Fly Trap

Author of The Lie Tree: “Hardinge’s world is rich enough to fuel two or three fantasy novels . . . humorous and heartbreaking and a sheer pleasure to read.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Having successfully wreaked revolution upon the City of Mandelion, Mosca and Clent find themselves escaping catastrophe by the skin of their teeth and seeking refuge in Toll. In this strange, aptly named gateway town, visitors may neither enter nor exit without paying a steep price. By day, the city is well-mannered and orderly; by night, chaotic and debaucherous. Each resident, visitor, and passerby is allowed out in public only during one of these phases, with the segregation dependent on their name. When the two are separated by this quirky law, they hatch a plot to escape.

But wherever there’s a plot, there’s sure to be treachery, and wherever there’s treachery, there’s sure to be trouble—and trouble is what Mosca, Clent, and Saracen the Goose love best. With each trip around the clock, past deeds catch up with them and old enemies reappear. This time, it seems as if there’s no way out . . .

The Costa Award-winning author of Fly by Night “again gives this winning trio a chance to show their better natures while surviving (often causing) trickery, betrayal, fires, riots and social upheaval” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review).

“Another high-quality, thought-provoking fantastic adventure that will keep readers’ interest.” —School Library Journal

Finalist, Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize

Published in the UK under the title Twilight Robbery