A ravishing picaresque told with fireworks, finesse and gusto

PAUL LYNCH, author of Prophet Song

A wholly original vision of a life, Saltblood is not only a gripping tale of one woman's extraordinary adventures, but also a profound meditation on identity, sexuality, survival and what makes us human. The sensory detail of the period is vivid, immersive and sometimes shocking in its intensity. You are on board the ship with Mary, bearing witness to her life, listening to her inimitable voice. Saltblood is a triumph of the imagination

ELODIE HARPER, author of 'The Wolf Den' trilogy

A wonderful tale and so exquisitely told ... Master and Commander meets Thelma & Louise

JAMES OSWALD, author of the 'Inspector Mclean' series

Like some great, lost 18th-century adventure novel, Saltblood is a thrilling, gender-shaking roar of a tale every reader will enjoy. Moll Flanders answers back

NEIL BLACKMORE, author of Radical Love

I was not expecting a story about pirates to be as beautiful as this one; indeed, Saltblood is exquisite. The writing is sumptuous and lyrical, the story fascinating

LOUISE O'NEILL, author of Asking for It and Idol

An absolute treasure trove of book. Francesca has taken the real story of 18th century female pirates Mary Read and Anne Bonny and woven something startling, fresh and brilliant. Deserves to be huge

ANNA MAZZOLA, author of The Clockwork Girl