“Larkfall” is an exciting thriller aimed at teenagers and young adults. It is based around a group of animals who are genetically modified and adapted, in order to work for a secret arm of the government known as “The Centre”. The location of this government facility is known as “Larkfall”, based in a remote location on Dartmoor. The novel gradually introduces the various animals, and we get to see the exact nature of their missions. We also meet the diverse characters at “Larkfall”, and discover that it has a much darker side. As the animals start to question their existence and challenge their “masters”, a chain of events is set in place which leads to explosive consequences. The novel is a fast-paced thriller, with lots of exciting episodes and cliff-hangers, but it is also a thought-provoking parable about man’s relationship with animals, and how science, politics and ambition can corrupt and destroy.
“Larkfall” is available to buy on Amazon as an illustrated novel, or in kindle form.
Mr Hodgkins adds:
I wrote “Larkfall” in the six weeks of the Lockdown Summer Holidays in 2020. I’d had an idea about extraordinary animals for some time, but lockdown gave me the opportunity to get it onto the page. I wrote most days for a couple of hours, and the actual writing was surprisingly fluent and came easily. The thing I found interesting and challenging – this is my first novel – was the technical aspect. This included things like spotting plot holes and inconsistencies, checking time lines and chronologies, checking and re-checking that things actually made sense and that the various plot lines co-existed successfully. Then I had to think about the pacing and structure of the book, including the use of cliff-hangers, chapter lengths, and plot twists. I was determined to do everything myself, and therefore taught myself proof-reading and formatting as well as how to self-publish. I did this during the Christmas holidays, and then published the first edition at the end of January. My wife is a trained illustrator and created some great pictures to support the story. Writing the novel was incredibly satisfying and stimulating.
If anyone wants to know more or see some of the original artwork, they should check out the “Larkfall” page on my web site which is called happycatrevision.weebly.com
A selection of artwork from the book is below:
“Larkfall” is available to buy on Amazon as an illustrated novel, or in kindle form.
Mr Hodgkins adds:
I wrote “Larkfall” in the six weeks of the Lockdown Summer Holidays in 2020. I’d had an idea about extraordinary animals for some time, but lockdown gave me the opportunity to get it onto the page. I wrote most days for a couple of hours, and the actual writing was surprisingly fluent and came easily. The thing I found interesting and challenging – this is my first novel – was the technical aspect. This included things like spotting plot holes and inconsistencies, checking time lines and chronologies, checking and re-checking that things actually made sense and that the various plot lines co-existed successfully. Then I had to think about the pacing and structure of the book, including the use of cliff-hangers, chapter lengths, and plot twists. I was determined to do everything myself, and therefore taught myself proof-reading and formatting as well as how to self-publish. I did this during the Christmas holidays, and then published the first edition at the end of January. My wife is a trained illustrator and created some great pictures to support the story. Writing the novel was incredibly satisfying and stimulating.
If anyone wants to know more or see some of the original artwork, they should check out the “Larkfall” page on my web site which is called happycatrevision.weebly.com
A selection of artwork from the book is below: