Welcome to Ratbridge. But beware - for there is skulduggery afoot. Arthur has fallen foul of the appalling Snatcher and is trapped alone in the town, with no way home.

Meanwhile Snatcher and his men are working tirelessly in secret on a fiendish and dastardly plan to take over Ratbridge - and the world.

With the help of Willbury Nibble QC, some friendly boxtrolls and cabbage-heads, Marjorie the frustrated inventor, and the rats and pirates from the Ratbridge Nautical Laundry, can Arthur thwart Snatcher's evil plans - and find his way home?

Illustrated throughout with hundreds of the author's incredible black and white drawings, this unmissable debut novel was published to huge acclaim in September 2005 and looks certain to become a new classic for readers of all ages.