Rotherweird - Andrew Caldecott

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.

Paperback, Trade Paperback, 480 pages
Published June 16th 2017 by Jo Fletcher Books (first published May 18th 2017)
Rotherweird #1
Fiction

My thoughts:
I had trouble starting this review, because it is a rather weird book. And what can I say that will not spoil it all? I did not know what to make of it.

There is a little town called Rotherweird. They do not talk about history, it is forbidden. It is not taught in school, there are no old books. And they alone where given rights long ago by Queen Elizabeth I and that is why they can have their weird rules.

To this strange town comes Oblong, a history teacher (though he can not teach the kids about their history, not that he knows it either.) The last teacher asked questions. That is a big no no.

The school has two strange towers. But this is not about the school, it is about the town. And there is another new inhabitant too, a pompous curious man who buys the Manor. In a town that does not welcome strangers.

We meet a big cast of interesting characters. Because something is now happening. Forces are gathering. Something is about to happen in Rotherweird.

Weird place. I would not go there. And they sure disliked the people in villages around them too. These people should get out more. And now I have made them sound like weird inbred creeps. It is not like that. There is a lot going on behind...weird things.

Honestly, it is just one of those books better read, cos I can not explain it!

Weirdly good

Cover

It makes me want to color it