The Boat in the Bay

Book Description 

“…off his starboard bow clouds of spray were flying over the cabin of the boat in the bay, tethered to her unseen mooring ... a faint vibrating sound rumbled towards him across the lake. Something was wrong, he was sure of that, but he could not work out what and there was no time now to go and look…”

It is July 1929.  Four children arrive for a boating holiday to find themselves locked out, the lake flooded and their boat inaccessible. But they soon discover that is only the beginning of things. Minor mishaps slowly become more threatening. Trivial decisions turn out to have distant and dreadful consequences.  Problems that appear solved gradually change to something more serious.  In a thrilling climax, as the children discover the secret of the old boat moored in the bay, courage and resourcefulness are not enough and it is uncertain who will survive.


Alan Kennedy’s first novel was originally published in 2010. It is re-issued here in a revised edition with an Afterword by the author. The edition is complete with John Johnstone’s original maps. An evocation of a golden age when children stalked the earth.



"I really enjoyed this book. It was like meeting up with relatives (the ones you like!) you haven’t seen for ages or catching up with old friends. You have a shared background and interests but, since you last met, lots of things have happened and you aren’t quite sure what. Nor are you sure how the narrative will move forward. A delightful read for lovers of the Swallows and Amazons series; it made me ‘smile out loud’."

Sallie Eden, The Magazine of The Arthur Ransome Society.

How to buy

Buy the paperback from Lulu at a discounted price or from the UK Amazon store.

Kindle versions are available in the UK Kindle Store.

Visit Alan Kennedy's Amazon author page.

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