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The Observer

“Extraordinary” 

Buy Book 2 at Waterstones

The Guardian

Best books chosen by booksellers
“Favourite children’s book” 

Buy Book 1 ebook

The Quicksmiths middle-grade fantasy series from award-winning publisher Firefly Press(2)

Audiobooks

Available worldwide from all good audio platforms, including SpotifyGoogle PlayBarnes & NobleApple and Audible.

Arts Council funded

Quicksmiths Book 2: ‘The Myriad Mysteries of Eartha Quicksmith’ was made possible by the generosity of Arts Council England. Book 3 coming 2024!

Summer Reading Challenge

#TenRiddles was part of the Summer Reading Challenge 2022 created by The Reading Agency, in partnership with the Science Museum Group, and brought to life by StoryTrails.

'A mind-blowing, puzzle-packed, epic adventure...

…such a fantastic book, packed with so many ideas… it’s hard to sum it up in one sentence!’


Kieran Larwood
, Author of Podkin One-Ear and the Five Realms series 

'An incredibly inventive, fabulously funny book...

 …stuffed with likeable characters and a plot that will keep you guessing until the very last page. One of the best children’s fantasy books I’ve read so far this year. Do not miss it!’ 

Dan Walker, Author of Sky ThievesDesert Thieves and The Light Hunters

Book 1: The Ten Riddles

When Kip Bramley receives a cryptic invitation, delivered by a beetle-shaped drone that appears to be breathing, his world changes forever.

Soon he finds himself chasing riddles and solving puzzles set 400 years earlier by a mysterious genius. Kip, his new friends, and their furry sidekicks must stay one step ahead to find the Ark of Ideas. But dark forces are closing in and getting closer…

‘Deeply hilarious, highly intelligent…’ Children’s Books Ireland

‘An ideal choice for whole class reading’ readingzone.com

Book 2: The Myriad Mysteries

With the Ark of Ideas resisting even Professor Steampunk’s attempts to learn its secrets, the trail left by renaissance genius Eartha Quicksmith has gone cold.

But then a dream discovery and a freak accident send Kip and Timmi hurtling on a dangerous quest through fantastical hidden worlds.

 To survive these strange new realms, they must decipher new riddles, battle monsters and face old enemies. But can they escape the Myriad Pirates to complete Eartha’s mission, and can Albert and Leela help them get home safely again?


‘Our recommended Book of the Month…unlike any book I have read for some time…packed with inventions, teamwork, and gadgets that will have you scratching your head…’ Mr Ripley’s Enchanted Books

Listen to chapter 1

Short trailer

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Author Bio

Loris Owen likes mysteries, conundrums, puzzles, enigmas and synonyms. She roamed around the world a bit before moving to the Midlands where she runs a mowl sanctuary and spends her days hunting for interesting combinations of words. The Ten Riddles of Eartha Quicksmith was her first novel.

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"Mr. Lemoncello meets Harry Potter"

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