The Black Book of Secrets

By F. E. Higgins

A boy arrives at a remote village in the dead of night. His name is Ludlow Fitch—and he is running from a most terrible past. What he is about to learn is that in this village is the life he has dreamed of—a safe place to live, and a job, as the assistant to a mysterious pawnbroker who trades people's deepest, darkest secrets for cash. Ludlow's job is to neatly transcribe the confessions in an ancient leather-bound tome: The Black Book of Secrets.

Ludlow yearns to trust his mentor, who refuses to disclose any information on his past experiences or future intentions. What the pawnbroker does not know is, in a town brimming with secrets, the most troubling may be held by his new apprentice.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Publishers
• Release date: Jul 20, 2010
• ISBN: 9781429930802

F. E. Higgins

F. E. Higgins was born in England but raised in Ireland. She lives and writes in a house that dates back to the fifteenth century, in a small village in rural Kent. THE BLACK BOOK OF SECRETS was her debut novel.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

When I opened my eyes I knew that nothing in my miserable life prior to that moment could possibly be as bad as what was about to happen. I was lying on the cold earthen floor of a basement room lit by a single candle, no more than an hour’s burning left. Instruments of a medical nature hung from hooks in the beams. Dark stains on the floor suggested blood. But it was the chair against the opposite wall that fully confirmed my suspicions. Thick leather straps attached to the arms and the legs were there for one purpose only: to hold down an unwilling patient. Ma and Pa were standing over me.

’E’s awake, crowed Ma excitedly.

Pa dragged me to my feet. He had me in an iron grip, my arm wrenched up behind my back. Ma held me by the hair. I looked from one to the other. Their grinning faces were only inches away from mine. I knew I should not look to them to save me.

Another man, concealed until now in the shadows, stepped forward and took me by the chin. He forced open my mouth and ran a blackened, foul-tasting finger around my gums.

How much? asked Pa, drooling with anticipation.

Not bad, said the man. Thrupence apiece. Maybe twelve in all.

It’s a deal, said Pa. Who needs teeth anyway?

Someone, I hope, replied the man dryly. I sell ’em for a living.

And they laughed, all three, Ma and Pa and Barton Gumbroot, the notorious tooth surgeon of Old Goat’s Alley.

Once the money for my teeth was agreed with Barton, they moved quickly. Together they dragged me over to the surgeon’s chair. I kicked and shouted and spat and bit; I wasn’t going to make it easy for them. I knew how Barton Gumbroot made his living, preying on the poor, pulling their teeth, paying them pennies and selling them for ten times as much. I was racked with fear. I had no protection. I was going to feel it all. Every single nerve-stabbing twinge.

They came close to succeeding in their evil quest. Ma was struggling with a buckle around my ankle, her hands shaking from the previous day’s drinking, while Pa was trying to hold me down. Barton Gumbroot, that loathsome monster, was just hovering with his gleaming tooth-pull, snapping it open and shut, open and shut, tittering and salivating. I believe to this day his greatest pleasure in life was inflicting pain on others. So much so that he couldn’t wait any longer, and before I knew it I could feel the cold metal of his instrument of torture clamped around a front tooth. He braced himself with his leg on my chest and began to pull. I cannot describe to you the pain that shot through my skull, my brain, and every nerve end in my body. It felt as if my whole head were being wrenched off. The tooth moved slightly in my jaw and another white-hot shooting pain exploded behind my eyes. All the while Ma and Pa laughed like maniacs.

Rage swelled in me like a mountainous wave. I heard a roar worthy of a jungle beast and I was taken over by seething fury. With my free leg I kicked Pa hard and sharp in the stomach and he collapsed on the floor. Barton, caught by surprise, let go of the tooth-pull, and I grabbed it and walloped him around the side of the head. I unstrapped my other leg and jumped down. Pa was groaning on the floor, Barton was leaning against the wall holding his head, and Ma cowered in the corner.

