Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #189147 in Books
• Published on: 2007-01-05
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 320 pages

Synopsis
"Wonderful. Anyone looking for the next big thing has come to the right place. Higgins has created a uniquely grim fantasy world that more than holds its own with Dickens or Peake. Her characters are brilliantly realised and the story grabs at the reader with hooked talons" - Eoin Colfer. When Ludlow Fitch's parents cruelly betray him, he steals away on the back of a carriage and leaves behind the stinking City. He arrives in the dead of night at a remote village, where he crosses paths with the tall and limping figure of Joe Zabbidou - a pawnbroker with a difference. For Joe trades secrets, not goods, for cash. Employed as Joe's assistant, Ludlow records the villagers' fiendish confessions in an ancient leather-bound volume: "The Black Book of Secrets". There's the gravedigger who has been resurrecting bodies; the butcher who made a mouse-meat pie for his bullying father, with fatal consequences; the wizened bookseller who went to murderous lengths to get her hands on a priceless tome. Ludlow longs to trust his mysterious master, but he senses Joe has much to hide. But then Ludlow Fitch has his own, very dark, secrets ...

Customer Reviews

Kids will love it
Ok,I admit that I am pushing 50 and this is meant to be a children's book.I have to say though that I found this to be a largely enjoyable read that children will most probably love.

The story revolves around Ludlow Fitch and a chance meeting he has with a secret pawnbroker.What follows is an entertaining story that is interesting enough although it did flag a little bit towards the end.I suppose comparisons with JK Rowling will be made as the author is female and the story is pretty much along similar lines,boy a bit of an outcast,finds an ally but has to move away from home to be truly happy.So how does it compare to Harry Potter?Well,it isn't as good in my opinion but there is enough here to please kids and quite a few adults as well.

If I could give fractions for marks I would most likely give this book 3.5 out of 5.But I think it deserves to be a 4 more than a 3 as it is an engrossing read for about 80% of the book.

different, brilliant, but just not scary enough
a very original and great read, good descriptions and surprises

but i just though she could have made the book a lot scarier, even for a around 10-13 book

Adventure, Magic, Tragedy & Joy!
I ordered F. E. Higgins book, "The Black Book of Secrets" thinking it was a simple, albeit creative, "little kid" story, for my nephew. Upon it's arrival, as I do with any book I order for a child; I intended to skim through it before passing it on as a gift. And boy-oh-boy, was I surprised!

F. E. Higgins had me hooked from the first page onward! I kept telling myself I had better things to do with my time than feel so engrossed in a "kid" book. The powerful and rich characters, along with the stimulating plot, held my attention to the last word. I simply couldn't put it down and decided I "deserved" the time off to enjoy the author's story telling magic.

Poor Ludlow Fitch, the book's main character, who is rather a street urchin type, leads a distraught and sorrowful life until he decides to blaze his own trail and find a new home and friends. Once he makes his way to the snowy village of Pagus Parvus, he finds his life has only just begun in many ways. As you read along, you will feel that you've taken every step alongside Ludlow, and you will feel his every emotion.

My nephew has slight brain damage and is therefore about ten years old, mentally speaking. The magic and adventure of this story also held his attention and now he wants more (and so do I!) My nephew usually dislikes reading with a passion, so now I can't wait to order more of F. E. Higgins work- for both of us!