The Secret of Meadow Hill Manor
Butterfly magic and family secrets take centre stage in new Derbyshire fantasy
Two years after her sister’s death, Amethyst is moving on, and Meadow Hill Manor is the place she now calls home.
With its stone floors, dusty tapestries and crackling fires, the manor has become a sanctuary. She has her Aunt Mina, her best friend Gillian, and a flutter of magical butterflies for company.
Amethyst’s world is turned upside down when her mother insists she must leave Meadow Hill and return to London. London, that contains only memories and the empty spaces her sister used to fill.
Determined to find a way to stay, Amethyst turns to the butterflies, but butterfly magic can only be used to help others. Perhaps if she can find the missing butterflies…
Delving deeper into the magic, Amethyst fights to stay at Meadow Hill but her journey leads to secrets and, as with magic, secrets cannot be silenced forever…
Stefanie Parks was born and raised in the beautiful county of Derbyshire, which is the inspiration and setting for her books. Stefanie writes contemporary fantasy books for middle grade and young adult readers. Her first book, The Butterflies of Meadow Hill Manor, was a finalist for the 2024 Sir Julius Vogel Awards. When she’s not writing, Stefanie enjoys wild swimming, growing her house plant collection, and of course, reading.
Stefanie explains: “I’ve always been fascinated by butterflies. A universal symbol of transformation, butterflies carry many different meanings: the visitation of a loved one passed, a sign of good luck, of hope or new beginnings. To me they’re creatures of the fae world - everything about them seems magical. From their incredible transformation process to their beautiful markings and flight patterns. Butterflies add colour to our lives and are an important part of our eco system. If you’ve ever felt something magical in their presence then this story is for you.
In this second book I wanted to delve deeper into butterfly magic whilst exploring the impact of family secrets. The result is a whimsical, uplifting fantasy story which hopefully brings a little joy.
Set in Derbyshire and inspired by my time living in the beautiful market town of Belper, it felt appropriate to release this book during Belper 250, a year-long festival celebrating the town’s role in the industrial revolution. This book features more of Belper’s iconic surroundings including The Chevin, the mill and the oldest building in town - St John’s Chapel.”
RELEASE DATE: 28/10/2026
ISBN: 9781835745229
Price: £8.99
More News From Amber Valley Info
| Communities Invited to Light Up the Derwent Valley with Living Advent Calendars 2026 Residents, community groups, shops and businesses across Darley Abbey, Belper and Cromford are b read more | |
| Businesses Urged To Prepare For Vaping, Nicotine And tobacco Law Changes Businesses selling tobacco, vaping or nicotine products are being urged to get ready for changes in the law read more | |
| Holiday Activity And Food Programme Supports Thousans Of Derbyshire Children Thousands of children and young people are benefiting from free holiday activities and healthy meals tha read more | |
| 21,000 uses and counting: Charity backs accessible hospital guides for another three years Chesterfield Royal Hospital Trust Charity is funding a further three years of detailed acc read more | |
| Salcare CEO Completes Epic 500-Mile Charity Cycle Challenge Salcare CEO Don Davis has completed an incredible 500-mile charity cycle challenge, finishing his epic journey at Carlisl read more | |
The Amber Valley Info Noticeboard
| Pottery Close Halloween Event Taking a Break This Year The popular Halloween event at Pottery Close will not take place this year, as the organisers have not had enough time to prep read more | |
| Food waste recycling is coming to Amber Valley From June 2026, Amber Valley Borough Council will introduce weekly food waste recycling across the borough as part of a phased roll-ou read more | |
| Stallholder Bookings Now Open For The Tansley Big Day Out We're excited to announce that Tansley's Big Day Out 2026 will take place on 6th & 7th June 2026! read more | |
| Christmas and New Year bin collection dates Over the festive season, bin collections will operate on revised schedules. Some collections may take place up to two days earlier than u read more | |
| Launch Of WOMBLE MANIA! At the Heights of Abraham, Opened by Marcus Robertson, Son of Wombles author, Elisabeth Beresford, officially launched WOMBLE MANIA! at the Heights of Abraha read more | |
