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Tales From The Sinister City #1
Das schwarze Buch der Geheimnisse
Auf der Flucht vor seiner Vergangenheit rast Ludlow durch die Nacht, als blinder Passagier an eine Kutsche geklammert. Schließlich wird der Junge Lehrling beim Pfandleiher Joe Zabbidou, der einen besonderen Handel treibt: Er kauft Geheimnisse und trägt sie in sein schwarzes Buch ein. Aber die Dorfbewohner wollen nicht nur ihr Gewissen erleichtern, sondern sehen in Joe den Retter, der sie von dem grausamen Grundbesitzer Ratchet befreit. Bald reicht es ihnen nicht mehr, ihre Schuld zu verkaufen, und sie erwarten mehr von Joe. Doch auch Ludlow verbirgt ein Geheimnis. Das Netz um die beiden zieht sich immer enger zusammen …
286 pages, Hardcover
First published January 5, 2007
120 people are currently reading
5110 people want to read
About the author
F.E. Higgins
8 books199 followersF.E. Higgins has been fascinated by the macabre ever since seeing a ghostly apparition as a child. Nowadays Higgins travels the lands that these books describe, collecting strange artifacts and the even stranger stories behind them. When not in pursuit of a story, Higgins may be found in a haunted house in Kent, where a dismembered hand cradles a large diamond on the mantelpiece.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 569 reviews
October 25, 2011
Ahh, an interesting little book. I've been catching up on YA (fantasies) books of late. This one is a bit "younger" than the others I've read recently. But don't get me wrong here. Older readers (such as myself) can still enjoy this. It is in its own way a well crafted story with people you'll probably find interesting and a somewhat unique story. It starts off a little slowly setting up our young hero's back ground (the opening scene itself isn't slow of course as our young protagonist flees the betrayal of his parents and heads out of the city). We begin to get to know the world here and once we get to a nearby small village, Ludlow Fitch our story teller (and young thief) who has fled the city meets and "falls in with" Joe Zabbidou the (a?) Pawnbroker of Secrets.
The book is a bit of a gritty, slightly dark fantasy which I've seen compared to Dickens...but it's not that bad.
(Okay, okay if you're a "Dickens-o-phile" I'm sorry. I mean I'm sorry you're a Dickens-o-phile of course LOL...don't hit me, don't hit me...enjoy please if it's your cup of tea, enjoy. It could all just be a "coincidence" :))
Anyway...moving on, :) Lodlow's tale is interesting and there is more than a slightly good look at human nature. I'd say you'll get involved in Ludlow's story and enjoy this short novel. Pretty good.
The book is a bit of a gritty, slightly dark fantasy which I've seen compared to Dickens...but it's not that bad.
(Okay, okay if you're a "Dickens-o-phile" I'm sorry. I mean I'm sorry you're a Dickens-o-phile of course LOL...don't hit me, don't hit me...enjoy please if it's your cup of tea, enjoy. It could all just be a "coincidence" :))
Anyway...moving on, :) Lodlow's tale is interesting and there is more than a slightly good look at human nature. I'd say you'll get involved in Ludlow's story and enjoy this short novel. Pretty good.
April 15, 2009
This is one of those books that bedclothes and flashlights were invented for. Young pickpocket Ludlow Fitch escapes his frightful parents in the City and finds himself in the remote village of Pagus Parvus. There he's taken in as apprentice by another newcomer to the village, Joe Zabbidou (as in "Zabbi Zabbi Dou!" this erstwhile Flintstones fan kept thinking), who's a pawnbroker of secrets -- that is, people tell him their deepest secrets while Ludlow records them in Joe's mysterious black book, and then Joe pays them. At first Ludlow naturally thinks the purpose is blackmail, but that isn't it at all . . .
I assume there's a paperback of this by now, but I haven't seen it. The hardback, though, is only $14.95, and I would say worth every penny. Not only is this a book you'll probably want to read again yourself, you're likely to find yourself forcing it on your friends. But that's not the only reason you might want to opt for the hardback. Whoever designed this (Susan Walsh for the book and Rich Deas for the cover, it says here) was obviously as nuts about the novel as I am, because everything about the production looks, feels and even smells appropriate for what's essentially a modern rendering of those books that have had generations of kids reading them obsessively and clandestinely. My only quibble with The Black Book of Secrets is that Higgins seems to be setting herself up at the end for a sequel or even a series, and this is a book that should be left to stand alone as the wonderful creation it is; any sequel can only, by its very existence, detract.
