The Great Trouble: A Mystery of London, the Blue Death, and a Boy Called Eel

A delightful combination of race-against-the-clock medical mystery and outwit-the-bad-guys adventure. Publishers Weekly, Starred

Eel has troubles of his own: As an orphan and a mudlark, he spends his days in the filthy River Thames, searching for bits of things to sell. He s being hunted by Fisheye Bill Tyler, and a nastier man never walked the streets of London. And he s got a secret that costs him four precious shillings a week to keep safe. But even for Eel, things aren t so bad until that fateful August day in 1854 the day the deadly cholera ( blue death ) comes to Broad Street.

Everyone believes that cholera is spread through poisonous air. But one man, Dr. John Snow, has a different theory. As the epidemic surges, it s up to Eel and his best friend, Florrie, to gather evidence to prove Dr. Snow s theory before the entire neighborhood is wiped out.

Hopkinson illuminates a pivotal chapter in the history of public health. . . . Accessible . . . and entertaining. School Library Journal, Starred

For [readers] who love suspense, drama, and mystery. TIME for Kids


From the Hardcover edition.