Friday 28 December 2012

363. Feathered Man by Jeremy de Quidt

Feathered Man by Jeremy de Quidt
Due to be published January 2013 David Fickling Books

From the publisher:
'Where does life go?' Who wouldn't want to know the answer to that if it was almost in their grasp?  Klaus's perfect white teeth were the only thing he had. But after they brought him to the attention of Kusselmann, the toothpuller, he discovers he has nothing. Not even his life.  When a hidden diamond is discovered in a dead man's tooth, the stage is set for a terrifying mystery to unravel. Unwillingly embroiled in the twin clutches of greed and ancient omen, Klaus and his friend Liesel only understand one thing: they must escape. At any cost. But where can you go when you are being hunted by a force more deadly and more powerful than anything in this world?

Who would have thought I would read three books this year that involve the collection of teeth?  Well I have, the first two, Daughter of Bone and Smoke and Days of Blood and Starlight, and now this one.  Admittedly, the teeth in this book are used to make false teeth, not chimaera (monsters), but still...teeth?!


Imagine working for a man who collects teeth from dead bodies?  That's exactly the life Klaus leads.  When a days work takes Klaus and Kusselmann to the house of Frau Drecht, where two bodies are ready to give their teeth, Kusselmann finds a surprise in the mouth of one poor dead souls.  his teeth, capped in plaster are actually all made of gold, with the exception of one tooth, that's a diamond!

And so begins the story of finding out who this mystery man was, and for Klaus and Liesel who inadvertently finds herself involved, keeping one step ahead of the many people that want the diamond tooth!

There's the medical professionals, Professor Karolus who studies anatomy and his assistant Marcus. The become involved, as they often take dead bodies form Frau Drecht to use for their anatomy lessons, and the owner of the gold teeth ends up on their table.

Then there's Father Henriquez, and his Aztec companion along with their sneaky monkey who are looking for something else, as well as the diamond, they are looking for a large leather box, and most especially what it contains.  Of course I can't tell you what this is, you will have to read the book.

I will warn you that this is a seriously creepy book.  The tone is Gothic, and there are some very descriptive sections that leave little to the imagination.  There is also a lot of action in this book, as well as the element of horror.  Liesel and Klaus are on the run throughout the story, they encounter more than their fair of nasty folk, but generally escape, ready to face the next challenge.

Who will like this book: Boys and Girls age 12+
Read it if you like: The Devil Walks by Anne Fine

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