I've read most of the Poldark books and many stories by Daphne Du Maurier based in Cornwall. A good story of smugglers, family, love and murder generally based in Winchelsea in Cornwall in the 1700's. The book begins with our 16 year old protagonist, Goody Brown, who witnesses her adoptive father's murder by a local smuggler gang and the maiming of her adoptive mother and the story goes from there and focusses on Goody and her brother's plot for revenge. Overall an enjoyable tale of a woman in a man's world loosely based on historical events. It was somewhat slow to start but the pace definitely picked up in the 2nd and 3rd part of the book. Recommend for readers of historical fiction surrounding smugglers and British history in the mid 1700's. Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an advance copy of this book.

Goody brown's life has been comfortable with her adoptive parents in the town of Winchelsea. Then in 1742, at the age of sixteen, all this changes with the death of her father. He has been murdered by members of a smuggling gang to which he was affiliated. Seeking out her brother, Francis, Goody becomes part of a scheme to wreak revenge. Following this, she formally joins a rival smuggling gang and with her brother, use their proceeds to aid the cause of Charles Edward Stuart.
This is a story that sounds like it should be a really thrilling read. It has smugglers, pretenders to the throne of England, fighting and revenge. Unfortunately, for me, it fell rather short of any thrills. The narrative was very slow paced. It was also divided up into three books, each told by the different narrator. This made it feel disjointed. Book one was the most promising and would, with some expanding, have made a decent story on its own but by adding books two and three it felt like the novel was trying to do too much.
Overall, it was atmospheric and I really enjoyed the historical side of the smuggling story. However, there were times when the writing style interfered with the narrative, particularly with the use of obscure words, "whelving", "residuum", "planchers" and such like. To me, it seemed that the writer had been handed a list of dubious vocabulary and given the challenge of fitting them into the story.
The characters didn't inspire my liking or support, so this left me feeling uninterested in their fate.
It was a shame because I had been looking forward to reading this book but in the end it was a disappointing read.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Canongate for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

In Winchelsea, we are transported to the mid 1700s. Goody Brown, rescued from drowning as a baby and swiftly adopted by her rescuers, grows up in the small smuggling town of Winchelsea. At sixteen, she witnesses the murder of her father and is given little choice but to fill her father's shoes for the very same gang that brought him to his untimely demise. With help from her brother, Goody joins a rival gang and plots her revenge.

TW to bear in mind; sexual assault, sort-of-incest (idk how else to phrase this but you'll understand if you read), murder, gore.

Okay. I have thoughts.

What I liked:
- I REALLY enjoyed this for the first three quarters; I felt like I was on my own smuggling adventure.
- Goody was a reasonably consistent character and we had a couple of well thought out supporting cast members.
- The LGBTQ rep here was complex, thought provoking, well presented and felt authentic in terms of the restrictions of the time period/societal pressures.
- The action and battle scenes were very descriptive; I could picture everything so vividly.
- The relationship between Goody and her adoptive parents.

Things I didn't like:
- What I found most jarring was the abrupt end of Part 1, followed by Parts 2 and 3 - the pacing up to the end of Part 1 and after was just off for me and felt like an afterthought. I truly felt like the ending of Part 1 could have been the end of the novel. Parts 2 and 3 felt a little rushed, condensed and like there could have been enough material for at least one more book if explored in greater detail.
- Personally, I really feel like the sort-of incestuous connotations in this novel were unnecessary and didn't actually add anything other than some shock value.

Would I reread? Maybe Part 1.

Smugglers and Bonnie Prince Charlie himself! What more could you want from an action packed historical novel set in the 1740s?
Winchelsea tells the story of Goody Brown, the adopted daughter of Ezekiel who is involved with the local smuggling as well as being a Jacobite. After Ezekiel’s murder by the gang, Goody and her step-brother Francis seek revenge for his killing by joining the notorious rival gang. The story then follows their adventures which lead them to France and the failed uprising of Charles Stuart at Culloden.
The story is loosely based on actual events and some of the characters were real people. The detailed research means that events ring true although at times, the detail can slow the story down. As a retelling of Moonfleet, the novel works brilliantly for a contemporary audience.
The main characters in the story, Goody, Francis, Arnold and Lily/Elizabeth are well drawn. I really liked Arthur who was much more than he first appeared. Goody is fascinating character; a young girl who is unusually tall and hates being dressed in pretty dresses but much prefers to dress and act as a boy. How she finds her place in the society she inhabits is an important element of the book.
The action scenes are exciting and the descriptions of the sailing especially are incredibly vivid. There are one or two places where the story drags a little but in the main, it is a well paced novel with plenty of action.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and am grateful to Net Galley and Canongate publishers for allowing me to read an ARC of this novel.

