Product Description

Aimed at children aged nine to 12 years, this is a magical thriller set among the crumbling canals of Venice.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #347154 in Books
• Published on: 2002-07-17
• Original language: German
• Binding: Paperback
• 348 pages

From the Back Cover
Winter has come early to Venice.

Two orphaned children are on the run, hiding among the crumbling canals and misty alleyways of the city. Befriended by a gang of street children and their mysterious leader, the Thief Lord, they shelter in an old, disused cinema.

On their trail is a bungling detective, obsessed with disguises and the health of his pet tortoises. But a greater threat to the boys’ new-found freedom is something from a forgotten past—a beautiful magical treasure with the power to spin time itself.

Wonderful. An exciting and richly atmospheric thriller told in the best storytelling tradition by a bestselling international children’s author.

"My enjoyment of Thief Lord grew and grew as I read it … and I loved the offbeat ending." –Diana Wynne Jones.

Customer Reviews

Brilliant Venetian fantasy
My 11 year old daughter recommended this to me, and it certainly lived up to her recommendation. The story is part mystery, part fantasy - the Venetian setting is so appropriate! - and keeps you guessing at every turn. The characters are well delineated, and there is a philosophical substratum that will appeal to adults and children.
More books from Cornelia Funke please!

The Theif Lord
An extremely amazing book. I haven't had such an enthrilling read for a long time.
*****
A gang of children lie low in an old disused cinema, with the help of scipio the theif lord they manage to stay alive and well. Their continuous dealings with "the redbeard" lead them into something of, what more sinister. And finally the truth comes out about their leader.
An adventure is just around the corner, with help from some odd people, a detective who's obsessed with his pet tortoises and one of their culprits from a break in. Each page turns into another suprize.
A brilliant read for all ages.

Venice Again...
A very strange thing seems to be happening with Cornelia Funke, Jamilla Gavan and Mary Hoffman all writing children's books for the same age group set in Venice - something in the air I suppose: a smell of drains and canals, perhaps? Still, you can see why it appeals as a setting as it is a most seductive city. The Thief Lord is a neat little book, with horrible blood relatives, caring strangers, sinister islands, one piece of 'real' magic and a great bit of revenge. My whole family have enjoyed this hugely and anticipate her next one eagerly. The characters are enduring - Ida the sassy grown up saver-of-the-day is a particularly fine character. The awful sneery uncle and aunt are gorgeously vile. The kids, while not EXACTLY believable are great. A thoroughly well-crafted and rewarding book written with zest and fluently translated from the German.