Product Description

Everyone in Kinvara is conscious that time is flying past, faster and faster - to such an extent that when JJ asks his mother what she would like as a birthday present she ask for more time. JJ dismisses this as mere wishful thinking, an impossibility, for who know where the time goes? The Liddys have been musicians for generations and JJ is no exception but what he discovers is that a shadow from the past hangs over their family - did his great-grandfather murder the village priest? When he sets out to buy his mother time, he discovers the fate of a flute, which will provide the key to both problems - it is the vital clue. He makes the transition to Tir na n'Og, the land of eternal youth, where the fairy people are also having a problem with time and it falls to his lot to locate the leak between the two parallel worlds. JJ finds where time goes! Music proves to be the touchstone for communication between the fairy and the human domains and the book is saturated with the lure of Irish music for JJ's whole existence is built round the ceili and each chapter relates to a tune, printed out as a heading so that the reader can also become a performer. As for the "New Policeman", Larry O'Dwyer, he is an enigmatic figure who has a significant bearing on the plot but whose identity is kept a superbly guarded secret to the very last surprising moment.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #78051 in Books
• Published on: 2006-04-06
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 416 pages

Review
" 'Kate Thompson writes with marvellous and magical ease' - Janni Howker, TES 'Daring and accomplished' - Books for Keeps 'A storyteller of genius' - Irish Times"

The Guardian, July 2, 2005
There is something hallucinatory, if not delirious about this stylish, magical book.

Books for Keeps magazine, July 1, 2005
A distinctive and beautifully written book...an enthralling tale, both whimsical and deep, told with a dry, laconic wit.

Customer Reviews

A great read.
This is a book full of mystery, magic, myth and music. It takes place in Ireland at a time when music was very important to the population. It is about a boy called JJ Liddy who sets off to buy his mother some time. Can he do the impossile task and manage to grant her wish? Full of surprises along the way, this book is a must for all kids aged 12+. Hard to put down and enjoyable from beginning to end. Enjoy.

Magical
If you have any interest in Fairies, or if your feet itch to dance when you hear Irish music, this book is for you.

Follow a gripping tale of a young boy growing up with all the usual problems a young boy should have. A strange family that he finds out stories about as only a young boy can, through stories at school.

Along his journeys he finds out why we never seem to have enough time, and where the time is going along with those odd socks.

This book is too good for kids.

enchanting
"The New Policeman" is one of the most enchanting, page turners I have read in recent years. A tale of fair folk, family and music.It solves the mystery of where all the time is going and where all the odd socks end up! Each chapter ends with a piece of Irish music, which I encourage everyone to play as it breathes more life into this enthralling story. The storyline itself is a "mystery" and keeps the reader engrossed until the end. Wonderful.