The Hounds of Penhallow Hall: The Moonlight Statue

Polly and her mum are seeking a fresh start after Dad’s fatal accident. They are moving to Cornwall, to Penhallow Hall, a four-hundred-year-old home now open to the public, where Mum has taken a job as House Manager. The rambling house harbours vast rooms and treasures – and a constant stream of visitors – and the gardens are lush, with large terraces, broad steps, statues and lawns, one of which leads to a sandy cove. One moonlit night, while sleepwalking, Polly wanders onto the terrace, towards the two large dog statues that guard the steps. One of them comes alive, explaining that he is the ghost of an ancient dog. Shortly after this encounter, Polly discovers that the house too has its ghostly secrets, as is revealed by a sepia print, taken in 1915, of a young boy in uniform, heir to the Penhallow estate. The story is suspenseful and maintains paciness to the end. Thanks to Polly, the ghostly figures find peace while they, in turn, help her come to terms with her new life. The old house and gardens are important elements, adding mystery, mood and magic to the unfolding of events. Dark and shadowy drawings capture the other-worldliness of the story.