AUSTRALIAN AUTHOR Shipwrecked at the far end of the world in a land at war. Befriended by runaways fated to harrowing paths. In constant danger from warriors, bandits and superstitious villagers who take his blue eyes and pale skin as proof that he's a demon... Young Daniel Marlowe and his Japanese 'tomodachi', his friends, Otsu and Kenji, are about to stumble into a stomach-knotting adventure where a ferocious public test of samurai virtue and a murder investigation will collide. Their hazardous journey promises answers. The hope of being joyfully reunited, the risk of confirming loss. But the spirit world has its own part to play in their destinies, for someone -or something- waits watchfully in the ancient Forest of the Night. ages: 7 to 14 AUTHOR: Simon Higgins is a former police officer, prosecutor and private investigator specialising in murder cases. A martial artist and published author with an international career spanning over 20 years and 14 novels published in several languages, he has also been an Australian Government Ambassador for Asia Literacy and an Endeavour Award Recipient, funded by his country to live and study in China. Simon was the first westerner to pen an interactive Visual Novel published in both Chinese and English. In 2008 he competed in Kyoto, Japan, in the annual Taikai, the world championships of the sword art Iaido, held on a mountaintop before a Japanese prince. Simon placed fifth. When not working on novels or teaching around the world, he leads a professional team writing an animated series for Chinese TV.