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When torrential summer rains uncover a bizarrely tattooed body on a Lake District hillside, old wives' tales also come swirling to the surface. For centuries Lakelanders have whispered that Fletcher Christian staged the massacre on Pitcairn so that he could return home. And there he told his story to an old friend and schoolmate, William Wordsworth, who turned it into a long narrative poem - a poem that remained hidden lest it expose Wordsworth to the gallows for harbouring a fugitive. Wordsworth specialist Jane Gresham, herself a native of the Lake District, feels compelled to discover once and for all whether the manuscript ever existed - and whether it still exists today.
A tattooed corpse unearthed by summer rains ignites a search for a hidden literary secret. When a bizarrely tattooed body is discovered on a Lake District hillside, it stirs ancient local legends of Fletcher Christian's supposed return from Pitcairn. Wordsworth specialist Jane Gresham, a native of the area, becomes entangled in the mystery, driven to uncover whether a hidden manuscript detailing Christian's story, allegedly penned by William Wordsworth himself, ever existed and if it still survives.
The novel is recognized for its intricate plotting, blending contemporary crime with historical intrigue. Critics have noted Val McDermid's skill in weaving together the mystery of the unearthed body with the legend of Fletcher Christian and William Wordsworth. The setting of the Lake District is often highlighted as a crucial element, adding atmosphere to the unfolding events. Readers and reviewers generally praise the novel's ability to keep them guessing until the very end, appreciating the dual nature of the investigation.
Page Count:
0
Publication Date:
2010-01-01
Publisher:
HarperCollins
ISBN-10:
0007879393
ISBN-13:
9780007879397
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