The Shadow of the Great Fire by Wendy Leighton-Porter

The Shadow of the Great Fire

Shadows from the Past Book 17

by Wendy Leighton-Porter.

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In 1666, as London recovers from a deadly plague, the old medieval city with its narrow streets has become a tinderbox. After a long, hot summer, a small spark is all it takes for the whole place to go up in flames – but is this a simple accident or a deliberate act of sabotage?

Towards the end of August, just days before the Great Fire will break out, three time-travelling children and their talking cat land on the doorstep of one of the most famous figures of the 17th century. Can they discover why they’ve been sent there before it’s too late? Time is running out…

“The Shadow of The Great Fire by Wendy Leighton-Porter is a perfect pandemic treat for the middle-grade reader. When twins Joe and Jemima Lancelot, their best friend Charlie, and Jemima’s large talking Tonkinese cat Special Agent Max, step through a portal in time, we never know what to expect. What we can be certain of is that their new time-traveling adventure will be riddled with danger, intrigue, and the wild hope of finally finding Joe and Jemima’s parents. I am always impressed with the ingenuity, love, and compassion of the friends as they search for James and Isabel Lancelot. As a parent, I am very particular about providing my son with educational stories. I truly enjoy Ms. Leighton-Porter’s Shadows of The Past Series, as the books are historically accurate and the author includes dossiers on the central elements of history and how she changed circumstances to include them in her stories. The books are so educational, I have used several titles in the series as a base for history class in my son’s schooling. The characters are charming, the adventures thrilling, and Max’s attitude (and delightful fear of rodents) keep us anxiously waiting for the next installment. Now, with the introduction of a new twist, fans of Shadows of The Past series simply do not want to miss this book! Although this is not the first book in the series, it is an excellent standalone.”

ALYSSA ELMORE for READERS’ FAVORITE BOOK REVIEWS

“Like the other books in the series, this one doesn’t disappoint. There is lots of adventure coupled with history to attract young readers while at the same time educate them. The plot develops steadily and the characters are well developed. For fans of this series, it’s like joining a group of best friends on another exciting journey into the past. And you have to love the cat, Max. The author knows her history and, whilst some of the details are altered to serve the purpose of the story’s plot, the entire story is a marvelous re-telling of history. You can actually feel the heat of the devastating fire and smell the rot of a city still infested with a devastating plague. And, as in the previous books in the series, the author includes a concise glossary of interesting historical facts at the end of the novel. Another great read from an inspiring author.”

EMILY-JANE HILLS ORFORD for READERS’ FAVORITE BOOK REVIEWS

“Ms. Leighton-Porter has once again brought a pivotal moment of English history to life through the continuing adventures of twins Joe and Jemima Lancelot, their good friend Charlie, and Max the Tonkinese cat. This time the children and Max meet the famous diarist Samuel Pepys, scientist Isaac Newton, and King Charles II (though the kids don’t know Max is already acquainted with His Majesty, from an earlier solo adventure). They also come within a whisker (sorry, Max!) of catching up to the twins’ parents …”

L. HALL, reader, USA

“This gripping novel brings to life a cataclysmic historical event in a way that is a true joy to read. The banter between the Lancelot twins, their learned little friend, Charlie, and, of course, the talking Tonkinese cat, Max, is always amusing and well used by the writer to show their very well-defined characters. And Max has, of course, his own agenda. But it all comes together. Maybe they’ll not be able to prevent the fire from destroying most of London, but because of Max and his royal connection in a previous escapade, fake news can be dispelled. The author skilfully brings into her story key figures of the time, including Sir Christopher Wren, Sir Isaac Newton, Samuel Pepys, Robert Hooke, and John Evelyn… and Max’s royal connection, King Charles II himself. The description of the Great Fire is beautifully handled. So vivid the reader can feel the heat of the flames. I’ve passed the novel on to my eleven-year-old granddaughter, a fan of the Shadows series. She’ll love it, I know.”

OLIVER EADE, author

A Word from the Author

In 1666, at the end of a long, hot summer, London was about to face one of the most cataclysmic events in its history – the Great Fire. Still very much a medieval city, any fire that broke out had the potential to rage out of control, spreading through its narrow, winding streets with their wooden-framed buildings at a terrifying pace, and that’s precisely what happened one night in early September when a spark from an oven ignited a pile of dry wood at a bakery in Pudding Lane.

In the 17^th book of the Shadows from the Past series, twins Jemima and Joe Lancelot, together with best friend Charlie, and their talking cat Max, are about to set off on yet another adventure into the past. Knowing all about the Great Fire of London, they wonder why the Guardians of Time are sending them to 1666. Are they expected to try to change the course of history and prevent the fire from breaking out? This would a big ask for the time-travelling foursome – they will have to just wait and see what happens when they arrive.

Landing on the doorstep of the famous diarist Samuel Pepys, the young visitors from the future are taken in by his wife, Elisabeth, giving them the unique opportunity to experience everyday life in 17^th century London in the days leading up to the fire. The children are able to explore, finding their way around a city that is both familiar and yet unfamiliar at the same time. Ultimately, however, they find themselves helpless to prevent the inevitable from happening and must witness the devastating catastrophe that will change the face of the capital for ever.

In an unexpected twist, this book also adds something extra to the overall plotline so far. Since the beginning of the series, the youngsters have been on a quest to find the twins’ missing parents who are lost somewhere in the pages of history. Now, for the first time, we encounter James and Isabel Lancelot in person. Seeking help from some of the greatest scientific brains of the age in their bid to return home to the present, they introduce us to a mysterious artefact – the Pyxichron – which would appear to be at the root of all their problems. This time-travel device has malfunctioned, trapping them in the past. Now that all the players are in the same place, at the same point in time, will the children finally be reunited with the missing adults? Maybe? Maybe not? Perhaps the quest is not over yet…

(Wendy Leighton-Porter, 2021)