The Sea Child

Reviews

One of:
The Washington Post’s “6 Noteworthy Books for January”
BookBub’s “Best Historical Fiction Coming This Winter”

Praise for The Sea Child:

“With its richly detailed setting (think stone cottages and Poldark-esque windy cliffs) and blend of folklore, history and adventure, this enchanting debut novel offers both suspense and romance.”
—The Washington Post

“[A] vibrant debut. . . . Wilgus peppers the narrative with illuminating details about the legacy of smuggling in Cornwall and dashes of mysticism. This stands out from the pack of historicals about Cornwall.”
—Publishers Weekly *starred review*

“Prepare to be swept away by this Cornwall-set historical novel and its tale of love, family, class, smugglers and above all, the sea. This is an absolute treat.”
—Jennie Godfrey, bestselling author of The List of Suspicious Things

“A stunning debut deliciously laced with folklore, mystery, and romance . . . I loved it!”
—Liz Fenwick, author of The Cornish House

“The Sea Child reminded me strongly of Frenchman’s Creek by Daphne du Maurier, one of my favourite stories of all time. Set in beautiful Cornwall, there’s swashbuckling, smuggling, forbidden desire and best of all, a woman fighting not just for her love, but for her independence. I loved this book.”
—Victoria Scott, bestselling author of The Storyteller’s Daughter

“The Sea Child is an enchanting love story: the tension between Isabel and Jack keeps me turning the pages, and Linda’s lyrical prose conjures an equally spellbinding setting. Isabel is a vulnerable but courageous character who struggles against the rules that limit a woman’s freedom as she strives to pursue her dream of sailing across the oceans. This novel combines the best of historical fiction—immersion into a bygone period and beliefs—with a touch of the supernatural, making it a captivating read.”
—Jane Yang, author of The Lotus Shoes

“Passion and adventure combine to make this breathtaking debut a completely gripping read. The freedom of the sea and the wild, mysterious beauty of the Cornish coast provide a captivating backdrop, as romantic as the story itself. Unputdownable!”
—Fiona Valpy, author of The Dark of the Moon

“I absolutely LOVED it. Linda is such a wonderful writer—the lush descriptions of Cornwall made me want to be there. Her turn of phrase is so pitch perfect. And the storytelling is perfect too, with excitement and feeling and light and shade and gorgeous characters. . . . I adored the love story too. I was in my element with the gorgeous romantic storyline, the setting, the whispers of magic, the high adventure and the beauty. . . . The whole thing was just dreamy.”
—Tracy Rees, author of Amy Snow and The House at Silvermoor

“Perfect for fans of Poldark and du Maurier, The Sea Child is both absorbing and satisfying. Steeped in pistols, smugglers and Cornish myth, it is a wonderfully romantic story, and I thoroughly enjoyed escaping into it.”
—Joanna Miller, author of The Eights

“This dazzling debut pulled me in like a siren’s song. Achingly romantic, this is a love letter to the magical beauty of the Cornish coast and the sea itself. Gentle and lyrical, yet laced with danger and adventure, this captivating love story took my breath away.”
—Bex Hogan, author of Nettle Expand reviews