---
product_id: 7158544
title: "The Great Trouble: A Mystery of London, the Blue Death, and a Boy Called Eel Hardcover – September 10, 2013"
brand: "deborah hopkinson"
price: "$21.87"
currency: USD
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 5
url: https://www.desertcart.us/products/7158544-the-great-trouble-a-mystery-of-london-the-blue-death
store_origin: US
region: United States of America
---

# The Great Trouble: A Mystery of London, the Blue Death, and a Boy Called Eel Hardcover – September 10, 2013

**Brand:** deborah hopkinson
**Price:** $21.87
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** The Great Trouble: A Mystery of London, the Blue Death, and a Boy Called Eel Hardcover – September 10, 2013 by deborah hopkinson
- **How much does it cost?** $21.87 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.us](https://www.desertcart.us/products/7158544-the-great-trouble-a-mystery-of-london-the-blue-death)

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## Description

Full description not available

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![The Great Trouble: A Mystery of London, the Blue Death, and a Boy Called Eel Hardcover – September 10, 2013 - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Q+3CMFeNL.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    A Great Read for All Ages
  

*by K***R on Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2015*

London 1854 is not a kind city for an orphan. Eel lives in a world where children live day to day in the filthy streets, sleeping under bridges, and begging, working, stealing for food. Eel has a steady job as an errand runner and a second job taking care of animals for Dr. John Snow a prominent London physician. Eel has it a bit better than other twelve-year-olds, but unfortunately he loses the errand job due to a thief and liar who has a grudge against him and the job with Dr. Snow does not pay him as much as he needs to make live.Back on the streets, with a bad man from his past looking for him would seem like the worst thing that could happen. But Eel has a secret. This secret is costing him money each week that he does not have due to the boy that caused him to lose his job. His desperate attempt to make money forces him to make decisions that would terrify grown men, let alone a young boy.With all of this going on, Eel goes to see a friend of his only to find the father of the family dying from “the blue death” which was cholera. The common theory is that this disease is spread by poisonous air, but Dr. Snow has a different theory. When he enlists Eel to help him investigate and support his theory.Working against the clock amid the death knocking at almost every door in the neighborhood, Eel faces friends and foes to help the Doctor. This just might be the best thing that has ever happened to him.This book was written for children 10 years and up. I am way past 10 and was thoroughly engrossed in this story. There was history, mystery, science, intrigue and relationships to wonder and worry about. The story is based on real people and the actual cholera epidemic in London.I loved the way Hopkinson wrapped the true events in a great story that adds depth to the story to keep the reader’s interest high. As a bonus, at the end of the novel, she has biographical information on each of the characters that were based upon real people, including pictures of them. She also tells the reader about the books available for more information on the Broad Street cholera epidemic and the efforts of Dr. John Snow to stop the Blue Death from spreading.I would recommend this book to adults and children that are interested in history and mysteries. It would be a great read-along for a classroom or with your child if it seems too long for him or her to read alone. The story will keep their interest.If you don’t have any children to share this great book with, read it yourself. You won’t be disappointed.Copyright © 2015 Laura HartmanDISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: I have a material connection because I received a review copy that I can keep for consideration in preparing to write this content. I was not expected to return this item after my review

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    great sunglasses
  

*by M***O on Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2023*

good

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    A well researched look at the Scientific History of Cholera
  

*by I***4 on Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2016*

I came across this book when planning a class on famous scientists in history. The author has definitely put in a lot of time researching the time period, Jon Snow and the life of London mudlarks. The story has the potential to be deeply sad when you consider the life of our young protagonist, Eel, but we also get to see grit and determination of a young boy who has no one to look after him and who makes his way in the world.When Eel is recruited by Jon Snow to trace the roots of the epidemic he gives the reader a first row seat to the scientific thought and method in 1854.This would be a disturbing read for most elementary aged children and I would recommend it only for older middle schoolers. Many secondary characters die in pain as the Cholera epidemic spreads in London. There are many vicious characters waiting to take advantage of the children and violence lurks around every corner.  For a deeper understanding of life in London at the time I would highly recommend The Ghost map by Steven Johnson for a wonderful explanation of the masses of workers who kept London 'clean'.
  
The Ghost Map: The Story of London's Most Terrifying Epidemic--and How It Changed Science, Cities, and the Modern World







  
  
    The book would rate five starts if not for a slow start and the plodding nature of the text before we finally get to the heart of the story when Cholera breaks out. Hopkinson's intent may have been to humanize the victims by letting the reader get to know them but the story drags in these pages. However, if you persist and read on it takes off running once Jon Snow enters the picture.

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*Product available on Desertcart United States of America*
*Store origin: US*
*Last updated: 2026-03-13*