The Last Pebble

Alex Horne

Average Rating 9/10 (2 Reviews)

From the creator and presenter of Taskmaster comes a beautifully told story of a young boy’s connection with his grandpa – and a mystery that may come between them.

Trader and his grandpa have combed the beach of Bognor Regis for as long as he can remember, and every time they find a beautiful or special stone, it’s added to the treasure collection. But when Trader finds a particularly special pebble, he stumbles on a secret that was supposed to be kept for ever...

Can Trader and his new friend Charlotte unravel the mystery of this treasure, and return it to its rightful home?

Review by Amanda J (010825) Rating (8/10)
Review by TK Lawrence (010825) Rating (10/10)

Review by Amanda J
Book Source: Not Known
Rating 8/10
Trader, our almost-eleven years old hero, is an unusual little boy who lives near the beach of Bognor Regis. He suffers through school and the bullies there, coming alive when he can spend time with his eccentric beach-combing grandad on the pebbly coastline. The Last Pebble joins Trader on a very special day when he finds a very special pebble that leads to a very special, and very personal, generational mystery.

The Last Pebble is a gentle story, earnest and heartwarming, from the perspective of a boy who sees the world a little differently - a boy who'd rather just eat sausages every day, spend every waking moment with his beloved grandfather searching for stony treasures, and keep his rock collection perfectly arranged in his perfectly messy room. Trader is stubborn, brilliant, vulnerable and endlessly optimistic, and I cheered as I read him finding his pebble, a new friend, and uncovering the secret that had marred his family for decades.

A story that's great to read aloud or on the beach. With kindness and understanding on every page. Perfect for weird kids, current or former, who also needed a bit of help to find their shine.
Amanda J (1st August 2025)

Review by TK Lawrence
Book Source: Not Known
Rating 10/10
This sweet book was an incredible read from start to finish. Alex's way with words flows very easily into a story that hooked me from the start. Everything from the charming characters, the interesting plot, and the vivid imagery, when combined, came together to form a lovely and wholesome story that anyone can enjoy. It's a book that I can and will recommend to everyone.
TK Lawrence (1st August 2025)