A Nest of Vipers

Description

A gripping tale of a group of larger-than-life con artists who roam the streets of eighteenth-century London. Cato Hopkins is the youngest member of Mother Hopkins's 'family' - a group of skilled fraudsters and pickpockets. There's Addy, who can become a very convincing boy when she needs to; the beautiful Bella, who can charm any rich young man out of his fortune; Sam, an escaped slave and Cato himself, a young boy, who Mother Hopkins has taught everything she knows. But old age is slowing Mother Hopkins down, and she wants to carry out one last con, a con to outdo all the cons that have gone before. And so the gang set about bringing ruin upon Captain Walker, a proud and cruel slave captain, who deserves to be taught a lesson or two .

Catherine Johnson is a born-and-bred Londoner who no longer lives in London but by the sea. She studied film at Central Saint Martins School of Art; the fantastic time she had there made up for school, which was horrible. She has written many books for young readers, and her recent novel, Sawbones, published by Walker Books, won the Young Quills Award for historical fiction and was nominated for the Carnegie Medal. Her other books include Brave New Girl (Frances Lincoln Children's Books), and A Nest of Vipers, published by Random House Children's Publishers UK. Catherine has also written for film, notably the critically acclaimed Bullet Boy, and TV, including Holby City. She lives with her husband and two geriatric pets- a deluded cat and an ancient tortoise. She enjoys baking cakes and knitting. She was taught how to drive (horses, not cars) by an ex-brewery dray driver in Spitalfields.

A characterful, page-turning drama and a vivid mixture of research and imagination -- Nicolette Jones * The Sunday Times * A thoroughly engaging and entirely convincing yarn with a dash of Dickens and more than a hint of historic realism to help drive the thrust of the narrative -- Jake Hope * Achuka * Full of adventure and excitement, unexpected plot twists and colourful characters, this book is both entertaining and enlightening * Through the Looking Glass * Twists and turns, mystery and mayhem together with fascinating details about 18th Century London. I found this a hugely exciting read -- Mary Hooper