From Newsgroup: rec.arts.mystery

She lives in Oxford and writes picture books and, more recently, YA novels. (More than one novel of hers is a mystery - I think.)
http://valeriemendes.com/
(her site) https://www.encyclopedia.com/children/scholarly-magazines/mendes-valerie-1939 Excerpts:
"Also author of nonfiction series of educational books for Ladybird publishers. Contributor to periodicals."
"...Girl in the Attic, finds thirteen-year-old Nathan Fielding none too happy about his newly separated mother's decision to move to Cornwall, a move that separates Nathan from his best friend, Tom, as well as from his father. However, when he discovers a new friend in a girl named Rosalie, he is drawn into her life, as well as into her family's mysteries..."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valerie_Mendes https://www.google.com/search?biw=1920&bih=969&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=S_KTXerhIaWyggek4q-4Cw&q=%22valerie+mendes%22+books&oq=%22valerie+mendes%22+books&gs_l=img.3..0i24.4054.4800..5015...0.0..0.73.130.2......0....1..gws-wiz-img.6V_wZ7maqiw&ved=0ahUKEwiqs4Xfq_zkAhUlmeAKHSTxC7cQ4dUDCAc&uact=5
(book covers)
https://www.fantasticfiction.com/m/valerie-mendes/
(more covers)
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/24304.Valerie_Mendes
(reader reviews) https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-85117/Can-Kate-tame-Sam.html
(2000 article about her and her son Sam, who directed "American Beauty," "Road to Perdition," and "Skyfall")
Writings:
Tomasina's First Dance, illustrated by Heather Calder, Little, Brown (Boston, MA), 1992.

Look at Me Grandma!, illustrated by Claire Fletcher, Chicken House (New York, NY), 2001.
Girl in the Attic, Simon & Schuster (London, England), 2002.
Coming of Age, Simon & Schuster (London, England), 2003.
Lost and Found, Simon & Schuster (London, England), 2004.
The Drowning, Simon & Schuster (London, England), 2005.
Larkswood (2011)
The Hideaway (2015)

The Choice (2017)
Where Peacocks Scream (2017)
Lenona.
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2