This new novel is written as a stand-alone work and is a sequel to “Hunting The Bushbird”. It has been written for children and young adults, aged 11 years and upwards, and is again set in and around the rainforests of Colombia. The countries of South America are a rarely-used setting in young adult fiction. I hope that the location of the action in both stories makes young readers hungry to learn more about this fascinating and environmentally diverse continent.
I have tried to make the book a fast-moving thriller. Within the central plot line, mystery surrounds a tragic and life-changing event at Talaqui Academy. Now eleven years old, the principal protagonist is once again young Luis Montero. The boy becomes embroiled in a dangerous web of intrigue as he searches for the truth about a shocking attack on one of his school friends. As he becomes more and more involved in the aftermath of the incident, Luis struggles to come to terms with a harsh reality. The criminal gang who terrorised his family two years earlier have returned to haunt him and the local population once more.
The loyalties of every leading character are tested to the limit as, one by one, dark secrets emerge to challenge even the strongest of relationships. Greed, revenge and love fight for supremacy as fate brings together the lives of strangers from different worlds. As the boy’s investigation unfolds, no-one is above suspicion. “Loyalty Is The Strongest Glue” is a gripping ”whodunnit” that twists and turns its way across Colombia before building towards its page-turning climax.
The story again offers strong references to contemporary environmental issues, including deforestation, loss of wildlife habitat and the plight of indigenous peoples. There are also thought-provoking human elements surrounding homelessness, disability, family dynamics and the interaction and influence of young adults with authority figures. The impact of the drugs trade on all of these elements is a sinister undercurrent throughout the text.
THE BIRTH OF “LOYALTY IS THE STRONGEST GLUE”
The dreadful Covid pandemic changed people’s lives in so many ways and continues to produce multiple challenges for millions across the country and the world. For me, writing this book turned out to be one of the few silver linings in a very dark year. The loss of my mum to the disease in May 2020 was an extremely difficult time. The choice of the book’s title came from the fierce loyalty she showed throughout her life to those family and friends that she cared about. In many ways, the book is a form of tribute to her and to my dad.
There was always going to be a sequel to “Hunting The Bushbird” and the various lockdowns provided the perfect opportunity to put my plot ideas into action. I had again imagined a scenario where my young protagonist, Luis, would potentially be equally effective in dealing with this new crisis as many, if not all, of the adults who became involved. The weaving of the characters’ lives and individual experiences into a coherent story was more of a challenge this time but eventually the right glue stuck them together. Just as in real life, there are frequent tests of loyalty for the children and adults alike who inhabit the book, regardless of their age. Sometimes, their heart rules their head, …and sometimes it doesn’t. Happily, the book came together at a smooth pace and I was more than happy when the action in the last chapter appeared about two thirds of the way through the process. The crafting of the story towards the ultimate conclusion was then a less uncertain ride!”
Once again, I really hope that everyone will enjoy reading the second finished article. If you do, please tell your friends!”
