The Ashbourne Deception

About this book

In a contemporary world, sixteen-year-old Arthur Pendelton wants nothing more than to survive his scholarship at the prestigious Ashbourne Academy without drawing attention to his working-class background or the prominent crescent birthmark on his jaw. He is a reluctant hero who prefers the shadows to the spotlight. However, his linear journey takes an unexpected turn when he discovers a hidden 19th-century diary in the school's archives. Told through a sweeping Third Person Omniscient perspective, the narrative weaves together Arthur's discovery with the lives of his peers: Julian, a fiercely ambitious history student, and Beatrice, an aristocratic girl desperate to hide her family's sudden bankruptcy. As Arthur translates the diary, he uncovers a shocking piece of historical fiction brought into the modern day: his ancestors were the true founders of the estate, cheated out of their legacy. Meanwhile, the corrupt headmaster, Alistair Sterling, schemes to bulldoze the historic grounds for luxury development. Arthur must cross deeply entrenched lines of social class, embrace his true identity, and unite his fractured family history. Together with Julian and Beatrice, Arthur steps up to expose a century-old lie, saving Ashbourne's heritage and redefining what it means to belong.

Book details

Genres:

Historical Fiction, Mystery, Coming-of-Age

Language:

en

Published:

2026-06-29

Content rating:

PG