The Midnight Boy - by E A Allen (Paperback)

About the Book

In the shadows of London's underbelly, a boy's relentless fight for survival sparks the rise of a legend...

Orphaned by the murder of his father, rejected by his grandfather, and consigned to the harsh life of an orphanage, Percy St.-John's existence is marked by hardship. Under the cruel oversight of Reverend Mortimer Lovecraft, Percy endures a world filled with pain. When fate finally allows him to escape, Percy faces new challenges on the streets of London, where survival means scrounging for scraps and facing dangers at every corner.

Hope appears when he finds shelter in the locksmith shop of Tobias Finermann and his kind granddaughter, Hannah. Under their care, Percy begins to rebuild his life. With the help of a mysterious Guardian Angel, he discovers a newfound fascination for locks and safes, unlocking skills that will change his future.

But secrets linger in the shadows. As Percy settles into his new life, he and Hannah suspect that old Mr. Finermann is hiding something. Strange visitors and late-night outings hint at dark dealings that could place them all in danger. As Percy navigates these mysteries, he discovers that he might have a greater purpose than he ever imagined--a journey that will lead him to become The Midnight Boy.

Book Synopsis

A gritty Victorian London adventure for young and adult readers, following an orphan's transformation into a legend on the city's shadowy streets.

In the shadows of London's underbelly, a boy's relentless fight for survival sparks the rise of a legend... Orphaned by the murder of his father, rejected by his grandfather, and consigned to the harsh life of an orphanage, Percy St.-John's existence is marked by hardship. Under the cruel oversight of Reverend Mortimer Lovecraft, Percy endures a world filled with pain. When fate finally allows him to escape, Percy faces new challenges on the streets of London, where survival means scrounging for scraps and facing dangers at every corner. Hope appears when he finds shelter in the locksmith shop of Tobias Finermann and his kind granddaughter, Hannah. Under their care, Percy begins to rebuild his life. With the help of a mysterious Guardian Angel, he discovers a newfound fascination for locks and safes, unlocking skills that will change his future. But secrets linger in the shadows. As Percy settles into his new life, he and Hannah suspect that old Mr. Finermann is hiding something. Strange visitors and late-night outings hint at dark dealings that could place them all in danger. As Percy navigates these mysteries, he discovers that he might have a greater purpose than he ever imagined--a journey that will lead him to become The Midnight Boy.

About the Author

E. A. Allen is a cattle farmer, History Professor, and retired CIA Intelligence Officer. He writes the Montclaire Mysteries for adult readers, chronicling the exploits of Gerard de Montclaire, an early twentieth-century crime fighter known for his ruthless determination. Recently, Allen has launched a new series of Percy St.-John Adventures for teens and young adults--stories inspired by the great tradition of Arthur Conan Doyle, Dorothy L. Sayers, and Agatha Christie, which he cherished as a young reader. Allen has taught History and International Relations at various institutions, including Loyola, Xavier, the University of New Orleans, and the University of Virginia. He holds a Ph.D. in Modern European History from Tulane and pursued studies in France at the University of Montpellier and the Sorbonne. During his government career, he served as Senior Analyst for European Security Affairs at the CIA and worked on the National Intelligence Council as Deputy National Intelligence Officer for Europe under the Clinton and Bush administrations. Now residing on a farm in the mountains of northwest Arkansas with his wife, Elizabeth, several cat companions, and one remarkably intelligent beagle, Allen spends his "spare time" building a rustic cabin in the nearby Ozark forest.