Rotherweird

Rotherweird, Book 1

By: Andrew Caldecott

Narrated by: Kris Dyer

Rotherweird is a twisted, arcane murder-mystery with shades of Deborah Harkness, Hope Mirrlees and Ben Aaronovitch, Mervyn Peake and Edward Gorey at their disturbing best.

The town of Rotherweird stands alone - there are no guidebooks, despite the fascinating and diverse architectural styles cramming the narrow streets, the avant-garde science and offbeat customs. Cast adrift from the rest of England by Elizabeth I, Rotherweird's independence is subject to one disturbing condition: nobody, but nobody, studies the town or its history.

For beneath the enchanting surface lurks a secret so dark that it must never be rediscovered, still less reused.

But secrets have a way of leaking out.

Two inquisitive outsiders have arrived: Jonah Oblong, to teach modern history at Rotherweird School (nothing local and nothing before 1800), and the sinister billionaire Sir Veronal Slickstone, who has somehow got permission to renovate the town's long-derelict Manor House.

Slickstone and Oblong, though driven by conflicting motives, both strive to connect past and present until they and their allies are drawn into a race against time - and each other. The consequences will be lethal and apocalyptic.

Welcome to Rotherweird!

©2017 Andrew Caldecott (P)2017 WF Howes Ltd

Critic reviews

"Intricate and crisp, witty and solemn: a book with special and dangerous properties." (Hilary Mantel)

"Baroque, Byzantine and beautiful - not to mention bold." (M. R. Carey)

Excellent!

This is definitely a book for someone who likes to be told a detailed and somewhat complicated story. I loved it! The narrator was precise and delicate, gently inserting humor into a quirky narrative with truly fun characters. I’m looking forward to reading the rest of this series.

Fun Book!

I loved this book and I recommend it to anyone who loves books similar to the author, C.S. Lewis.

Please, Sir, I'd Like Some More

I really enjoyed this series, both the smart and intricate storyline and the performance by Kris Dyer. I've listened through about half a dozen times, and suggested it to friends.
I would absolutely love to return to the Rotherweird Valley and its exclusive town - there are so many possibilities for learning more about everyone and every place, perhaps in a collection of short stories or novellas.

An Excellent and Unexpected Puzzle

Never read anything like it and I have read extensively for 63 years. Bravo, Mr. Caldecott.

So boring I listen to it to fall asleep.

Just so slow and boring. I can’t tell if it’s the performance or the story. But it’s SUPER effective at putting me to sleep, so I’m giving it 5 stars.