I mostly read this as I’m a massive fan of Alex Horne, and got a lot of out of it despite being outside the target audience.

Following 11 year old Trader, we beach comb and unravel a mystery that’s been years in the waiting.

Filled with the nostalgia of summer holidays, days out with friends making their own fun, and trying to right the rights of the past, I can absolutely see this being on the TV one Christmas, it fits just the right tone for humor, mystery and hope.

Thank you to Walker Books, the author and NetGalley for a DRC in return for an honest review

This delightful childrens book, by Taskmaster genius Alex Horne, is a timeless tale about a boy named Trader. The beautiful relationship he has with his eccentric Grandpa is the emotional anchor of the story. This book could have been written in another era and yet feels so thoroughly modern. Aimed at 9-12 year olds but will surely invoke nostalgia for adults. Perfectly capturing the zeitgeist of childhood summers spent on the beach.

Trader feels different. Whilst he finds it difficult to connect to children of his own age, he has a heartwarming relationship with his Grandpa. They enjoy beachcombing and share a passion for pebbles. Trader's Grandpa invokes whimsical memories of Grandpa Joe in Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, in the way he holds a kind of quiet magic. He's kind, full of stories and sees the world a little differently to other grown-ups.

Everything about this book was just perfect, right down to the beautiful cover art by Júlia Moscardó. The blossoming friendship between Trader and Charlotte was a delight to behold. I found myself smiling out loud at Trader's little observations on life, as it reminded me so much of my own Son at that age. The humour of the frequent but perfectly placed peculiar cravings of Trader's Mum littered throughout the text was amusing and knowing that Trader is named after Alex Horne's own GF brings a personal touch to the book. All the little drawings of the pebbles in between chapters and at the end made the book feel more tactile, more personal.

A reminder that childrens books can be enjoyed by young and old alike. Perfect for children and adults to read together but also to read on their own. I feel confident that this book will stand the test of time and be enjoyed for generations to come. A childrens classic in the making. The perfect blend of warmth, humour and mystery to satisfy any child, or any adult who’s ever pocketed a pebble without quite knowing why.

It just goes to show you don’t need explosions or constant action to captivate young readers. Just warmth, humour, a little mystery and a gifted author. Alex Horne spent seven years writing this book and you can feel it in every detail. It’s clearly a labour of love — gentle, thoughtful and deeply personal. I would like to say to Alex that it was totally worth the wait.

The Last Pebble is proof that quiet books can roar.

#TheLastPebble #NetGalley

I’ve long been a fan of Alex Horne through Taskmaster so I was interested to see how his comedy would transfer to children’s books, and I’m so happy to see what a lovely match it is. His humour is clear throughout and you can hear his voice in the writing style, but the story is gentle and old fashioned in the best possible sense.

It tells the story of Trader, who loves to go beach combing with his beloved grandfather in Bognor Regis. One day they find an unusual stone that causes great excitement in his grandpa but Trader isn’t sure why. Is it magic? Along with his new friend, he tries to find out all about the pebble and get to the bottom of why his grandpa is now behaving so strangely.

The relationship between Trader and his grandpa is at the heart of the story and is beautifully done. The characters all manage to be funny and real and the mystery at the centre perfectly shows a child’s imagination and idea of what may be happening around them. Highly recommended and I look forward to more from the author!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy in return for an honest review.

Pebbles can hold so much history, teaching us about the past and the land around us. Trader is about to discover a secret that is a lot closer to home with his latest find.

Readers will be swiftly absorbed by the irresistible story that the author has crafted. Trader is the type of boy that parents want to smother with love and kids can relate to as a kindred spirit. Through his shyness shines a wonderful, relatable character. The adventure holds the reader as if in a spell, and I spent a lovely evening in Trader’s world cheering him on.

Honestly, is there anything that Little Alex Horne can’t do?

I didn't like this from the start. The book is aimed at children and I'm not sure that children would know the word "Turmoil" and there was lots throughout that i felt were questionable.
I then found the whole concept of the story so ridiculous. I don't think I've ever known a kid to be obsessed with pebbles and think they're magical. It was laughable what the character was saying.

I maybe being a bit harsh I just found this such a silly concept and none of the characters had any depth. It was just bad.

This is, as Akex Horne himself describes it, a slightly old fashioned book. That is not in the least a derogatory description, simply a fact. The Last Pebble is charming, gentle and innocent, laden with phrases and ideas that are so clearly "Horne" like that I could almost see Alex Horne telling me the story.
The little mystery in the book, involving Trader and his eccentric, larger than life, Grandpa, is reminiscent of the traditional mysteries of the Famous Five, while Grandpa's inventions in his shed hark back to Caractacus Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Trader and Charlotte are the kind of children that stick out in a primary class and often have a tough time of it. I sadly suspect that their time would be a great deal tougher in an inner city school, but in Bognor, even Trader's two worst bullies can be turned around to become allies and, even friends. Trader's initial reaction to the two boys who have been his taunters making his life miserable at school when Charlotte befriends them is realistically handled, with Trader feeling anger and jealousy to begin with.
As a librarian working with children in a rural area there are several children to whom I would recommend this book, not just because they would enjoy it's mystery story, but because, for some of them it would speak to them very specifically about how much it is okay to be a bit different and not conform to the majority.
I suspect Alex Horne was a little like Trader, and Charlotte as a young boy and that may be why his depiction of Trader's thoughts and feelings rings so true.
The story of the Last Pebble runs to over 250 pages, but the story of the Pebble itself runs for fascinating centuries and that, in itself, is a little bit of magic, just as Trader says .
A lovely wee story and thank you to Walker Books and NetGalley for an e arc to review.

