The Apple Tree Gang and the Backstage Mystery is a new children’s adventure written by British author and entertainment technology professional Rich Rowley. It takes young readers into the exciting world of a live music festival, where teamwork, friendship and a little detective work are needed to save the day. It also aims to raise funds and awareness for Backup Tech, the charity supporting the people who make live events happen.

For Rich, who has spent his professional career working across audio, lighting and video in the entertainment technology industry, the setting is especially meaningful, and he has drawn inspiration from the people, places and experiences that make live productions possible.

“Most people see the artist on stage, the lights and the excitement of a great show,” says Rich. “But behind every performance there’s an incredible team of people making it happen. I wanted to bring a little of that world into a children’s story. If it helps spark a young person’s imagination or even inspires an interest in what happens behind the scenes, that would be wonderful.”

The book takes readers on a journey with Bob, Gareth, Lexi, Flo and their four-legged companion Crayon. When they receive backstage passes to the Foxbury Fields music festival, they expect an unforgettable adventure. But when headline performer Skye Sanders’ favourite guitar mysteriously disappears before showtime, the gang find themselves investigating a backstage mystery where everyone has a part to play.

Along the way, young readers discover a world of stages, performers, backstage activity and the teamwork needed to make a great show happen. For those that have been lucky enough to read it, it has proved captivating. “I love it,” says six-year-old Louise. “It was such a great adventure to go to bed with.”

The launch is also intended to support Backup by donating 50% of the royalties from each qualifying book sold.

“Over the years, I’ve seen just how much our industry depends on the people working behind the scenes,” Rich adds. “Backup does important work supporting those same people when they need help. Being able to connect my first published book with a cause that means something personally to me feels like a fitting way to begin this journey.”

The Apple Tree Gang and the Backstage Mystery will be available on Amazon from November 16th via Amazon. This is the third adventure in The Apple Tree Gang series, with earlier stories The Missing Horse and The Missing Starfish planned to follow. To find out more, visit https://www.theappletreegang.co.uk/behind-the-magic/ and to order your copy, click HERE.