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Spindlewood

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What to expect

Brought to you by Puffin.

The first book in a gripping new series, perfect for fans of The Swifts, Murder Most Unladylike, Lockwood and Co and Wednesday.

Lilac Black does not believe in ghosts. So she’s rather surprised to learn she comes from a long line of gifted Seers, all of whom attended Spindlewood: a top-secret boarding school for children with the power to see, hear and communicate with spirits.

And now, Lilac has an invitation to Spindlewood herself. The only problem? There's been a huge misunderstanding. Lilac does not have the gift.

Reluctant to disappoint her proud uncles, and curious to see this mysterious school for herself, she decides to play along. But as Lilac’s web of lies becomes more tangled, one thing is clear: there is something wrong at Spindlewood. Something ancient and sinister, hidden beneath the library. Something connected to the long-ago disappearance of Lilac's parents.

Something waiting for her...

'Spectacularly spooky . . . Full of warmth and humour, but threaded with delicious darkness' Philippa Leathley

'Percy Jackson meets Wednesday, with a huge dollop of originality on top' Thomas Taylor

© Freddie Kölsch 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026

Critics Review

Clever and highly engaging . . . Think Percy Jackson meets Wednesday, with a huge dollop of originality on top
Thomas Taylor, author of Malamander
A spectacularly spooky tale, I devoured Spindlewood and adored determined and clever main character Lilac Black from the first chapter. Full of warmth and humour but threaded with delicious darkness, it's a compulsive read and had me dying for a sequel as soon as I reached the last page
Philippa Leathley, author of Inkbound
Spooky, mysterious and utterly charming. Lilac Black will more than fill the Wednesday-shaped hole in your life
Clare Harlow, author of Tidemagic
Freddie Kölsch takes the magical boarding-school story and gives it a fresh twist: what if you were accepted into a school of magic, but were the only person there with no powers? With warm, unforgettable characters – especially Uncles Bell and Beau – assured world-building and a truly monstrous villain, Spindlewood blends traditional and contemporary magic in a story of outsiderdom, first love and staying true to yourself
Iqbal Hussain, author of The Night I Borrowed Time
It's hard to put your finger on the difference between a very good and a great book, but you know it when you see it. Spindlewood is a great book
Russell Franklin, author of The House of Dusk
A compelling story with realistic characters and atmospheric spooky touches
Kirkus
Clever, funny, and spooky, Spindlewood is a sparkling delight
Stephanie Burgis
It's a fantastically fresh take on a magic-school story, and Lilac’s clever (and sometimes slightly desperate) deceptions to keep up the ruse are great fun. The vividly rendered island setting is delightfully cosy and creepy all at once, and a mysterious, all-knowing narrator adds intrigue. Casual queer representation, including Lilac’s potential crush on an enigmatic classmate, and a diverse student body are welcome inclusions. An ideal autumnal read for anyone seeking an eerie atmosphere, mounting mysteries, and heaps of humour
Booklist
A seamless mix of mystery and suspense . . . Readers will impatiently wait for the next in the series. A perfect choice for fans of ­Jonathan Stroud’s Lockwood & Co series, Wednesday, and works by Lemony Snicket
School Library Journal
Author Freddie Kölsch
Narrator Zura Johnson
Duration 8 hours and 46 minutes
Release Date
ISBN 9780241820773
Format Audiobook
Publisher Penguin Random House Children's UK
Genre Children’s / Teenage fiction: Crime and mystery fiction, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Horror and ghost stories, chillers, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Magical realism, Children’s / Teenage fiction: School stories
Availability AU, GB, IE

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