In 1645 in England, the daughters of the town minister successfully accuse a local healer and her granddaughter of witchcraft to conceal an out-of-wedlock pregnancy, but years later during the 1692 Salem trials their lie has unexpected repercussions.
Something strange is going on in the basement. Voices are calling. Taking a leap through time Tom meets the monsters of Bartholomew Fair. In the dark and seedy backstreets of eighteenth-century London, doctors are paying high prices for unusual bodies, and the monsters desperately need Tom's help. But Tom has problems of his own . . .
Set in 19th-century England, this tale introduces a character poised to join the ranks of Dickens's iconic figures, Pip and Oliver Twist. The author skillfully weaves a narrative rich in historical context and character development, offering readers a memorable journey through the complexities of the era.
When Hazel witnesses suffragette Emily Davison stepping out in front of the king's horse she could never have imagined the impact this event would have on her own life. But this single incident would change Hazel's destiny forever . . .
This haunting novel, set at the start of the Second World War, is about mental illness and family relationships, and has been shortlisted for the 2010 CILIP Carnegie Medal.