Description

Even wizards produce leftovers.

But a wizard’s rubbish is laced with magic, and for the rats that forage this rubbish, the magic has changed them – they can speak and read, and have rather grand ambitions for a comfortable retirement.

Which is perfect for a con-cat like Maurice. He has his own magical talents, and wants to get rich quick. Together with the rats, and young (rather simple) Keith, the ‘piper’, they work the towns to create their very own plague of rats – then lure them away for cash.

But in the run-down town Bad Blintz, this little con goes wrong, and suddenly these educated rodents aren’t playing to the piper’s tune . . .

Publisher Review

"Ethically challenging, beautifully orchestrated, philosophically opposed to the usual plot fixes of fantasy" * Guardian * "Simply gripping story-telling" * The Times * "Powerful, passionate, mordantly funny and, at one point, unbearably sad, it is that rarest of things: a book that is heaven to read out loud to a pyjama-clad child" -- Debi Gliori * Daily Telegraph * "An astonishing novel . . . I marvelled at the ferociousness of the humour, and the willingness to go into dark places . . . The Amazing Maurice might be considered his masterpiece." * Financial Times * "Great yarn written in fairly simple text" * Liverpool Echo *