From New York Times-bestselling author Katherine Howe comes this daring account of one woman's adventure among the most feared sea rovers of all time, perfect for fans of Kate Mosse and Jess Kidd

'An absolute page turner, full of unexpected twists and turns.' Celia Rees, author of Pirates!

In Boston, as the Golden Age of Piracy comes to a bloody close, Hannah Masury - bound into service at a waterfront inn since childhood - is ready to take her life into her own hands. When William Fly is hanged for piracy in the town square, the teenage Hannah is watching. Forced to flee for her life, Hannah disguises herself as a cabin boy and joins the pitiless crew of another notorious real-life pirate, Edward "Ned" Low. To earn her freedom and finally change the tide of her own future, Hannah must hunt down William Fly's lost treasure.

Meanwhile in 1930, Professor Marian Beresford pieces this bewitching story together, seeing her own lack of freedom reflected back at her as she watches Hannah's transformation. At the centre of Hannah Masury's account, however, lies a centuries-old mystery that Marian is determined to solve. It soon becomes clear that Hannah was once just as determined to take this secret to her grave.

A True Account tells the unforgettable, interleaved stories of two women in different worlds, both shattering the rules of their own society, both daring to risk everything to go forge their own adventure.

'A feast for the sea-loving senses.' - Sarah Penner, author of The Lost Apothecary

From New York Times bestselling author Katherine Howe comes a daring first-hand account of Hannah Masury's rousing adventure as one of the most feared and admired sea rovers of all time

About the Author

Katherine Howe is the author of the #2 New York Times bestseller The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane, as well as The House of Velvet and Glass. She is widely considered an expert on American colonial life and the Salem Witch Trials, having written both as an academic and a novelist on the subject. She is the author of The Penguin Book of Pirates (forthcoming, Feb 2024). Katherine lives and sails in New England with her family.

Reviews

'An absolute page turner, full of unexpected twists and turns. I really could not put it down.' Celia Rees, author of Pirates!

'A story of seafaring derring-do with a wonderful twist.' Mail on Sunday

'Dazzlingly fun historical fiction... A wild voyage of satisfying twists and an even more satisfying ending.' The Independent

'Irresistible... A breathless adventure that will stay with you long after the final page has been read.' Julie Walker, author of Bonny & Read

'A feast for the sea-loving senses... This is more than just a pirate's tale: it's a story of abandoning convention in favour of self-discovery and exploring the sort of freedoms only the sea can offer.' Sarah Penner, author of The Lost Apothecary

'A wild ride. I loved this book.' Christina Baker Kline, author of The Exiles

'A True Account is a compelling tale of pirates, treasure hunting and wild adventure, wonderfully told in vivid detail. Sailing the high seas with Hannah Masury was an absolute thrill!' Sophie Keetch, author of Morgan is My Name

'Hannah Masury's pirate tale reads like a fever dream, told in a voice so authentic and with such vivid, authoritative detail, it compels belief that this must indeed be a true account.' Peter Nichols, author of A Voyage for Madmen

'Katherine Howe richly evokes the social world of docks, ships, and seafaring outlaws, producing, in my view, one of the best 'pirate novels' ever written even better than ones by Daniel Defoe!' Marcus Rediker, author of Villains of All Nations: Atlantic Pirates in the Golden Age

'Right from the very start of this book, I found myself caught up in Hannah's world. It is so vivid... I certainly felt like I'd been on a wild adventure whilst reading it [and] I really enjoyed the ride.' Bookbag

'A fiendish twist pulls its strands apart and braids them back together with the burnished patina of real historic discovery... A True Account belongs on the shelf beside Treasure Island.' Lit Hub

'A rich and immersive experience... Howe delivers an exciting and thought-provoking exploration of female resilience, challenging societal norms, and the pursuit of freedom. A must-read for those seeking a thrilling adventure.' Nautilus

'A suspenseful, swashbuckling adventure filled with fiendish characters and historical detail.' Library Journal

'Never less than intriguing. One of the real strengths of the novel is the portrait of two complex and powerful women. This is an insightful and thought-provoking feminist retelling of history.' CrimeTime FM

'There is no one I trust more with historical fiction than Katherine Howe, whose work always manages to capture not only the prosaic details of the past, but the lived experience of it... [a] swashbuckling story.' CrimeReads, 'Best Historical Fiction of 2023'

Book Information
ISBN 9780861547432
Author Katherine Howe
Format Hardback
Page Count 288
Imprint Magpie
Publisher Oneworld Publications
Dimensions(mm) 234mm * 153mm * 25mm