This is wonderfully rich magical fiction for both boys and girls with a terrific mix of Moonfleet meets Treasure Island meets the Arabian Nights. In 17th century Cornwall, Jude's mother was called a witch and he is someone with a strange power, the ability to sense gold wherever it is. When his parents are killed and he is captured by an unsavoury and sinister sea-captain his life changes forever. On this magnificent and msyterious Cornish coastline is there anyone dead or alive who can help him.
Jude's mother forsees the terrible night when a ship will be wrecked on their Cornish rocks. As Jude rescues the survivors from the raging sea, he discovers his own magical power. Suddenly he is flung into a dangerous world of child-snatchers, murderous pirates and invisible demons with a deadly hunger for treasure...
Jane Johnson is the Publisher of HarperCollins' science fiction and fantasy list, Voyager. She has been involved in the publishing of JRR Tolkien's works for many years and is the author of the official Visual Companions to Peter Jackson's movie trilogy of The Lord Of The Rings. She has written adult novels as both Gabriel King and Jude Fisher, but the Secret Country books are her first for children. She lives in South London and Cornwall, with her two cats.
