"The ocean unleashes a surge of emotions and memories. Despite all the pain it has caused, it raises spirits and she ups her pace. The sea is part of her. It surges in her veins as it did in those of her father and brothers..."
"She will discover the truth. Whatever it takes. She owes it to her father, to her brothers, to Norah's son and every other soul who died on that fateful day".
The Silver Tide by J.H. Mann is a moving historical novel, set in Cornwall in 1863. Full of secrets, drama, menace and dark intrigue, romance and passion, with a strong female protagonist.
The Silver Tide
Cornwall, 1863.
On a windswept beach, Maggie Pascoe watches in horror as her family is lost to the sea. Her father and three brothers are among dozens of fishermen from the town of St Branok who perish in a summer storm.
Destitute and alone, she finds comfort in her friendship with widow Norah Bray, whose young son also drowned in the disaster.
But the tragedy was no accident. As Maggie battles to uncover the truth, she hides a devastating secret - one that could destroy her bond with Norah forever.
Inspired by a true story, The Silver Tide is a powerful tale of love, betrayal and one woman's courageous fight for justice.
Like with the other Cornish-themed book by J.H. Mann that I've read (The echoing shore), the story begins with a dramatic prologue. The unexpected summer storm brings a tragedy of astronomic proprotions to the Cornish town of St Branok.
With so many souls lost in the storm, "the town's heart has been ripped out". Seventy one fishermen perish, fifteen fishing boats sink, many other boats are damaged. It looks like St Branok has suffered a mortal blow.
Maggie Pascow is bereft, having lost her whole family to the sea, including her father and three brothers. She is left to cope on her own. As a single young woman without means to support herself, her choices are very limited. The only person Maggie can rely on is her friend Norah, who has lost her young son on that fateful summer day.
"Where would she be without Norah? Where would Norah be without her? They've become intertwined by tragedy. The greatest friendships are forged in adversity, so they say".
Maggie cannot rest until she finds out the truth how the tragedy has happened and whether it could have been prevented. She is considered by many locals as a nuisance, someone who doesn't know her place.
"Everybody has a purpose. Everybody has a home. Everybody has their place in the community, no matter how low it might be. Everybody but her. What is she going to do? What can she do?"
Driven out of her home, Maggie doesn't give up. Her resolve to dig out the truth is unwavering.
St Branok is a typical fishing community, where men's words and opinions matter, while womenfolk are delegated to the supporting task, they have to be obedient and subservient.
Prickly, disobedient Maggie is a thorn in the side of the local bully Jed Hoskin, a self-made man of business who buys silence and loyalty in his community. But even Jed with his nasty sidekick cannot stop her.
While searching for answers, Maggie hides a secret of her own, which could bring her friendship with Norah to a disastrous end.
Maggie is a strong protagonist. You cannot but admire her grit, spirit and inner strength.
There is a well-built cast of supporting characters, from shrewd and wily Norah, trying to survive in the men's world by using her female charms to a very colourful (literally and metaphorically) eccentric parson Kellow, and many others.
The bleak Cornish coastline is recreated vividly, and the historical setting is spotless.
Praise for J.H. Mann:
"J.H. Mann writes compelling fiction set in Cornwall. He transports his readers to rugged coasts... and introduces us to fascinating characters" - Magraget James, Writing Magazine.
"If you love Cornwall, storms at sea and an engrossing mystery then look no further" - Cathie Hartigan, author of Notes from the Lost and the bestselling Secret of the Song.
"J.H. Mann lovingly evokes the Cornish lasndscape, from the Atlantic coast to the bleak and threatening moors, for his gripping stories" - Debi Alper, author of the Nirvana series of thrillers.
Purchase Link
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Silver-Tide-J-H-Mann-ebook/dp/B0FKH6D69Z
https://www.amazon.com/Silver-Tide-J-H-Mann-ebook/dp/B0FKH6D69Z
Author Bio –
J.H.Mann is an award-winning journalist and writer living in the South West of England. His previous novel The Echoing Shore was a Yeovil Literary Prize award winner and the Adult Fiction Winner of the 2025 Selfies Book Awards at the London Book Fair. He has strong family links with Cornwall. His novels are inspired by the many stories told by his mother and father and his own experiences as a shore-based volunteer for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). He lives with his wife, Nicola, and their lively whippet Patch.
Social Media Links –
Facebook – www.facebook.com/jason.mann.9047
Instagram – www.instagram.com/jhmannauthor/
Tik Tok - www.tiktok.com/@j.h.mann.writer
Website: www.jhmannauthor.com
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