TIM

Defender of the Earth

TIM stands for Tyrannosaurus Improved Model. He's a genetically modified dinosaur that the government has been growing in a secret bunker under Trafalgar Square. And he's on the loose, after the prime minister decides he's just too expensive to keep. He's huge and clumsy, and with just a few steps could crush much of central London. He tries to get away but something's calling him back.

Professor Mallahide is very, very clever. But also slightly crazy. He's developed an amazing new invention with nanotechnology, which means that objects and even people can be taken apart, remodelled, changed, and used for any purpose. It's an incredible tool - but it could also be a very dangerous weapon in the wrong hands. Unfortunately, it's in the hands of a mad scientist.

Chris and Anna are classmates, and after a trip to the British Museum, they're caught up in something very big and scary. Chris is the human link to TIM; can he help control this hugely terrifying but goodhearted monster? And Anna is the prof's daughter and the only thing keeping him under control...for now. Can these two kids help at all as TIM and Professor Mallahide do battle?

Here's a spectacular novel of goodies and baddies fighting it out in London, using Big Ben as a spear and throwing themselves into Buckingham Palace. Hilarious, wild, and utterly original.

©2008 Sam Enthoven; (P)2008 Random House Audiobooks