I assume there's a paperback of this by now, but I haven't seen it. The hardback, though, is only $14.95, and I would say worth every penny. Not only is this a book you'll probably want to read again yourself, you're likely to find yourself forcing it on your friends. But that's not the only reason you might want to opt for the hardback. Whoever designed this (Susan Walsh for the book and Rich Deas for the cover, it says here) was obviously as nuts about the novel as I am, because everything about the production looks, feels and even smells appropriate for what's essentially a modern rendering of those books that have had generations of kids reading them obsessively and clandestinely. My only quibble with The Black Book of Secrets is that Higgins seems to be setting herself up at the end for a sequel or even a series, and this is a book that should be left to stand alone as the wonderful creation it is; any sequel can only, by its very existence, detract.
March 22, 2013
This isn't horror, but has a sort of a Victorian Gothic feel. For a middle grade novel, it has kind of a dark, almost pessimistic tone. That is not to say that good has no chance of winning out in this book, but it has some unfortunately true insights on human nature that are far from uplifting. But what I did like about it was that the ability to choose for yourself the decisions you make, even though people like the main villain thrive on manipulating peoples' weaknesses. In the end, we can make the decision not to do wrong, even if it's harder on us in the end. At the same time, we see the effects of growing up in harsh circumstances, with parents who are cruel and amoral. How can you get an idea of right and wrong under those circumstances? Some might argue that you don't, but as Ludlow shows, most of us, except for true sociopaths, are born with a conscience, or what CS Lewis call natural law. Even if it was easier to do the wrong thing, Ludlow was troubled by his actions, as many are in the small township of Pagus Parvus, which makes Joe Zabbidou's work as the Secret Pawnbroker so much more important.
Atmosphere is crucial, and the author sets it very well in this novel. Although I initially wondered where the sinister and horrific elements would be revisited after the very chilling beginning, when I realized it wasn't that kind of book, I settled in and enjoyed it for what it was. A story about human nature and the good and the bad inherent in our humanity. Even with a lousy human being like Jeremiah Ratchet, it's clear that he still has the same basic needs, although his soul seems corrupted by avarice and selfishness. But does that mean someone should take away his ability to make the choice to do right? Ludlow watches this dilemma take place as the townspeople in Pagus Parvus look to Joe as the divine avenger when that is not his role at all. Instead he urges them to be patient and let justice do its work in the end. Anyone will agree that is not a comfortable process, as justice sometimes seems very slow to come in many circumstances.
This is an interesting book. A quick read that keeps you thinking. I wonder how a younger reader would see it, and if the lessons inherent in this book will have the same exact impact on that reader as it has on a reader of my age, who has seen a lot more of humanity in its varied humanness. In the end, The Black Book of Secrets is a thoughtful read for younger readers, that will make an older reader have something to ponder as well.
Overall rating: 3.5/5.0 stars.
Atmosphere is crucial, and the author sets it very well in this novel. Although I initially wondered where the sinister and horrific elements would be revisited after the very chilling beginning, when I realized it wasn't that kind of book, I settled in and enjoyed it for what it was. A story about human nature and the good and the bad inherent in our humanity. Even with a lousy human being like Jeremiah Ratchet, it's clear that he still has the same basic needs, although his soul seems corrupted by avarice and selfishness. But does that mean someone should take away his ability to make the choice to do right? Ludlow watches this dilemma take place as the townspeople in Pagus Parvus look to Joe as the divine avenger when that is not his role at all. Instead he urges them to be patient and let justice do its work in the end. Anyone will agree that is not a comfortable process, as justice sometimes seems very slow to come in many circumstances.
This is an interesting book. A quick read that keeps you thinking. I wonder how a younger reader would see it, and if the lessons inherent in this book will have the same exact impact on that reader as it has on a reader of my age, who has seen a lot more of humanity in its varied humanness. In the end, The Black Book of Secrets is a thoughtful read for younger readers, that will make an older reader have something to ponder as well.
Overall rating: 3.5/5.0 stars.
September 24, 2013
I raced through this in a couple of days. An excellent middle grade fantasy, just dark enough to give it that gothic, Dickensian feel. I felt like I was reading a Terry Pratchett book with all the comedy removed. The characters (who definitely have names Charles Dickens would be proud of) came alive as the story went along, divulging their dark secrets to the mysterious Joe Zabbadou. Told from the perspective of young runaway urchin, Ludlow Fitch, the story keeps you turning the pages to find out what the enigmatic Mr Zabbadou is up to.
