Twelve-year-old Billy Pyke has a talent for sorting things out, whether
it’s his chaotic family home or the busy book stall at Paddy’s Market.
In 1871, the market is the loud, smelly, marvellous heart of Melbourne,
and Billy is delighted to work at the book stall there for the eccentric
Mr Cole. When his new friend Kezia warns him of a sinister magician
called the Obscurosmith, Billy can’t believe her stories of magical
deals gone horribly wrong – until he sees them happening. And the night
that the Obscurosmith crosses a terrifying and dangerous line, Billy
realises something: if he wants the Obscurosmith stopped, he’ll have to
do it himself.