Cursed Under London: the unputdownable Elizabethan romantasy Gabby Hutchinson Crouch 9781788425056

Two strangers. Two Londons. Two hearts that won't stop beating...

In an alternative Elizabethan London, Fang awakes from his death to discover he is not quite human anymore. In fact, despite having somehow acquired the power of immortality, he's also not quite vampire, zombie, werewolf or any of the other supernatural beings who roam the twin cities of Upper London and its underground counterpart, Deep London.

A jaded traveller from the Ming Empire, Fang is desperate to find a way to reverse the spell and get on with being dead when he stumbles upon Lazare de Quitte-Beuf, a theatrical Frenchman who is afflicted with the same mysterious condition. Thrown together by the curse they share, the two men set out to undo the strange magic that binds them. As they are drawn further into the shadowy world of Deep London, they find themselves at the centre of a dangerous plot. And when in grave danger, surely the worst thing they could do would be to fall in love, wouldn't it?

Gabby Hutchinson Crouch was born in Pontypool Wales, raised in Ilkeston, Derbyshire and later studied at the University of Kent. In 2014, Gabby was awarded the BBC Radio Comedy Writers Bursary; past recipients include award-winning writers such as Grant Naylor (Red Dwarf) and Simon Blackwell (Veep, The Thick of It). She has written for CBBC's Horrible Histories and specialises in writing satire for The News Quiz, The Now Show, Dead Ringers, Spotlight Tonight with Nish Kumar and iTV1's Newzoids. She is the author of the Darkwood series, The Rooks series and the Cursed series. She lives in Canterbury.

'I absolutely loved it! Danger, excitement and kissing - it's got the lot. I can't wait to see what happens next' Lucy Porter

'Gabby is one of the funniest writers I know' Sarah Millican

'Hutchinson Crouch's London is dark, dangerous and very funny. A chuckle on every page guaranteed' Mark Stay, author of The Witches of Woodville series

'I loved Cursed Under London. Funny, joyous, subversive' Joanne Harris, author of Broken Light

'A funny, emotional rollercoaster' David Quantick, author and script writer of The Thick of It

'Captivating, accessible and, of course, hilarious, Gabby has created a world of mythological and paranormal lore that's completely unique. Magic, funny and addictive with characters you'll fall in love with' Sara Gibbs, author and comedy writer

'A spectacular romp through Elizabethan London, with all the wit you'd expect from a writer with comedy talons as sharp as Crouch's. A hugely imaginative read!' Rose Biggin, author of The Belladonna Invitation

'Cursed Under London is a pacey urban fantasy that manages to be both sharp and warm - a satirical blast of supernatural romance with a host of loveable weirdos you want to hug' Margaret Cabourn-Smith, comedy actress

'Very funny and completely gripping. To the extent that I'm a bit annoyed I have to put it down to write this quote' Gareth Gwynn, script writer of Tourist Trap

'A gleeful swashbuckle around a twisted Tudor London underground, with the heart of Nimona and the jokes of Ghosts' Joel Morris, comedy writer and author of Be Funny or Die

'A dazzling supernatural romance in the vein of Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. The world Gabby has created is so rich, captivating and full of heart. You'll want to immerse yourself until the very last page' Emma Nagouse, writer of You're Dead to Me podcast

'A terrific book with a big beating heart. Every page sizzles and the cast of eccentric characters keeps you hooked' TL Huchu, The Library of The Dead series

'Cursed Under London takes place in a funny and fascinating fantasy England that's equal parts Pratchett, Blackadder and Horrible Histories, with a charmingly awkward romance at its centre' Eddie Robson, author of Drunk on All Your Strange New Words

'A fab comedy fantasy adventure set in a late 16th-century alternative London with vampires, zombie, swans, and plenty of the gays' Dave Jones (BAFTA-longlisted actor and voice of Halsin in Baldur's Gate 3)

'Witty, immersive and so much fun. Gabby Hutchinson Crouch is always a sure bet!' Stephanie Burgis, author of Wooing the Witch Queen

'A perfect mix of thrilling, sexy and funny, all set in an alternate sixteenth century London. I can't recommend Cursed Under London enough!' Poppy Kuroki, author of Gate to Kagoshima