabel in her seaside B&B after their mother dies. They discover a house next door with secrets and there's a jade horse called Pin.

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AlmaMartyr · 15/09/2011 20:08

Excerpt here

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TheOriginalFAB · 15/09/2011 20:11

I am trying to remember a book I read as a child but no one has a clue. I remember the milk man delivering milk and the bottles were being contaminated.

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SpangledPandemonium · 15/09/2011 20:14

The Secret Passage by Nina Bawden

I have it in front of me right now! Grin

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AlmaMartyr · 15/09/2011 20:17

Oh, the excerpt is The Secret Passage Hmm I remember reading it and enjoying it though, must try and find a copy!

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AlmaMartyr · 15/09/2011 20:19

Oh, they are the same book! Published under different names. I loved Nina Bawden as a child, I wonder if there are any boxsets around for me for DD.

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RedRubyBlue · 15/09/2011 21:56

Dagnamit - it is for sale on Amazon but is it the same story? No reviews or summaries.

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RedRubyBlue · 15/09/2011 21:57

spangled

Sell it to me please? Smile

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AlmaMartyr · 15/09/2011 22:26

RedRubyBlue - have you looked at AbeBooks? Often quite good for older, hard to find books. I'm pretty certain that The Secret Passage and The House of Secrets are the same story published under different titles in different countries but wouldn't want to swear to it absolutely.

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Collision · 15/09/2011 22:28
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SpangledPandemonium · 16/09/2011 09:24

If you can't get hold of it ruby let me know

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