The Rat Catcher: A Love Story is a mischievous, fast-paced fable told with an irrepressible love for life, in all its marvellous forms, from bestselling author, Kim Kelly.

In the sweltering summer of 1900, young wharf labourer Patrick O'Reilly is down on his luck in the slums of Sydney and homesick for Tralee. When a deadly outbreak of plague descends on the city, O'Reilly's daydreaming mind is miles away - in the golden hair and kindly, confident air of a girl called Rosie Hughes.

Just as he's wondering why any girl would want a no-hoper like him, opportunity knocks with the offer of a job as a rat catcher working for the city's Plague Department, containing the spread of disease. But the job will bring him a lot more than a pay rise and a swift education on traps and poisons.

In the Public Lending Library, on the top floor of the Queen Victoria Building, above the bustling centre of Sydney, he comes face-to-face with a legendary rat called Old Scratch who will change the way he understands himself and the world forever.

'This treasure of a read is cinematic, romantic, and extraordinarily good fun.'
Frances Macken, author of You Have to Make Your Own Fun around Here

'A wonder of a tale - masterfully compressed but endlessly capacious ... Kelly's elegant storytelling is full of wit and wisdom.'
Wendy James, author of A Little Bird

'... told with sparkling humour reminiscent of Peter Carey.'
Alison Booth, author of The Painting

'It will charm you, intrigue you and make you smile.'
Mary-Lou Stephens, author of The Last of the Apple Blossom