Muddle and Win

A mind-bogglingly funny story about the battles and adventures inside our own heads.

Hear the name John Dickinson, and you expect something intriguing and original.  And with this fascinating book for younger readers, you won't be disappointed. ...Stories don't have to be quick and easy to be enjoyable, and there's nothing  wrong with expecting your readers to reach high. This book is touching and funny  and provocative, and we promise you — it will be well worth any effort you put  into reading it.

This is one of those books that takes  figurative meaning literally.  And you  end up with a whole lot of light-hearted silly good fun. But parallel to this,  Muddle and Win also explores concepts of good, evil, truth, and ideas (just some  of life’s itsy-bitsy philosophical questions). At times, I thought the storyline was  aimed at 10 years or younger, but the language structure (and maybe some of the  ideas) is aimed at an older reader.   There are bits for everyone in there.

Muddle &amp; Win is bonkers, but in a good way! I was hurled into this fabulously imagined world that was brilliantly fun, silly, witty and wonderfully written and put together. I immediately fell in love with brave little Muddlespot... The storyline is engaging and is perfectly paced, it is one of them one-sitting books that I love so much. I really haven't come across anything like Muddle &amp; Win before and I think everyone should read it themselves to experience the full on punch of silliness it packs into every page.

It's a brilliant, funny story about good and bad which is so well written that even slower, less capable readers will probably get through it in a day or two. I really enjoyed the story and think that so many pre-teens will too, its a great, fun read with a brilliant serious message underneath it all.

It’s funny, and it’s scary, and it’s very, very sharp in its observations of human nature. ...It's a huge relief to come across such an intelligent, thought-provoking book for children.

Give it to good readers of ten and up.  And read it yourself. It's fast-moving, vivid and funny, there’s not a dull line in it, and I adored it. I think you will too.

I absolutely loved reading Muddle and Win. It took me right back to the books I read during my childhood. Back when children’s books were imaginative, clever and fun, and I’d devour a whole book in one go.

Muddle and Win is a must for young readers (and maybe some of us older ones too!). It teaches a few lessons along the way but is still witty, silly, light-hearted, touching, intriguing and exciting. An excellent read for pre-teens and teens!

I've never read a book like this before ... The author really knows how to turn a dark, deadly battle into something  light-hearted and fun.

A fun, delightful and wacky story that’s very fast paced and  full of vivid images. Dickinson has a wonderful imagination and the way he  described the brain of Sally Jones and more importantly, the battle between good  and evil, felt very unique. I raced through this funny and adventurous short book.

Muddle and Win balances light and dark with satisfying complexity.  A fast-paced, joke-filled opening gives way to a subtly-layered novel which questions the easy assumptions we make about ‘good’ and ‘bad’. A book that reminds us that we can all break our mould - and also that bosses everywhere are much the same (even in heaven!)

Ideal for bright readers from 9 upwards with a wicked sense of humour and an interest in fairness, this book deals with some big concepts in a light-hearted way. ... The book could work well as a discussion text in PSHE for teachers – though the kids might laugh too much!

This is a quirky, comic tale, funny and full of fun.

John Dickinson was born in London in 1962. Educated at St Paul's School London and Trinity College Oxford, he joined the Ministry of Defence in 1985, with spells at the Cabinet Office and NATO.  In 2002 he left MOD to be house-husband, touchline Dad and writer. He is also the household cook, a struggling tenor and treasurer for the parish church. John lives in Painswick, Gloucestershire.

Everyone has a Lifetime Deed Counter (LDC). It works like this: 
 
You offer to help with the housework: Lifetime Good Deeds +1 
You steal your little brother's sweets: Lifetime Bad Deeds +1 
 
Looks straightforward, huh? But what if your every thought was disputed by opposing forces of good and evil - by an angel wearing ray bans (called Windleberry) and a demon in the form of a wart (called Muddlespot)? And within your mind they were fighting a fierce battle over your actions, a battle dictated by a game of poker? 
 
When Muddlespot is promoted from a devil's janitor to special agent, the pressure is on for him to infiltrate Sally Jones and make her Bad. If he doesn't, it will be Very Bad for him. But as his mission leads him down Sally's ear and into the deepest recesses of her mind, all becomes unclear. Just what does it mean to be good? And can it be good to be bad?

A gripping sci fi thriller for YA readers.