I'll definitely read more in the Tales From the Sinister City series (of which this is the first.) Cracking read.
I'll definitely read more in the Tales From the Sinister City series (of which this is the first.) Cracking read.
September 21, 2019
Nisam očekivala da će mi se ova knjiga dopasti...ali eto,baš sam uživala dok sam ju čitala.😊
December 11, 2021
CW: child abuse, alcoholism, gambling addiction
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
I love it when middle grade books aren't afraid to get weird and creepy and a little bit political.
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
I love it when middle grade books aren't afraid to get weird and creepy and a little bit political.
January 2, 2022
A creepy, dark children's book. Loved it.
April 13, 2023
Manchmal zieht man Geschichten aus dem Tauschschrank, die einen spontan ansprechen, von denen man noch nie etwas gehört hat und die einen dann aber sehr positiv überraschen. So war es bei mir bei diesem Buch. Wobei ich nicht sicher bin, welchem Genre ich es zuordnen würde. Vielleicht irgendwie in Richtung Jugend-Gruselgeschichte. Vom Stil her ist es nämlich definitiv für ein jüngeres Publikum geschrieben, aber manche Szenen waren schon heftig.
Worum geht es?
Der junge Ludlow flieht aus der Stadt und landet zeitgleich mit dem Pfandleiher Joe in dem kleinen Dorf Pagus Parvus. Joe ist aber kein normaler Pfandleiher, denn er kauft von den Menschen ihre dunklen Geheimnisse. Ludlow wird sein Lehrling und erfährt so, dass hinter den Fassaden in dem kleinen Ort viel dunkles lauert.
Die Geschichte war wirklich kurzweilig und spannend erzählt und enthüllt zum Ende trotzdem nicht all ihre Geheimnisse. Ich fand sie richtig gut und vergebe deshalb 5 ⭐.
Worum geht es?
Der junge Ludlow flieht aus der Stadt und landet zeitgleich mit dem Pfandleiher Joe in dem kleinen Dorf Pagus Parvus. Joe ist aber kein normaler Pfandleiher, denn er kauft von den Menschen ihre dunklen Geheimnisse. Ludlow wird sein Lehrling und erfährt so, dass hinter den Fassaden in dem kleinen Ort viel dunkles lauert.
Die Geschichte war wirklich kurzweilig und spannend erzählt und enthüllt zum Ende trotzdem nicht all ihre Geheimnisse. Ich fand sie richtig gut und vergebe deshalb 5 ⭐.
November 27, 2008
Symbolism. I couldn't help feel that this is a story about Jesus. We tell him our troubles or "secrets," we feel better about ourselves, we like/love Him, and then we start blaming Him for everything, turn our back on Him. Joe tells Ludlow to be patient, it will work out. Things do work out, the bad guy gets his comeuppence and Joe moves on to another village to help other people.
That's what I felt when I read this book. The other reviews I read didn't mention this aspect. What do you think?
That's what I felt when I read this book. The other reviews I read didn't mention this aspect. What do you think?
January 14, 2014
Honestly, the only reason I picked The Black Book of Secrets up in the first place was because I read the summary of another one of F. E. Higgins' books, The Bone Magician, and thought that it sounded like a great little read. However - although not part of a series - The Bone Magician apparently has a plot that occurs at the same time as the plot of The Black Book of Secrets, so I thought it might be better to read this one first. I have to admit, I don't foresee myself making a special trip out to get my hands on a copy of The Bone Magician any time soon, or any other books by F. E. Higgins, for that matter.
It isn't that the book was poorly written! Actually, I thought Higgins' writing was lovely and vivid; you could tell that she took very deliberate care of every detail that went into the story, and that was something that I did appreciate about the book, very much. I could imagine everything just perfectly, and she created a world that was almost tangible.
However, The Black Book of Secrets felt like a collection of wonderful story tidbits that Higgins had collected over the years, and then she tried to make a book out of them. So much love and nurturing went into the little things, yet the overall plot was sorely lacking. The concept revolves around a boy who begins to work for a man that is a Secret Pawnbroker - he buys people's deepest, darkest secrets in exchange for money. The man does nothing with the secrets; he is simply a collector.
And that is basically the story.
Nothing really happens. Ever. The townspeople get angry at the man at one point because they think he will blackmail them, but then the story's antagonist dies accidentally, so they quickly forgive the man. And that is more or less the end of the book. There is hardly any rising action or climax. The characters never change, or grow, or learn anything. Even the narrator - the young boy, who works for the Secret Pawnbroker - doesn't seem to mature from the beginning to the end of the book.
