This voyage is special. It will change everything... One September evening in
1785, the merchant Jonah Hancock hears urgent knocking on his front door. One
of his captains is waiting eagerly on the step. He has sold Jonah's ship for
what appears to be a mermaid. As gossip spreads through the docks, coffee
shops, parlours and brothels, everyone wants to see Mr Hancock's marvel. Its
arrival spins him out of his ordinary existence and through the doors of high
society. At an opulent party, he makes the acquaintance of Angelica Neal, the
most desirable woman he has ever laid eyes on... and a courtesan of great
accomplishment. This meeting will steer both their lives onto a dangerous new
course, on which they will learn that priceless things come at the greatest
cost. Where will their ambitions lead? And will they be able to escape the
destructive power mermaids are said to possess? In this spell-binding story of
curiosity and obsession, Imogen Hermes Gowar has created an unforgettable
jewel of a novel, filled to the brim with intelligence, heart and wit.
This voyage is special. It will change everything... One September evening in
1785, the merchant Jonah Hancock hears urgent knocking on his front door. One
of his captains is waiting eagerly on the step. He has sold Jonah's ship for
what appears to be a mermaid. As gossip spreads through the docks, coffee
shops, parlours and brothels, everyone wants to see Mr Hancock's marvel. Its
arrival spins him out of his ordinary existence and through the doors of high
society. At an opulent party, he makes the acquaintance of Angelica Neal, the
most desirable woman he has ever laid eyes on... and a courtesan of great
accomplishment. This meeting will steer both their lives onto a dangerous new
course, on which they will learn that priceless things come at the greatest
cost. Where will their ambitions lead? And will they be able to escape the
destructive power mermaids are said to possess? In this spell-binding story of
curiosity and obsession, Imogen Hermes Gowar has created an unforgettable
jewel of a novel, filled to the brim with intelligence, heart and wit.
