- Home
- About The Books
About The Books
About the Books of Spike Brown
Welcome to the wonderfully imaginative, slightly eerie, and endlessly clever world of Spike Brown — a writer who masterfully blends mystery, whimsy, and the supernatural in a collection of uniquely charming stories. Whether you are a fan of fairytale detectives, ancient curses, or retired sleuths still outsmarting villains by the seaside, Spike Brown’s literary universe is ready to pull you in.
Halloweenland:
A Fairy Tale Detective Mystery
In Halloweenland, readers are whisked away to a world beyond the ordinary — quite literally. Hidden on the far side of Arundel is a forgotten, musty railway tunnel, home to an unscheduled train that runs just once a year. When a brave girl dares to ride it, she enters Halloweenland — a place where “trick or treating is for sissies” and true fright lurks in the shadows. Guided by coffin-flying ghost girl Tudor Sefton, the bold Betty faces her most grotesque and eerie case yet: unraveling an ancient curse and finding a way to lift it. It’s a detective story like no other, filled with spooks, humor, and a good helping of old-fashioned fairytale magic.
Sherlock
by the Sea
In Sherlock by the Sea, Spike Brown reimagines Sherlock Holmes in his twilight years, now 80 and retired to a cottage by the coast. But don’t be fooled — age hasn’t dulled the sharp mind of the legendary detective. This seaside Holmes is still more than capable of wrong-footing villains and aiding both villagers and local police. With rich prose and engaging mystery plots, Brown reminds us that true brilliance knows no age. This book has earned praise from The Sherlock Holmes Journal for its well-crafted storytelling and authenticity to the spirit of Conan Doyle’s original creation.
Betty’s Chronicles
of Glim Glumswick
Betty, the fairytale detective, takes center stage again in Betty’s Chronicles of Glim Glumswick. In a village perched atop ancient ley lines, mysteries and magic are a part of daily life. Betty lives with her mother and Aunt Medley in a quirky community filled with eccentric characters — including a grandmother suspected of casting spells that flatten the constable’s bike tires. As usual, Betty and her sharp young mind uncover what lies beneath the peculiar happenings in Glim Glumswick.
More of Betty
the Fairytale Detective
In this third installment of Betty’s adventures, readers delve deeper into the strange, magical village of Glim Glumswick and meet even more unusual characters, like the fierce and hilarious ghost girl Tudor Sefton. Betty, a child prodigy who solved her first mystery at age six, continues her journey as she navigates a village brimming with ancient powers and mischievous spirits.
Clever Mr. Beaver
The Baby Dragon That Ran Out of Puff
Set on a long-ago Christmas Day, a baby dragon makes a daring escape up a care home chimney. Where did the little creature go? What new adventures will it find? Clever Mr. Beaver is a charming story about friendship, adventure, and the magic that lingers in unexpected places. Featuring the wise and resourceful Mr. Beaver, this book is a heartwarming tale for young readers and nostalgic adults alike.
SHERLOCK HOLMES:
The Wheelchair Mob
In one of Spike Brown’s boldest tales yet, The Wheelchair Mob introduces readers to a gang of ruthless wheelchair-bound criminals — a dangerous group engaged in racketeering, robbery, and murder. Their leader, once a bright-eyed street urchin associated with the great Sherlock Holmes himself, has turned into a fearsome mobster. It’s a sharp, darkly humorous, and fast-paced crime story with a Sherlockian twist.
Clever Mr. Beaver
Series
Spike Brown continues the adventures of Mr. Beaver in Clever Mr. Beaver and Mr Toad’s Garden Railway Mystery. Beavers are known for being clever, and Mr. Beaver is no exception. Famous for his flood management and crime-solving skills, he regularly aids Inspector Jack Russel and friends Moley, Ratty, and Mr. Toad. In these stories, mysteries unfold along riverbanks, through garden railways, and deep in the countryside, blending classic animal characters with detective intrigue.
Familial
Phantasmagorial
A collection that feels personal and eerie, Familial Phantasmagorial taps into Spike Brown’s eclectic background — from grave-digging and advertising to AI design. This book reflects Brown’s fascination with family, history, and the otherworldly, making it a must-read for those who love gothic tales with a twist of dark humor.
The Kiteman
A moving, historical tale, The Kiteman follows the tragic fate of Mary Belper, a mill worker killed in a preventable accident. Her fiancé, John Hubbart, turns to his kite-making craft as a way to cope — and to seek quiet revenge against those responsible. This powerful story weaves industrial history, grief, and resilience into a beautifully crafted narrative.
Round the Fireside
with Sherlock Holmes
This collection revisits Sherlock Holmes, offering readers a chance to sit fireside and hear lesser-known favorite cases. Spike Brown captures the voice and character of Holmes with precision, delivering clever mysteries and nostalgic storytelling that honor the original works while adding fresh charm.
Round the Hearth
with Sherlock Holmes
Step once more into the cerebral world of 221B Baker Street. You are, I trust, familiar with its venerable chambers? Come in, your place awaits by the hearth, beside the cluttered mantelshelf and the comforting glow of a crackling fire.
Here, the ever-watchful Mr Sherlock Holmes retrieves yet more manuscripts from his sacred tin dispatch box, offering you a fresh collection of intriguing crime mysteries to ponder.
Settle in and prepare to delve into another round of adventures from the great detective himself—where every detail matters, and nothing is ever quite as it seems.