Don’t hit me, Ludlow, she begged. Don’t hit me.

I will not deny I was tempted, but this was my one chance to escape. Pa was almost on his feet again. I dropped the tooth-pull and in a matter of seconds I was out of the door, up the steps, and running down the alley. I could hear Ma screaming and Pa shouting and cursing. Every time I looked back all I could see were Pa’s snarling face and Barton’s hooked tooth-pull glinting in the yellow gaslight.

As I ran I tried to think where to go. They knew so many of my hiding places. I decided on Mr. Jellico’s, but when I reached his shop the place was in darkness and the blind was down. I hammered on the window and shouted his name, but there was no reply. I cursed my bad luck. I knew if Mr. Jellico was gone at this time of night he might not be back for days. But knowing this was little help in my current predicament.

So where to now? The bridge over the River Foedus and the Nimble Finger Inn. Betty Peggotty, the landlady, might help me. I ran out of the alley and onto the street, but they were already waiting for me.

There ’e is, screeched Ma, and the chase was on again. They surprised me, Pa especially, with their stamina. I had not thought they would last so long. For at least a half-mile they chased me down the uncobbled narrow alleys and the filthy streets, tripping over bodies and avoiding snatching hands, all the way to the river. Every time I looked back they seemed to be closer. I knew what would happen if they caught me again. The ache in my bleeding jaw was all the proof I needed.

By the time I staggered onto the bridge I was barely able to hold myself upright. Halfway across I saw a carriage outside the Nimble Finger. Just as its wheels began to turn, I clambered on the back, hanging on for my life. As the carriage pulled away the last thing I remember is the sight of Ma sinking to her knees. She was screaming at me from the riverbank, and the monster, Barton Gumbroot, was shaking his fist in rage.

My name is Ludlow Fitch. Along with countless others, I had the great misfortune to be born in the City, a stinking place undeserving of a name. And I would have died there if it had not been for Ma and Pa. They saved me, though it was not their intention, when they delivered me, their only son, into the hands of Barton Gumbroot. This act of betrayal was possibly the greatest single piece of luck I ever had. Ma and Pa’s diabolic plan brought about the end of one existence and the beginning of another: my life with Joe Zabbidou.

CHAPTER TWO

I didn’t know at the time, but I had hitched a ride on a carriage that belonged to, and contained, a Mr. Jeremiah Ratchet. We rattled along for hours, he inside snoring like a bellows, so loud I could hear it above the clatter of the wheels over the ruts, while outside I was clinging to the carriage like an organ-grinder’s monkey. The weather worsened and it started to snow. The road narrowed and the potholes became larger, deeper, and more frequent. The driver had no thought for passenger comfort. If it wasn’t for the fact that my hands were frozen in position I might well have fallen off. Despite this, and my churning innards (I suffer terribly from travel sickness), toward the end of the journey I was dozing. The carriage began to climb a steep hill, and finally we reached the place that was to be my home for the near future, the mountain village of Pagus Parvus.

Under any other circumstances I would not have chosen to come to Pagus Parvus, but at the time of traveling my destination was out of my hands. At last the carriage stopped outside a large house and the driver climbed down. I heard him rap on the carriage door.

Mr. Ratchet, he called. Mr. Ratchet.

But there was no reply, so he went to the house and rang for the maid. A young girl came out looking none too pleased. The driver called her Polly. Together they dragged the man up the steps, accompanied by much snoring (his) and grunting (theirs) and hauled him inside. I took the opportunity to jump down and sneak a look in the cab, wherein I found a leather purse, a fringed printed silk scarf, and a pair of gloves. I wrapped the scarf around my neck and slipped the gloves over my numb fingers. The purse contained only a few pennies but it was a start. I got out and saw the young girl standing in the doorway looking straight at me. There was a slight smile on her face and her eyes held mine for a long second. I heard the driver coming back and knew it was time to go. I could have gone either way, up the slope or down, but for some unknown reason I chose to climb.

