Book Review - The Printer's Devil by Paul Bajoria

published by Simon and Schuster 2004.

I have just finished reading this book. The enticing climax lead me deep into the night before I could finally go to sleep. Yet, having drunk in all the words of this wonderful story, I was left wondering if I'd been an idiot and missed something. I still needed answers. 

It was only when I googled the author, Paul Bajoria, that I learned the Printer's Devil is the first part of a trilogy. Needless to say I'll be requiring the second and third, pronto.

I'd like to tell you all about this complex, intriguing story, but I am having to restrain myself and just give you enough to make you want to pick it up. So much of it unfolds as you read, and the discoveries are plentiful and rich. 

To enjoy this story you will need:

A sympathetic appreciation of the main character, a 12 year old boy named Mog, who works for a printer in Victorian London. 

A delight in paper, ink, printing presses and words.

An interest in mysteries, clues, risk and peril.

A love of good people who try to do the right thing. 

A taste for good prose with varied vocabulary and gorgeous phrasing. 

This story will lead you through Mog's adventure as he follows a tempting trail around the narrow backstreets and dangerous docks of London, to unearth the secrets of criminals and convicts as they dart and dodge in a desperate plot of stolen treasures and hidden identities.  

The characters are distinct and diverse, well developed and believable. Their speech is natural and lively, fitting with the London setting, which is just as vividly described.

It's a good generous, plump book that will grab you and keep you page-turning. It is aimed at pre-teens but, as with many excellent books for that age bracket, will equally entertain many adults too. I know my Mum will probably love it because she is sensible, and I hope some of you will be game to give it a go. 

As with many books I read that I thoroughly enjoy I am left with the grateful feeling that there are clever people in the world with the ability and desire to write such brilliant books. 

You can ask for it at your local library or bookshop, or if you are isolated and never travel, or have no bookshop near you, I suppost you could order it from the link below. ;)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Printers-Devil-Trilogy/dp/0689872860/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1370183229&sr=1-1&keywords=paul+bajoria