The Convicts

Written by Iain Lawrence

Narrated by John Keating

ALA notable author Iain Lawrence pens a moving tale with a Dickensian atmosphere about a young man's life aboard a cruel 19th-century prison ship. Fourteen-year-old Tom Tin is forced to scavenge on the grimy streets of London after his father is sent to debtor's prison. Tom's survival is threatened by the sinister lowlifes that inhabit his hopeless world. But when he is unjustly arrested for murder, he finds a place that is even worse than the dark city streets.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: May 23, 2008
• ISBN: 9781436144476

Reviews for The Convicts

[themulhern · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Thoroughly researched, quick moving, containing many unlikely coincidences, several plausible surprises and reverses, and overall grim.

[prpl_reader_services · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book begins with some exciting twists and the story dives right into the suspense. There are also creepy scenes including a gruesome description of an unearthed corpse. While this makes for a wonderfully eerie story, the ending left me really disappointed. I felt like the author had to wrap everything up in a page or two. I know this is a series, but I think each book has an obligation to stand on its own. Unfortunately, this captivating story ended with a thud. ~ MH

[hallo2smashy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Convicts is a great book for anyone who likes Charles Dickens-ey type stories, aka books with lots of twists and supercute poor kids.It's the story of Tom Tin (yes, it's a weird name) who gets thrown onto a hulk, a prison ship for boys. While there, he gets mistaken for someone called "The Smasher," (hence my username) who he apparently looks exactly like. With some help, he tries to think of a plan to escape from the ship and reunite with his father.Some people might not like this because the story can be a bit gruesome at times and it's helpful if you have an interest and knowledge in the 19th century. However, I do, and I give it two thumbs up!

[catnelson_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

His efforts to avenge his father's unjust imprisonment force fourteen-year-old Tom Tin into the streets of nineteenth-century London, but after he is convicted of murder, Tom is eventually sent to Australia where he has a surprise reunion.