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Moonlight and the Pearler's Daughter

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About this listen

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

 Family Life Genre Fiction Historical Literary Fiction Mystery Fiction

Critic Reviews

Immersive storytelling, a rollicking mystery and a take-no-prisoners heroine
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 (Nick Rennison)
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
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
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)
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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.