posted on 27 Jan 2022

Wrath by Marcus Sedgwick

This is Marcus Sedgwick’s first book for Barrington Stoke, a wonderful publisher that specialises in commissioning books that are accessible to younger readers who may, for a variety of reasons, be reluctant to read. It’s great to report that this turns out to be a marriage made in heaven – Sedgwick is such a skilful writer and tells such a compelling story that it’s hard to imagine that anyone picking this up could put it down until its finished.

The story is narrated by teenager, James Fitzgerald who is universally known simply as Fitz and when we join him we discover him in a state of anxiety over the disappearance of his friend, Cassie Cotton. It’s the summer following the first Covid lockdown and just like everyone else, Fitz and his friends are going stir crazy but Cassie seems to be a bit more out there than anyone else.

Through the use of flashback we discover that Cassie and Fitz are part of a band who haven’t been able to play together for a while; that Cassie has been worrying about hearing a ‘hum’ that she interprets as the Earth trying to communicate with her; and, that Cassie’s parents are fighting. We also discover that Cassie has been writing some startling new music for the band to play which is based on her heightened awareness of the Earth’s hum. When the band rehearse this new music and ask her what the song is called, she tells them she’s given it the name, ‘Wrath’.

Although Cassie and Fitz are not an item at this point, it’s clear that Fitz has feelings for her and when she suddenly disappears he’s determined to do all he can to help find her. Some clues about her disappearance begin to emerge – a bike left on a train and a phone dumped in a litter bin – but to Fitz these all seem like diversions. He knows that there must be an answer to the puzzle of where she’s gone - it must have something to do with ‘the hum’ and it must be related to ‘wrath’. And then inspiration strikes.

So Fitz and his father go on an exciting road trip north, finding themselves on the trail of the fleeing Cassie. But will they find her in time to save her from harm and will Fitz discover why she felt so moved to run away?

Well, of course I’m not going to tell you how it plays out because that would spoil the read for you. But it’s not just to discover the ending that you’ll want to read this book – it’s full of rich storylines that thread through and inform the central plot and help to create a book that is a real treat.

This book is published in March 2022 and you will be able to order it from your local independent bookshop or go directly to the Barrington Stoke website for your copy.

Terry Potter

January 2022