On Starlit Seas cover art

On Starlit Seas

chosen by The Times as one of the best historical fiction books of the year (Oct 2025)

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On Starlit Seas

By: Sara Sheridan
Narrated by: Francine Brody
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About this listen

 Readers love Sara Sheridan's evocative historical novels . . .
'I loved this book from start to finish. So interesting to read about women back in the 1800s being independent and finding their own way in what was mostly a man's domain!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Did not want to put this down but did not want it to end. Another fabulous read transporting you back in time, bring on the next one quickly please!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'I was totally floored by this! SO interesting at every point!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Celebrated writer and historian Maria Graham must make the treacherous voyage from Brazil to London to deliver her latest book to her publisher. Having come to terms with the loss of her beloved husband, Maria is now determined to live her life as she pleases, free from the smothering constraints of Georgian society.

For a woman travelling alone it's a journey fraught with danger, and as civil war rages around her, the only ship prepared to take Maria belongs to roguish smuggler Captain James Henderson. Onboard, all is well until Maria makes two shocking discoveries - the first a deadly secret, the second an irresistible attraction to the enigmatic captain.

With Henderson on a journey of his own and determined to finally put his life of crime behind him, he and Maria grow ever closer. But can Henderson escape his illicit past or will the scandalous secret he's hiding ruin them both?©2025 Sara Sheridan Action & Adventure Historical Historical Fiction Women's Adventure Women's Fiction

Critic reviews

PRAISE FOR SARA SHERIDAN'S EVOCATIVE NOVELS
Dripping with intrigue and luscious prose, this sumptuous novel shines a light on a Glasgow long past ... Sherdian's fine writing and expert characterisation just pull you in, so you can hear silk skirts swish and secret doors creak, as if you too are dwelling amongst the bustle of Blytheswood Square. I loved it
A gripping and beautifully written book
An enchanting new novel
Sheridan is a mistress of the historical novel, and reading her latest book feels at times like stepping into an elaborate period drama set in Edinburgh and Glasgow . . . this is essential reading
A gripping novel
Sheridan's spry plot sees secrets discovered, ruinous rumours scotched, happiness regained and friendships founded in a novel that celebrates the search for autonomy
A novel of feeling and intellect . . . a rich and compelling story.
There's never any sense of time being wasted. Sheridan meticulously fills out her characters . . . a positive, optimistic novel.
Thoroughly enjoyable, a novel of feeling and intellect which will surely and deservedly be a great success
All stars
Most relevant
I found I didn't want to stop listening to the book. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and the connections to Cacao . I will look out for other books written by the same author

Thoroughly enjoyed it

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Sadness and violence a cruelty nothing else as I so enjoyed the book and all the others I
Listened to

Story research most inspiring

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Thoroughly enjoyed this book it was beautifully narrated and I will go onto more works by this author. Highly recommended.

A delightful listen

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Colourful melodrama rich with characters, romance and plot. Also rich with history and whimsey. It’s hard to forget, while reading this novel, that you’re reading a novel. Nonetheless it arouses the passions, paints vivid pictures and hustles one along with danger, suspense, intrigue and fascination. I was going to say something about its satisfying conclusion but in truth I can’t for the life of me remember how it concluded. I don’t really mind. I’d like to mention one neat trick: there are places in the novel where a character has a casual thought which, we know, will reach a long way forwards into our own time. It raises a smile; and it only happens twice, which I think is very well judged.
Sara Sheridan is campaigning for the recognition of great women in history. Bravo. What a great way to campaign.
Unfortunately for Francine Brody : narrator of the audiobook : there were characters with a wide range of accents. Of course there were ! : London, Cornish, Bristol, Scottish, plummy, gor-blimy, American Indian. Ideally these, would have been vaguely recognisable to the average reader, but instead they were unintentionally comic. Sorry

Romance - not my usual genre - liked it though

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