While I felt that there were some positive moments in The Black Book of Secrets (namely the often unexpected and fun sensory details), I finished the book and thought, "Who cares? Why did any of this matter?". I, for one, felt very unsatisfied.
It isn't that the book was poorly written! Actually, I thought Higgins' writing was lovely and vivid; you could tell that she took very deliberate care of every detail that went into the story, and that was something that I did appreciate about the book, very much. I could imagine everything just perfectly, and she created a world that was almost tangible.
However, The Black Book of Secrets felt like a collection of wonderful story tidbits that Higgins had collected over the years, and then she tried to make a book out of them. So much love and nurturing went into the little things, yet the overall plot was sorely lacking. The concept revolves around a boy who begins to work for a man that is a Secret Pawnbroker - he buys people's deepest, darkest secrets in exchange for money. The man does nothing with the secrets; he is simply a collector.
And that is basically the story.
Nothing really happens. Ever. The townspeople get angry at the man at one point because they think he will blackmail them, but then the story's antagonist dies accidentally, so they quickly forgive the man. And that is more or less the end of the book. There is hardly any rising action or climax. The characters never change, or grow, or learn anything. Even the narrator - the young boy, who works for the Secret Pawnbroker - doesn't seem to mature from the beginning to the end of the book.
While I felt that there were some positive moments in The Black Book of Secrets (namely the often unexpected and fun sensory details), I finished the book and thought, "Who cares? Why did any of this matter?". I, for one, felt very unsatisfied.
January 13, 2009
I picked this up in a used book store and read the first couple pages. It's a good, very creep, beginning and very intriguing. But I admit that I probably wouldn't have bought it had been at full price.
I really like the initial idea for the book. A pawnbroker buys peoples deepest, darkest secrets. But I don't think it was executed that well. I think it's a bad sign when you're reading a book and you can't help but keep thinking what a better job a really good author could have done with the idea. I think it could have been better with a fantasy aspect to it. I think the idea might have worked better with magic: For example the book could have been magic, so that once the secrets were written down they couldn't be spoken of again (honestly, I suspected this for a little while, but it isn't) I don't see why anyone would feel more secure with their secrets written down in a book in the possession of a stranger. I, for one, would feel much more ill at ease knowing that they were so accessible to anyone who might get their hands on that book, after all it says on the cover of that very same book that "What is spoken flies, what is written never dies."
I didn't feel like the characters were that well developed. Looking back I can't really describe what the characters were like. I felt, especially, that the relationship between Ludlow and Joe should have been built on much, much more. Joe wasn't very well rounded either and I know he was probably meant to be mysterious and interesting I think it could have been done better.
Also, I was a bit perplexed by the ending. It was not was I expected at all and I think it could have ended about ten pages earlier and I would have been fine with it. I just thought the underground cave and the shelves and shelves upon "secret books" was a bit bizarre. I wish more would have been explained about the point of secret pawnbrokers as well.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 25, 2010
I'm wavering between two and three stars on this one. I'd probably consider a solid it three stars if it weren't a book club choice for my Teachers as Readers group. Since it is--and since my last read for this group was the wonderfulThe Housekeeper and the Professor--my main reaction is "really? How are we supposed to talk about this book for an hour?"
Premise: Ludlow is on the run from his horrible parents in the filthy and dangerous City, and he ends up in a small village under the thumb of a cruel and greedy landlord. He ends up working for a mysterious man who is a pawnbroker of secrets.
It's fine. It's cute. But it's awfully predictable, and doesn't seem to do anything terribly interesting in terms of ideas or themes. The book has multiple narrators--Ludlow himself, a third person narrator, and all of the people who tell their terrible secrets in their own voices. Perhaps this is why I never felt like I got to know Ludlow, or really any of the characters. I'm pretty easy as a reader--I'll forgive bland characterization for a crackling plot, or a predictable or slow storyline if I can fall in love with the characters. This book--well, it wasn't bad. That's the best I can say for it.
Premise: Ludlow is on the run from his horrible parents in the filthy and dangerous City, and he ends up in a small village under the thumb of a cruel and greedy landlord. He ends up working for a mysterious man who is a pawnbroker of secrets.
