Secrets of the Snakestone - by Piu Dasgupta (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

A remarkable middle-grade debut that takes readers on a thrillingly fast-paced race through the murky and magical underbelly of 19th-century Paris.

Zélie is often accused of being a witch, but she doesn't believe in magic. That is until Jules climbs up from the reeking Parisian sewer and hands her the gold locket he found there. Zélie recognizes it immediately-it belongs to her missing father, who is supposed to be back in India, and it once held the magical Snakestone. If Zélie can find the stone, she might also find her father.

But a sinister secret society is equally desperate to get their hands on the Snakestone and its terrible powers. Zélie and Jules must beat them to it, risking their lives in the dark tunnels twisting beneath the city streets. . .

Review Quotes

"A crowd-pleasing tale, colorfully told."--Lucy Bannerman, The Times

"Featuring gutsy, likable characters, full-throttle action and an atmospheric setting, this 9+ debut marks DasGupta out as an author to watch."--Imogen Russell Williams, The Guardian

About the Author

Piu DasGupta was born in Calcutta, India and grew up in India and the UK. She studied English at Oxford University and subsequently worked in several serious professions and places before following a long-nurtured dream to be a writer in a garret in Paris. She now lives in Paris although not (thankfully) in a garret, with her family, two cats, and numerous pigeons who flap to the kitchen windowsill for regular snacks. When she finally grows up, she hopes to fulfil her ultimate fantasy and run away to join the circus.