The Kidnap Plot

Charlie Pondicherry lives in his bap's (father's) clock shop in an alternate Victorian London shared by humans and fairy tale creatures (snippets from the Almanack of the Elder Folk and Arcana of Britain and North Ireland appear between chapters, describing these beings and their customs). Mr. Pondicherry forbids Charlie from leaving the alley where they live, but when his bap is kidnapped, Charlie vows to find him, aided by a ragtag group that includes a troll who practices law, a pixie on her tithe (akin to a walkabout), and two aeronauts who aren't what they seem. The characters' backstories are revealed as they try to track down the "Sinister Man" who took Bap as part of a larger conspiracy. The fast-paced plot is action-packed but leaves room for Charlie's coming-of-age journey as he discovers his own strengths and comes to terms with his true identity. Debut author Butler's meticulously crafted world springs to vivid life in this first book in the Extraordinary Journeys of Clockwork Charlie trilogy, which should satisfy fans of fantasy and adventure. Ages 8%E2%80%9312. Agent: Deborah Warren, East West Literary. (June)