First published in Great Britain by HarperCollins Children’s Books 2015
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The Luck Uglies: Dishonour Among Thieves
Text copyright © Paul Durham 2015
Map illustration copyright © Sally Taylor 2015
Cover design © HarperCollins Publishers 2015
Cover illustration © Jeff Nentrup
Paul Durham and Sally Taylor assert the moral right to be identified as the author and illustrator of this work.
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Source ISBN: 9780007526925
Ebook Edition © 2015 ISBN: 9780007526932
Version: 2015-03-05
For my three muses, who inspire me even when I’m a grump.
CONTENTS
Copyright
Map of the Isle of Pest
A Shanty about Bargains
1. ONLY TROUBLE KNOCKS AFTER DARK
2. THE MUD SLEIGH
3. GRABSTONE
4. MESSAGES UNDELIVERED
5. THE SNIGGLER
6. A VILLAGE DROWNING
7. SCALES AND SWINE
8. WHERE NOBODY KNOWS YOUR NAME
9. THORN QUILL’S
10. SPIDERCREEP
11. FRIENDS IN LOW PLACES
12. IN SHAMBLES
13. A LOSING HAND
14. THE SLUMGULLION
15. THE SALT
16. THE PULL
17. BELONGERS
18. THE CURSE OF BLACK ANNIS
19. THE STONE ON THE SILL
20. THE WAILING CAVE
21. TIES THAT BIND
22. THE SHOEMAKER
23. KISS OF THE SHELLYCOATS
24. THE UNINVITED
25. WHAT THE WIND BRINGS, THE TIDE TAKES AWAY
26. UNDER THE CRIMSON HAT
27. GRIT
28. THE BELLWETHER
29. TREASURES
30. A FORK-TONGUED CHARMER
31. REVENGE OF SLINISTER VARLET
32. THE TOLL
Epilogue: Beyond the Shale
A Seafarer’s Guide to Mumbley-Speak and other High Isle Chatter
About the Publisher
Come all would-be heroes and join me in song,
And curse the dread outlaws plagued this Isle for so long.
So take heed my warning, of no favours ask,
Beware the dread outlaws in shadows and masks.
In shadows and masks, in shadows and masks,
Beware the dread outlaws
In shadows and masks.
Our troubles were many, our hopes they were slim.
A dark stranger arrived, he packed promise with him.
On the greyest of nights a bargain was struck,
What then seemed good fortune turned black ugly luck.
In shadows and masks, in shadows and masks,
Beware the dread strangers
In shadows and masks.
They’ll promise you freedom and all that you dream,
But look past their guise, they’re not what they seem.
Your sons and your daughters, in bed safely tuck,
Hold tight what you cherish for that they shall pluck.
In shadows and masks, in shadows and masks,
Beware the dread scoundrels
In shadows and masks.
My son he now stalks the dark b’yond the sea,
Family forgotten, but what matters to he?
So take heed my warning, of no favours