Kiss of Death
by Malcolm Rose
Twins Kim and Seth and their friend Wes visit the plague village of Eyam on a school trip. Although Seth is interested in the sad tale of villagers who lost their lives to the Black Death, mischievous Kim and Wes are more interested in stealing money from an old well they discover in the village. Little do they know one of the coins they pinch is a 17th century lead token, cursed by a man who lost the love of his life to the Plague. Other than the fact that it is surprisingly cold, the two troublemakers don't notice anything unusual about this coin until they start to develop gruesome, terrifying plague-like symptoms and Seth is left wondering whether the curse was true and if he'll ever be able to put things right.
Publisher: Usborne
Extract
'Wes’s hand was already in the slimy water, scooping out handfuls of cold coins.
“Wesley!” Mr. Hanif yelled. “What are you doing?”
“Nothing, sir,” Wes replied. Quickly, he closed his fist around the icy loot. “Just tying my shoelaces.”
“Well, hurry up.”
“That’s a good one, sir. Well! Geddit?” Wes grinned and nodded towards the well before straightening up.
“Come on! Seth and Kim as well.”
Kim laughed. “Well, well. Another well,” she said, trying to distract the history teachers from Wes.
Behind Seth, Wes slipped the cash into his pocket and wiped his wet hand on his trousers. He could feel the coins against his leg. They were surprisingly heavy and, even through the material, they felt uncannily cold against his skin, making him shudder.'
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Malcolm Rose
Malcolm Rose was born in Coventry and began his career as a research scientist. He started writing stories while studying for his DPhil degree in chemistry, as a means of escape from everyday life. He is now a full-time writer best known for his gripping science-based thrillers and forensic crime series. He has been awarded the Angus Book Award twice and the Lancashire Children's Book of the Year.
Malcom Rose
