Curiosity

Written by Gary Blackwood

A young chess prodigy is trapped in a dangerous game of deception and secrets.

3.8 Goodreads · 528 ratings

313 pages· 66,549 words· Est. 7.5 hour read· 870L

$16.99Save 7%

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Bookroo's summary

In 1835 Philadelphia, young chess prodigy Rufus is hidden inside a mechanical chess player, secretly controlling its every move. As he navigates this world of deception, he fears his fate may mirror that of his vanished predecessors. With his unscrupulous master Maelzel pulling the strings, Rufus must unravel the mystery of the Turk before he becomes another lost pawn. Can he escape this perilous game, or will he be trapped forever? Suspense and intrigue abound in this historical tale, featuring cameos from Edgar Allan Poe and P.T. Barnum.

From the publisher

Intrigue, danger, chess, and a real-life hoax combine in this historical novel from the author of “The Shakespeare Stealer” Philadelphia, PA, 1835. Rufus, a twelve-year-old chess prodigy, is recruited by a shady showman named Maelzel to secretly operate a mechanical chess player called the Turk. The Turk wows ticket-paying audience members and players, who do not realize that Rufus, the true chess master, is hidden inside the contraption. But Rufus s job working the automaton must be kept secret, and he fears he may never be able to escape his unscrupulous master. And what has happened to the previous operators of the Turk, who seem to disappear as soon as Maelzel no longer needs them? Creeping suspense, plenty of mystery, and cameos from Edgar Allan Poe and P. T. Barnum mark Gary Blackwood s triumphant return to middle grade fiction.”

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