The hill was treacherous. As I climbed I heard the church bell strike four. Although it was no longer snowing, the wind was sharp as a knife and I knew I needed shelter. Despite the hour, and the lack of streetlights, I could see well enough where I was going. It was not the moon that lit my way, for she was only a sliver, but all the lights ablaze behind the windows. It seemed that I was not the only one still awake in this village.

I stopped at an empty building at the top of the hill. It stood alone in the shadow of the church, desolate and separated from the other houses and shops by an alley. I was looking for a way in when I heard approaching footsteps in the snow. I ducked into the alley and waited. A man, hunched over, came carefully down the hill. He was carrying a large wooden spade over his shoulder and he was mumbling to himself. He passed right by me, looking neither to his left nor his right, and crossed over the road.

As he melted into the night another figure appeared. To this day I remember the man emerging from the gloom as if by magic. I watched him climbing steadily toward me. He took long strides and covered the distance quickly. He had a limp, his right step was heavier than his left, and one footprint was deeper than the other.

I believe I was the first person to see Joe Zabbidou and I know I was the last. Was it just coincidence that had us both arrive here together? I suspect other powers were at work. Unlike me, he wasn’t fleeing. He had a purpose, but he kept it well hidden.

CHAPTER THREE

Arrival

It was not easy to describe Joe Zabbidou accurately. His age was impossible to determine. He was neither stout nor thin, but perhaps narrow. And he was tall, which was a distinct disadvantage in Pagus Parvus. The village dated from times when people were at least six inches shorter and all dwellings were built accordingly. In fact, the place had been constructed during the years of the Great Wood Shortage. The king at the time issued a decree that every effort must be made to save wood, with the result that doors and windows were made smaller and narrower than was usual and ceilings were particularly low.

Joe was suitably dressed for the weather, though unheedful of the current fashion for the high-collared coat. Instead he wore a cloak of muted green, fastened with silver toggles, that fell to his ankles. The cloak itself was of the finest Jocastar wool. The Jocastar—an animal akin to a sheep but with longer, more delicate legs and finer features—lived high up in the mountains of the northern hemisphere. Once a year, September time, it molted, and only the most agile climbers dared venture up into the thin air to collect its wool. The cloak was lined with the softest fur in existence, chinchilla.

On his feet Joe wore a pair of black leather boots, highly polished, upon which sat the beautifully pressed cuffs of his mauve trousers. Around his neck was wrapped a silk scarf, and a fur hat shaped like a cooking pot was pulled down tightly over his ears. It could not fully contain his hair, and more than a few silver strands curled out from underneath.

With every step Joe took, a set of keys hooked to his belt jingled tunefully against his thigh. In his right hand he carried a rather battered leather satchel straining at the seams, and in his left a damp drawstring bag from which there emanated an intermittent croaking.

Quickly, silently, Joe climbed the steep high street until he reached the last building on the left. It was an empty shop. Beyond it was a walled graveyard, the village boundary, within which stood the church. Then the road stretched away into a gray nothingness. Snow had drifted into the shop doorway and gathered in the corners of the flyblown windows. The paintwork was peeling and an old sign in the shape of a hat creaked above the door in the biting wind. Joe took a moment to survey the street down to the bottom of the hill. It was the early hours of the morning, but yellow oil lamps and candles glowed behind many a curtain and shutter, and more than once he saw the silhouette of a person cross back and forth in front of a window. A smile broke across his face.

This is the place, he said and let himself in.

