Billy Pyke is a very busy 12 year old. Living in Carlton, Melbourne, he is the eldest of 8 children and called upon for a lot of their care. Dad works in a nail factory and Mum folds matchboxes all day to feed the family. Billy enjoys school but he enjoys learning at Mr Coles Bookstand in Paddy’s market even more.

Mr Cole displays a sign that customers can read all they like and no-one is asked to buy. This suits Billy’s love of history, which is also where he finds riddles to share with Mr Cole. When Billy’s parents ask if he’d like to begin work in the nail factory with his dad, he knows it’s not a question. They often say would he like to cook the dinner, wipe his baby brother’s nose, or clean up the mess his siblings have made. What he knows for sure, is that no, he wouldn’t like to work at the nail factory.

He decides to find a job for himself, and begins his search at the bookstore with Mr Cole. This is when he meets an Obscurosmith – a career magician.

Billy is impressed with this tall man’s magic, as he has a little magic of his own. He’s also interested in what the magician offers – a way out of all that is expected of him at home.

Another customer of Mr Cole’s bookstand is Kezia, an apprentice seamstress and raised by her aunts. She has seen the Obscurosmith in action and warns Billy away from his magical promises. It’s not until a terrible accident that Billy realises the truth. Suddenly his own meagre magical skills are all that stands in the way of this magician and all that Billy loves.

The prequel to the magical The Grandest Bookshop in the World, this story takes a little to get into, but once you’re in, the magic captures you until the end. Billy Pyke is a very likable character. He’s responsible, thoughtful, clever and a little magical. He’s also a little resentful of all his responsibilities and someone is keen to take advantage of that for his own means.

Set in 19th Century Carlton, Melbourne (Aust), with many characters and places from real life, Paddy’s market is brilliantly portrayed throughout the story as a vibrant, buzzing, seemingly chaotic place where everyone is equal. Magic is plentiful, both good and bad, and incredibly imaginative, taking Billy and the reader throughout the market and much closer to the villain than he’d ever imagined. 

If you like riddles, puzzles and conundrums, this is the book for you. Billy and Kezia are a great team, working through everything an evil magician throws at them, with time running out for Billy and his ability to help his family ever again.

 A compelling read.

Author – Amelia Mellor

Age – 9+

Read another book in this duology (Click on the Cover)

(2022, Hachette, Affirm Publishing, Betrayal, Magic, Fantasy, Courage, Family, Friendship, Historical, Poverty, Secret, Series, Duology, Melbourne, 1800’s, 19th Century, Australia, Based on real people, Imaginative)