The Sinister Booksellers of Bath
There is often trouble of a mythical sort in Bath. The booksellers who police the Old World keep a careful watch there, particularly on the entity who inhabits the ancient hot spring. Yet this time it is not from Sulis Minerva that trouble starts. It comes from the discovery of a sorcerous map, leading left-handed bookseller Merlin into great danger. A desperate rescue is attempted by his sister the right-handed bookseller Vivien and their friend, art student Susan Arkshaw, who is still struggling to deal with her own recently discovered magical heritage.
The map takes the trio to a place separated from this world, maintained by deadly sorcery performed by an ancient sovereign and guarded by monstrous living statues of Portland Stone. But this is only the beginning, as the booksellers investigate centuries of disappearances and deaths and try to unravel the secrets of the murderous Lady of Stone, a serial killer of awesome powers.
If they do not stop her, she will soon kill again. And this time, her target is not an ordinary mortal.
In the heart of the picturesque city of Bath, England, lies a hidden world of magic, mystery, and intrigue. "The Sinister Booksellers of Bath" by Garth Nix invites readers on a captivating journey through the labyrinthine streets of this charming town, where books hold secrets beyond imagination and a group of eccentric booksellers possess extraordinary powers.
The story revolves around Felix, a young man seeking refuge in Bath after a tragic loss. Drawn into a world of forgotten lore and forgotten books, he stumbles upon the enigmatic bookstore, Prospero's Books, run by the enigmatic Mr. Parnassus, a man with a penchant for cryptic riddles and an uncanny knowledge of rare and dangerous books.
As Felix delves deeper into the secrets of Prospero's Books, he encounters a cast of unforgettable characters. There's the enigmatic Miss Havisham, whose beauty is matched only by her mysterious past, and the irascible Mr. Saladin, a grumpy bibliophile with a passion for obscure volumes. Together, they form an unlikely alliance to protect the city from a malevolent force lurking in the shadows.
"The Sinister Booksellers of Bath" is a delightful blend of mystery, fantasy, and humor. Garth Nix's skillful storytelling weaves a tapestry of suspense, intrigue, and heart-stopping adventures, as Felix and his companions navigate a world where books possess consciousness and the boundaries between reality and imagination blur.
With its atmospheric setting, captivating characters, and clever plot twists, "The Sinister Booksellers of Bath" is a must-read for lovers of literary mysteries and urban fantasy. Immerse yourself in the enchanting world created by Garth Nix and discover the hidden secrets lurking within the pages of forgotten books.
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