Natasha Carthew

'This is essential reading for anyone who loves this country's seasides'Fiona Robertson, author of Stone Lands'Natasha Carthew writes with an insight and an acuity of vision that few can match'Sally Huband, author of Sea Bean''Fascinating ... affecting ... illuminating ... [Carthew] has genuinely interesting things to say'The Sunday TimesBEYOND THE PICTURE POSTCARDS, BRITAIN'S COASTAL COMMUNITIES ARE SUFFERING. Crowds flood the beaches during summer heatwaves but they quickly vanish again, leaving behind drifts of rubbish and unstable seasonal jobs. Seaside property is in high demand but affordable only for landlords and gentrifiers. The cost-of-living crisis and the ongoing pains of austerity trap those at the vulnerable edges of our nation in poverty. Having grown up in rural Cornwall, Natasha Carthew leaves the county in search of a new home. Travelling the country and exploring the villages, towns and cities of our coast, she meets the people fighting to keep these places alive. With fierce compassion, she shares their voices and their stories. Rough Edges is a rallying cry for the beauty and importance of our coast and its people. 'Bracing, insightful and compassionate, the book shines a light on communities too often unseen and unheard'Jini Reddy, author of Wanderland'A forceful but compassionate polemic, delivered with Carthew's trademark robustly lyrical prose style'Tim Hannigan, author of The Granite Kingdom

A small boy hiding in a cupboard witnesses something no child should ever see. He tries not to look but he still hears it. And when he comes out, there's no mistaking. His mum and dad have been killed. And though he's only small, he swears that he'll get revenge one day. Years later, Trey goes to a strange camp that is meant to save troubled teenagers. It's packed with crazies, god-botherers, devoted felons and broken kids. Trey's been in and out of trouble ever since the day the bad thing happened, but he's not here for saving: this is where he'll find the man who did it. Revenge and healing, salvation and hell are a boiling, dangerous mix, and Trey finds himself drawn to a girl, a dream and the offer of friendship in the dark ...