Pickpocket's Apprentice

De: Sheri Cobb South

Narrado por: Joel Froomkin

When magistrate Patrick Colquhoun orders a habitual thief and ne'er-do-well transported to Botany Bay, he doesn't realize a 14-year-old boy has been left behind to follow in his father's footsteps - not until young John Pickett is hauled into Bow Street for stealing an apple from the produce market at Covent Garden.

Feeling to some extent responsible for the boy, Mr. Colquhoun prevails upon Elias Granger, a prosperous coal merchant, to take him on as an apprentice. For the next five years, John Pickett hauls coal in exchange for room and board. The work is dirty and hard, but the drudgery is lightened by the occasional deliveries to Bow Street, where Mr. Colquhoun usually tosses Pickett a coin for his pains. An even more pleasant diversion exists in the form of Mr. Granger's pert daughter Sophy, with whom Pickett tumbles headlong into love.

And then one day 19-year-old John Pickett stumbles by accident into a criminal investigation that will bring him once again to the attention of Bow Street for an entirely different reason, and will change the course of his life.

©2015 Sheri Cobb South (P)2016 Sheri Cobb South

Reseñas de la Crítica

"It's impossible to choose which of narrator Joel Froomkin’s skills is better - his expert narrative or his spirited portrayals of the vast array of eccentric figures in this historical novel... Well-delivered subtle humor and clever wordplay add to this fascinating tale as Pickett thrives and grows." (AudioFile)

Can't wait for the rest of this series!

If you could sum up Pickpocket's Apprentice in three words, what would they be?

Great origin story. I started with the 1st book so the characters had context. I really would like to read more, but so far they are not available on audible. May have to break down and actually read them.

An Instant Classic

Set in London in the 1700s, John Pickett finds himself in front of the same judge that deported his father several months ago. Since then the younger Pickett has been living on the street and fending for himself. Desperate, the young Pickett is caught stealing and apple stay alive. Instead of dealing with him harshly for stealing, magistrate Colquhoun arranges for John Pickett to haul coal for Mr. Granger in exchange for room and board.

This is a wonderful historical period piece including all of the great elements for classic. A poor young boy of misfortune, a powerful man, a job, a girl and everything else. I really enjoyed listening to this piece.

Joel Froomkin performance for the lovely British accent. It is warm and soothing, the 2 1/2 hours flew by.

There are no warnings to give with this book.

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4 Solid stars

Took awhile but I loved it!

Any additional comments?

Full disclosure: I'm a Joel Froomkin fan and he can really do no wrong in my eyes. Still, it took me awhile to get into this listen. Once I did though, I was rewarded with one of the best short stories I've ever listened to an and incredible narrator that made the story simply jump off the pages. Such win.

This was a prequel and I've already downloaded the first book in the series. I'm officially a fan!!!

The rise of a scamp

Captain Jack' is deported to Botany Bay leaving behind his pickpocket son. Arrested for stealing an apple the boy is brought before a sympathetic magistrate and so the story begins. This short story lays the groundwork for a series that I am anxious to begin

Top notch

This story is so worthwhile — a period piece carefully researched and unusually well written, with an interesting mix of characters and truly outstanding narration. Fortunately it’s the first in a long series. I look forward to reading each in turn, as this is one of the best audiobooks I’ve heard in 15 years of listening.

A wonderful start to a lovely series

In what short book we see our young hero go from villain to lovelorn but substantial young man. Can’t wait for the next one!

Super stuff!

I save my 5th star for a life-changing book, but this is a charming series, well written and told. I'm becoming a Joel Froomkin fan!

delightful

I really like this narrator! The story is a charming intro for the series. I look forward to seeing if the longer books by this author are as rewarding.

Surprisingly Good!

What did you love best about Pickpocket's Apprentice?

John Picket is a great character!

What did you like best about this story?

The ending was satisfying

What does Joel Froomkin bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The narrator was very skillful at realistic accents and portraying different characters, both male and female, to be easily recognizable and also match their personality and station in society.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I don't want to spoil the story, but overall it was the changes in John's situation caused by his choices.

Any additional comments?

I like the chance to listen to a short introductory novella to see if I like the author as opposed to committing to listening to 7 or 8 hours because it is hard for me to just give up on a book in the middle. I plan to get the next one in the series.

The Pickpocket's Apprentice Great story and different

This story is different from the usual lord and lady hero and heroine. The story starts out with a young starving boy being caught for stealing an apple. The bow street runner wants to hang him but the Magistrate had other ideas to keep him fed, housed, and out of trouble.

The boy, John Picket runs into temptation not only the stealing kind but the opposite sex kind. It his story and it keeps you intrigued and wondering where it is leading the growing hero.

I enjoyed listening to the Pickpockets’s Apprentice, it kept my attention and the voice by Joel Froomkin was easy on the ears, it transported you back to that time.

It's short enough to listen in a day and thank goodness it just the beginning of his adventures. I can't wait to start the next one ….