Tin Snail

Cameron McAllister is a TV scriptwriter, and has worked on shows such as Robinson Crusoe, Spooks Code 9, Primeval and Emmerdale. He grew up near the beaches of Cornwall, and now lives in Brighton with his wife, four sons and Floss the dog.

"Charming" Guardian "I honestly never thought I'd find myself reading, let alone taken with, a book about the making of a French motor car but The Tin Snail by Cameron McAllister is a thoroughly engaging read. It manages to turn the struggle to invent the Citroen as the first people's car, and then to keep its design from the German invaders, into a story of the Resistance, which is saying something. Plus it has a human element: the plot revolves round the designer's young son, and his wan hopes that the car will help his parents stay together. Illustrated with panache in pen and ink by Sam Usher." Spectator "Feel-good, funny, romping, filmic adventure" Sunday Times "A fantastic family read; this is a story with a big heart based on an amazing idea ... This is easily one of my favourite books so far this year - a brilliant and magical read that will stay with me until the day that I die. It is a great debut story with bags of drive and vroom." Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books "Refreshingly different and very engaging ... There is so much to enjoy in this book" Reading Zone