The orphan, the thief, the bookworm: A tale of mystery, adventure and reptiles! Adele Winterbottom was not expecting a letter from her uncle. Neither were her cousins Milo Winterbottom and Isabella Winterbottom. Silas Winterbottom had not contacted his family for decades - except to insult them or refuse their requests for money. But now, he is dying, and a dying man with a vast fortune usually wishes to find an heir. Or so the children believe. Meeting for the first time amid the splendour and secrets of Sommerset, their uncle's secluded island estate, Milo, Adele and Isabella Winterbottom soon discover a world where nothing is as it seems. One of the Winterbottoms believes Uncle Silas is a murderer. Two of them will do anything to win his favour and his fortune... and only one of them will be chosen.