Rotherweird: Rotherweird Book I - Hardcover

Caldecott, Andrew

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1784297615 ISBN 13: 9781784297619

Publisher: Jo Fletcher Books, 2017

'Intricate and crisp, witty and solemn: a book with special and dangerous properties' Hilary Mantel

The town of Rotherweird stands alone - there are no guidebooks, despite the fascinating and diverse architectural styles cramming the narrow streets, the avant garde science and offbeat customs. Cast adrift from the rest of England by Elizabeth I, Rotherweird's independence is subject to one disturbing condition: nobody, but nobody, studies the town or its history.

For beneath the enchanting surface lurks a secret so dark that it must never be rediscovered, still less reused.

But secrets have a way of leaking out.

Two inquisitive outsiders have arrived: Jonah Oblong, to teach modern history at Rotherweird School (nothing local and nothing before 1800), and the sinister billionaire Sir Veronal Slickstone, who has somehow got permission to renovate the town's long-derelict Manor House.

Slickstone and Oblong, though driven by conflicting motives, both strive to connect past and present, until they and their allies are drawn into a race against time - and each other. The consequences will be lethal and apocalyptic.

Welcome to Rotherweird!

A twisted, arcane murder-mystery with shades of Hope Mirrlees, Ben Aaronovitch, Mervyn Peake and Edward Gorey at their disturbing best.

'Baroque, Byzantine and beautiful - not to mention bold' M.R. Carey

'Compelling . . . the love child of Gormenghast and Hogwarts' Guardian

Review:

A history-tragic-comedy all rolled into one, Rotherweird is intricate and crisp, witty and solemn: a book not unlike other books, but with special and dangerous properties. Line by line, silent and adroit, it opens a series of trap-doors in the reader's imagination (Hilary Mantel, two-time Man Booker prize winner)

An imaginative tour de force (The Times)

Baroque, Byzantine and beautiful - not to mention bold. An enthralling puzzle picture of a book (M R Carey, author of the bestselling The Girl With All The Gifts)

Compelling . . . the love child of Gormenghast and Hogwarts (Guardian)

Sublime . . . Call me greedy, but I'm already itching to return to Caldecott's universe (The Irish Times)

One of this year's most anticipated debut novels (SFX)

This novel is a remarkable achievement. It's also extremely funny, in a typically British sort of way . . . a delightful Harry Potter for grown ups (Sunday Independent)

Truly, sinisterly magical. 10/10 (Starburst)

A great introduction to its strange and mesmerising world, and a feat of imagination, packed with ideas and extraordinary people. It's well worth the visit (SciFiNow)

This is a twisty, hilarious, magical story crammed full of intricate characters and nefarious plots (The Little Squid)

Book Description:

'A history-tragic-comedy all rolled into one' (Hilary Mantel) and 'An enthralling puzzle-picture of a book' (M.R. Carey). Welcome to Rotherweird!

• Publisher: Jo Fletcher Books
• Publication date: 2017
• ISBN 10: 1784297615
• ISBN 13: 9781784297619
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 400