About this item

Based on a real-life event, an epic historical novel from the award-winning author of Things in Jars that illuminates the lives of two characters: a girl shipwrecked on an island off Western Australia and, three hundred years later, a boy finding a home with his grandfather on the very same island. 1629: A newly orphaned young girl named Mayken is bound for the Dutch East Indies on the Batavia, one of the greatest ships of the Dutch Golden Age. Curious and mischievous, Mayken spends the long journey going on misadventures above and below the deck, searching for a mythical monster. But the true monsters might be closer than she thinks. 1989: A lonely boy named Gil is sent to live off the coast of Western Australia among the seasonal fishing community where his late mother once resided.



About the Author

Jess Kidd

I was brought up in London as part of a large family from County Mayo and started writing in the cupboard under the stairs. Being a shy child among great storytellers it seemed like a good plan to share my stories by writing them down. I haven't stopped since. I'm currently Writer in Residence at Richmond and Hillcroft Adult Community College where I returned to education as an adult learner.My latest book is a Victorian detective mystery called Things in Jars (Canongate, U.K. out now. Atria, U.S. out Feb 2020) . I'm busy working on Novel Four now and also developing original TV projects - watch this space!I love to hear from readers, so do get in touch viajesskidd.comTwitter @JessKiddHerself HimselfA BBC Radio 2 Book Club ChoiceShortlisted for the Irish Book Awards 2016Shortlisted for the Authors' Club Best First Novel Award 2017Longlisted for the John Creasey (New Blood) Dagger 2017The HoarderA BBC Radio 2 Book Club ChoiceShortlisted Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year 2019'Dirty Little Fishes'Costa Short Story Award 2016



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