An epic literary historical novel set during the Golden Age of Piracy, about the life of the infamous female pirate Mary Read.

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 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.

Review

A ravishing picaresque told with fireworks, finesse and gusto -- PAUL LYNCH, author of Prophet Song

A wholly original vision of a life, Saltblood is not only a gripping tale of one woman's extraordinary adventures, but also a profound meditation on identity, sexuality, survival and what makes us human. The sensory detail of the period is vivid, immersive and sometimes shocking in its intensity. You are on board the ship with Mary, bearing witness to her life, listening to her inimitable voice. Saltblood is a triumph of the imagination -- ELODIE HARPER, author of 'The Wolf Den' trilogy

A wonderful tale and so exquisitely told ... Master and Commander meets Thelma & Louise -- JAMES OSWALD, author of the 'Inspector Mclean' series

Like some great, lost 18th-century adventure novel, Saltblood is a thrilling, gender-shaking roar of a tale every reader will enjoy. Moll Flanders answers back -- NEIL BLACKMORE, author of Radical Love

I was not expecting a story about pirates to be as beautiful as this one; indeed, Saltblood is exquisite. The writing is sumptuous and lyrical, the story fascinating -- LOUISE O'NEILL, author of Asking for It and Idol

An absolute treasure trove of book. Francesca has taken the real story of 18th century female pirates Mary Read and Anne Bonny and woven something startling, fresh and brilliant. Deserves to be huge -- ANNA MAZZOLA, author of The Clockwork Girl

Saltblood is a complete triumph. A glittering jewel of a novel; a treasure chest of delight. I cannot bring myself to put it down it's so utterly absorbing ... The infamous but scantily documented Mary is rendered so human I am with her on every step of her piratical journey. I adore this book ― E.S. THOMSON, author of Beloved Posion