Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine spotlighting upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating.

Christopher Rowe is back and there are more puzzles, riddles, and secrets to uncover in this follow-up to the Indie Next pick The Blackthorn Key, which was called a “spectacular debut” by Kirkus Reviews in a starred review.

The Black Death has come to London, spreading disease and fear through town. A mysterious prophet predicts the city’s ultimate doom—until an unknown apothecary arrives with a cure that actually works. Christopher’s Blackthorn shop is chosen to prepare the remedy. But when an assassin threatens the apothecary’s life, Christopher and his faithful friend Tom are back to hunting down the truth, risking their lives to untangle the heart of a dark conspiracy.

And as the sickness strikes close to home, the stakes are higher than ever before… 

Considering that I don't read too many MG novels anymore, it took me by absolute surprise last year just how much I fell in love with reading Kevin Sands's debut The Blackthorn Key. (You can read my glowing review here.) Set in the 17th century, it was an absolutely daring and adventurous historical thriller. And now the sequel, Mark of the Plague, promises to be just as exciting! I can't wait to read it this September!