Author A.M. Howell's first novel, The Garden of Lost Secrets, inspired by Ickworth house and gardens near Bury St Edmunds

A Bury St Edmunds author who has written a children’s book inspired by Ickworth House and its gardens is celebrating after it arrived in bookshops this week.

Ann-Marie Howell’s first novel, The Garden of Lost Secrets, tells the story of 12-year-old Clara who goes to stay with her aunt and uncle in the countryside.

“She’s thrown into this whole new world of secrets, with a secret room in the garden and a boy who she sees at night,” said 46-year-old Ann-Marie, who also works part-time as a town planner at West Suffolk Council

“She has to piece together the mystery so it’s both an adventure story and a mystery.”

Ann-Marie, who hails from Nottinghamshire but moved to Bury St Edmunds in 2001, was inspired to write the book after spending a lot of time at the Ickworth estate and finding out more about its history.

“I love the walled gardens because they’re always quiet and peaceful,” said the mother of two.

“I did some research about the garden and discovered that they had found a gardener’s notebook which was 100 years old. I had lots of other information about the planting in the garden and the history of the house and that sparked the idea of writing a book. It’s the first historical novel I’ve written and I think my home is definitely historical fiction from now on.”

Ann-Marie started writing just a few years ago, after being one of 15 to be selected on to the Curtis Brown Creative Writing for Children course.

“I was a huge fan of reading and libraries in particular growing up,” she said.

“I used to live in a small village and the library van would come and visit every week and I would queue up with my mum waiting for it to arrive and then I’d take out the maximum number of books you were allowed.

“It seemed logical to write for kids and pass that enjoyment onto other children.”

The book was officially released yesterday and is now for sale in Waterstones and other book shops.

“I’m really really nervous for the feedback. I think any author would tell you that getting your first reviews is a very nerve-wracking process,” said Ann-Marie.

“But I’ve had some good feedback from young people and adults have also said it reminds them of books they read as children.

“That’s made me really happy that both adults and children seem to be enjoying it.”