Born into grinding poverty, young Freddie Musgrave relies on his wits to survive and help feed his family. He earns a few shillings by navigating his little boat across the swift-flowing waters of the Tyne, running messages and smuggling goods between the busy seaports on either side of the river and evading the customs agents.

Luck is on his side . . . until the night he witnesses something truly horrific. In a supremely brave act he saves a life - and changes his own forever.

Gaining the patronage of Maggie Hewitt, a sea captain's daughter, Freddie is able to shape a future he can be proud of. But the threats of the past won't stay buried and the dark events of that distant night have cast a long and dangerous shadow...

Catherine Cookson was the original and bestselling saga writer, selling over 100 million copies of her novels. If you like Dilly Court, Katie Flynn or Donna Douglas, you'll love Catherine Cookson.