
In the quiet coastal hamlet of Moonfleet, the tide‑worn cottages cling to a narrow stream that widens into a mist‑shrouded lagoon. The village feels frozen in time, its cracked walls and overgrown gardens hinting at a once‑proud past. Fifteen‑year‑old John Trenchard, an orphan living with his austere aunt, spends his evenings curled up with the exotic tales of the Arabian Nights, his imagination sparked by stories of hidden lamps and secret chambers.
One chilly October night, as the lantern light flickers and the village is hushed by fog, John’s curiosity leads him to the sexton’s workshop, where the clang of a mallet and the scent of stone awaken a longing for adventure. The ordinary world of fishing and grave‑carving soon seems a thin veil over something deeper—whispers of smuggled treasure, old family legacies, and the restless sea that borders the town. Listeners will be drawn into a tale of youthful daring, mystery, and the pull of a landscape that holds both danger and wonder.
Language
en
Duration
~7 hours (426K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2004-01-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1858–1932
Best known for the classic adventure novel Moonfleet, this English writer also led an unusually accomplished life in business. He combined a love of history, landscapes, and old-world atmosphere with a practical career that eventually took him to the top of a major engineering firm.
View all books