Cephas Catchpole is a young orphan in 19th century England, apprenticed as a chimney sweep to a cruel master. When he is mistaken for dead after an accidental fall and buried alive, he is rescued from his fate by two unwitting bodysnatchers. Against his will, Cephas finds himself drawn into the criminals' shady underworld and begins to uncover a murderous conspiracy involving medical malpractice, his mysterious parentage and the dreaded speckled monster itself - smallpox.

This is a gripping and atmospheric Dickensian tale in two volumes for young readers, filled with suspense, humour and more twists than a hangman's noose.

The Twist of the Hangman

by John Townsend

Published 1 September 2018
Graverobbing! Murder! Mayhem! Having fled from his bodysnatcher masters, Cephas Catchpole resolves to uncover the secrets surrounding his dead parents, the evil Dr Mortdecai Brimstone and his fraudulent smallpox potions, an enigmatic Indian doctor called Taggi and the infamous hangman Titus the Rope. Along the way, Cephas enlists the help of Mortdecai's bold and adventurous daughter Edith, who is keen to see her father get his deserved comeuppance.

This is a gripping and atmospheric Dickensian tale for young readers, filled with suspense, humour and more twists than a hangman's noose.