It is 1911 and London’s docks thrum with underhand deals, none so great as the arrival of a valuable, rare and exotic animal, smuggled from the depths of the Congolese rainforest. The baby gorilla stands to make one man, the shady Goliath Deeds, very, very rich: he and his right-hand man, juvenile pickpocket, Toff Squabble. Heaven help anyone who dares stand in their way, not least the brave and innocent twelve-year-old Nettie Beecroft, who finds herself embroiled in a dangerous rescue attempt where she encounters toshers, bone grubbers and gangsters.
Whom can Nettie trust? And can she save the life this very special creature?

Born and raised in the north of England, Phil Earle is the author of numerous best-selling, award-winning books for children and teenagers. He has worked as a carer, a dramatherapist, a bookseller and a publisher, and loves talking at schools and festivals around the world. His novel When The Sky Falls won the British Book Award for Children’s Fiction, was voted The Times Children’s Book of the Year and was shortlisted for the prestigious Carnegie Medal. He lives on the side of a very steep hill with his wife, their five children and two dogs.

Number of pages: 240
Reading age guide: 12 to 14 years
Publication date: 5th June 2025
Publisher: Andersen Press
ISBN: 9781839134197
Format: Paperback

We dispatch orders Monday - Friday.

• Standard UK Royal Mail delivery £3.50 (free on orders over £25)
• UK Express delivery also available from £8.75
• International shipping available to select destinations (calculated at checkout according to weight)

More information on shipping

We don't include any paperwork in our parcels so you can send our book gifts directly to the recipient with confidence.

We'll happily add a handwritten note to your order. Simply leave your message in the box on the cart page.

You may also like to consider adding gift wrapping or a greetings card from our gifts collection.

Greeting cards & gift wrap