Fennymore and the Brumella

Imagine a boy living all alone in a large old house with only a sky-blue bike (who thinks he's a horse) for company. After his great-aunt dies (of dachshund poisoning - what else?) Fennymore sets off with his new friend Fizzy to find his parents, who have disappeared. They fall foul of a silvery grey gentleman and an evil doctor who wants to get his hands on a mysterious invention, but Fennymoire finds a maybe-dad. And a brumella. Whatever that is. A zany adventure story with a touch of fantasy. Great fun and superb black and white illustrations by David Roberts of Dirty Bertie fame.