It's fine. It's cute. But it's awfully predictable, and doesn't seem to do anything terribly interesting in terms of ideas or themes. The book has multiple narrators--Ludlow himself, a third person narrator, and all of the people who tell their terrible secrets in their own voices. Perhaps this is why I never felt like I got to know Ludlow, or really any of the characters. I'm pretty easy as a reader--I'll forgive bland characterization for a crackling plot, or a predictable or slow storyline if I can fall in love with the characters. This book--well, it wasn't bad. That's the best I can say for it.
December 20, 2016
A secret pawnbroker.... This is a magical story about a young boy, Ludlow Fitch who leaves his rotten parents and meets up with Joe Zabbidou, a secret pawnbroker. Joe is opening his pawnshop in a poor town that is controlled by an evil man who delights in kicking people out of their homes. Joe can't solve their problems, or the problems of Ludlow, but he encourages people to be patient and good things will come...
The story is charming but has a few important twists that young people might miss. Without them, the story is a bit confusing.
The story is charming but has a few important twists that young people might miss. Without them, the story is a bit confusing.
December 17, 2015
2.5 really. This books was really odd. People sold their secrets about burying people alive and poisoning their father and I find it wierd that they were so willing to tell such secrets for just a little bit of money. None of the characters interested me, and nothing exciting really happened. This was a short book, but it took me forever to read it because it just wasn't holding my attention well enough.
September 5, 2024
Ich weiss immernoch nicht ganz was ich zu diesem Buch schreiben soll.
Ich fands es unglaublich süß, unglaublich gruselig und die Idee dahinter richtig gut.
Ich habe mich gefreut, wenn ein Dorfbewohner sich unserem Duo anvertraut hat.
Zum kleinen Teil, weil ich mich freue das es dadurch der Person besser geht.
Aber zum Großteil weil ich verdammt neugierig bin, welches Geheimnis ans Licht kommt.
Ich fands echt richtig gut und sehr flüssig zum Lesen.
Ich fands es unglaublich süß, unglaublich gruselig und die Idee dahinter richtig gut.
Ich habe mich gefreut, wenn ein Dorfbewohner sich unserem Duo anvertraut hat.
Zum kleinen Teil, weil ich mich freue das es dadurch der Person besser geht.
Aber zum Großteil weil ich verdammt neugierig bin, welches Geheimnis ans Licht kommt.
Ich fands echt richtig gut und sehr flüssig zum Lesen.
November 15, 2012
This is a pretty cool book which several reviews have called Dickensian. Not exactly being an expert on things Dickens, I'm not sure I can comment one way or the other - though I will say it has that bleak, cynical and sort of gothic atmosphere to it, which is what I think they're talking about.
The gist is that Ludlow Fitch escapes the horrors of his parents and the City, and stumbles across the path of Joe Zabbidou, he of the eponymous Black Book of Secrets. See, Joe is a pawnbroker, but while he does trade in the usual sort of junk, he is also a broke of secrets.
The book alternates between first person narrative of Ludlow's memiors, excerpts from said Black Book, and third person - which is, ostensibly, the author piecing together the "true story" from fragments she's collected. Honestly, I think it could've worked either in all third person or, perhaps, first person except for the secrets bit (though since the secrets are recorded as they're told, you could even just have that as extended dialogue.)
One of the faults of the book is that the characters aren't really developed or defined enough - and this includes the narrator. The voices don't change enough - the first person bits sounding rather similar to the third person bits - and breaking up the narrative in this fashion sort of serves to highlight the fact that the author doesn't have the felicity to pull it off. (Felicity? I think the pseudo-Victorianism is wearing off on me.)
Ditto with the excerpts/secrets - there's not enough variety in language and representation, and it was annoying that each entry started off along the lines of "My name is so-and-so and I have an awful secret to tell." They just didn't sound like stories being told the way people would tell stories, if ya ken? (And now I've slipped into Dark Tower.)
Anyway...
I also wish that both Joe and Ludlow were developed more, that a lot of the mystery of Joe is based on the fact that he won't explain anything (a device which routinely irritates me), and that Jeremiah - the villain of the piece - was a bit less ham-handed.
The lack of real character development is even more important because, well, not a lot really happens. This is very much a character book, in many ways, so it would be nice for them to have some meat on their literary bones.
That said, it did have some interesting sort of commentary on humanity and society. As I said, it comes from a bleak and cynical place, but I can't really say anything strike me as particularly unlikely - just, as I said, a bit ham-fistedly handled.
And, overall, I did enjoy the story. It dragged a bit towards the middle, but as the story progressed I wanted to learn more about the town and the people and their secrets.
