Mike Pearce

Queen Rat on Deadman's Island Mike Pearce

This book is based around a real island where the Medway estuary meets the Swale, where there are many narrow channels and creeks. Deadman's Island was formed from alluvium washed down from the swale channel forming mud banks. Some vegetation was established then salt marshes were drained off and some barriers were made so that grass grew in patches and sheep could be grazed in summer. In winter it was often partly covered by water and very thick clay like mud everywhere. This is a living graveyard which was used for victims of plague ships and English and French prisoners of war on hulks. Many bones have been exposed on the shore and many tales exist about its past. What happened to the souls of all these people? Are they trapped in this lost human refuse tip, unknown and inaccessible to relatives and friends? There is one man, Richard, a shepherd and smuggler who knew this island and must return one day to perform an unknown task.