The Bedlam Stacks

By: Natasha Pulley

Narrated by: David Thorpe

An astonishing historical novel set in the shadowy, magical forests of South America, which draws on the captivating world of the international best seller The Watchmaker of Filigree Street.

Deep in uncharted Peru, the holy town of Bedlam stands at the edge of a forest. The shrine statues move, and anyone who crosses the border dies. But somewhere inside are cinchona trees, whose bark yields quinine: the only known treatment for malaria.

On the other side of the Pacific, it is 1859, and India is ravaged by the disease. The hunt for a reliable source of quinine is critical, and in its desperation the India Office searches out its last qualified expeditionary. Struggling with a terrible injury from his last mission and the strange occurrences at his family's ruined estate, Merrick Tremayne finds himself under orders to bring back cinchona cuttings at any cost and dispatched, against his own better judgment, to Bedlam.

There he meets Raphael, a priest around whom the villagers spin unsettlingly familiar stories of impossible disappearances and living stone. Gradually Tremayne realises that Raphael is the key to a legacy left by two generations of Tremayne explorers before him, one which will prove more dangerous and valuable than the India Office could ever have imagined.

©2017 Natasha Pulley (P)2017 Audible, Ltd

Critic reviews

"Assured and absorbing...immensely pleasurable reading. Pulley's prose is strong and energetic, with a wry edge, and even the most minor characters are drawn precisely.... Intricate, charming and altogether surprising." (The New York Times book review on The Watchmaker of Filigree Street)

Wild and interesting story

So glad to have found this book and author. The narrator was also pleasing to listen to.

Fantastic air of suspense, can drag at times.

I loved this book the second I picked it up. I read it at the library before I bought it as the audio book. I felt like it dragged at times and really held on to it's mysteries until the very end or close to the very end. Which would be fine, if the book wasn't so long. I loved how it kept me wondering about what the mystery was or if there was magic in Peru. In general, I loved this book. But if you do not like characters that take forever to catch a breath while talking about a single subject, this probably is not for you.

delightful book

looking forward to the third book. many delightful surprises. Natasha Pulleys story's are like nothing I've ever read before.

Great Book. Amazing Narrator.

I was in love with this book from start to finish. I don't think they could have picked a more perfect narrator either. He did a splendid job bringing the characters to life.

fantastic slightly alternate history

absolutly loved it. natasha pulley continues to amaze. there are writers and there are Storytellers. pulleys wiring comes alive. i truly can't give a higher recommendation.

still chipping away

just coming in here mid listen to bring up the fact that the narrator chose to make the LI inaudible more than half the time for some reason? this seems like a silly choice to me, given the importance of the role, and boy oh boy I feel I would enjoy this book a lot more if I could here what the love interest was saying

Wonderful story, perfect narrator

I love books with verifiable historic facts, and I love the flow and tone of this story. I want more time with Merrick!

5*

I will listen to just about anything read to me by David Thorpe. Natasha Pulley remains excellent.

Just enough magic here!

This is the second book I've listened to by Natasha Pulley. I love this book. There is a fantasy element, but it is brought out slowly, almost as a mystery of its own. She's very good at world building here, with just enough reality to keep the whole story cohesive.

I'm eagerly awaiting her next book!

Terrific read!

Unusual storyline, engaging and occasionally funny interactions; a truly unique and magical reading experience! You won't regret using your credits on this one.