About the Book
Sally Jones returns in the thrilling sequel to The Murderer's Ape! With gorgeously detailed black-and-white illustrations throughout
When Sally Jones and The Chief discover a curious rose-shaped necklace hidden aboard their beloved Hudson Queen, it's the start of a perilous adventure for our seafaring gorilla and her faithful friend. Determined to get to the bottom of the mystery, they set sail for Glasgow. There, they fall into the clutches of the city's most ruthless gang, commanded by a fearsome smuggler queen who will stop at nothing to snatch the necklace for herself.
Held prisoner hundreds of miles from friendship and safety, Sally Jones must use all her strength, determination and kindness to escape and unravel the mysterious story of the false rose - a twisting tale leading all the way from Lisbon to Shetland and the South Seas
Jakob Wegelius is a Swedish writer and illustrator who lives and works in the small village of Mörtfors. The Murderer's Ape won the August Prize for Best Children's Book and the Nordic Council Children and Young People's Literature Prize. It also won the leading children's book prizes in Germany and France and was an International Youth Library White Raven selection. The Legend of Sally Jones is also available from Pushkin Children's. Visit Jakob at jakobwegelius.com.
About the Author :
JAKOB WEGELIUS is a Swedish writer and illustrator who lives and works in the small village of Mörtfors. The Murderer's Ape won the August Prize for Best Children's Book and the Nordic Council Children and Young People's Literature Prize. It also won the leading children's book prizes in Germany and France and was an International Youth Library White Raven selection. The Legend of Sally Jones is also available from Pushkin Children's. jakobwegelius.com.
PETER GRAVES is a translator from the Scandinavian languages, known in particular for his translations of novels by Selma Lagerlöf. He has been awarded the Swedish Academy's Translation Prize for his work.
Review :
Hold the frontpage: our favourite ape is back! This adventure tests our nerves, but rest assured that Sally's loving kindness and gentle nature will see her through
This is old fashioned storytelling in the finest tradition. I was transported to Sally Jones's world of sea ports and sailors and gangsters and I couldn't have enough. Every word was an utter delight
The follow-up to Wegelius' immersive children's masterpiece The Murderer's Ape finds the redoutable gorilla Sally Jones on the trail of Glaswegian jewel smugglers in an enthralling adventure sweeping from Shetland to Lisbon and beyond
Charming, immersive and highly original. Expect a beautiful jacketed hardback with full-colour endpapers featuring the author's own gorgeously detailed black-and-white illustrations
Full of memorable characters and exciting twists, this wonderful story will keep you enthralled from beginning to end
A cracking adventure, elegantly written and edge of the seat exciting. A beautifully illustrated, rich adventure that is essential reading. It follows on from The Murderer's Ape, a story of huge proportions, as mighty as the Russian novelists in the territory it covers. These books are genuine classics and will be part of the children's literary canon for the next hundred years
A very special book - the kind of story you read aloud by candlelight, or huddled by the fire under a pile of blankets. It is full to the brim of danger and intrigue, sea-storms and hidden treasure, and at its heart is one of the most original, warm and thoughtful narrators children's fiction has ever seen: Sally Jones. I would follow her across the seven seas
Praise for The Murderer's Ape
I don't know when I last read a book with such pure and unalloyed pleasure. It's ingenious, it's moving, it's charming, it's beautiful, it's exciting, and most importantly the characters are people I feel I know like old friends. I thank Jakob Wegelius wholeheartedly for giving me several hours of joy
Sally Jones is now my favourite heroine in recent Children's books. Move over King Kong, there's a new great ape in town. Charming, moving, and page-turning - what's not to like about this very original novel?? You gor-really got to read this!
