As a reminder, in just a couple of weeks we’ll be switching gears to Book 1 of the awesome Deptford Histories trilogy! (I can just sense that all our enthusiastic commenters out there on the Mice trilogy can’t wait to sink their teeth into these back-stories!)
The Alchymist’s Cat tells the origin story of the original and (arguably) greatest Robin Jarvis villain of all time, Jupiter! Set in London in the 1600s, with a mixture of human and animal characters, this story has absolutely everything: heroes, villains, charlatans, cats, rats, magic, ghosts, the Black Plague, the Great Fire. Everything.
And unlike a certain sci-fi trilogy that attempted three ‘prequel’ films to set up its iconic villain (only to annoy nearly every fan out there), in just one book, Robin Jarvis hits it out of the park. There aren’t many villain-origin stories that work as well as this one, and I can’t wait to read it all with you.
Okay, a word on editions, as always. Sadly, this book still remains out of print, so you will have to go hunting for a second-hand edition. It does mean, however, that you get a choice of some good ones.
The original illustrated version. I love this cover and the illustrations inside are brilliant.
Also featuring the illustrations are the silver editions, which will line up to give you a great image across the side if you collect all three.
As a final note for our readers in the US: the American publishers of this book have seen fit to change the archaic spelling of the title to The Alchemist’s Cat, but please be assured that the text is the same.
Whichever version you go for, do get it quick, because it’s going to be an awesome read, starting in May!
Myth & Sacrifice 
Yes! I’m very eager to discuss the Histories, especially my favourite Robin Jarvis book The Oaken Throne…
Speaking of the Histories, there is something I’ve always been curious about that Robin would surely know the answer to if he happens to pop in. As we all know, the only Deptford Histories audiobooks currently available are the scarce abridged tape sets read excellently by Tim Piggott-Smith, Fiona Shaw, and Richard Griffiths. However, I’ve seen some product images that list The Alchymist’s Cat and The Oaken Throne as being read by Iain Glen and Alison Steadman. The only copies I’ve seen (and the ones I have) are read by Mr. Piggott-Smith and Ms. Shaw. What I’m wondering is if alternate versions do exist somewhere out there or (more likely) Mr. Glen and Ms. Steadman were originally going to be the readers but were then not available.
Also to Robin if he does see this comment… please, please, please have unabridged audiobooks of the Deptford Histories produced! I’d love it if they were on Audible.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks! That’s one of my characters, Sariah, a princess of the Fir Realm. She is most skilled on the virginal, while her brother Prince Oliver has a talent for the lute. They are the children of the Lady Alena and the last of the royal house of the Fir, which according to my headcanon fell in the mid 1500s.
Hello to you as well! I’ve been a fan of Robin’s books for about fourteen years now. I started reading them at age 11. I’m excited to know that there are other people who love these obscure books like I do!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh, I did just join and follow Silvering Sea, and wanted to add… I’m the one behind the massive TV Tropes Deptford Mice page update. 😜 I’m glad you don’t mind me using your images. I tried to use my own scans whenever possible but at times had to rely on other sources. I hadn’t joined at the time so didn’t know how to contact you to ask, but assumed it was ok as I saw nothing to the contrary. ☺
Also, my computer where I have my files saved has been giving me trouble lately, but I’ll be loading my art up as soon as I can. Right now I’m on my phone.
LikeLiked by 3 people
You’re very welcome! I was glad to do it. I really got into finding tropes that were applicable to the series; it got to be addicting! 🙂 I’m happy to know that other people actually noticed and appreciate the information, hehe! The picture of Isaac Nettle is one I scanned from Whortle’s Hope. He was originally amongst the crowd of Fennywolders but I cropped the image to just him.
By tbe way, I started a tropes page for the Hagwood books too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes indeed! When I saw the trope name, I had to giggle at how perfectly it describes what a typical Robin Jarvis protagonist goes through. Their trauma is nonstop!
One of my favourite entries to write was one for Ysabelle, where I just had to mention how her mother was concerned that she hadn’t gone through enough grief to be the Starwife… But that suffice it to say by the end of the book it wasn’t an issue anymore! 😆
LikeLiked by 2 people