Last month, I revisited my debut novel Uncle Flynn with a number of articles. This month, I’m putting the spotlight on Dr Gribbles and the Beast of Blackthorn Lodge, but with just one article this time.
Dr Gribbles and the Beast of Blackthorn Lodge is a page-turning adventure story aimed at all ages, although primarily of appeal to those who enjoy novels such as Anthony Horowitz’s Alex Rider series. Check out this rather cool cover (courtesy of the excellent Charles Bown).
A thrilling, fun, and sometimes scary ride (particularly in the first act), the opening chapter alone features a haunted house, a monster, and a mad scientist.
Set in 1987 towards the end of the Cold War, we’re introduced to our hero, eleven year old Tim; an intelligent, witty, but bullied child who gets trapped in the afore-mentioned haunted house. After a frightening encounter and narrow escape, he and his older brother Rob are drawn into a gripping adventure involving their neighbour; the mysterious, seemingly insane Dr Gribbles, a former government scientist.
Dr Gribbles was involved in a number of top secret experiments, one of which draws the attention of spies from Britain, America, and Russia – as well as Dr Gribbles’s estranged daughter Emily. Mayhem ensues amid a game of cat and mouse on the bleak wilderness of Dartmoor, hushed-up military research bases, mysterious archaeological digs, hidden tunnels, vehicular chases, twists, turns, betrayals, and much more. At one point, there are also wasps. Lots of horrible, angry wasps…
I should add that the wasp incident is actually based on a rather nasty real-life incident that my children and I had the misfortune to suffer (though we look back on it now with some amusement). The book is dedicated to my youngest son Thomas, on whose elaborate and imaginative nightmares the story is also partly based.
To get your copy of this madcap but marvellous adventure, simply click here.
Over the next few months, I’m highlighting some of my earlier novels. This month, I’ve been delving into treasure hunt adventure 
Treasure Island (Robert Louis Stevenson) – The granddaddy of all treasure hunt adventures, the influence of this classic could hardly be overlooked. In particular, the character of Long John Silver and his relationship with Jim is a key inspiration. Silver is a compelling character, but he is dangerous, and you are never quite sure whose side he is on, or if he will suddenly turn on Jim. There are hints of this danger in the relationship between Max and Flynn in my novel.
Five On A Treasure Island (Enid Blyton) – I’m a big fan of Enid Blyton’s Famous Five series. Whilst Five Go To Smuggler’s Top is my absolute favourite, this initial entry is also a cracking tale of children finding the treasure of local legend. It also illustrates one of the key principles of a great treasure hunt narrative (whether aimed at adults or children), in that the discovery of the treasure is ultimately and ironically secondary to obtaining something of even greater value – in this case, lasting friendship between the children, and the restoration of relationship between George and her parents. In my book, the treasure is important, but the restored relationship between Max and his father is the much greater prize.
Pigeon Post (Arthur Ransome) – Arthur Ransome’s superb Swallows and Amazons series are shamefully neglected by many these days. They normally concern boating adventures, but in this instalment, our heroes go prospecting for gold in the Lake District, whilst dodging the attention of a rival prospector. Other books in this series are more famous, but I always had a soft spot for this one. Peter Duck was another Ransome influence, incidentally.
The Goonies – A gang of children follow a map to buried treasure to save their neighbourhood from being torn down by smug property developers who want to build a golf course. Yes, it’s all rather noisy and obnoxious, but for children of a certain age (ie my age), this film can do no wrong. Packed with maps, cryptic clues, secret passages, booby traps, villainous rival treasure hunters, and so on, this is an obvious influence on my book that it would disingenuous to ignore.
Mary Poppins – The Disney film rather than the PL Travers’s novels are the inspiration here. Mr Banks routinely ignores his children (and to be fair, so does Mrs Banks). The magical Mary Poppins then appears, taking the children on extraordinary adventures whilst work drives Mr Banks to a nervous breakdown. However, upon realising what is important in life, Mr (and Mrs) Banks then are reunited with their children – at which point Poppins exits stage right. This theme is echoed in Uncle Flynn, with the establishment of the estranged relationship between Max and his father, which then gives way to adventures with Flynn, ahead of the big twist in the finale.
Over the next few months, I’m highlighting some of my earlier novels. This month, continuing my series on treasure hunt adventure 
Buckfast Abbey was another key location used in the book. Much of the history of the abbey works its way into the novel, especially regarding how Henry VIII burned priceless Catholic books, closed the abbey, and had its gold and other treasures transferred to London. William Petre, who is mentioned in the novel, oversaw this process. He later retired in the south-west, purchasing a couple of manors. Uncle Flynn moves beyond these facts to suggest William Petre had other motives for returning, namely that he had become obsessed with tracking down the treasure hidden by a few clever monks that had slipped through his fingers.
I’ve recently been interviewed on a number of blogs, mainly to promote my latest gothic mystery novel 
After an exceptionally busy 2019, I plan to take things a little easier this year. I very much doubt I will release any new material (either through publishers, or self-publishing) but whilst that might sound disappointing, it’s a necessary reaction to the last year or so, which featured the release of three novels – 
Simon Dillon Books 
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