If The Invader Comes

Allies Book 1 – If The Invader Comes.

“A gripping Cornish wartime story” – Cornwall Libraries

Published by Barrington Stoke,
7 May 2026

Signed and dedicated books from Shrew Books, Fowey. Order 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

Buy 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

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).

Book Launch

I launched 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 Carclew 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 more to come

Read chapter 1 here

Colouring

Can you spot Cilla, Bobble and Cadan on the fishing boat? In “If The Invader Comes” the children take over the nightly patrols around the coast of Cornwall and have lots of adventures where they save refugees from a sinking boat and report enemy E-Boats.

Colour in their boat “Iris”.
Add other vessels – big ships or small.
Add marine life – whales, dolphins and seabirds of your choosing.
Add a setting sun, the night sky full of stars or the morning sunrise and whatever else you imagine around them.

Download here

Cover Prediction worksheet

Download here

Settings map worksheet to come

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!

and I am currently writing Book 2 of Allies …

Reviews

“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.” ― Dan Smith

“With the nation under threat of Nazi invasion, three children are forced to play their heroic part in repelling the enemy in this compelling wartime page-turner from the much-loved author.” ― Waterstones, The Best Children’s Books to Look Out For in May

“Palmer is a master of historical fiction, this stunning new story of real people facing the challenge and terror of war is perfect for fans of War Horse and The Silver Sword.” – Lola, Waterstones Deansgate Bookseller

“Full of courage, friendship and tension, it’s a brilliant piece of middle-grade historical fiction that brings the period vividly to life, without ever losing sight of the children at its heart.” ― Toppsta, Children’s Book of the Week

“Meticulously researched and utterly gripping, this new adventure takes readers to Cornwall at the outbreak of war, weaving history, courage, and unforgettable storytelling together in classic Tom Palmer style.” ― The Book Stop

“Tom Palmer, master of historical fiction for children, is back with another stunning story of real people facing the challenge and terror of war … If the Invader Comes is full of real, raw emotion. Containing scenes of death and destruction, it brings a realism to the curiosity of what happened when Britain was at war.” ― Scope for Imagination, blog

“As a Y6 teacher, I’m always on the look out for high quality World War II texts … Whenever I see a Tom Palmer book, I know I’m looking at high quality.” – Teacher

“Another epic, gripping adventure told in Tom’s signature style, capturing incredible characters and stories and delivering them in an engaging and accessible form.” – Blogger