This intriguing tale begins in the dark, seldom-trodden depths of a Parisian sewer beneath Rue Morgue. Here, a young sewer sweeper discovers a glittering gold object, a locket engraved with a strange spidery script. It appears to have a life of its own, twitching in his palm, throbbing with a strange energy . . .
Above ground, Zélie, a maid in a Parisian household, longs to go home to her native India. But why does her beloved father no longer answer her letters? And why do those around her accuse her of being a witch when she has no dealings with magic?
Zélie has few friends but this is set to change when Jules arrives on the scene, fresh (or not so fresh as it turns out) from the Parisian sewers. In his possession is a locket, and this is no ordinary locket. It belongs to Zélie’s father. What is more, it once held the legendary snakestone.
Zélie quickly realises that the missing snakestone is the clue to finding her father. So begins a race against time. Zélie and Jules must track down the snakestone before it falls into the hands of the mysterious Brotherhood of Blood.
From the labyrinthine sewers beneath Paris to the Cirque Fantastique and on to the jungles of Calcutta, this middle grade reader, suitable for age 9+, offers adventure after scintillating adventure. . . a must read.
Suzanne Chinnock
Secrets of the Snakestone by Piu Dasgupta
Nosy Crow
ISBN 9781839946318
£7.99
Published 2024
