Sarah Waters meets Carol Birch in a breathtaking story of love, adventure and identity

An immensely enjoyable novel, full of energy, intelligence and delicious turns of phrase. Worsley does just what a great historical novelist should do: she inhabits her characters without strain, without fuss, but with obvious assurance, making them and their period feel utterly close and convincing. I can't wait to see more of her fiction Sarah Waters If you like romance you'll love this debut novel by Kate Worsley. A gripping and touching tale Sunday Express This debut novel leaves convention behind to tell a rollicking story of love and adventure. Harwich is gloriously reinvented as a place of smuggling, secrets and a decidedly contemporary passion. This is a fresh take on historical fiction; enjoyably witty and playful The Times The compelling story centres on a dairymaid starting a new life and brilliantly depicts the dark life of drunken sailors and their brutal hardships Sunday Telegraph An utterly transporting depiction of life above, and below, deck Vogue Bold and original Bookseller A truly original debut Living North

Kate Worsley was born in Preston, Lancashire, and studied English at University College London. She has worked variously as a journalist, a massage practitioner and follow-spot operator, and has an MA in Creative Writing (Novels) from City University London. She now lives on the Essex coast. She Rises is her first novel.