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The Black Book of Secrets
 
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The Black Book of Secrets (Hardcover)

by F.E. Higgins (Author)
4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (35 customer reviews)

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3 new from £22.54 7 used from £0.69 2 collectible from £19.99
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Product details

  • Hardcover: 256 pages
  • Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books (5 Jan 2007)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 1405089792
  • ISBN-13: 978-1405089791
  • Product Dimensions: 18.3 x 14.2 x 3.8 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 247,610 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Product Description

Product Description
"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 ...

About the Author
F. E. Higgins was born in England but raised in Ireland. She lives and writes in a house that dates back to the fifteenth century, in a small village in rural Kent. THE BLACK BOOK OF SECRETS is her debut, and she is currently writing THE BONE MAGICIAN, her second novel for Macmillan Children's Books.

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Customer Reviews

35 Reviews
5 star:
 (19)
4 star:
 (12)
3 star:
 (3)
2 star:
 (1)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.4 out of 5 stars (35 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
22 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Review of The Black Book Of Secrets by F. E. Higgins, 7 Mar 2007
By Ene (UK) - See all my reviews
The Black book of Secrets is an excellent book. It really makes you ponder about what you are reading and is suitable for very imaginative minds. The plot is very well thought out and quick- wittedly, everything falls in to place at the end. Ludlow Fitch is the main character and hasn't had a very calm and easy life, quite the opposite! His life is full of stress and after many years of harsh treatment he decides to leave the stinky city and lead a fuller life. He arrives at the village of Pagus Parvus and meets Joe Zabbidoe, a mysterious pawnbroker, he realises every thing in this small village in the mountains is not what it seems. Many of the viilagers have unbearable secrets to sell...

Many of the characters in this book have interesting personalities but some are very different. On one hand, Joe Zabbidoe, who takes Ludlow in, is quite relaxed at all times and his past is a mysterious subject. He never gives away his emotions by keeping his face blank. On the other hand Jeremiah Ratchett, the landlord of the village who cheats the villagers out of money, is always very uptight and jump, also his actions are sharp. Ludlow is a very samll and skinny boy who hasn't had much education although he is very street samrt from his past pick pocketing experience. Zabbidou and Fitch become quite a duo but Ludlow's frustration with Joe grows as it seems he isn't told the whole story.

F.E. Higgins is a very talented writer and her style is very easy to read. She is very good at persuading you to like some characters and dislike others.

I wolud say this book is a mixture of genres. It has a mixture of adventure/ magical/ horror and this makes it a very unique read and extremely enjoyable!

I would recommend it to readers who are adventurous and imaginative. Also it will suit you if you can relate to characters and sympathise with them.

OVERALL A MUST READ BOOK!!!
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14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars EXCELLENT!, 9 Oct 2007
By Mr. L. C. Williams "Lukus" (Hertfordshire) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
When I ordered the black book of secrets I didn't realise it was part of the Macmillan Children's Books collection, when I opened the first page and saw the Macmillan stamp I have to admit I was completely gutted, I presumed that this book was a grown up story but what I had in front of me was going to be no more than a childish attempt of scaring little children, but I was so wrong.

The book took hold of me from the first page and I felt I was walking with Ludlow through the dark cold & snowy village of Pagus Parvus. The descriptions where so clearly written that I was able to see the village and the creepy village inhabitants, like the grave digger and the repulsive Jeremiah Ratchett. The book is written so effortlessly that each chapter just flows incredibly well. I found that the book reminded me of those dark Benson animations- I would love to see an animated version of the book, it would be absolutely brilliant! Fingers crossed the next instalment will be out soon, I would love to know what happened next with Ludlow! A surprisingly brilliant book which got me hooked by the claws, give this a go you definitely won't be let down!
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic - I can't wait for the next one, 27 Jul 2007
This book was really good, I couldn't put it down. The story is really gripping, you can't tell what is going to happen next. I had a really clear picture in my head of all the characters and places, now I can't wait to read the next one. A great read for both adults and children.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars A Pleasant Surprise
This book was a pleasant surprise. I don't usually go in for all this childrens fantasy/horror type thing (well, not since I was a young child) but I found this book to be... Read more
Published 12 days ago by S. Vasicek

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent story.

Although this book is aimed at 9-12 year
olds, my 15 year old daughter decided she'd
like to read it, as she is a huge fantasy
fiction fan, and loves... Read more
Published 14 days ago by CAZ

3.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing given past praise
The Black Book of Secrets is a childrens' book. With this in mind, I sat down expecting to be entertained by a pacey narrative, and colourful plot developments. Read more
Published 18 days ago by Rose Carter

5.0 out of 5 stars Secrets Abound
I was completely drawn into this book from the first page! Ludlow's violent betrayal by his parents and subsequent flight to the village of Pagus Parvus are some of the most... Read more
Published 21 days ago by J. S. Bundy

4.0 out of 5 stars Super reading
This is a fast-paced compelling read. I enjoyed every aspect of this book and feel it is 4.5 stars out of 5. Read more
Published 21 days ago by SJSmith

4.0 out of 5 stars Surprisingly enjoyable
This was one of those books that I got thinking, "Oh that sounds interesting" but then as soon as it came through the door I kept putting off reading it. Read more
Published 22 days ago by Ren

4.0 out of 5 stars Vincit qui patitur
I found that when reading this book, it felt as though one wasin the village of Pagus Parvus. It's a captivating tale of secrets, a pawnbroker, frog, villagers hiding secrets and... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Patrick Duffy

3.0 out of 5 stars Perhaps I'll Come Back and Try Again
Sadly, less than 20 pages in, I found myself struggling to remain interested enough to continue reading The Black Book Secrets, and the more I read, the more my mind wandered to... Read more
Published 1 month ago by S. Porter

4.0 out of 5 stars A Cracking Adventure Story
Clearly intended to be one of a series, this book tells the story of Ludlow Fitch, a boy whose gin sodden parents are more interested in selling the teeth out of his head than... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mrs. K. A. Wheatley

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb Atmospheric Tale - Outstanding!
This is a hugely entertaining tale of a magical almost wizard like 'secret pawnbroker', his pet frog and his young apprentice Ludlow. Read more
Published 1 month ago by debbie8355

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