METICULOUS JONES AND THE SKULL TATTOO

INKBOUND

Publishing 30th January 2025!

AVAILABLE TO PREORDER NOW! (Links below)

Enter an extraordinary magical adventure about family, fate and finding the courage to be truly yourself – perfect for fans of Nevermoor, Lemony Snicket and The Swifts.

On her tenth birthday, Meticulous Jones--known to her friends as Metty--receives her fate, as all children do, in the form of a magical tattoo on her hand. She hopes that her ink will reveal something exciting: a tattoo that will symbolize travel, or discovery, or adventure. What appears is a skull, balanced in the palm of a violet glove.

Metty's fate is to become a murderer.

Metty is swiftly hidden away by her father, Moral Jones, in a remote Welsh farmhouse, with only a miserable housekeeper (who's terrified she'll become Metty's first victim) for company. But when Moral goes missing, his sister, Aunt Magnificent, arrives to sweep Metty off to the glittering city of New London. Metty is mesmerized by the magic and enchantment she discovers there. But when she starts to hear rumors of a mysterious and dangerous organization known as the Black Moths, she wonders if they might be connected to her father's disappearance--and to her own fate. . . .

UK COVER REVEAL!

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  • “Lush writing, breathtaking action sequences, and a darkly comedic tone imbue Leathley’s series opening debut with verve, while ethical questions relating to fate and magic add depth to the innovative setting.”

    Publishers Weekly (starred review)

  • ‘Bursting with magic, heart and humour – bound to delight’

    Abi Elphinstone, author of Sky Song

  • “Leathley's imaginative debut reads like a rollicking blend of Harry Potter and Beth Lincoln's The Swifts (2023)…A winning fantasy that blends creativity, action, and substance.”

    Booklist

  • ‘An adventure overflowing with magic, brought to life with wit and charm’

    Beth Lincoln, author of The Swifts

  • ‘A wild feat of extraordinary imagination, fizzing with mystery, magic and humour. It’s impossible not to fall in love with the story’s brilliant characters and unforgettable world. Readers are sure to be daydreaming about flying cities and fate tattoos for years to come’

    Aisling Fowler, author of Fireborn

  • ‘A twisty Gothic adventure full of magic, mystery, secrets and soaring cities! Had me hooked from the start’

    Rashmi Sirdeshpande, author of Never Show a T-Rex a Book

  • ‘I loved Inkbound – it’s such a wonderful debut! Deliciously dark and utterly compelling, I fell completely in love with the world of New London. It’s the best kind of spooky fantasy and I can’t wait to read more from Philippa!’

    Zohra Nabi, author of The Kingdom Over the Sea

  • ‘Immersive, imaginative and immense. Inkbound is a beautifully written book destined to enchant its readers’

    Hannah Gold, author of The Last Bear

  • ‘A richly imagined, unique story with all the hallmarks of a future classic. Just like the most stubborn of tattoos, Inkbound and Meticulous Jones will leave their mark on you long after the final page has been turned’

    Clare Povey, author of the Bastien Bonlivre Adventures

  • ‘Utterly dazzling! Leathley has woven together the perfect fantasy adventure. Anyone who reads this book is fated to find their new favourite author. It’s impossible not to get swept away by the spectacular world of New London and I can’t wait to watch, and cheer on, the meteoric rise of Meticulous Jones’

    Siobhan McDermott, author of Paper Dragons

  • ‘I absolutely loved Inkbound. One of my favourite middle-grade books from recent years – incredibly imaginative, brilliant fun and enchanting in every way possible’

    Jordan Lees, author of The Whisperwicks

  • ‘Inkbound had me starstruck from the very first page. An extraordinary debut full of everything I love in middle grade: magic, mystery and a heroine with an inability to follow rules. This will surely be one of the must-read releases of 2025’

    Laura Noakes, author of Cosima Unfortunate Steals a Star

  • ‘A magnificent new world that crackles with wild invention and delicious humour. Philippa wields words like lightning via an octopus cane, as in, very well and with some pleasant surprises along the way. A joy to read’

    Ash Bond, author of Peregrine Quinn and the Cosmic Realm

  • ‘What a treat of a book! Packed with ingenuity, intrigue and charm, Metty’s adventures are sure to captivate readers. It gave the me the peculiar prickling feeling of being at the start of something truly special’

    Clare Harlow, author of Tidemagic

  • ‘A world full of wonder, mystery and curious characters. Metty is the perfect heroine, brave and determined. With deeply immersive worldbuilding and a lightness of touch in her writing, Philippa is an exciting new voice in children’s literature’

    Nazima Pathan, author of Dream Hunters

  • ‘Inkbound is an enthralling middle-grade fantasy with a main character you instantly empathise with. Full of heart, mystery and, of course, magic, every detail is richly (and meticulously!) imagined. It’s beautifully written and readers young and old will love the surprises and adventure New London has to offer’

    Olivia Wakeford, author of My Dog

  • ‘This brilliant adventure sparkles with charm and imagination. My fate is to be bewitched, enchanted and obsessed with Inkbound’

    Megan Hopkins, author of Starminster

  • “A page-turning exploration of family ties, self-perception, and the powerful effect of labels.”

    Kirkus Reviews