Allies series

Allies is my new Cornish Trilogy for children, set in the Second World War. (As Cornwall Libraries National Year of Reading Ambassador 2026, I’ll be launching my book across all corners of Cornwall, more here. Other UK chances to meet me here).

Allies Book 1 – If The Invader Comes.

“A gripping Cornish wartime story” – Cornwall Libraries

Published by Barrington Stoke,
7 May 2026

Pre-order signed and dedicated books from Shrew Books, Fowey here

June 1940, with the spectre of a Nazi invasion looming over Britain, three children are forced into an unlikely allyship in this gripping wartime tale.

In these dark days, the parents of Bobble, Cadan and Cilla are involved in vital but top-secret war work, and they need their children’s help to keep their activities hidden.

The unlikely trio initially struggle to trust one another, but when Cadan spots a German E-boat during a Fal river patrol and Cilla discovers a crashed Stuka, they realise the menace is closer than they thought.

After the devastating defeat of the British forces at Dunkirk, the terrifying prospect of a Nazi invasion of Britain seems ever more likely. With danger lurking at every turn, can they band together to protect their home and each other?

Read Chapter 1 here

Pre-order on Amazon now here

Souvenir Readers Pack coming soon!

“Tom’s writing is always wonderful so I wasn’t at all surprised to enjoy it as much as I did. There’s something very comforting and hopeful about a Tom Palmer book. His love of the landscape shines through as he conjures an immersive sense of time and place, and he writes his characters with such compassion that it’s impossible not to love them and to want to spend time with them. The only downside is that I want more!” Dan Smith

Book Launch

I’ll be launching If the Invader Comes at Trebah Gardens.

Meet me with Cornwall Libraries with an 8 Day whistle stop tour of FREE events late May-June 2026.

More here

Researching & Writing If the Invader Comes

Inspired by Trebah Gardens and Carlew Estate
Using archives from Kresen Kernow
Researched at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall & the Museum of Cornish Life
Developed with Cornish Schools
Exploring on the Carrick Roads
Featuring the dramatic bombing of Falmouth and Plymouth burning
Settings include north coast airfields, Truro and Penryn viaduct

If the Invader Comes Resources to come

Read chapter 1 here

Colouring

Cover Prediction worksheet

Settings map worksheet

My If the Invader Comes Scrapbook – flipbook

You can catch up on my writing diary so far here. I will have lots more research trips in Cornwall for the rest of the series!

More of my books set in the South West …

More about all my other books for children here

More about what I am currently writing and how I write here.

For more about what I am currently up to, follow my tweets or tweet me @tompalmerauthor

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Useful links

Footage of soldiers leaving for D-Day from Trebah, Cornwall here

Buy Books

Signed and dedicated copies of all my books are available personalised to order from my local independent children’s bookshop “The Thoughtful Spot” here.