The shop itself was quite tiny. The distance between the display window and the counter was no more than three paces. Joe went behind the counter and opened the solid door that led into a back room. A tiny window on the far wall allowed the dusty moon-glow to lighten the gloom. The furniture was sparse and worn: two ladderback chairs and a table, a small stove, and a narrow bed pushed up against the wall. In contrast the fireplace was huge. At least six feet across and nearly three deep, it took up almost the whole of one wall. On either side of the hearth sat a faded upholstered armchair. It was not much, but it would

Reviews for The Black Book of Secrets

[arkrayder · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Joe Zabbidou is a secret pawnbroker, who pays for people’s secrets and records them in a black book. Hence the title. Ludlow Fitch is a pickpocket who escapes from his parents as they prepare to sell his teeth to keep them in gin. Pagus Parvus a small desolate mountain village is where these two characters meet and so unfolds a tale that has echoes of Dickens in its atmosphere, dark landscape, gravediggers, street urchins, and a fiendish landlord.The story never dawdles as Zabbidou collects the town's catalog of unhappiness, while his own secret intentions are an enigma to everyone even Ludlow Fitch who he has befriended and taken under his wing.The author uses the device of claiming to have found extracts of Joe's book and Ludlow's memoirs, bridging the gaps with her imagination. The images used are deep-rooted imagery (rat pies, people buried alive) and contrasts of light and dark to illuminate the loneliness of wealth and despair. The story has a share of suspense and the intriguing idea that fear of our own actions is our greatest enemy. The ending leaves an opening for future volumes. This book is a smart, curiously thrilling tale, which for all the grisly details, gets at themes about self-determination and trust. Original and engrossing, The Black Book Of Secrets is a compelling read.

[jadedog13 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is a magical story about a young boy, Ludlow Fitch who leaves his rotten parents and meets up with Joe Zabbidou, a secret pawnbroker. Joe is opening his pawnshop in a poor town that is controlled by an evil man who delights in kicking people out of their homes. Joe can't solve their problems, or the problems of Ludlow, but he encourages people to be patient and good things will come... The story is charming but has a few important twists that young people might miss. Without them, the story is a bit confusing.

[inky_fingers · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Couldn't really keep me reading.

[br14almo · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book The Black of Secrets is a boring book with an introduction that left me bored. The style of F.E. Higgins writing is odd and the hard cover was appealing. But not appealing enough, because the book has no motive to it. in conclusion I give this book an early said 3.5 unless your ready for a boring read that starts up slowly, this is not your book.

[rosa.mill · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Ludlow runs away from his parents in the city when they try to pull his teeth out so they can have more gin money. He immediately hops on the back of a carriage and ends up in small mountain village where things are very wrong. The local lord has everyone in debt to him and he is using that debt to perform illegal activities. Ludlow ends up working for Joe Zabidou a pawn broker who also deals in secrets. Ludlow wants to trust Joe but he also feels like should do something about the land lord but he wants it to be legal. Ludlow is torn but it quickly becomes clear that the town can't take much more.

Quick, dark mysterious read. Very enjoyable.

[merryann-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It had been a very long time since I'd been surprised by a book. Let's face it, plots can grow predictable, and this is not a bad thing; as a reader I most certainly do look for 'B' to follow 'A'. When I started The Black Book of Secrets I expected a decent story. I got that...and then I got more. Soon, I was lost in the book, having no idea what was going to come next, and loving every minute of it, right through the final page. Highly recommended.

[justsitandwooui · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is one of my favorite books! I loved it and even though I only read one other F.E. Higgins book afterwards (so far) I still considered her my favorite author from then on!

[johngrant1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is one of those books that bedclothes and flashlights were invented for. Young pickpocket Ludlow Fitch escapes his frightful parents in the City and finds himself in the remote village of Pagus Parvus. There he's taken in as apprentice by another newcomer to the village, Joe Zabbidou (as in "Zabbi Zabbi Dou!" this erstwhile Flintstones fan kept thinking), who's a pawnbroker of secrets -- that is, people tell him their deepest secrets while Ludlow records them in Joe's mysterious black book, and then Joe pays them. At first Ludlow naturally thinks the purpose is blackmail, but that isn't it at all . . .

