A fight for survival against torrential flooding and local superstition from the Queen of Historical Fiction. A sinking boat . . . A girl in disguise . . . A disappearing sea . . . When Fortune Sharpe carves a boat from a tree with her beloved brother, Gem, she's only having a bit of fun. But now is not the time for a girl to be drawing attention to herself. She is sent away to find work dressed as a boy. Luckily a rich manor house is hiring. Yet Barrow Hill's inhabitants harbour dangerous secrets of their own, the suspicious owner is hunting for witches, and the house itself is a little too close to the sea . . . 'To read a new Emma Carroll book is to wallow in a warm bath as she expertly combines a thrilling story with local history and characters to root for.' The Times 'Carroll's historical fiction is at its best in this dramatic story . . . A wonderful sense of place and challenging characters.' Daily Mail, Best Children's Books of the Year 'Emma just gets better and better and BETTER.' Scott Evans, The Reader Teacher & #PrimarySchoolBookClub