Does not disappoint... this extraordinary book acquires a passport full of stamps as it masterfully juggles skulduggery and malaria, accordion-making and aeronautics, fado and pastries, police corruption and at least two love stories... a rare treat; a book you want to thrust into the hands of children and adults alike
Evocative... original and old-fashioned in its storytelling... A story to lose yourself in
The two children's books I loved most this year are also the two I've loved most this decade. One is The Murderer's Ape - a fast-paced adventure story
Charming... I loved Sally Jones's old-worldliness and Jakob Wegelius's black-and-white illustrations. Move over, King Kong
Sally Jones, the year's most charming heroine
There is so much to say about this unique and absorbing tale, but it would probably be better if you just read it yourself
A captivating and unusual adventure story, brilliantly told from the point of view of Sally Jones
Fascinating
It's all too rare that you come across a novel in which the heroine is an anthropoid ape... [The Murderer's Ape] fills that very gap... Evocatively illustrated
Compelling narrator... stands out as a truly original work
A joy from start to finish... An adventure tale like no other, a story to get truly lost in
Jakob Wegelius's The Murderer's Ape is narrated by its central animal character, the compelling Sally Jones... among the pleasures in this twisting, turning tale of profound loyalty, are the black-and-white illustrations, at each chapter head
It has a real spirit of good old-fashioned storytelling... with more than 100 evocative black and white illustrations by the author. I was absolutely charmed; one for fans of Brian Selznick and Tintin
Sally Jones is one of the most delightful and unexpected heroines you could hope to meet... This lavish, adventure tale has more than enough twists and turns to keep young readers entertained. The exquisite black and white illustrations illuminate the exotic mix of characters and make this international bestseller, a handsome gift
My personal favourite book of all time
A brilliant adventure with a wonderful main character in Sally, The Murderer's Ape is rich with lovable multi-dimensional characters that feel like family, and a European setting full of warmth and community. The black-and-white illustrations lend an extra hint of detail and luxury to this book, which has already won great acclaim
Charming, quirky and the best story I've read for a very long time
Its wonderful cast of quirky characters, the warm relationships and firm friendships and the lovely illustrations make [The Murderer's Ape] one which you will remember with great affection long after you've finished it
A captivating adventure story, full of intrigue, mystery, dark secrets and dangerous escapades. With its rich descriptions, page-turning plot and a brilliant main character in Sally Jones, it's a truly unforgettable read
Extraordinary... a compelling story of mystery, betrayal, friendship and ultimately, forgiveness, with fascinating diversions into the worlds of music, engineering and aeronautics along the way
A rich and intelligent read... life-affirming
A hauntingly suspenseful, masterfully written tale about right and wrong, possibilities and limits, the thrill of travel and the pain of distances, truths, lies, compassion and remembrance. A perfectly unputdownable book for the brave, the curious, and the gentle at heart
Sometimes a book comes along that simply takes your breath away. The Murderer's Ape, by Swedish author and illustrator Jakob Wegelius, is one such book. Completely innovative and unique, it takes the reader on an amazing epic journey... The Murderer's Ape is a truly exceptional novel and one that will indelibly be etched in your memory for a long time to come
Sally Jones... will transport you on a fabulous journey to exotic and dangerous places
This may be the most charming book I've read all year
A head-spinning story of mystery, intrigue, love and adventure
A complex mystery, an intricately constructed narrative, and deep characters. Committed, careful readers will be richly rewarded
A thrilling adventure. Prepare to meet the remarkable Sally Jones; you won't soon forget her
A richly imagined and thoroughly unique adventure
A joy... a great read on many levels and certainly one to read aloud with your child
A new animal heroine has arrived on the scene. An unusual and oddly charming adventure
[Sally Jones is] such a sympathetic character, with her longing for the Chief and her dread of being caged in a zoo, that readers will be entirely content to follow her slow progress, the novel's pace being more leisurely than dramatic yet somehow highly satisfying
The best protagonist and narrator I have read since I don't know when... An instant classic
If you like the Tintin books... this will make you very happy... A thrilling adventure
Rich in unforgettable characters... The plot is totally immersive, making it very hard to stop reading... The Murderer's Ape is going to last - one of those books you'll still be reading many years from now. That's the best compliment I can give
Captivating, emotional and utterly enchanting
Eventful and gripping
Utterly delightful
An outstanding book... superb... an amazing page turner
A wonderful book... a cracking tale filled with weird and wonderful coincidences, strange characters in these out of the ordinary adventures. And of course the inspired idea of having a gorilla, Sally Jones, as the main character. Best book I have read in years!
