The Cryptid Files: Loch Ness
Vanessa Day, a twelve year old Irish girl goes on holiday to Scotland clutching her mother's Cryptid file on Nessie, the creature who lurks in the depths of Loch Ness. Perhaps she will be the one to fulfil her mother's legacy and prove that Nessie, the most famous cryptid of them all, truly exists. Set against the eerie stillness of the loch, it’s an exciting story filled with monsters, mystery and magic. Vanessa gets her wish but with surprising consequences.
‘Grabs you right from the shocking prologue and keeps you immersed in a wonderful atmosphere of mystery, magic and monsters.’
Conor Kostick, Author of the best selling books 'Epic', 'Saga', 'Move', as well as 'The Book of Curses' for younger readers.
‘Gripping and incredibly interesting … It took me into a world like no other!’
Nuala, Co. Leitrim, age 11
Prologue
It was the last day of October. The light was fading fast and dark shadows rippled across the surface. A cold wind had picked up and, in the blink of an eye, Loch Ness had changed from a place of yellow sunshine and charm to metal-grey clouds and bleakness.
No one saw Vanessa Day fall. No one saw the tar-coloured water close over her head. For a moment she was stunned by the icy cold, then terror gripped her and she thrashed about, kicking and slapping the water. She threw her head back, face to the sky, gulping at the air.
But for how long? Her clothes were already waterlogged and the pull of the water relentless. She grabbed at the upturned boat, but the wood was too slimy to grip. Within a few heartbeats the cold had worked its way into her muscles and her kicks began to grow feeble. In just a few more her body sagged and then, limp as a rag doll, she went under.
As she sank, she twisted and turned, a slow and deadly dance. Long strands of her black hair were matted across her pretty face. Well before Vanessa reached the bottom her mouth was wide open and her eyes tight shut.