A 200 year-old-secret is now a matter of life and death. And it could be worth a fortune. It's summer in the Lake District and heavy rain over the fells has uncovered a bizarrely tattooed body. Could it be linked to the old rumour that Fletcher Christian, mutinous First Mate on the Bounty, had secretly returned to England? Scholar Jane Gresham wants to find out. She believes that the Lakeland poet William Wordsworth, a friend of Christian's, may have sheltered the fugitive and turned his tale into an epic poem - which has since disappeared. But as she follows each lead, death is hard on her heels. The centuries-old mystery is putting lives at risk. And it isn't just the truth that is waiting to be discovered, but a bounty worth millions ...
Val McDermid
Val McDermid is a Scottish crime writer known for her gritty and suspenseful novels. She has written several popular series, including the Tony Hill and Carol Jordan series and the Lindsay Gordon series. McDermid's literary style is characterized by complex characters, intricate plots, and a keen eye for detail.
One of McDermid's most notable works is "The Mermaids Singing," which won the Crime Writers' Association Gold Dagger award for best crime novel of the year. McDermid's impact on the crime fiction genre is significant, as she has been credited with helping to popularize the genre of Tartan Noir, a subset of crime fiction set in Scotland.
Overall, Val McDermid is a prolific and influential writer who has made a lasting contribution to the world of crime fiction. Her work continues to captivate readers around the world with its compelling storytelling and engaging characters.