The Toffee Man & The Kingdom of Ends
It is 1968. Life is changing fast as the world prepares for the moon landings. When April's stepdad, Andy, is sent to prison April and her family are moved from the caravan in the valley they love.
The family are not welcome in the village, except for the kindness of Reverend Fisher and his sister at the local church. Undeterred, April explores this new world, befirending the Toffee Man, a war veteran and clock mender, who struggles to manage his garden. When Andy is released he uses her friendship with the Toffee Man to cover his latest crimes - with tragic consequences.
Detail of Wilkins Moon Map © Royal Museums Greenwich
Awards & Plaudits
WINNER OF THE 2025 BOOKLIFE GRAND PRIZE
WINNER OF THE 2025 BOOKLIFE FICTION PRIZE
SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2025 CHANTICLEER INTERNATIONAL BOOK AWARD
WINNER OF THE 2024 PEN TO PRINT BOOK CHALLENGE
LISTED IN 2024 SHELF UNBOUND TOP 100 NOTABLE TITLES
AWARDED 5 STARS BY READER'S FAVOURITE
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Published by New Generation Publishing ISBN: 978-1-83563-344-1
Audio extract
Reader Reviews
As we switch between the voice of April and the adults around her, The Kingdom of Ends is an intense and soul-punching read that transcends time. I cried and smiled in equal measure for the characters who have never left my thoughts
Teri Case, author of Tiger Drive and Finding Imogene
Reviews
A story to immerse yourself in
I love stories which embed you so deeply into their world, your brain needs to re-adjust when you have to force it back into the present at the end of a chapter. This is one of those stories: rich, believable 3-dimensional characters jostle with the sights, smells and emotions of late 1960s' rural Britain. I was right there with April, the vivid protagonist, seeing through her eyes and feeling her emotions. Loved it! A book that's been written from the heart.
Emms, amazon.co.uk
It is hard to encapsulate the powerful qualities of this novel. There is the beautifully written evocation of the sensory and perceptual interaction of nature and the landscape in the lived experience of April. The interspersing of different adult voices strengthens the impact of April’s subject voice and underpins one inbuilt theme of the novel which is the obliteration of child experience by adult versions - so vividly but also so carefully and skilfully rendered as to bring the power of tragedy, complete with its reflex meaning and hope.
Denise W, amazon.co.uk
Addictive book
I always think that the mark of a good book is whether or not it stays in your brain for months/years after you’ve finished it. This one will definitely stay with me.
Dark and yet simultaneously hopeful
Hovercraft-Keega, goodreads.com
April,xxxxx
Quite a difficult read, LKQuinn manages to put the reader right into April's world, I almost felt like an intruder, unable to do anything other than witness an unfolding disaster. The characters are vivid and compelling. I want to read it again but I need a break to recover from the emotional rollercoaster. April is full on, she's almost magical, like someone dropped from the moon.
S. Wimperis, amazon.co.uk
This book is truly remarkable - I was so moved by it, not just the story but how it is written from a 10 year old's perspective with such authenticity. April is so beautiful and innocent and in touch with the wonder of the world until it is darkened by human corruption and fallibility, and yet she retains an essential inner beauty that cannot be denied. L K Quinn has created something very powerful that puts the reader in touch with their own lost innocence.
P. Vivien Pegram, amazon.co.uk
More reviews can be seen at www.booklife.com
Photo by さいとう/ saitousai on Unsplash