The Southwold Checkmate Is Here...
- carolineboxall
- Jul 25
- 4 min read
... And So Is Something Unexpected (read on to the end!)
THE SOUTHWOLD CHECKMATE Book Three of the Ember Enigma Series
Launching today - July 25th, 2025
"If you've ever been to Southwold, you'll LOVE this adventure!" B. Jones, Suffolk
Billy just wanted a quiet mission.
Instead, he got dive-bombing seagulls, secret microchips, and a tangled mess of lies from adults who can’t keep their spy stories straight. Manya’s landed in the middle of a chess tournament that feels less like a game and more like a trap. Family secrets are colliding with global espionage—and the board is set for checkmate.
This isn’t just a spy caper. It’s a game where every move matters. And one wrong step could destroy everything.
The Southwold Checkmate is the third instalment of the Ember Enigma Series—a gripping, twist-filled spy thriller perfect for readers who like their heroes smart, scrappy, and in serious danger.
“The Ember Enigma Series is a gripping YA spy thriller packed with emotional depth and high-stakes mystery.”
“If you enjoy spy books like Alex Rider, The Southwold Checkmate delivers wit, danger, and bird-related sabotage.”
But here’s the thing: you need to start from the beginning.
Because nothing in this series is simple. The lies go deep. The characters change. And the
truth is always hiding where you least expect it.
“A powerful look at how dementia impacts young lives, threaded into a fast-paced spy plot.”
Billy has spent his life on the dementia floor of a care home, surrounded by forgotten stories and one burning question: what happened to his parents? Across the world, Manya is chipping away at the perfect lie she’s grown up inside—uncovering secrets that could get her killed. When their paths collide, a conspiracy starts to unravel. One involving stolen identities, secret codes, and a truth that links them in ways neither of them saw coming. A fast-paced, emotionally rich spy mystery that readers are calling “the best book of the year.” Read it now on Amazon UK.
“Buy it, read it, and get your children to read it!” – CI, Hertfordshire
“This is going into the school library where I work.” – PP, London
“A must-read for anyone facing dementia in their family.” – EK, Herefordshire
Book Two: If I Got Fifty Quid I Could Rescue My Dad With his mum finally home from Moscow, Billy’s new mission begins: find his father. But nothing about this journey is easy. As Billy faces a life-changing decision, Manya makes a promise to help—but her return to Russia delivers a discovery neither of them saw coming. Secrets grow darker. Loyalties shift. And once again, Billy and Manya are forced to fight for the truth in a world built on lies. Get your copy here.
“A fantastic series of books - so exciting they should be made into a film!" Doctor B Saunders, Hertfordshire “Masterful storytelling” – Eleanor Dixon - author, Shropshire
“Exciting page-turner with many thought provoking situations to discuss.” – Ann Dawson, Lincolnshire
The Southwold Checkmate is here. The countdown is on. And the next move? Is yours.
A Young Voice Worth Sharing
As promised, I also want to introduce you to someone else with courage in spades.
Earlier this year, Goh Yee Win, a fourth-grade student from Penang, Malaysia, missed the submission deadline for our short story competition. But instead of giving up, she sent in her piece anyway—and I promised I’d share it here.
So here it is. It’s called:
I Broke a World Record!
By Yee Win
“Mom, I did it! I broke a world record!”
Well, that’s not really the beginning. Want to know how it all started?
A while ago, there was a girl named Julia. She had one big dream: to break the world record by doing fifteen aerials in a row. Sounds impossible, right? That’s what everyone thought—except Julia.
Like every story, it began with something small. Julia was just a little girl learning gymnastics. She was the youngest in her class—wait, don’t judge too soon! She was also the bravest.
She joined every competition she could. She didn’t win any medals at first, but she kept trying. She didn’t give up. That’s what made her special—her courage.
Then came the hardest challenge yet: fifteen aerials. Just thinking about it made her head spin. It felt impossible. But Julia didn’t back down. She trained every single day. She even gave up her favourite food—fried chicken! “You can eat fried chicken any time,” she told herself, “but a world record? That’s once in a lifetime.”
Her family didn’t have much money, but this time, they believed in her. They gave her a chance. And after two long, tough years of hard work, bruises, and sweat...
She did it.
So yes—courage isn’t about being the strongest or oldest. It’s about not giving up, even when it’s hard. And Julia proved that.
Thank you, Yee Win, for reminding us that determination comes in many forms—whether you’re flipping through aerials or trying to publish your story from halfway across the world. I’m thrilled to include your work here.
And for all readers—Billy and Manya aren’t the only ones facing big odds. Keep dreaming. Keep writing. You never know what move will change everything.
“Whether you’re new to the series or ready for Book Three, this is one of the best YA book series to dive into for heart, humour, and high-stakes danger.” N. Fallow, Middx
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