First published 2018
Nicholas Drury shoulders heavy burdens in post-Revolutionary War Massachusetts. He cares for his sick uncle while struggling to keep their family shipyard alive in the town of Brascombe. The war's end brought economic hardship, and the shipbuilding trade has collapsed. Bankruptcy looms as Nicholas watches his community suffer. Then he discovers mysterious footprints in his backyard. These tracks lead him to unexpected allies and a dangerous secret that could change everything. Soon Nicholas finds himself at the center of an ambitious plan to build a massive trading vessel. The entire town rallies behind the project, pooling their skills and resources. Their ship will journey across oceans to the Caribbean and China, carrying hopes for prosperity on a two-year voyage. Nicholas must navigate not only the technical challenges of shipbuilding but also the risks that come with his newfound knowledge. The fate of Brascombe rests on whether one young man can unite his neighbors and launch their dreams toward distant shores.
Genres: american-fiction, historical-fiction, 20th-century, adventure, 19th-century
Vibes: atmospheric, emotional, suspenseful
Tropes: found-family, unity
Setting: Brascombe, Massachusetts
Period: Post-Revolutionary War
336 pages · Paperback · Dover Publications