From the violence of smuggler gangs in the Cinque Ports to the bloody mess of Culloden., this book reminded me of both Moonfleet and The Flight of the Heron, but rewritten for grown-ups. How good is that?

Goody seeks revenge for the death of her father at the hands of a smuggler’s gang. She and her brother join a rival gang, who use Goody’s expert knowledge of the secret tunnels under the town to clear out their opposition and take sole power. Francis, her brother, is a Jacobite and takes his share of the plunder to Charles Stuart to help fund his campaign to take the crown.

Winchelsea is based on real history, and I do enjoy a book where the research is sound. The Hawkhurst Gang were the scourge of the South Coast in the 18th century, lawless and terrorising, and they were indeed overcome by the underdogs who comprised the Goudhurst Militia. Obviously the story is not factual, but many of the individual characters were real people. I liked the perfectly rounded ending, it’s always very satisfying when all the ends are tied up and you aren’t left wondering what happened to anyone.

All in all I enjoyed this, a bit of a rip-roaring adventure which felt quite old-fashioned, but in a good way. I liked that Goody didn’t compromise on her revenge and that Arnold found his strength, and I really like the cover which is both bloody and romantic. I would pick this up every time in a bookshop because of that cover.

This is an historical novel, set in 1740s, tackling cultural and political issues and following the character Goody Brown and her association with smugglers in the seaside town of Winchelsea. Preston tackles the role of women in an adept and compelling way in a narrative that is well controlled. There are elements where there is perhaps a slowing of pace, and it's unclear why, yet that doesn't detract from the enjoyment of the plot and descriptions of the landscape.

I think Preston has tried to do a lot here, and, in the main, has succeeded. The plot is a good one and the narrative arc works well. Timing and pace might be something that would disturb the flow of reading for some, I feel. Nonetheless, this is an enjoyable read.

Not quite as rip-roaringly exciting as Daphne du Maurier’s Jamaica Inn, but still an excellent read for those longing to return to that earlier novel’s mix of smuggling and intrigue! This book is very well-researched and draws one in. It’s a little slow in places, but perhaps that’s what’s needed at the moment.

I loved this book for its historical value and the fact that I live close by to the setting.
Goody Brown is brought up by the local doctor of Winchelsea in East Sussex along with Francis her step brother. Both adopted in strange circumstances. They are also charged with the keeping and selling of smuggled goods from the hidden tunnels running from the beach to their house.
As Goody grows she start to become aware of her sexuality. She is large in statue and prefers to dress and act as a boy.
After her father is killed by a rival gang of smugglers she starts her journey of revenge.
The story is then told in two further parts by others who she comes into contact with.
An unusual book, well worth the read.

A strange tale of smugglers, red coats and villains. A little too slow in places.
But on the whole, a good read.

I so wanted to love this but the pace was too slow for me to get fully immersed. Part 1 was so descriptive with not enough action, loved part 2 but then it tailed off again. Found the form unusual, so much retelling with very little dialogue made it feel quite static. Added then the book 1, book 2 etc it felt a bit too rigid. Some interesting parts, and I know it will appeal to some.

Several years ago, I spent a memorable summer day walking about Camber Castle ruins, Winchelsea and Winchelsea beach. I found the town history and the surrounding marshy landscape very interesting so Alex Preston’s new historical novel, set in Winchelsea, really appealed. Many thanks to Cannongate and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy.

Set in 1740s, Winchelsea tells the story of Goody Brown and her involvement with the local smuggling gangs and the wider political issues of the day. It’s a very well written, literary adventure yarn with well-developed characters and some good plot surprises, which I don’t want to spoil for anyone. It touches on issues of identity and women’s roles in 18th century Britain and I found it a most enjoyable read. Also a reminder that I’d like to return and explore more of the local landscape.

Highly recommended.

At times I felt as if I was on a real adventure,all bad guys and smugglers and cut throatedness.
At other times it felt a bit too slow.
Overall its a good read,with Goody being a very interesting character,who throws herself at things wholeheartedly,not always with thought.
Enjoyable.

This novel, set in 1742, is exciting from the beginning, except perhaps for the history of Winchelsea, which I did not find to be of interest to me, some people might find it interesting, it is a subjective view. I was eager to get to the story of Goody, and her quest for revenge upon her father's killers. This part did not disappoint, I really enjoyed it. I cannot say any more without spoiling the novel with what happens next but it is a very good read. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for giving me a copy of the book.