It is packed with ideas and unexpected turnings. Dickinson, formerly known as a writer for children, has produced a gripping, thought provoking thriller in his first science fiction novel for adults, one that works on the human and the cosmic scale alike

This is absolutely top notch, classy stuff . . . It's beautifully written, with a sparse and elegant style that suits both the isolation of the environment and the isolation of its central character . . . It's an immensely rewarding book: demanding but beautiful - and as suitable for adults as it is for older teenagers . . . I can't recommend it highly enough

This is cracking stuff. Beautifully written in crystal clear prose, you can practically put your finger in the spaces Dickinson has left to let the narrative breathe . . . Thought-provoking, stylish and immensely enjoyable WE would make a fine addition to anyone's library but for a science fiction fan it is a must buy

Essentially a convincing psychological thriller, this book also raises thought-provoking questions about our reliance on the internet and social networking, and about where it will eventually lead us . . . WE is a challenging and satisfying read

Thought-provoking, cleverly written, intense and chilling

John Dickinson was born in London in 1962. Educated at St Paul's School London and Trinity College Oxford, he joined the Ministry of Defence in 1985, with spells at the Cabinet Office and NATO. In 2002 he left MOD to be house-husband, touchline Dad and writer. He is also the household cook, a struggling tenor and treasurer for the parish church. John lives in Painswick, Gloucestershire.

WE ARE THE ONLY HUMANS LEFT . . . 
 
In the furthest, coldest, darkest reaches of our solar system, Paul Munro is on a mission from which he can never return. A desolate ice-covered moon will be his home for the rest of his life. And only from here can he see what humanity has become. 
 
A thriller to freeze your blood. To absolute zero.

The Lightstep

Epic historical fiction. War and peace in eighteenth century Germany.

A great work of theatre and a true historical epic...John Dickinson writes with a light touch and an eye for detail. He has the ability to paint every scene and draw every character with just a few deft strokes...This is a gem of a novel

John Dickinson worked for the Ministry of Defence before taking a sabbatical to concentrate on writing. He's married with children and lives near Exeter.

There was once no greater advocate for revolution than Michel Wéry. No voice spoke louder, was more impassioned, on the need for a new order, for an end to disparity and injustice - not just in France but throughout the continent. Strange, then, that such a man should find himself in the employ of the Prince Bishop of Erzberg, as scout and spymaster for a regime at absolute odds with his ideals. 
 
But time has taught Wéry harsh lessons: the Terror, the endless wrangling, the petty motivations of France's new ruling class, and the atrocities carried out in freedom's name - all have left their mark. Revolution has spawned a monster, and Wéry has vowed to thwart its march. 
 
And with Paris' scheming now focused on the Prince Bishoprics, her armies poised to strike, it seems fate has thrown Wéry his chance. But just what is he prepared to sacrifice? Himself? surely. A city state? Perhaps. The life of the sister of his one true friend? The beautiful Maria Adelsheim who dances the Lightstep in mourning for a brother, and for a man whom might yet be saved... 
 
Set against a backdrop of political thrust and counter-thrust, of lavish balls and shadowy cults, and to the rhythm of incessant canon-fire, The Lightstep is an epic story of love and honour, and a stunningly realised account of one of the defining moments in modern European history.

John Dickinson

This is a wonderful little book . . . The characters are funny, anarchic and definitely loveable . . . The wit and humour in this book are great and I would really recommend this to young people who like a good deep plot, dry humour and description that really brings the scenes alive.

The dry-witted characters inside Sally’s head are the real stars of this book . . . the author manages to deal with heavy themes such as free will in a light hearted manner throughout.

An uneasy truce is being held between Sally's devil, Muddlespot, and her angel, Windleberry. But then the cupids attack... 
 
For once, Muddle and Win are in agreement: cupids mean Trouble. They both know that when True Love is involved, things aren’t simply black or white – they’re horribly, confusingly pink! 
 
Sure enough, a heart-tipped golden arrow makes Sally’s sister Billie fall for Tony, the hottest, and most off-limits, boy in school. War breaks out at Darlington High, and as usual it's up to Sally to put things right. But can she undo the damage without getting caught in the crossfire?

John Dickinson

Praise for Attack of the Cupids

This is a wonderful little book . . . The characters are funny, anarchic and definitely loveable . . . The wit and humour in this book are great and I would really recommend this to young people who like a good deep ...

The dry-witted characters inside Sally’s head are the real stars of this book . . . the author manages to deal with heavy themes such as free will in a light hearted manner throughout.

Books by John Dickinson

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