Secrets of the First School, T. L. Huchu
Secrets of the First School, T. L. Huchu
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Secrets of the First School

Author: T. L. Huchu

Narrator: Kimberly Mandindo

Unabridged: 12 hr 17 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 12/02/2025

Synopsis

“[Kimberly] Mandindo expertly narrates the supernatural mystery’s twists and turns, keeping the listener guessing until the very end...The narration brings depth to the compelling cast of characters, culminating in the spellbinding and thought-provoking conclusion.” — Booklist

One final adventure for Ropa Moyo – orphan, mischief-maker and failed magician. Secrets of the First School is the mystery-filled finale to T. L. Huchu’s USA Today bestselling Edinburgh Nights series.

"I’ve had my arse kicked more times than I can count"

Ropa Moyo is dead, banished to the Other Place by the reanimated spirit of Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville of Scotland. Turns out being on the losing side sucks worse than being skint.

Now, the Cult of Dundas intends to ascend to godhood, spreading their corrupting reach from Edinburgh to all of Scotland’s schools of magic. Ropa must find some way to escape the Other Place, save her sister and gather allies across the country before Edinburgh falls.

A royal plot, a family secret and a stolen body. As Scotland descends into petty in-fighting, Ropa’s only hope lies in her grandmother’s final secret: the first school of magic.

An ancient power is returning . . . and is hungry for revenge.

“[Kimberly] Mandindo expertly narrates the supernatural mystery’s twists and turns, keeping the listener guessing until the very end...the narration brings depth to the compelling cast of characters, culminating in the spellbinding and thought-provoking conclusion.”—Booklist

A Macmillan Audio production from Tor Books

About T. L. Huchu

T. L. Huchu has been published previously (as Tendai Huchu) in the adult market, but the Edinburgh Nights series is his genre fiction debut. His previous books (The Hairdresser of Harare and The Maestro, The Magistrate and the Mathematician) have been translated into multiple languages and his short fiction has won awards. Tendai grew up in Zimbabwe but has lived in Edinburgh for most of his adult life.

About Kimberly Mandindo

Kimberly Mandindo is a Scottish Zimbabwean theatre, screen and voice performer. She has worked with multiple theatre companies and playwrights in script to stage development including Scottish youth theatre. She has recently performed in Beldina Odenyo’s “Tero Buru” with Disaster plan and National theatre of Scotland. In addition to completing an international tour with Young fathers she is an experienced audiobook reader having narrated the Edinburgh night series by T.L Huchu.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Annarella on October 18, 2025

I’m a bit under the weather, but Edinburgh Nights is among my favourites, and I couldn’t help but read this final installment as fast as I could. I rooted for Ropa, hoped for the best, and was on the edge of my seat. There’s a lot going on: tension, darkness, some heart-breaking moments, and we learn......more

Goodreads review by April on October 19, 2025

I have really enjoyed this book series, particularly having lived in Edinburgh.......more

Quotes

Praise for the Edinburgh Nights series:
“Alluring, shadowy Edinburgh with its hints of sophisticated academic magic will draw you in, but it’s Ropa - a hard knocks ghostalker on her paranormal grind to pay the rent - who grabs hold. The moment you meet her, you’ll follow wherever she goes.”—Olivie Blake, author of The Atlas Six

“An absolute delight . . . kept me totally hooked.”—Genevieve Cogman, author of The Invisible Library

“Expertly blending elements of Zimbabwean and Scottish culture, Huchu’s occult thriller is as entertaining as it is thought-provoking.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Everything rides on the shoulders of young Ropa in this post-apocalyptic, near-future Edinburgh where magic, science, and monarchy all hold equal sway. Ropa, at only 14, carries an adult’s burdens and responsibility with equal parts can-do spirit, stubborn energy, and kicking herself and her friends as necessary. This twisted Edinburgh tries its best to keep her down, but she never stops.”—Library Journal, starred review

“Witty, suspenseful, and keenly attuned to real-life socioeconomic hierarchies, this equally entertaining and insightful sophomore outing should keep Huchu’s star on the rise.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review on The Mystery at Dunvegan Castle

“A fast-paced, future-set Edinburgh thriller. The Library of the Dead mixes magical mysteries with a streetwise style of writing . . . . Roll on the sequel.”—The Times (UK)

“Fast-moving and entertaining... Stupendously engaging.”—Ben Aaronovitch, author of the Rivers of London series

“What a delight. Great pacing, wonderfully creepy villains, and so much fun!”—A. K. Larkwood, author of The Unspoken Name

“I highly recommend The Library of the Dead.”—Charlaine Harris, author of the Sookie Stackhouse series

​"Perfect for teens and adults, the Edinburgh Nights series just gets stronger with each book.... (The backstabbing! The nefarious lying! The cow­ardly behavior by those who should know better!) What a great group of books these are, and what fun to read them and share them with others."—Locus

“Contemporary fantasy, at its best, is both escapist and urgent: this does both admirably.”—The Scotsman

"Ropa is a delight to read, even as her tumble into danger can turn into a bit of a nailbiter."—Booklist

“One of the strangest and most compelling fantasy worlds you’ll see all year . . . We can't wait for the next volume.”—SFX

"There’s magic and mystery in these pages, and with a protagonist like Ropa, you’ll be glad you went along for the ride."—BookRiot

"As accessible to first-time readers as to longtime fans. . . . Huchu delivers another satisfying paranormal mystery in his entertaining fourth Edinburgh Nights urban fantasy . . . Huchu’s worldbuilding is as immersive and appealing as ever.”—Publishers Weekly on The Legacy of Arniston House

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