Fortune favours the brave in Lizzie Pook's mesmerising debut novel,Moonlight and the Pearler's Daughter.
1886,Bannin Bay,Australia. The Brightwell family has sailed from England to make their new home in Western Australia. Ten-year-old Eliza knows little of what awaits them on these shores beyond shining pearls and shells like soup plates - the things her father has promised will make their fortune.
Ten years later and Charles Brightwell,now the bay's most prolific pearler,goes missing from his ship while out at sea. Whispers from the townsfolk suggest mutiny and murder,but headstrong Eliza,convinced there is more to the story,refuses to believe her father is dead,and it falls to her to ask the questions no one else dares consider.
But in a town teeming with corruption,prejudice and blackmail,Eliza soon learns that the truth can cost more than pearls,and she must decide just how much she is willing to pay - and how far she is willing to go - to find it...
Publisher: Pan MacmillanISBN: 9781529072846Number of pages: 304Weight: 510 gDimensions: 242 x 162 x 32 mm
MEDIA REVIEWS
'Immersive storytelling,a rollicking mystery and a take-no-prisoners heroine'- Stylist Magazine
'Moonlight and the Pearler's Daughter is a gorgeous debut. Both a breathtaking adventure story and a moving testimony to the lengths we go to for the people we love,it swept me away from the first page... A gleaming achievement'- Emma Stonex,author of The Lamplighters
'Tense and vividly atmospheric,with a determined,independent heroine intent on the truth. It's beautifully written,unflinching and brimming with adventure. I loved the journey to a world I knew nothing about - it's gloriously transporting'- Jennifer Saint,author of Ariadne
'A compelling,atmospheric mystery set in western Australia in the late 19th century. Brilliantly manages to recognise the details of the time,including the injustices of colonialism and the pearling industry,alongside a rollicking adventure. A sure fire hit'- Kate Sawyer,author of The Stranding
'A stunning debut. From the very first line,this novel drew me fully into its gritty yet captivating world... I will never look at a string of pearls in quite the same way'- Charmaine Wilkerson,author of Black Cake
'I loved it: a gritty plot,exquisite prose,and a vivid evocation of a dangerous time and place. Wonderfully researched and realised'- Rosie Andrews,author of The Leviathan
'Gritty,lyrical,breathtaking. I couldn't put it down,drawn in by its vivid characters and wealth of historical detail'- Fiona Valpy,author of The Dressmaker's Gift
'This story of a daughter searching for her father in 19th century Bannin Bay is exquisite. You can feel the swell of the sea and smell the fish guts. Teeming with atmosphere and a drama that keeps you turning the pages... I loved it'- Julie Owen Moylan,author of That Green Eyed Girl
'The exquisite prose tugged me in and held me in the eye of the storm,my fingers tightly crossed for Eliza. It's not just good,it's important. Lizzie shines a light on a dark part of British history with grace,skill,sensitivity and honesty. I LOVED IT'- Nikki May,author of Wahala
'This story is a voyage I won't forget readily. Days after reading,I still feel the thrum of the ocean beneath my feet. Phenomenal'- Saara El-Arifi,author of The Final Strife
Kommentar