Thimble Down by Pete Prown

Thimble Down is the name of a quaint country village where its residents reside in burrows.  This fantasy has the feel of The Hobbit.

Dorro Fox Winderiver is the book master and head of the library. Well respected by all of the residents, Dorro is also a master crime solver. He finds a mysterious boy- Wyll Underfoot- hiding in his garden shed. Who is the boy? Where did he come from? Is he a thief?

When Bing Rumple, his brother Farroot Rumple and an acquaintance of Farroot’s Bill Thistle, show up in Thimble Down with a priceless gem that Bing is wearing underneath his cape which he is boasting about, all the residents are highly suspicious of how Bing and his cronies obtained such a magnificent piece. Since Bing is such a poor excuse for a “Halfling”- swearing, gambling, and constantly being suspected of petty crimes-- Dorro knows there is a mystery which needs to be solved.

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this title as I am not a fantasy lover. This is very well written with plenty of twists in the plot which kept me engaged.

Another interesting fact is that the author Pete Prown attended Amity Junior High Orange in the 70’s so he is a graduate of our school which makes this title extra special!