‘Inkbound: Meticulous Jones and the Skull Tattoo’ by Philippa Leathley
Big Book Award 2026 shortlisted title:
On her tenth birthday, Meticulous ‘Metty’ Jones receives her fate, as all children do, in the form of a magical tattoo on her hand. She hopes that her tattoo will reveal an exciting destiny: travel, discovery or adventure. What appears is a skull in the palm of a violet glove – Metty’s fate is to be a murderer.
When Metty’s father disappears in mysterious circumstances, Aunt Magnificent takes her to the glittering city of New London, filled with magic, wonder and enchantment. But when Metty hears rumours of a shadowy organisation known as the Black Moths, she begins to suspect they are connected to her own dark fate…
Published by HarperCollins
The Big Book Award 2026 Longlist Reading Panel of children from Cheswardine Primary School said…
“Even though the book is fantasy, Metty is full of personality and character.”
“The book has many unexpected twists and turns that you would never guess.”
“Fast paced. Keeps you gripped.”
“I’m so delighted that Inkbound has been shortlisted for the Shropshire Bookfest Big Book Award 2026, especially knowing that the process is child-led from the very beginning. It’s a real honour to discover that young readers have enjoyed my story and championed it!” – Philippa Leathley
About the author
Philippa Leathley grew up in East Yorkshire, spending summers near London with her eccentric grandparents and writing feverishly as soon as she could hold a pen.
When not writing, she enjoys learning new languages, studying anything from historical fashion to shipwrecks, and is passionate about protecting the environment.
She currently lives just outside Hull with her family and three rescue cats. Inkbound is her debut novel.
Visit her website to find out more about her and her writing: https://www.philippaleathley.com/
Pupils taking part in Book Award 2026 are invited to post their comments and reviews below. (All comments will be moderated by Bookfest before they’re published.)
23 responses to “‘Inkbound: Meticulous Jones and the Skull Tattoo’ by Philippa Leathley”
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A absolute thriller. Metty is so eager to change her tattoo. I can imagine every bit of this book. Such a fantastic read, recommended for all readers interested in magic.
I love the bit where Metty steps into the Theater, I was holding my breath.9/10👌😊
Inkbound is my favourite book. It is about magic and there are lots of fates. 9/10
Inkbound was a thrilling read with an exciting plot you definitely couldn’t see coming. Metty was a wonderful character with a brilliant personality.
9/10
It is good😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀
🫠 I absolutely loved it. I like the bit when you know Sundar is basically Pinocchio, but no more spoilers. 🤐🤐🤐 5 stars ★★★★★
amazing
I really liked the book. It was very adventurous and exciting with a touch of magic but not so much you roll your eyes and can’t engage. It is great for stronger and more confident readers🙂
Inkbound is an amazing book. It is an adventure story crossed with magic and has some great characters including Pumpkin the gargoyle.
I would recommend this story to anyone who enjoys exciting adventures.
9/10
I love Inkbound. This is an amazing book. I enjoyed it so much I couldn’t keep my eyes off the page, I kept on wanting more. It really was different to any book I have read in the way you never new what was coming next. I enjoyed so much. I’d 1000 percent read it again. It’s definitely something I’d tell my friends to read. It’s a 10/10 for me.
I liked the mystery, and that Metty was very persistent with her Aunt about going to find the captain. I think it was ok, but not my style. I would give it a 4/10
I really liked Inkbound with all the mysteries and the magic. I really liked the part were Metty found out about her actual fate meaning. I would give a 9/10. I would read it again and would recommend it to people who like magic and a lot of action.
Absolutely amazing. I couldn’t put the book down! Magic, mystery, adventure all rolled up into the pages. The idea is genius! Ink tattoos revealing your fate. My favourite part was when she figured out she could bring a statue to life! I highly recommend! 😊
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I’m about halfway so far. A very adventurous book, complicated at first, although as you go on it gets better. Great book😄😄😄😄😄😄
Great book – gets better later on. 👍 I would recommend to a good reader.
I liked it, but not my sort of book. But I liked the adventure.⭐️⭐️⭐️ Always be better 🙂🙂😊
🙂
I’m half way through this book and it is so intriguing, Inkbound is full of adventure, imagination and is an extraodinary experience to read. I personally love this book and definitely think it deserves to win. Out of all the bookfest books, I chose this one first because it sounded so alluring and was a great choice.
Hiiiiiiiii Jess and Ella and Wren. It’s Issy McB.
Now this book is the absolute best book in the whole entire universe! I love it so much if this doesn’t win I don’t know what will!😆 I loved this book because of all of the twists and all of the magical elements like the fates and the tethers and stuff. This book is so my type! Five stars!⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Amazing, exciting and magical!!! This book is so good! It will win 🥇! Bye bye 😄😄😄!
I loved Inkbound. In my opinion, it has been the best book so far. I loved the magical tattoos of fates and the different districts in New London. I like the idea of ink and its magical properties. I hope everyone loves this book as much as I do. Bye!
Every chapter I read I could not put your book down! My favourite character is Metty because she is so talented. My favourite twist is when she found out that she can bring a statue to life!!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
INKBOUND This book is full of adventure, mystery, magic and surprises! This book is absolutely amazing, everything you want in a book! I totally recommend this book. Hope you have a good time reading this! Bye! 🙂