Author(s): Garth Nix

Children & Young Adult

The collected short stories of Garth Nix, including a novella which follows on from the enthralling Old Kingdom fantasy adventures of Sabriel, Lirael and Abhorsen. Nicholas Sayre will do anything to get across the wall, back to the Old Kingdom. Thoughts of Lirael and Sam haunt his dreams. But here in Ancelstierre the charter is dormant, and before Nick can re-join his friends he must face one of the rarest and most dangerous of the Free Magic creatures: a creature that seems to draw power from Nicholas himself. 'Nicholas Sayre and the Creature in the Case' opens this superb collection of short stories from Garth Nix, that range from classic fantasy to a gritty urban version of Hansel and Gretel, and an unusual take on the role of nature in matters of the heart. Across the Wall displays the depth and versatility that have made Garth Nix one of today's leading fantasy writers, and a New York Times bestseller. Garth Nix is the author of The Old Kingdom trilogy and the Keys to the Kingdom series 'The reader's absorption into the intrigue, magic and dazzling richness of the worlds and characters created by Nix is irresistible pleasure ' AUSTRALIAN REVIEW OF BOOKS About the Author: Garth Nix is the internationally acclaimed author of several best-selling fantasy novels including the Old Kingdom trilogy and the 7-book Keys to the Kingdom series. He is popular with readers of all ages. Garth Nix was born in 1963 in Melbourne, grew up in Canberra, and then left Australia to drive around the UK in a beat-up Austin with a trunk full of books and a Silver Reed typewriter. On his return to Australia, he studied at the University of Canberra and then worked in various jobs in publishing and public relations. He also served in the Australian Army Reserve as a part-time soldier. In 2002, Garth returned to writing full time, despite his belief that full-time writing explains the strange behaviour of many authors. He currently lives in a beach suburb of Sydney with his wife, Anna, a publisher, and their two young sons.