Gr 3-6-A worthy successor to Peppermints in the Parlor (Aladdin, 1985), filled with orphans, musty passages, mysterious relatives, and despicable villains. This book turns Alexandria, VA, into a delightfully murky, New-World version of London past. Young Taddy is found by scavenging thieves as he cowers in the house of his recently dead aunt and uncle. Rather than face the workhouse, he submits to being hauled off to be a servant in their tavern, which is smack in the heart of the town where he was told by his dying uncle to look for his twin and find out his true identity. At the Dog's Tail, he is renamed ``Toady,'' is made to sleep under the kitchen table, and must share that tiny space with an artful dodger who revels in his sudden seniority. The wretched treatment of the boys will inspire young readers to outraged demands for justice-and they won't be disappointed. With a fine hand for Gothic embroidery and a nifty surprise conclusion that ties up all the loose ends, Wallace has delivered another very satisfying read.-Sally Margolis, Deerfield Public Library, IL

Taddy experiences the unpredictability of life when he finds himself alone and in danger. Jeff Woodman’s warm, generous tones and expert pacing draw us into the desperate world of an 11-year-old boy who is scooped up by two scoundrels and faces the odious choice of the dreaded workhouse or servitude at Neezer's Inn. From the chortles of Taddy's new friend Beetle and the hillbilly drawl of his cruel captors, to the singsong ditty of a scary old man, Woodman treats us to a rich and suspenseful listening experience. The combined talents of Wallace and Woodman give us an audio mystery that will be enjoyed by all. F.L.F. © AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine