SOLVED: YA - Evil being turns kids into fish and steals their lifespans [s]

[Mark]

Another vague recollection. I think some old man took in kids who were unsatisfied with their lives and offered them lots of good food and entertainment etc. to begin with, but then turned them into fish in a giant Koi pond as he stole their life essence.

I want to say "Thief of Time," but Google turned up nothing.

[Peggy]

I don't remember the fish part, but Clive Barker had a YA book called The Thief of Always that involved stealing years from kids.

[Mark]

Yes! That's the one - I looked it up, and there's a guy called Rictus who brings the kids into the house and delivers them to Mr. Hood. And they do get turned into fish, though I forget what that had to do with anything. Thanks.