The Haunting of Charity Delafield

by Ian Beck

Charity Delafield is raised knowing little of the outside world, confined to her overly-protective father’s Victorian mansion with its labyrinth of secret corridors and abandoned rooms. Afflicted with a mysterious ‘condition’ since birth, she is forbidden from socialising with other children, and her lonely existence is alleviated only by the company of the friendly servants and her cat, Mr. Tomkins.

One snowy day, whilst playing in the grounds, Charity meets a mysterious old woman at the gates who reveals that there is more to her past than her father has led her to believe, and she becomes determined to discover the truth.

Despite its cold and stark setting, The Haunting of Charity Delafield is a heart-warming tale of friendship, family and love with an uplifting, magical twist.

Publisher: Bodley Head Children's Books

Ian Beck

Ian Beck was born in 1947. His first picture book, Round and Round the Garden, was published in 1983. In 1997 his book Home Before Dark won a gold award in the best toy awards and in 2000 he won the award for a second time, for Alone in the Woods, and later again he won the award for The Happy Bee. He was elected Master of the Art Workers Guild in 1999. He has published over sixty picture books.