Product Description

This book is set in London, 1826. Leaving behind his father's tragic failures, Gabriel Swift arrives to study with Edwin Poll, the greatest of the city's anatomists. It is his chance to find advancement by making a name for himself. But instead he finds himself drawn to his master's nemesis, Lucan, the most powerful of the city's resurrectionists and ruler of its trade in stolen bodies. Dismissed by Mr Poll, Gabriel descends into the violence and corruption of London's underworld, a place where everything and everyone is for sale, and where - as Gabriel discovers - the taking of a life is easier than it might seem.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #735 in Books
• Published on: 2008-06-19
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 352 pages

Markus Zusak, author of THE BOOK THIEF
'Months after you've turned the last page, James Bradley's words are still with you - brave, compelling, unforgettable.'

Daily Telegraph
'A classically claustrophobic Gothic chiller.'

Big Issue
'An earthy brooding Gothic horror ... Gory at times, philosophical at others, this is atmospheric stuff.'

Customer Reviews

...I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!
I've tried and tried to like it. I've thought over and over that it will get better. I've persevered and got so far through that I don't want to give up but...

Why was I so quick to buy?
Bought too early to read previous reviews and saved for holiday. Such a disappointment and for once agree with most other reviewers. Incomprehensible and implausible plot, characters appearing with no introduction and all lacking in depth. Like to use my imagination but this was ridiculous and very frustrating - were we supposed to be mind readers? Where was the promised atmosphere. Second section even worse - how, what, who etc. Did not give up but was so tempted. Expect to see lines of this book on charity shop shelves.

Good but not great...Displaying talent though
This book has stayed with me and I personally found that the second half worked after the first part (for those who haven't read the book, there is change of location and mood). However, it left me with a sense of disappointment. The book rushes along and I was left feeling that more attention and character development for fewer characters would have made for a more rounder novel. However, it is definitely worth reading and indeed was haunting at times.