Welcome to Litsy!

'Wild, bewitching, propulsive...a triumph of the imagination' Liz Jensen Zachary Cloudesley is gifted in a remarkable way, beyond even his own understanding. But not all gifts are a blessing... Leadenhall Street, London, 1754. Raised amongst the cogs and springs of his father's workshop, Zachary Cloudesley has grown up surrounded by strange and enchanting clockwork automata. He is a happy child, beloved by his father Abel and the workmen who help bring his father's creations to life. He is also the bearer of an extraordinary gift; at the touch of a hand, Zachary can see into the hearts and minds of the people he meets. But then a near-fatal accident will take Zachary away from the workshop and his family. His father will have to make a journey to Constantinople that he will never return from. And, years later, only Zachary can find out what happened. A beautifully crafted historical mystery bursting with wonderfully realised characters, a sense of fizzing energy that brims over every page and immersive storytelling that will take the reader from 18th century London, across Europe and, finally, to the bustling city of Constantinople. What readers are saying: 'an excellent historical, magical realist novel' 'beautifully written' 'full of love and humour' 'original and rich in historical detail' 'my best book of 2022' 'totally engrossing...unforgettable'