Middle grade, historical fantasy.
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
Release Date: June 2009
Plot: On her sixteenth birthday Petronella Arbuthnot discovers that her guardian, Uncle Augustus T. Percival, has developed a most ungentlemanly compulsion: He must eat bugs. Worse still, Uncle Augustus is to attend her soiree and his current state will most definitely be an embarrassment.
During the festivities, when Petronella would much rather be sharing pleasantries with dashing and handsome Lord James Sinclair, important guests are disappearing, kidnapping notes are appearing, many of the clues are insects, and Uncle Augustus is surreptitiously devouring evidence. It’s more than one sixteen-year-old girl should have to deal with. But, truth be told, there is far more yet to come . . .
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Dene:
I would be honored to have you use Petty in your books. As a side note, my grandmother was also Petronella but she went by Nella. This has been a family name for us being passed down thru the Dutch side of the family. Nella could also be a nickname that could be used as well.
I will check the website often to see when the other books get released. I received my copy of the first one yesterday and look forward to reading it this weekend. I am going to pass on the info about you and the book to my relatives in case they would also like to read them.
Petty
I would love to know how you came up with the name for your title character. I am the last Petronella in my family since my Aunt Petty passed away in early February and I have never seen the name in any other place in the United States. I am truly thrilled that you have chosen the name and I hope it becomes popular someday.
Petty Schnormeier
What a cute nickname–Petty. I may have to use it in a book as Petronella’s nickname, if you don’t mind. As for how I got it, I just had it come to me. I seem to remember that it was the name of a queen long, long ago and it fit my character’s personality. I, too, hope the name becomes more popular.
Best,
Dene