Eleanor Updale

Montmorency is a thief who uses his skills to create a new identity and penetrate London's 19th century elite. The reader follows his transition as he figures out the subtle ways of the upper classes, his risky trips through the new London sewers, and the constant fear that someone would discover his true identity.

This book is such an interesting mixture of action and description, yet with very little character development. Montmorency has few, if any, defining characteristics. He has apparently committed terrible crimes, yet appears to have a heart of gold. I will be interested to see if his low-class identity resurfaces in the following books in the series; I suspect he might be rather boring without Scarper. The description of the sewers is perfectly understated, and the danger that he faces is suspenseful without being over-the-top.

I would give this to a 5th grade or older reader who can appreciate the historical details, be patient with methodical plotting, and who enjoys humor and intrigue.… (meer)

A young street thief is being chased by the police. In trying to escape them, he falls through a glass roof and comes close to death. Sentenced to prison he is found by an up-and-coming young surgeon, who gets permission to sew the thief back together and then use him as a human example of what can be done to repair the human body.

While travelling with the doctor to various medical seminars, prisoner 493 observes and learns how the other class lives. He also learns much about his body and what has been done. He also learns about the new underground sewers in London and how they connect up to all the areas to remove the waste. To him they can be utilized as a transportation corridor...to various parts to aide in his thievery and help him to a better life.

After he is released, he takes on two new identities: Scarper, a rough, corrupt and filthy bloke; and Montmorency, a wealthy and sophisticated gentleman. Each person has their own life but are linked in that Scarper is Montmorency's servant.

Scarper's use of the sewers allows him to steal from the rich of the city; this gives Montmorency the funds to take rooms at the Hotel Marimion and become part of the high society of London. The key thing is keeping the two identities separate and his past a secret.

I enjoyed both characters and the story. I found that there were sections that made me hold my breath and hope that the character succeeded. I read it at a slower pace so I could enjoy the book and think over the actions of the characters.… (meer)