Martin of old London

In the sweltering summer of 1666, fourteen‑year‑old Martin Leake escapes the stifling streets of London for the cool breath of the Thames. He watches the river’s bustling traffic, the glow of lantern‑lit ships, and a lone foreign seaman dozing in a small boat. When a shadowy figure named Mr. Slocum appears, demanding the sailor’s attention, Martin’s curiosity spikes, and he wonders what secret business has drawn the stranger to the water’s edge.

Back on land, Martin’s world is shaped by loss: his father, a once‑prosperous mariner, vanished with his ship, and his parents succumbed to the plague, leaving the family nearly penniless. Charged with caring for his younger sister, Martin leaves school and seeks work, his mind still haunted by the mystery on the river. The story follows his early steps toward adulthood, hinting at a larger journey that may finally uncover the fate of the lost Merry Maid.