Classic children's fantasy from the author of The Wolves of Willoughby Chase: "Wild, bold, imaginative . . . the story is funny, exciting and strange." —The Daily Telegraph Winner of the Guardian Prize for Fiction In the small town of Pennygaff, where Owen has been sent to live after his mother's death, a legendary golden harp has been found. Knowing of the prophecy of the Harp of Teirtu, Owen must prevent the magic harp from falling into the evil clutches of its reputed owner, the sinister and diabolical Lord Mayln. But it won't be easy. Owen and his friend Arabis are plunged into a hair-raising adventure of intrigue, kidnapping, exotic underground worlds, savage beasts . . . even murder. For only too late will Owen learn that Lord Mayln will stop at nothing to have the golden harp. "A humorous unhistorical novel set in the imaginary reign of James III. Aiken is a natural storyteller with the gift of endless comic invention." —The Guardian Prize Committee "An enchanting, original story." —The Times