About the book series
When Kip Bramley receives a mysterious golden coin from a beetle-shaped drone, he is whisked into the dazzling realm of Quicksmiths, and his ordinary life changes forever. Alongside his new friends and their quirky sidekicks, Kip must solve a series of 400-year-old riddles and unlock the secrets of arcane sciences that could save his family. But with dark forces closing in, they must stay one step ahead—or risk losing everything.
'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, Freaks, Treekeepers and the Carnival of the lost 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 Thieves, Desert Thieves and The Light Hunters
The Observer
“Extraordinary”
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
The Guardian
Best books chosen by booksellers
“Favourite children’s book”
About Loris
Loris Owen was born in Bolton and raised in Zimbabwe. She roamed the world in search of adventure before settling in the Midlands, where she can still be found exploring the canals or navigating mountains of post-it notes. If she can't be found, she's probably disappeared into a particularly good puzzle.
Listen to chapter 1 Ten Riddles
Step into a world of riddles and science beyond any magic in The Ten Riddles of Eartha Quicksmith—an audiobook adventure that will keep you guessing to the very last clue.
Myriad Mysteries trailer
Just when you thought multiverses couldn’t get any stranger! For fans of Wonderscape, The Strangeworlds Travel Agency, and Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials series.
Book 3 coming in summer 2025!
Best friends Kip, Albert, Leela, and Timmi uncover more hidden puzzles from the Renaissance queen of riddles, Eartha Quicksmith. Cryptic clues in the strangest of places propel them on a quest to find the eyepiece of the legendary Futurescope. Captured by the tyrannical Nexus organisation, they must use all their skills to escape the ice floes of the North, along with the help of mysterious new allies. And, as the Grittleshank Cooperative's smoulderstone mine threatens global catastrophe, Kip faces an impossible choice: stop them or save his captive mother.
Portrait Gallery
From crazy professors with four arms to musclebound librarians, strange supercomputers, and legendary Elizabethan geniuses, meet the extraordinary characters of Quicksmiths!
Mindbloggle
A brief history of riddles: from Sumerians to sphinxes Riddles have been feeding our minds for thousands of years — […]
Write your own Easter treasure hunt with riddles! This Easter, why not be the Puzzle Master and design your very […]
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With October in full swing and the shopfronts filling up with devilish delights, you may be inspired to bring your […]
Newsletter
We’ll occasionally be in touch about giveaways, free activity kits, events with Loris and, of course, new Quicksmiths books. You can unsubscribe at any time.
