Mr Peacock’s Possessions: THE TIMES Book of the Year

1. A desert island. A family of settlers, and a series of shocking events that turn their world upside down.

A vulnerable young boy goes missing as the same time as an indentured team of young men arrive on the island to work. The dark history of the island, and the trading in people is brought to the fore as the two cultures clash. The teenage sister of the missing boy, and their charismatic, domineering father must choose their allegiance. Making the wrong choice will have fatal consequences …