Rock the Boat snaps up ‘spectacularly spooky’ middle-grade fantasy series by Bell

Rock the Boat has signed a “spectacularly spooky” new middle-grade fantasy series, The Train of Dark Wonders, from Alex Bell.

Senior commissioning editor Katie Jennings commissioned Bell to write three books in the series, acquiring world English-language rights, including audio rights, from Thérèse Coen, now director of Susanna Lea Associates, London, while in her former role of rights director of Hardman & Swainson.

The Train of Dark Wonders, illustrated in black and white by Beatriz Castro, who is represented by Joanne Cave at Advocate Art, will be published in paperback in October 2023, with the second and third books publishing in October 2024 and October 2025 respectively.

The synopsis reads “When Bess is handed the keys to her grandfather’s Odditorium, she can’t believe her luck. But unless she can come up with a plan to draw in the crowds, she will have to close its doors for good. When a mysterious train pulls into town bound for the Land of Halloween Sweets, Bess sneaks onboard, hoping for a chance to save the Odditorium. But beneath its sugary exterior, the land is more dangerous than it looks…"

Jennings said: “Alex Bell has always had an amazing talent for the uniquely creepy and wildly fantastical. Having worked on numerous YA books with her, including the bestselling horror Frozen Charlotte, I was over the moon when she agreed to bring her spooky sensibilities to a series for a younger audience. Readers are sure to be spellbound by Alex’s darkly delicious storytelling as they are transported into a world where candy eyeballs grow on trees, minty mummies spring from the ground – and nothing is quite what it seems.”

Bell has written multiple books for both adults and young people, including Frozen Charlotte (Stripes Publishing), a Zoella Book Club pick, and The Polar Bear Explorers’ Club (Faber & Faber), which was a Waterstones Book of the Month. After studying to be a lawyer, she now works at the Citizens Advice Bureau.

Bell said: “I’m delighted to be working with Katie and Rock the Boat on this brand-new spooky series and can’t wait to introduce readers to Bess and her Odditorium. I had such fun writing about spectacular trains and strange lands full of sinister sweets and am really looking forward to their further adventures to come too.”