From the author of The Valley of Lost Secrets comes a thrilling adventure about the power of friendship set in a Welsh valley in the 1970s for readers of 9. Shortlisted for the 2024 Tir na nOg Awards.Jason lives with his big brother Richie trying their best to make ends meet so they can stay together. Theyve got supportive neighbours and some great friends but theres always the threat that someone will think they cant manage on their own since their parents died. Its February 1974 and workingclass families have been hit hard by the threeday week. The reduced power usage means less work and less money to get by on. Richie is doing his best but to make enough money hes been doing favours for the wrong people. An urban legend about a beast in the valleys catches Jasons eye in the local paper. A wild cat is said to roam the forest far up the river from their bridge. A reward is offered for proof of The Beasts existence. Jasons friends are desperate to help him and they convince him that this is the answer to his and Richies money problems.And so a quest begins. Four best friends soon find themselves on a journey that will change each of them ... forever.With echoes of Stand By Me this thrilling middlegrade adventure is packed with irresistible characters and a pageturning plot with relatable themes making this another timeless story from one of our finest writers of historical fiction for kids.What a story. What a writer. Simply stunning Emma CarrollSelected as The Sunday Times Childrens Book of the Week 12 March 2023Longlisted for the Historical Association Young Quills Award 2024