It only sort of whet my appetite, though, and never really satiated it. But maybe that's for the good, as it's a series and there's more to come?
I hope further installments improve in execution because, really, that's the thing that's mostly lacking, it seems.
The gist is that Ludlow Fitch escapes the horrors of his parents and the City, and stumbles across the path of Joe Zabbidou, he of the eponymous Black Book of Secrets. See, Joe is a pawnbroker, but while he does trade in the usual sort of junk, he is also a broke of secrets.
The book alternates between first person narrative of Ludlow's memiors, excerpts from said Black Book, and third person - which is, ostensibly, the author piecing together the "true story" from fragments she's collected. Honestly, I think it could've worked either in all third person or, perhaps, first person except for the secrets bit (though since the secrets are recorded as they're told, you could even just have that as extended dialogue.)
One of the faults of the book is that the characters aren't really developed or defined enough - and this includes the narrator. The voices don't change enough - the first person bits sounding rather similar to the third person bits - and breaking up the narrative in this fashion sort of serves to highlight the fact that the author doesn't have the felicity to pull it off. (Felicity? I think the pseudo-Victorianism is wearing off on me.)
Ditto with the excerpts/secrets - there's not enough variety in language and representation, and it was annoying that each entry started off along the lines of "My name is so-and-so and I have an awful secret to tell." They just didn't sound like stories being told the way people would tell stories, if ya ken? (And now I've slipped into Dark Tower.)
Anyway...
I also wish that both Joe and Ludlow were developed more, that a lot of the mystery of Joe is based on the fact that he won't explain anything (a device which routinely irritates me), and that Jeremiah - the villain of the piece - was a bit less ham-handed.
The lack of real character development is even more important because, well, not a lot really happens. This is very much a character book, in many ways, so it would be nice for them to have some meat on their literary bones.
That said, it did have some interesting sort of commentary on humanity and society. As I said, it comes from a bleak and cynical place, but I can't really say anything strike me as particularly unlikely - just, as I said, a bit ham-fistedly handled.
And, overall, I did enjoy the story. It dragged a bit towards the middle, but as the story progressed I wanted to learn more about the town and the people and their secrets.
It only sort of whet my appetite, though, and never really satiated it. But maybe that's for the good, as it's a series and there's more to come?
I hope further installments improve in execution because, really, that's the thing that's mostly lacking, it seems.
February 12, 2015
Reviewed first at Brunner's Bookshelf
I saw this book on Goodreads and it sounded pretty good. It sat in my to-read list for awhile until I saw it available in audio at my library. I gave it a try and liked it. I didn't know what to think at first because it started off pretty bleak. Our Main character Ludlow Fitch is with his parents and they are selling his teeth. Yes, you read it correctly, Ludlow's Parents took him to a man who is going to rip out his teeth and buy them from his parents. As a parent I couldn't believe anyone would do something like this to their children. Well, Ludlow escapes and runs away only to meet Joe Zabbidou. Zabbidou is a Secret Pawn Broker.
What's a Secret Pawn Broker? Well his shop is pretty well known by everyone in the town and the kids love to visit his shop to see his pet frog so what makes him Secret? Zabbidou buys the secrets of all the towns people to protect till the end of time and allow these people to feel relief from the burdens they carry. I really thought this was an interesting idea. Just like the questions about what is a Secret Pawn Broker, there are plenty of interesting questions that are raised throughout the book. There is some slower sections but I really couldn't stop thinking about what was going to happen in this quite little town.
I really enjoyed this book. It seems like this is part of a series where each book revolves around different characters. I am kind of bummed that there isn't another book following Luldlow and his collection of secrets. Still, reading some of the titles, I am curious to give these other books a read.
I give this book a solid 4 out of 5 stars. I liked this book and would recommend it to anyone looking for a good story. It is an easy read and I'm glad I took a chance and read this.
I saw this book on Goodreads and it sounded pretty good. It sat in my to-read list for awhile until I saw it available in audio at my library. I gave it a try and liked it. I didn't know what to think at first because it started off pretty bleak. Our Main character Ludlow Fitch is with his parents and they are selling his teeth. Yes, you read it correctly, Ludlow's Parents took him to a man who is going to rip out his teeth and buy them from his parents. As a parent I couldn't believe anyone would do something like this to their children. Well, Ludlow escapes and runs away only to meet Joe Zabbidou. Zabbidou is a Secret Pawn Broker.
