What Dementia Taught Me (and Why It Ended Up in a Book)
- carolineboxall
- Jun 30
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 4
A fresh new cover. Two thrilling new books. A story that started on a dementia floor and grew into a daring, heartfelt series that readers of all ages can't put down.
When I wrote It’s Raining in Moscow and I Forgot My Umbrella, I had no idea it would spark such a reaction from readers, young and old. Inspired by my own family’s journey through dementia — and a certain fearless five-year-old boy with a knack for lighting up care homes with Christmas carols — the book became a way of turning something heartbreakingly hard into something full of light, laughter, and hope.
Now, five years later, Billy’s story isn’t just still going — it’s growing.
What’s New?
A beautiful new edition of It’s Raining in Moscow and I Forgot My Umbrella — redesigned, refreshed, and ready to find a new generation of readers.
Two brand-new sequels!
If I Got Fifty Quid I Could Rescue My Dad – AVAILABLE NOW
The Southwold Checkmate – COMING JULY
This is more than a story about a boy in a care home. It's about bravery, resilience, and the wild, unpredictable way life throws people together. It’s for anyone who’s ever felt out of place — and found a way to fight for what really matters.
The Heart Behind the Story
My mother-in-law had dementia. Watching her slip away while still physically present was one of the hardest things our family ever went through. And yet, even in her final years, she found new ways to shine. She told stories from her childhood no one had ever heard (and we’re still not sure which ones were true!) Her face lit up when we visited, even if she didn’t always know who we were.
On the dementia floor, we met unforgettable people: Irish Mary who kept escaping, Frank the Spitfire pilot, Basil the smiley ex-teacher who could only say, “I don’t know.” These were real lives, full of dignity and humour, even in the fog of memory loss.
My youngest child — Billy in the book — loved visiting. He danced, sang, played carols in September and treated every resident like a best friend. When Grandma passed away, he didn’t just lose her. He lost all his ‘oldie’ friends too. That grief — and the joy that came before it — sparked the question that became the heart of my book:
What if a young boy lived in a care home?
And what if he wasn’t just surviving… but saving lives?
About the Series
Billy doesn’t just live in a care home — he turns it upside down. With a group of unforgettable residents, a mind full of questions, and more courage than any grown-up, he uncovers secrets buried deep in the past… and fights to fix the future.
Why readers love it:
✅ A gripping middle-grade adventure with heart✅ Tackles dementia with humour, warmth, and honesty✅ Perfect for ages 10+ (and their parents or teachers)✅ Blends real-life emotion with daring, mystery, and even a spy or two✅ Shows how the elderly — even with memory loss — are still heroes
What Readers Say:
"BUY IT. Having lost a grandparent to dementia I found this a remarkable book… handled and presented in such a special way. Anyone can read this at any age. I was left wanting more."— Verified Amazon review
Ready to Dive In?
Start the story with Book 1: Buy It’s Raining in Moscow and I Forgot My Umbrella
Don’t miss Book 2: If I Got Fifty Quid I Could Rescue My Dad
Get ready for Book 3 – launching July: The Southwold Checkmate
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Why This Series Matters
Dementia isn’t easy to talk about. But stories help. The Ember Enigmas isn’t just a series — it’s a conversation starter. A tribute. A call to see people, not diagnoses. And most of all, it’s proof that no one is ever too old, too young, or too lost to matter.
Let’s Spread the Word!
If you believe in stories that make a difference, share this with someone who needs it — a teacher, a parent, a carer, a friend. And if you're a school or book group looking for a powerful, funny, unforgettable read, I'd love to hear from you. I have study guides, discussion questions - the lot!
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