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    Blackthorn Key
    Blackthorn Key
    Blackthorn Key
    Audiobook7 hours

    Blackthorn Key

    Written by Kevin Sands

    Narrated by Ray Panthaki

    4.5/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    Following a series of murders, an apothecary’s apprentice must solve puzzles and decipher codes in pursuit of a secret that could destroy the world in this “spectacular debut” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review).

    “Tell no one what I’ve given you.”

    Until he got that cryptic warning, Christopher Rowe was happy, learning how to solve complex codes and puzzles and creating powerful medicines, potions, and weapons as an apprentice to Master Benedict Blackthorn—with maybe an explosion or two along the way.

    But when a mysterious cult begins to prey on London’s apothecaries, the trail of murders grows closer and closer to Blackthorn’s shop. With time running out, Christopher must use every skill he’s learned to discover the key to a terrible secret with the power to tear the world apart.

    In his stunning debut novel, Kevin Sands brings readers on a heart-stopping adventure rich with suspense, mystery, and unforgettable characters.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherSimon & Schuster Audio
    Release dateSep 1, 2015
    ISBN9781442388543
    Blackthorn Key
    Author

    Kevin Sands

    Since escaping from university with a pair of degrees in theoretical physics, Kevin Sands has worked as a researcher, a business consultant, and a teacher. He lives in Toronto, Canada. He is the author of the award-winning and bestselling Blackthorn Key series.

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    Reviews for Blackthorn Key

    4.5/5

    34 ratings5 reviews

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    • 5/5
      The story, the mystery and especially Christopher are all things you need to fall in love with. I listened to this book in two wonderful sittings. Admittedly, I even shed a few tears. The Voice actor was superb and gave wonderful distinction between characters and drama. On to the next one!
    • 4/5
      First of all, thanks to the publisher and goodreads for a free copy of the Blackthorn Key. Looks like I'm hooked on a new series now!

      I've always been fascinated with stories about apothecaries and alchemists, so I knew I was going to enjoy the Blackthorn Key. And it still exceeded all of my expectations.

      The opening scene is easily one of my favourites. (I want to make a joke about starting with a bang, but I'll refrain myself.) The plot has just the right amount of twists and surprises. And Christopher and Tom... they have a fantastic friendship that seems like equal parts Frodo and Sam and Merry and Pippin.

      A fantastic and kind of ingenious read. I can't wait to find some readers to recommend this to.
    • 4/5
      Fabulous fast paced thriller for the middle grade reader (and for those of any age who just enjoy a well written adventure) The Characters are likeable, the story interesting and deftly written and the setting , absolute perfection. I could go on and on about the shop and the Library (Yeah, I know I am a Librarian - a description of an ancient library is a beautiful thing) I thoroughly enjoyed the friendship between Christopher and Tom and the dialogue is crisp, honest, and often funny. A perfect tale for the avid middle grade reader. Heads up more boy friendly - not a lot of female charactersFavourite Quotes"What you must always remember is that they are only that: tools. They can heal, or they can kill. It's never the tool itself that decides. I't the hands-and the heart-of the one who wields it."
    • 4/5
      Christopher Rowe is an orphan apprenticed to Apothecary Benedict Blackthorn. It's restoration England, and there's someone killing apothecaries; there's rumours and secrets and Christopher finds himself in the middle of the mystery, on the run and unsure of his future. With several suspects he doesn't know who to trust and his life will change forever by the event.It's a good read, feels realistic without too much dwelling on too much details but still quite believable and interesting. Tom and Christopher are great characters and I look forward to more by this author.
    • 3/5
      This novel presents clues as the main characters try to uncover a mysterious message without getting killed.Master Benedict Blackthorn rescues Christopher Rowe from an orphanage and takes him as an apprentice apothecary. Christopher is very smart and shows great aptitude for the arts, but he does like to experiment, or as his friend Tom says, his schemes never work out. Tom is the son of an abusive baker and his loyalty to Christopher is unbreakable. Apothecaries are being murdered throughout London in the year of 1665. Christopher fears that his master could come to harm because he seems to know information that he doesn?t share. Master Benedict, however, does teach Christopher how to solve the clues that will lead to the answer of who is killing the apothecaries. One theory is that a cult is doing this evil dead, but Master BEnedict says the cult doesn?t exist. The Guild to whom the apothecaries belong have their own theories as do the King?s men who are investigating with Lord Ashcombe as the lead. Christopher ends up in the middle of the murders and only with the help of Tom and his own intelligence will he have the hope of surviving.The novel offers clues for the reader to attempt to decipher if he so desires that many will find amusing and fun. The mystery is solved by the end, making this a stand-alone novel. It does leave a door open in case future books were to be ordered by the publisher. I found it to be a perfectly adequate book, but the ?bad guy? was too obvious. Anyone who watches any TV or reads any books will immediately know what?s going to happen. I didn?t find anything original to the story, but it?s a fine read to while away an afternoon.