What's a Secret Pawn Broker? Well his shop is pretty well known by everyone in the town and the kids love to visit his shop to see his pet frog so what makes him Secret? Zabbidou buys the secrets of all the towns people to protect till the end of time and allow these people to feel relief from the burdens they carry. I really thought this was an interesting idea. Just like the questions about what is a Secret Pawn Broker, there are plenty of interesting questions that are raised throughout the book. There is some slower sections but I really couldn't stop thinking about what was going to happen in this quite little town.
I really enjoyed this book. It seems like this is part of a series where each book revolves around different characters. I am kind of bummed that there isn't another book following Luldlow and his collection of secrets. Still, reading some of the titles, I am curious to give these other books a read.
I give this book a solid 4 out of 5 stars. I liked this book and would recommend it to anyone looking for a good story. It is an easy read and I'm glad I took a chance and read this.
April 16, 2011
Öhm und das war's jetzt?!
Also, irgendwie ist das ja schon ganz schön unbefriedigend, die Geschichte und alles. Es dümpelt alles nur so vor sich hin...hätte ich es doch mal besser abgebrochen. So wirklich was verpasst hätte ich ja nicht o_O
Also, irgendwie ist das ja schon ganz schön unbefriedigend, die Geschichte und alles. Es dümpelt alles nur so vor sich hin...hätte ich es doch mal besser abgebrochen. So wirklich was verpasst hätte ich ja nicht o_O
June 11, 2025
I hated this book, I lost interest within paragraphs and didn't attempt to finish it and couldn't wait to donate it to my local charity shop.
January 3, 2023
I think that the book is very good, if I knew about this book earlier I woul have read it earlier. 4 stars because i am not the biggest fan the this gerne but even that this book made that gerne accually interesting, towards the end of the book the chapters are short but sweet. The chapters are not boring at all.
(SPOILERS)
I like the names being unique and different but not weird to say, I wish the chapters didn´t have the same name, a lot of the chapters have the same name and I don´t know why. First time when I read this book I thought it was weird the story started in a conflict with Ma and Pa tryna take his tooth out and etc, even though they weren´t even the main bad guy, but I like it now because that brang him to Pagus Parvus, and the reason bringing him there was accually a good reason (Because of Ma and Pa)
4 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
(SPOILERS)
I like the names being unique and different but not weird to say, I wish the chapters didn´t have the same name, a lot of the chapters have the same name and I don´t know why. First time when I read this book I thought it was weird the story started in a conflict with Ma and Pa tryna take his tooth out and etc, even though they weren´t even the main bad guy, but I like it now because that brang him to Pagus Parvus, and the reason bringing him there was accually a good reason (Because of Ma and Pa)
4 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
May 14, 2025
This takes place in the early Victorian era which is a setting I very much enjoy, however it feels rather redundant as we get little to no description of our surroundings and also spend no time world building or having any scenes take place in any of the unique locations of the time. There's an issue also of this book not knowing what it wanted to be early on we get reference to an animal called a jocastar so you'd be forgiven for thinking this was set in a fantasy world but that's not the case and there's never another fantastical or mythical element or creature mentioned again. That coupled with the fact that we never get any reveal as to why a person is paying people for their secrets and hoarding them means this ends on a very flat note. This did get rather dark at moments for a middle-grade book delving into topics like child abuse and murder and at the end of the book it also gives some good historical background to the period. But alas this had a lot of potential which it never attempted to fulfil but instead decided to play it safe (2.5 rounded down).
March 21, 2022
Изящная и очень атмосфер��ая книга с тёмными приметами викторианского времени для самых маленьких (что порадовало отдельно, в конце приложена краткая историческая справка), характерной приёмом автора-как-бы-не-автора, нашедшего рукопись, и умеренно говорящими фамилиями. Сама история несколько простовата: признания деревенских жителей могли бы переплетаться между собой, Гадсон — быть не таким простым, да и тайну Ладлоу хотелось бы видеть поданной поинтереснее. Впрочем, вещи это не самые критичные, книга хороша и такой как есть.
September 8, 2018
A bit dark and gritty but it's a quick easy read. Would recommend it to a slightly morbid child interested in fantasy.
June 30, 2022
a fun, yet strange tale about strange people in a strange little town. very tim burton-esque.
