The Whisperling

'One of the best debuts I've read in YEARS!' - Emma Carroll 
 
When you're dead, you're dead. When you're gone, you're gone. 
Unless, of course, you're not. 
And that's where I come in. 
 
The year is 1897, and Peggy Devona can speak with ghosts. 
 
She hides her gift from those afraid of a girl with such powers, terrified of the secrets the dead could reveal through her. But when her best friend is accused of murdering her rich mistress, Peggy knows only she - a whisperling - can save her. 
 
Peggy escapes to her uncle's psychic emporium in the city, seeking out new ghosts to help her solve Sally's case. 
 
Yet time is running out, and each step towards uncovering the truth also brings Sally one step closer to the gallows. . . 
 
A ghostly adventure in a dark and dangerous Victorian world, perfect for fans of Emma Carroll, Robin Stevens, and Jenni Spangler. 
 
Praise for The Whisperling: 
 
'A thrilling Gothic page-turner' - Jacqueline Wilson 
 
'A captivating and spine-tingling read...paints a vivid picture of the Victorian era' - BookTrust 
 
'Sends multiple shivers down the spine and delivers thrilling twists along the way' - LoveReading4Kids 
 
'Atmospheric & gripping as well as witty. Loved the gothic girl power of Peggy' - Lucy Brandt, author of the Leonora Bolt series

I laughed, I shed a tear, I loved the brilliant ending (with the tantalising hope of a sequel). One of the best debuts I've read in YEARS!

A captivating and spine-tingling read. . .paints a vivid picture of the Victorian era

The dark of this Gothic adventure is brightened by the sparky resilience of its characters...it sends multiple shivers down the spine and delivers thrilling twists along the way

Atmospheric & gripping as well as witty. Loved the gothic girl power of Peggy

Long-listed for the Bath Children's Novel award, Hayley writes in the space between family and work, with much support from her writing group. 
Mum to a teenage boy, she spends a disproportionate amount of time hoping that her son's life is far less complicated than those of the characters in her books, and trying to ensure he becomes a 'good egg'. 
Originally from the Forest of Dean, Hayley lives with her family and hairy breeze-block of a dog in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.

When you're dead, you're dead. When you're gone, you're gone. 
Unless, of course, you're not. 
And that's where I come in. 
 
The year is 1897, and Peggy Devona can speak with ghosts. 
 
She hides her gift from those afraid of a girl with such powers, terrified of the secrets the dead could reveal through her. But when her best friend is accused of murdering her rich mistress, Peggy knows only she - a whisperling - can save her. 
 
Peggy escapes to her uncle's psychic emporium in the city, seeking out new ghosts to help her solve Sally's case. 
 
Yet time is running out, and each step towards uncovering the truth also brings Sally one step closer to the gallows. . .

Hayley Hoskins

Brilliantly enchanting, eerie & enthralling!

Jo Clarke, author of the Travelling School Mysteries

The book had me happy, sorrowful, weepy and then happy again, going through the wringer of all emotions! Loved it!

Perfect for confident readers in Year 4 upwards, this is a great adventure story filled with mystery

Casually inclusive, fiercely feminist and very funny with lots of peril and spooky adventure thrown in. I couldn’t put it down.

My ten year old loved this, she thought it was an exciting and had no idea where it was going. She really enjoyed all the twists and turns and how it was just on the right side of scary.

An excellent second book in this outstanding series. At last a spooky book that does not feel too scary and does not keep my sensitive granddaughter nightmares. Hurrah.

Brilliantly written, with the perfect amount of suspense, comedy and fantasy. This is a must read for anyone that enjoys a gothic style with a deep and heartfelt storyline. I cannot recommend this book enough!

Gloucester, 1918. 
 
Nin and Lemon Esmond share a special bond. They're sisters - twins - whisperlings. Which means they have the power to speak with ghosts. 
 
Britain is at war, and Lemon - the more daring of the pair - is frustrated that they have to stay at home. Surely they can use their special gift to help in some way? 
 
Nin doesn't share her sister's need for adventure, but when they see reports of missing whisperlings in the papers, the twins know they must work together to solve what's happening...before they're next. 
 
Yet what awaits them on the dark streets of Gloucester isn't simply an adventure, but a battle of their very own... 
 
Praise for The Whisperling: 
 
'A thrilling Gothic page-tuner' - Jacqueline Wilson 
 
'One of the best debuts I've read in years!' - Emma Carroll

Hayley Hoskins

Praise for The Whisperling Twins

Brilliantly enchanting, eerie & enthralling!

The book had me happy, sorrowful, weepy and then happy again, going through the wringer of all emotions! Loved it!

Perfect for confident readers in Year 4 upwards, this is a great adventure story filled with mystery

Brilliantly enchanting, eerie & enthralling!

The book had me happy, sorrowful, weepy and then happy again, going through the wringer of all emotions! Loved it!

Perfect for confident readers in Year 4 upwards, this is a great adventure story filled with mystery

Brilliantly enchanting, eerie & enthralling!

The book had me happy, sorrowful, weepy and then happy again, going through the wringer of all emotions! Loved it!

Perfect for confident readers in Year 4 upwards, this is a great adventure story filled with mystery

Books by Hayley Hoskins

Series by Hayley Hoskins

The Whisperling

Follow penguin

Follow ladybird

Follow puffin

Sign up to the Penguin newsletter