The Curse of the Toads
by Rebecca Lisle
Reuben, an orphan, is forced out of his village and on to the road because his Granny has been wrongly hanged for witchcraft. He is picked up by travelling quack 'Dr' Flyte and his side-kick Baggs. They visit fairs and sell a Cure-All with con-artist techniques. Reuben is systematically bullied and beaten to stop him from escaping and to ensure his participation in their dastardly affairs.
Flyte's aim is to make Reuben use the 'witch' skills (supposedly) learnt from his Granny to curse a real Doctor. As Reuben's tortuous journey develops, we see with the interweaving of back-story what disastrous circumstances led to Granny's death, and how Reuben must fight against all odds for his freedom with the support of 'Shadow', a stray dog (or is she?). The poignant ending is a marriage of science and the supernatural. Themes of superstition and prejudice are strong in this exciting, suspenseful story.
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