Please help me remember this YA book from the 90s

[ZimZamZoom]

I have been trying to remember/find this book on and off for about ten years.

When I was at middle school (mid 90s) I read a book about a community of people who lived in secret tunnels in and around the London Underground. I think it began with a teenager running away from home and ending up joining this secret underground community. I cannot remember anything else about the plot though.

I suppose there is a chance it was written/published earlier than the 90s.

I would dearly love to rediscover this book.

Thanks in advance for any ideas.

The Underworld books by Peter Beere?

Could it be a Robert swindells book? I've got fond memories of stone cold about a homeless teen but not sure it quite fits with the trains...

No, not that one sorry. thanks though.

Not this one, no. Thanks though.

This is what I recall too.

Not these either. Sorry and thanks.

Stone Cold by Robert Swindells?

It makes me think of King Solomon’s Carpet by Barbara Vine. Not YA though but is from 1991.

Oh this one looked really promising, but then I read the full plot on Wikipedia and, it's not the one I'm thinking of.
Thanks though.

No, sadly not. Thank you.

No. Sorry :( Thank you.

Well, I seem to have stumped MN, Reddit and Goodreads 😂

I fear my only solution is to buy and read every book suggested on this thread, to see if my memories have been corrupted over the years and that it did, in fact, involve sci fi or drugs or murder after all.
😬

No I remember it your way as well, OP. And I think I'm a few years older than you maybe, I would say it would need to be no later than 1992?

No help sorry but following out of interest as it rings a bell. I've been trying to get back into reading after some neuro meds and long covid have destroyed my concentration and YA seems to be a really good way back in! Its definitely not this book but you might enjoy the Runaways by Ruth Thomas.

I might have it!!! Underworld Part 1 by Peter Beere. The cover rings a bell.

This might be it...

Could be. Very little info online about that one. I wasn't 100% whether the main character was a boy or girl. I'd need to read it. Might get the Kindle edition later 😁

Also... a trilogy 🙌🏻

I thought it was a boy but I did think there was a girl there too, possibly showing him the ropes. The cover shows two people plus the baddy. I think this is the one I remember even if it's not the same one as the OP's.

I’m now waiting for the OP to come back and confirm! Bizarrely invested in this thread!

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0062A07M8/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1 this one?

Thats the one I'm thinking of.

Sorry to disappoint. The boy in "my" story was definitely alone to start with. I recall him sleeping in a shop doorway. Someone approaching him to either threaten him or move him on. He runs away. Only place to go is the underground, where he finds a community of homeless people living in the unused tunnels.
He may have met a girl along the way but he definitely starts out alone.

I have downloaded a sample the Peter Beere one, almost in desperation but it doesn't seem to fit still.

🤔

I'm glad your one has been found @Neilsfavouritechilli 😀

The station with no name

I think it was a short story in a Point Horror book.

I had completely forgotten about Point Horror books! That's me off down a nostalgic rabbit hole.

But no, it wasn't one of those. Thank you :)