Trapped in fear and poverty after the death of her parents, the thief Nereia will go to desperate lengths to protect her beautiful younger sister from the brutality of Copeland the moneylender. No-one has dared to attempt escape before; the whole of Scarlock trembles in his grasp. Only Nereia's cunning and some unlooked-for help give her hope.... In a country still recovering from war, events are stirring, and the little harbour-town will not remain obscure for long; but in Scarlock, right now, Mr Copeland is coming to call - and this time he's not taking no for an answer....Book 1 of a multi-book series, the sequel "The Other Nereia" is due out late 2011 and the paperback comprising both in 2012. Further books will follow.