I assume there's a paperback of this by now, but I haven't seen it. The hardback, though, is only $14.95, and I would say worth every penny. Not only is this a book you'll probably want to read again yourself, you're likely to find yourself forcing it on your friends. But that's not the only reason you might want to opt for the hardback. Whoever designed this (Susan Walsh for the book and Rich Deas for the cover, it says here) was obviously as nuts about the novel as I am, because everything about the production looks, feels and even smells appropriate for what's essentially a modern rendering of those books that have had generations of kids reading them obsessively and clandestinely. My only quibble with The Black Book of Secrets is that Higgins seems to be setting herself up at the end for a sequel or even a series, and this is a book that should be left to stand alone as the wonderful creation it is; any sequel can only, by its very existence, detract.

[emmabtate · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A really good children's novel, some dark bits in places, but my kids loved it. A really atmospheric mystery story, and I am off to the library to borrow some more by this author!

[68papyrus · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Loved this book! It's the perfect book to cozy up with on a chilly winter night. I highly recommend it for fans of Charles Dickens or Roald Dahl.

[rata_4 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really liked this book as it had a very different storyline - a secret pawnbroker (good guy) and a very greedy man (evil guy)by the name of Jeremiah Ratchett. Joe Zabbidou is a secret pawnbroker, he buys peoples most innermost secrets, that continue to haunt them and once bought and told to Joe they feel a lot lighter. Joe takes in a waif by the name of Ludlow Fitch (his destiny)who assists him and eventually is groomed to take over where Joe left. I came across F E Higgins as an author by chance (his books have been greatly reduced at a warehouse sale) and like his style and genre of writing. I had bought The Bone Magician, liked it and was fortunate enough to buy The Black Book of Secrets and The Eyeball Collector (which i'm about to read). F E Higgins is worth buying and reading as they give you an insight into the poverty and life of Dickenson England and seem oh so real.

[krau0098 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Previously I had read The Bone Magician (the second book in this series) and really enjoyed it. I was eager to read this book since it was supposed to be even better than the Bone Magician. While I didn't think this book was better, just different than the Bone Magician, I absolutely loved it and devoured it from cover to cover.Ludlow Fitch flees his evil parents and ends up in the sleepy rural town of Parvus Pravil. There he meets another new resident to the town a Pawnbroker named Joe Zabbidon. Joe is not any Pawnbroker; he is a Pawnbroker of Secrets and he needs some help with the everyday running of his Pawnshop. Ludlow ends up apprenticing to Joe and finds out that there are more secrets in this sleepy town than he could have imagined. Ludlow also witnesses how a simple Pawnbroker can change the fate of a town.I adored this book just as much as I adored the Bone Magician. This book is dark in tone, very Gothic but not without humor here and there. It takes place in a sort of Victorian era in a rural setting. There are many unpleasant things that happen and Ludlow must navigate around them to find his calling.Higgins does an absolutely fantastic job with description and creating a moody, dark atmosphere...that (while a bit spooky) never gets too scary. The author weaves an intricate plot and the quirky characters throughout are very engaging and fun. I had trouble putting this book down and thoroughly enjoyed the writing style.The book ends well and I am eager to read later books in the series for example: The Eyeball Collector and The Lunatic's Curse. This is an excellent book for middle grade and older readers who like a little creepy in their stories and enjoy dark Gothic settings. It is just a very well told story in the traditional story-telling sense.Overall I absolutely loved this book. The writing is a pleasure to read and creates a wonderful Gothic atmosphere. The mystery and the quirky characters really make the book hard to put down and keep the reader engaged. I would recommend this book for fans of Joseph Delaney's Last Apprentice series, fans of Lemony Snicket's Series of Unfortunate Events, and any readers who like a Gothic book with a touch of fantasy to it.

[audramelissa_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Ludlow Fitch is running away from his past (and some tooth-thieving parents!). He finds himself in a remote village where he becomes the assistant to a mysterious pawnbroker, Joe Zabbidou. This pawnbroker specializes in people’s secrets and Ludlow is charged with transcribing them in the Black Book of Secrets. Lucky for Ludlow and Joe, this village is full of people with dark and dangerous secrets to pawn. For fans of historically-based fiction and notably that of late 1800s in England with its many gruesome details of teeth pulling (and selling) and grave robbing.

