Arriving in London, Simon, a 15-year-old orphan, immediately becomes entangled with a wicked group scheming against good King James and the serenely foggy old Duke and Duchess of Battersea. Assisted by quick-thinking Sophie, the gentle lady's maid to the Duchess, and his impish, lonely little friend Dido, Simon barely survives a series of madcap misadventures, including an unexpected sea voyage, an encounter with lean and snarling wolves, and a wild balloon ride over the English countryside.
"... a riot of wildly improbable adventures happening to absurd and lovable characters with Dickensian names in a time that never was....heartrending, hair-raising, rib-tickling and delightful.' —The New York Times
Joan Aiken, daughter of American writer Conrad Aiken, was born, in Rye, Sussex, England. She has worked for the London office of the United Nations and now devotes most of her time to writing.
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