William Horwood is an English novelist. He grew up on the East Kent coast, primarily in Deal, within a model modern family-fractious with "parental separation, secret illegitimacy, alcoholism and genteel poverty".

The epic first instalment of the multi-million bestseller The Duncton Chronicles.

The moles of Duncton Wood live in the shadow of Mandrake, a cruel tyrant corrupted by absolute power. A solitary young mole, Bracken, is leads the fight to free them. Only by putting his trust in the ancient Stone, a forgotten symbol of a great spiritual past, can he find the strength to challenge Mandrake's darkness.

When Bracken falls in love with Rebecca, Mandrake's daughter, the moles must make life and death choices as their extraordinary search for freedom and truth begins.

Together, Bracken and Rebecca will embark on moving journey that will challenge them in ways they could never have imagined. But can they save Duncton before it's too late?

For readers of J.R.R. Tolkien, Brian Jacques and Richard Adams' Watership Down, this is a quest into the heart of nature, the redemptive power of love and the triumph of spirit.

'A breathtaking achievement' Washington Post

'A passionate, lyrical, appealing tale ... consistently absorbing ... enchanting' Cosmopolitan

'A great big mole-epic with a great big theme' Daily Mail