Moonlight and the Pearler’s Daughter

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What to expect

Picked as one of Stylist magazine's 'Fiction Books You Can't Miss' and longlisted for the HWA Debut Crown Award.

Fortune favours the brave in Lizzie Pook's mesmerising and fiercely feminist historical novel, Moonlight and the Pearler's Daughter.

'Immersive storytelling, a rollicking mystery and a take-no-prisoners heroine' – Stylist

1896, Bannin Bay, Australia. When British pearl-boat captain Charles Brightwell goes missing out at sea, rumours of mutiny and murder swell within the bay's dens and back alleys. Only his headstrong daughter, Eliza, refuses to believe her father is dead, and sets out on a dangerous journey to uncover the truth.

But in a town teeming with corruption, prejudice, and blackmail, Eliza soon learns that the answers she seeks might cost more than pearls. How much is she willing to sacrifice to find them?

‘Tense and vividly atmospheric, with a determined, independent heroine intent on the truth ’ - Jennifer Saint, author of Ariadne

'Adventure, feminist heroine, grief, love and hope . . . 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

Critics Review

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, bestselling author of The Lamplighters
A lively tale with a gutsy, likeable heroine
Sunday Times
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, bestselling author of Ariadne
Written with sensitivity and heart, we defy you not to fall in love with this feisty, headstrong heroine
Woman & Home
Lizzie Pook's plot rattles along, but the real draw is her description of the bay, a place where pearlers risk their lives diving for that elusive, perfect pearl that will set them up for life . . . It is an unfamiliar, unforgiving world and Eliza is an engaging guide
The Times
With prose as beautiful as its pearlescent cover, this is an absolute gem
Woman's Weekly
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, Costa shortlisted author of The Stranding
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
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
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
I devoured Moonlight and the Pearler's Daughter . . . Gorgeous, lyrical writing that brings the stifling heat and brutal landscape of North-Western Australia to life, with a courageous heroine in Eliza whose quest I was thoroughly invested in. Incredible!
Amy McCulloch, author of Breathless
Eerie and atmospheric with a steadily building sense of mystery and intrigue. I loved all the strands and how they connected in an unexpected and glorious way as the story crescendoed to the climax. Superb storytelling
Melissa Fu, author of Peach Blossom Spring
A stunning debut. Lizzie's gloriously descriptive and vivid prose envelops us in 19th century Western Australia as if it were yesterday. A moving debut with a truly relatable protagonist
Laura Price, author of Single Bald Female

A luscious, mysterious, adventure novel set in the halcyon days of Australia's lucrative pearl industry in the late 1800's . . . Pook spins an expert tale of corruption, fate and family in this dazzling debut

Adriana Trigiani, bestselling author of The Good Left Undone
Moonlight and the Pearler’s Daughter is a gift for anyone who likes their historical fiction impeccably researched, beautifully written and with an amazing sense of place.
Lianne Dillsworth, author of The Theatre of Marvels
A transporting and thought provoking novel. The story is as lustrous as a pearl, but just like a pearl, there is real grit at its heart
Polly Crosby, author of The Unravelling
Atmospheric, fascinating, and beautiful, a fantastic story with unexpected twists and turns, and vivid characters that seared their way into my heart like a noon sun on a blisteringly hot day . . . Magnificent
Liz Hyder, author of The Gifts
A journey of discovery
Sunday Express

A perilous, richly-imagined story . . . a thrilling read

The Express
A powerful debut, and brilliantly escapist
Best Magazine

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