Kiss of Death
Malcolm Rose

Twins Kim and Seth and their friend Wes visit the plague village of Eyam on a school trip. Although Seth is interested in the sad tale of villagers who lost their lives, Kim and Wes are more interested in scooping up money from an old well they discover.

Without knowing it, they pick up an old lead token thrown into the well in the seventeenth century by a man who lost his love to the Black Death.

Soon Kim and Wes have developed terrifying plague-like symptoms and Seth is left wondering whether he’ll ever be able to put things right.

 This fast-moving novel brings together the past and present and has an unexpectedly chilling ending.

Malcolm Rose
Kiss of Death

Malcolm Rose was born in Coventry and began his career as a research
scientist. He started writing stories while studying for his DPhil degree in
chemistry, as a means of escape from everyday life. He is now a full-time
writer best known for his gripping science-based thrillers and forensic
crime series. He had been awarded the Angus Book Award twice and the
Lancashire Children's Book the Year.

(Page 13)

"Wes’s hand was already in the slimy water, scooping out handfuls of cold coins.

“Wesley!” Mr. Hanif yelled. “What are you doing?”

“Nothing, sir,” Wes replied. Quickly, he closed his fist around the icy loot. “Just tying my shoelaces.”

“Well, hurry up.”

“That’s a good one, sir. Well! Geddit?” Wes grinned and nodded towards the well before straightening up.

“Come on! Seth and Kim as well.”

Kim laughed. “Well, well. Another well,” she said, trying to distract the history teachers from Wes.

Behind Seth, Wes slipped the cash into his pocket and wiped his wet hand on his trousers. He could feel the coins against his leg. They were surprisingly heavy and, even through the material, they felt uncannily cold against his skin, making him shudder."

Extract taken from Kiss of Death by Malcolm Rose published by Usborne