September 14, 2022
Un roman dans le pur esprit victorien, qu'on pourrait croire tiré de l'univers de Tim Burton. J'ai été transportée
January 4, 2023
Character development, drama, and a bunch of exciting secrets. Overall great book, not my favourite genre but a good genre nonetheless
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September 27, 2023teen books are cool bc you get to read about cool fantasy concepts without all the confusion you would have gotten if it were an adult book
September 25, 2023
I really enjoyed this (audio)book. The story flowed well and the characters were likeable. Definitely keen for the series.
December 3, 2017
Le Livre noir des secrets a été une lecture parfaite pour accompagner mes soirées quasi hivernales. C'est jeunesse MAIS sombre avec une touche plutôt généreuse d'univers Burtonien.
Evidemment, on regrette un peu que ce ne soit pas plus approfondi mais l'essentiel est là et il suffit à s'intéresser et aux personnages, et à l'histoire. À Joe, le prêteur sur gages mystérieux, aussi secret que son fameux livre noir ; à Ludllow, jeune vagabond qui fuit la cruauté de ses ivrognes de parents ou encore à Perigoe Leafbinder, la libraire qui connaît ses livres comme s'ils étaient ses propres enfants.
L'ambiance a tout de celle de l'Angleterre obscure de Jack l'Eventreur, où on pillait les cadavres, s'arrachait les dents pour les vendre, où le gin plaisait plus que l'eau. Cible enfantine oblige, cette ambiance glauque reste modérée dans ce roman mais elle a tout de même tout du conte sombre qui plaît aux petits et aux grands. Les noms un peu farfelus (tels Pagus Parvus , la ville où se déroule l'histoire) sont même là pour renforcer cette impression.
Evidemment, on regrette un peu que ce ne soit pas plus approfondi mais l'essentiel est là et il suffit à s'intéresser et aux personnages, et à l'histoire. À Joe, le prêteur sur gages mystérieux, aussi secret que son fameux livre noir ; à Ludllow, jeune vagabond qui fuit la cruauté de ses ivrognes de parents ou encore à Perigoe Leafbinder, la libraire qui connaît ses livres comme s'ils étaient ses propres enfants.
L'ambiance a tout de celle de l'Angleterre obscure de Jack l'Eventreur, où on pillait les cadavres, s'arrachait les dents pour les vendre, où le gin plaisait plus que l'eau. Cible enfantine oblige, cette ambiance glauque reste modérée dans ce roman mais elle a tout de même tout du conte sombre qui plaît aux petits et aux grands. Les noms un peu farfelus (tels Pagus Parvus , la ville où se déroule l'histoire) sont même là pour renforcer cette impression.
July 27, 2024
Young Ludlow finds himself in dire straits when his parents turn against him and he's forced to flee for his life--and his teeth. He finds himself in a remote mountain village and meets Joe, a peculiar old man who opens a peculiar pawn shop. While Ludlow ponders how Joe can possibly make money by accepting garbage into the pawn shop, all is not well in the little town, as a greedy landlord is bent on sucking every penny out of the villagers who live on his property. Ludlow prays that everything might stay welcoming and comfortable, but the villagers begin to demand change, even if it costs them more than they're willing to pay.
I hesitated for a long time before starting this book, thinking that it would be disturbing and grim. But I needn't have worried. The story brushes against a lot of darkness, but most of the story is about secrets, not about body snatching. I like Ludlow and the way he interacts with the villagers, and it's cool how this book is set up in a mixed-media format, bringing together stories from the Black Book as well as journal entries and regular bits of narration. The ending is a bit odd. I think it's a bit of a early 2000's thing to tell a story and then add a few chapters at the end that mostly serve to let readers know that there are more books in the series. Despite the random nature of the ending, this is a fun read full of juicy gossip and interesting historical facts. It definitely isn't for you if you don't have at least a little bit of morbid fascination, but it's also a book for kids and does a suitable job weaving the enchanting with the grim.
I hesitated for a long time before starting this book, thinking that it would be disturbing and grim. But I needn't have worried. The story brushes against a lot of darkness, but most of the story is about secrets, not about body snatching. I like Ludlow and the way he interacts with the villagers, and it's cool how this book is set up in a mixed-media format, bringing together stories from the Black Book as well as journal entries and regular bits of narration. The ending is a bit odd. I think it's a bit of a early 2000's thing to tell a story and then add a few chapters at the end that mostly serve to let readers know that there are more books in the series. Despite the random nature of the ending, this is a fun read full of juicy gossip and interesting historical facts. It definitely isn't for you if you don't have at least a little bit of morbid fascination, but it's also a book for kids and does a suitable job weaving the enchanting with the grim.
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