The Death Collector by Justin Richards, Steven Pacey (Read by)

From the Publisher

The foggy streets of Victorian London are thick with thieves. But when Eddie “Dipper” Hopkins steals George Archer’s wallet, he has no idea that he is entering a dark world of grave robbers, assassins, and zombies.
Because George Archer is no ordinary citizen. He is the newest and youngest member of the Department of Unclassified Artifacts at the British Museum, a department that investigates the bizarre and the unexplained. And in George’s wallet is a clue to one of the biggest mysteries of all time, a secret as old as the dinosaurs–and one that certain people would kill for.
Suddenly on the run for their lives, Eddie and George join forces with budding actress Elizabeth Oldfield to escape the clutches of a depraved genius–a man who needs the secret to carry out a terrifying plan. In this heart-stopping race against time, Eddie, George, and Elizabeth have only one chance to unravel the secret they possess before London is overrun by creatures from the dead . . . one of which is already prowling the streets.

Publishers Weekly

Richards (the Invisible Detective series) makes a strong showing in this haunting story set in Victorian London, where a 14-year-old pickpocket, a young horologist at the British Museum, and a clergyman's daughter with a taste for theatrics join forces to thwart a mad industrialist's attempts to reanimate the dead. Right from the opening sentence, "Four days after his own funeral, Albert Wilkes came home for tea," the pace never falters. Eddie, George and Liz meet through a plausible course of events, and become involved with the maniacal Mr. Lorimore when a museum clerk is killed, and George takes a scrap of paper from the scene of his friend's death. As the tale progresses, the three teens find in each other a measure of companionship that each had lacked. Richards demonstrates a knack for physical description ("When he spoke, the sound seemed to be amplified by the mass of red hair round his mouth") as well as for conjuring an eerie atmosphere, evoking the smog and stench of industrial London as easily as supernatural beings ("The nightmare creature roared like a train hurtling into a tunnel and clouds of hot breath erupted into the air around Eddie"). Suspense and adventure in abundance make for a thrilling read. Ages 12-18. (July) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Children's Literature

A strangely eerie mystery, this story is set in Victorian England and involves a mad scientist intent on creating half man-half robotic creatures, grave robbers doing his bidding, two employees of a special department in the British Museum, a Dickensian street urchin, and a minister's daughter. All the ingredients for a satisfying mystery, indeed! The audio brings us right into the streets of London where all kinds of beasties roam. Pacey's delivery is mesmerizing as we follow this horror/fantasy tale to its satisfying conclusion. This is one CD where I pushed pause on my iPod only with great reluctance.

Kevin Beach - VOYA

Richards is a well-known British author of various Dr. Who episodes and many juvenile- and young adult-level ghoulish mysteries, including the Invisible Detective series. This particular tale is set in Victorian-era London and opens with a dead man unexpectedly returning home for tea, four days after his funeral. Soon a young clockmaker, assigned to a secret department of the British Museum that investigates such unnatural anomalies, is investigating rumors of grave robbing, the walking dead, and marauding monsters. Partnered through circumstances with a streetwise pickpocket and a beautiful young aspiring actress, bookish George is almost killed for his possession of the surviving fragment of a controversial scientist's old diary, an entry that might hold the key to what odd experiments are being conducted and who is behind it all. They must be quite resourceful to outrun a mechanical dinosaur and match wits with a diabolical genius and his evil henchmen. Shall England be overrun by an army of robotic zombies? This macabre tale successfully captures the flavor of the era and fleshes out the main characters' backgrounds, taking time to explore a budding love affair between George and the actress. Young sleuths will enjoy the exciting romp though the park, the foggy streets, the sewers, the library, and the theatre-and of course they must stay for the sTance. VOYA CODES: 4Q 3P M J (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Will appeal with pushing; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9). 2006, Bloomsbury, 336p., Ages 11 to 15.

School Library Journal

Gr 6-10-In Victorian London, Albert Wilkes returns home for tea four days after his funeral. While his shocked and terrified wife rushes to prepare it, Wilkes takes the family dog for a walk and is abducted. His kidnapping is witnessed by young pickpocket Eddie, who becomes embroiled, along with an assistant at the British Museum and a clergyman's daughter, in a deadly plot involving the fragments of a diary, a secret department at the British Museum, and a dinosaurlike creature roaming the streets. Oh, and there are some zombies. This thoroughly absorbing page-turner is a terrific blend of horror and mystery with three teen protagonists. It is a quick read packed with twists, turns, and just enough gore to keep things interesting. A great choice for horror fans.-Michele Capozzella, Chappaqua Public Library, NY Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

Scene: the foggy streets of Victorian London. Characters: Eddie, a precocious urchin who is a pickpocket by day and hero by night; George, the earnest young engineer, toiling late into the night at the British Museum repairing clocks and automata; and Elizabeth, the minister's daughter, who yearns for the adventure of a life on the stage. And, of course, there's a villainous thug lurking just around the corner, who has a telltale scar down the side of his face and goes by the ominous name of "Blade," as well as a giant creature that breathes fire into the night. This engaging story is rich with atmosphere as the trio of protagonists is brought together by fate and circumstance. The game's afoot as they try to figure out why a dead man is walking, what it is that the imposing industrialist wants from George and how they will stop his nefarious scheme. Both Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Who would feel right at home in this tale that begs to be made into a movie. A thoroughly enjoyable romp full of chases, high drama and a hint of romance in a great old-fashioned style. Simply smashing. (Fiction. 12-14)

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