Black Hearts in Battersea

By Joan Aiken,

Book cover of Black Hearts in Battersea

Book description

'Wait, wait! Save us! What'll we do?'

Simon is determined to become a painter when he grows up so he sets off to London to make his fortune. But the city is plagued by wolves and mysterious disappearances. The Twite household, where Simon is lodging, seems particularly shifty. Before he…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked Black Hearts in Battersea as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

No airships here, but there is a hot-air balloon, as well as a dark conspiracy afoot. This classic children's book, first published in 1964, introduces Dido Twite, a character so vivid that she took over the series this is part of. Back in the Cretaceous period, when I read this book for the very first time, I didn't notice this nineteenth-century London is not the one Dickens wrote of. Now I revel in the sly details that Aiken gives us.

From Caroline's list on historical fantasy for armchair travel.

Want books like Black Hearts in Battersea?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 68 books like Black Hearts in Battersea.

Browse books like Black Hearts in Battersea

Book cover of The Angel of the Crows
Book cover of A Master of Djinn
Book cover of Redwood and Wildfire

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,457

readers submitted
so far, will you?

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in London, presidential biography, and murder?

London 869 books
Murder 1,077 books