Author Susan Brownrigg with her books. Photo Susan Brownrigg
Hi! I'm Susan Brownrigg.
I am a children’s book author based in Lancashire.
I write historical adventures for ages 8 to 12.
My Gracie Fairshaw detective series set in 1930s Blackpool was described as “one of the best children’s mystery series currently on the shelves” by Pam Norfolk, Lancashire Evening Post.
I am also the author of Kintana and the Captain’s Curse, a treasure hunt adventure set in Madagascar during the Golden Age of Piracy and the forthcoming Rainhill Trials set mystery Wrong Tracks.
All my books are published by UCLan Publishing.
Susan is a member of the Crime Writers’ Association, the Society of Authors & the National Association of Writers in Education
Who is sabotaging the Rainhill Trials?
It is 1829. Everyone is talking about the exciting new rail ways and young Edward Entwistle cannot believe his good fortune: a chance encounter sees him offered a job at the Stephensons’ Steam Locomotive Manufactory.
The Stephensons are preparing for an important competition – The Rainhill Trials. A race of innovation and daring which will award the winner a contract to run the new Liverpool & Manchester Rail Way. Edward must protect the father and son inventors’ latest creation – their precious Premium Engine – but strange and dangerous accidents keep stalling construction.
Edward and his new loco-mad friend Prudence soon realise someone is trying to scupper the Stephensons’ chances. It is up to the friends to spot sabotage and chase down spies in a thrilling race against the clock.
"This enthralling mystery contains a wealth of historical detail and touches on issues of the time, such as political unrest and opposition to the Rail Way. With plenty of twists and turns, it will keep readers guessing until the very end."
Book Trust (Book of the Day, January 2025)
“Wrong Tracks is a rip-roaring ride of historic fiction. A thrilling, characterful, well-plotted adventure story that reels with subterfuge and sabotage, it also brilliantly evokes the energy and sweeping changes engendered by the industrial era through the lens of its endearing — and daring — protagonist, Edward Entwistle.”
LoveReading4Kids (Book of the Month, February 2025)
Susan is very grateful to the Society of Author who awarded her a Foundation Grant for Wrong Tracks in 2023.
Susan’s books
School visits
Assembly talk with Q&A - 1 hour KS2
£150 + travel expenses
Powerpoint presentation with props, costume and handling objects relating to one of Susan’s historical childrens books
Choose from:
How to become an author
The Gracie Fairshaw Mysteries - Blackpool History focus (Illuminations, Blackpool Tower or Cinema)
Kintana and the Captain’s Curse - Pirates/Madagascar/extinction focus
Wrong Tracks - Steam Locomotives and Rainhill Trials/Liverpool & Manchester Railway focus
Susan is from a northern working class background.
40 minute talk PLUS 20 minute Q&A.
Can include book signing session
Writing Workshops - 1 hour KS2
£150 + travel expenses
Choose from:
Hold the Front Page - Using newspapers to write stories
A Postcard from Blackpool - Using old postcards and maps to create stories
Super Storyboards - Use the cinema technique to plot a story
