Something strange is going on in the basement. Voices are calling. Taking a leap through time Tom meets the "monsters" of Bartholomew Fair. In the dark and seedy backstreets of eighteenth-century London, doctors are paying high prices for unusual bodies, and the "monsters" desperately need Tom's help. But Tom has problems of his own . . .

Come along down, sir. Step this way. Only a shilling, sir, to view the changeling child. Only a shilling to behold the strangest work of nature that ever was. Come sir, follow me down...

In the basement a gap is forming. Mysterious voices are calling, and Tom cannot resist. Taking a leap through time Tom meets Astra, the changeling child; the incredible bendy man, and the gorilla woman monsters being shown at Bartholomew Fair. In the dark and seedy backstreets of eighteenth-century London, doctors are paying high prices for unusual bodies to dissect, and Astra and her friends are prime targets. They desperately need Tom's help. But Tom has problems of his own . . .

Come, sir. Follow me Down...

This book is gripping, gentle, funny, and downright scary at times. It also captures brilliantly the gulf between children's concerns, and what their parents think is on their minds.

A beautifully crafted, spine-tingling story by first time novelist Julie Hearn.

A corker of a novel, original and rambunctious.... Fantastical, yet down to earth, funny and ripe with details of eighteenth century life.

A wonderful novel

So here's a new, wild, free voice.