Saltblood: An epic historical fiction debut inspired by real life female pirates

Based on true events, "Saltblood" is a historical novel that follows the life of Mary Read, a woman who disguised herself as a man to become a pirate in the 17th century. The book has been longlisted for the Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize and praised for its vivid storytelling, gender exploration, and thrilling adventure.

Format: Hardback
Length: 368 pages
Publication date: 25 April 2024
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

LONGLISTED FOR THE WILBUR SMITH ADVENTURE WRITING PRIZE






A gripping tale of one woman's extraordinary adventures, "Saltblood" is a triumph of the imagination. ELODIE HARPER, author of the "The Wolf Den" trilogy, praises it as a "ravishing picaresque told with fireworks, finesse, and gusto." PAUL LYNCH, author of "Prophet Song," describes it as a "well crafted, salty, old-fashioned adventure about identity and freedom."


In a rented room outside Plymouth in 1685, a daughter is born as her half-brother is dying. Her mother makes a decision: Mary will become Mark, and Ma will continue to collect his inheritance money. Mary's dual existence as Mark will lead her to a role as a footman in a grand house, serving a French mistress; to the navy, learning who to trust and how to navigate by the stars; and to the army and the battlegrounds of Flanders, finding love among the bloodshed and the mud. But none of this will stop Mary yearning for the sea.


Drawn back to the water, Mary must reinvent herself yet again, for a woman aboard a ship is a dangerous thing. This time, Mary will become something more dangerous than a woman. She will become a pirate. Breathing life into the Golden Age of Piracy, "Saltblood" is a wild adventure, a treasure trove, weaving an intoxicating tale of gender and survival, passion and loss, journeys and transformation, through the story of Mary Read, one of history's most remarkable figures.


"Saltblood" is exquisite. The writing is sumptuous and lyrical, the story fascinating. LOUISE O NEILL, author of "Asking for It" and "Idol," praises it as "startling, fresh, and brilliant." ANNA MAZZOLA, author of "The Clockwork Girl," describes it as a "wonderful tale and so exquisitely told."


Master and Commander meets "Thelma & Louise." JAMES OSWALD, author of the "Inspector McLean series," praises it as a "thrilling, gender-shaking adventure."

Weight: 584g
Dimension: 162 x 241 x 33 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781526661333