[smithsj01_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a fast-paced compelling read. I enjoyed every aspect of this book and feel it is 4.5 stars out of 5. The other missing half is because I couldn’t visualise all of the characters – mainly Joe Zabbidou, which for me was a shame. Jeremiah Ratchett was my favourite character and was seemingly straight out of a Dickens’ novel. He was fantastic! Just the right amount of evil and inquisitiveness to keep younger readers engaged. If you have an imagination then this is the book for you, regardless of your age. It is primarily about intrigue, mystery and magic and with this crossover it doesn’t matter if one particular aspect of it is not your usual cup of tea. There’s something in it for all ages and both genders. When Ludlow Fitch makes the hasty decision to leave his home town after suffering years of abuse from his parents, he doesn’t know where his path will take him. Luckily, it takes him to Joe Zabbidou and his black book of secrets. Joe takes Ludlow under his wing, although it isn’t until the end that we really know why.Speaking of the ending, this is excellent and Higgins wrote this beautifully, the imagery was tremendous. I’d be more than happy to go on and read ‘The Bone Magician’ and also further instalments of Ludlow’s adventures.

[wyvernfriend · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

When his parents try to sell his teeth (fresh from his mouth) to get money for drink, Ludlow Fitch runs away from home. He finds himself in a town and comes into contact with Joe Zabbidou, a pawnbroker, not only of items but of secrets and the secrets he collects changes Pagus Parvus.It's a fun, quick read. While there were parts that seemed a bit rushed and unexplained the story kept me reading.

[lefty33 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

**Spoiler Warning**Ludlow Fitch escapes a wretched existence to begin an uncertain one. Ludlow happens upon Secret Pawnbroker Joe Zabbidou and begins to learn the trade -- pawning secrets. Joe buys secrets from the burdened townspeople and as the secrets are told, Ludlow records them in the Black Book. The small town, which had been run by a greedy landlord, is spared from one man's greed and multitudes of guilt.I thought this was an original story. I liked the idea of haunting secrets being transferred into a book and haunting no more. Ludlow and Joe are fun characters to get to know and wondering how they would resolve their problems kept me interested throughout the book. The questions at the end regarding Joe's past and Ludlow's future made me hope for a sequel.

[yeonjaepx2014 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Ludlow's parents make Ludlow suffer from painess so Ludlow run away from them. He meets a guy called Joe in his escape and lives with him. Suddenly, he heard that Joe killed someone. He knows that he it is in danger. What is Ludlow going to do now?

[cjthom · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book had a very Dickensian feel to it. I liked the characters and the atmosphere, but it was a little bit predictable and lacked action.

[joles_3 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Overall I was disappointed by this book. It had redeeming qualities but I wasn't happy about it. The story isn't the least interesting but it feels like a Dickens or Jane Austen novel with the lack of giant climax.I was interested to read everyone's secrets. And I enjoyed the way chapters were set up. Some are from the "memoirs of Ludlow Fitch" others are excerpts from the "Black Book of Secrets" while others are the authors cohesive thoughts tying the two works together.The most interesting part of the book to me was the addendum giving a glimpse into the history of bodysnatching, meat pies and tooth extractors.The book is an easy read, but I felt like I was forcing myself to get through it until close to the end where the climax really hit.I wouldn't say don't waste your time on the book, but be ready to force-feed it to yourself.I'm sure there will be a second book because of loose ends. (Although, the story could end here.)

[emhromp2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was a very very very pleasant surprise. I didn't stop reading until I'd finished the book. It is very unpredictable, very lovingly written, I liked the characters, in short, I liked everything about the book! It's 'Gothic Fun' and I would DEFINITELY recommend it to anyone.