The Curious Tale of the Lady Caraboo

Set in the early nineteenth century, this is incredible story of the ultimate historical hustle, based on the true story of Mary Wilcox.

From the shocking opening to the very last page, this is the one book I really hated to put down until I was done. It's so textured . . . I also love that she's a black, or blackish, girl – so often YA does not contain them (or only as peripheral characters) – and she is such a fascinating protagonist. I also loved the skilful way Johnson turned us around on some characters. I could not ask for more in a YA novel, to be honest. I'd give it all the awards if I could

A rich and entertaining tale which raises questions and challenges assumptions

The book has a lot to say about who we are and the pretences we put on for other people, and also about the limited chances in life that a woman had . . . The historical period comes to life well in the book, although it also has a lot to say that is relevant today.

A well researched, finely written re-imagining of an actual historical figure, The Curious Tale of The Lady Caraboo sheds light on how identity is formed and shaped by the stories we tell about ourselves and the stories, like that of the ‘exotic other’, that are projected upon us . . . A great yarn with a beguiling central character

Catherine Johnson is a born-and-bred Londoner who no longer lives in London but by the sea. She studied film at Central Saint Martins School of Art; the fantastic time she had there made up for school, which was horrible. She has written many books for young readers, and her recent novel, Sawbones, published by Walker Books, won the Young Quills Award for historical fiction and was nominated for the Carnegie Medal. Her other books include Brave New Girl (Frances Lincoln Children’s Books), and A Nest of Vipers, published by Random House Children’s Publishers UK. Catherine has also written for film, notably the critically acclaimed Bullet Boy, and TV, including Holby City. She lives with her husband and two geriatric pets: a deluded cat and an ancient tortoise. She enjoys baking cakes and knitting. She was taught how to drive (horses, not cars) by an ex-brewery dray driver in Spitalfields.

Shortlisted for the YA Book Prize 2016, this is a very curious tale indeed . . . 
 
Out of the blue arrives an exotic young woman from a foreign land. Fearless and strong, 'Princess' Caraboo rises above the suspicions of the wealthy family who take her in. 
 
But who is the real Caraboo? 
 
In a world where it seems everyone is playing a role, could she be an ordinary girl with a tragic past? Is she a confidence trickster? Or is she the princess everyone wants her to be? 
 
This the tale of the ultimate historical hustle, steeped in delectable romance. Whoever Caraboo turns out to be, she will steal your heart . . .

Catherine Johnson

A characterful, page-turning drama and a vivid mixture of research and imagination

A thoroughly engaging and entirely convincing yarn with a dash of Dickens and more than a hint of historic realism to help drive the thrust of the narrative

Full of adventure and excitement, unexpected plot twists and colourful characters, this book is both entertaining and enlightening

Twists and turns, mystery and mayhem together with fascinating details about 18th Century London. I found this a hugely exciting read

Cato Hopkins is the youngest member of Mother Hopkins's 'family' - a group of skilled fraudsters and pickpockets. There's Addy, who can become a very convincing boy when she needs to; the beautiful Bella, who can charm any rich young man out of his fortune; Sam, an escaped slave and Cato himself, a young boy, who Mother Hopkins has taught everything she knows. 
 
 But old age is slowing Mother Hopkins down, and she wants to carry out one last con, a con to outdo all the cons that have gone before. And so the gang set about bringing ruin upon Captain Walker, a proud and cruel slave captain, who deserves to be taught a lesson or two .

A Nest of Vipers

About us

About Us (Header 4)

Kate-Atkinson

James-Baldwin

Marian-Keyes

haruki-murakami-320×320-1

Richard-Osman

Malorie Blackman

Lisa-Jewell

Charlie-Mackesy

Authors (Header 3)

Children&#039;s

Company

Discover

Fiction

Non-fiction

Penguin Classics

Penguin Shop (Header 5)

Useful links

Work with us

prhuk-authors

Discover the Penguin books that shaped us

A series of children's modern classic novels by renowned 20th century children's writers. All the titles in this series have the A Puffin Book logo, contemporary-style covers, and child-friendly endnotes.

Catherine Johnson

Praise for A Nest of Vipers

A characterful, page-turning drama and a vivid mixture of research and imagination

A thoroughly engaging and entirely convincing yarn with a dash of Dickens and more than a hint of historic realism to help drive the thrust of the narrative

Full of adventure and excitement, unexpected plot twists and colourful characters, this book is both entertaining and enlightening

A characterful, page-turning drama and a vivid mixture of research and imagination

A thoroughly engaging and entirely convincing yarn with a dash of Dickens and more than a hint of historic realism to help drive the thrust of the narrative

Full of adventure and excitement, unexpected plot twists and colourful characters, this book is both entertaining and enlightening

A characterful, page-turning drama and a vivid mixture of research and imagination

A thoroughly engaging and entirely convincing yarn with a dash of Dickens and more than a hint of historic realism to help drive the thrust of the narrative

Full of adventure and excitement, unexpected plot twists and colourful characters, this book is both entertaining and enlightening

Books by Catherine Johnson

Follow penguin

Follow ladybird

Follow puffin

Sign up to the Penguin newsletter