Raft of Stars

Longlisted for the CWA John Creasey (New Blood) Dagger 2022 One summer night in Wisconsin, the lives of two ten-year-old boys are changed forever... Tired of seeing his best friend Dale Breadwin abused by his alcoholic father, Fischer Branson takes action. A gunshot rings out, and Bread and Fish flee into the woods. They build a raft, but the river quickly leads them into even greater danger. In their wake travel a group of adults - each determined to save the boys from the terrors of Ironsford Gorge. The further they go, the more the wilderness starts to change them in profound and unexpected ways. And when they reach the edge of the Gorge itself, they begin to understand the true violence and beauty of the natural world, and its ability to heal. No matter where you run danger will always follow...