This is a lovely, gentle story about Trader, a quirky boy who never seems to fit in, and his eccentric grandfather who makes gadgets for everything and collects items from the beach.

Set in Bognor, it brought back childhood memories of stony beaches and long summer holidays spent outdoors.

With unique takes on life, dry wit, and a little mystery, this story is perfect for kids trying to find their place in the world. Themes of friendship and family are explored, and shows how the unexpected can be just around the corner. Highly recommended for middle-grade children.

The Last Pebble is a very wholesome middle grade story about a boy and his grandpa who find a special stone whilst beach-combing. But there’s more to it that’s all discovered through an eleven year olds eyes. It has all the charm of Michael Morpurgo, and it’s simple yet so well structured and concluded.

I loved the little illustrations inside of all the pebbles and the overall vibes of this book were great!

The Last Pebble comes out July 3rd, in time for the perfect little summer read!

I was asked to read this cute book by NetGalley - I know Alex Horne from appearing in the Channel 4 show - The Last Leg so was intrigued if this would live up to the Cheltenham Literature Festival pre reviews - it did.

This is an intriguing story of a young boy and the relationship he has with his grandfather who is slightly eccentric - we would all have loved a eccentric grandfather.

They find a stone on the beach and brings back things from the past as well as friendships and secrets.

Really lovely story and due for publication 3 July 2025.

Trader likes stones; in fact Trader actually loves stones, it's a passion that he has inherited from his Grandpa. One day, Trader finds abtruky special pebble and his life changes as he learns things about others around him.

This is an enjoyable book, it's very much written in the way Alex Horne entertains - it's quite witty and amusing. The story arcs nicely and it has a great twist towards the end. The vocabulary used is approachable and understandable with there also being quite specific terminology nabkutnrocks introduced throughout.

This book could be used as a class text when learning about rocks or geology in Science - it also has themes about moving on from year 6 so may interest children in UKS2 particularly. Trader himself is a little different and doesn't fit in with his peers,. particularly at the beginning of the book - it's sensitively explored how he struggles with this.

As an adult reading it, I quite enjoyed it due to the fact I've not read a book like it before - I couldn't predict what was going to happen! It is quite a gentle story, there are no obvious moments of peril but there is adventure.

“Mum has always said that Grandpa is my rock. She says that’s how people describe someone they can depend upon. But it’s close to being a reality with Grandpa. He’s so solid, so reliable and often so silent.”

This book made me an emotional wreck! I was always really close with my grandad, and I lost him at the start of this year - so this one really hit home for me. When I saw the dedication of ‘For Children and their Grandparents’ I knew this was going to be an emotional read.

The Last Pebble centres on a young boy’s connection with his grandpa. Thomas and his grandpa have always gone to the beach to look for special stones to add to their treasure collection. One day he finds an extra special one, one that comes with a secret supposed to be kept forever. Can he uncover the mystery and return the treasure to its rightful home?

“All my favourite memories involve finding things with Grandpa on the beach.”

This was such a beautiful story of a boy and his grandpa’s shared love of treasure hunting, whilst also navigating issues such as a grandparent being poorly in a home, finding friends and dealing with bullies.

I loved the mystery elements and the way his friendship with Charlotte developed. Also the hints about the mom!

Overall this was such a wholesome read and I’d highly recommend for little readers!

ARC copy provided by Walker Books & NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

The Last Pebble by Alex Horne is a warm, gentle story that really surprised me. I picked it up out of curiosity, but was quickly drawn into the touching relationship between Trader and his grandad. The seaside setting adds charm, and the mystery around the pebble kept me turning the pages. It’s funny in places, quietly emotional in others, and perfect for thoughtful young readers—or adults who still love a bit of magic in everyday life. A lovely debut.

✶ PRE-READING ✶
I knew Alex Horne primarily for his comedy - he's written adult books, but this is his first children's - so I was curious how his trademark wit and awkwardness might translate into a children’s book. I expected some humour, maybe a bit of silliness, and hopefully a meaningful message tucked in there too.

✶ POST-READING ✶
As I thought... The tone was spot on - gentle humour, quirky characters, and that slightly offbeat storytelling that’s perfect for middle-grade readers. The intergenerational bond between Trader and his grandpa was really touching and grounded the story emotionally. And I absolutely agree with Trader about Wensday.

It surprised me by... …how much it packed in! There’s genuine mystery, a cleverly crafted reverse heist, lovely facts about rocks and geology, and even some thoughtful moments dealing with bullying and self-esteem. It never felt overloaded, just layered in a way that made it feel rich and engaging. Also: Charlotte is a fantastic character - resourceful, funny, and bold. I really hope Alex plans more in this series, as I'd love to see what they get up to next!

✦ RECOMMENDATIONS ✦
Book: The Goldfish Boy by Lisa Thompson
This middle-grade mystery also involves a curious young protagonist, a quiet but determined investigation, and emotional themes like grief, friendship, and finding one’s place. It’s thoughtful, heartfelt, and grounded in a child’s perspective - much like The Last Pebble.

🎬 TV Show: Detectorists (BBC)
While it’s aimed at adults, Detectorists shares a similar gentle humour, love of the mundane turned meaningful (metal detecting vs. rock collecting), and a quiet charm rooted in British landscapes and quirky characters. It’s a lovely thematic echo of appreciation for overlooked treasures and human connection.

A key element of Trader's relationship with his beloved grandfather consists of beachcombing expeditions together, which have yielded many precious treasures for the duo.

Now, Trader also has a new friend, Charlotte, to share his finds and his secrets with, and to expand the beach combing tradition to include.

A sweet story of intergenerational relationships, the magic of new friendships, and the sharing of special secrets. It gets 3.5 stars.