After Me Comes the Flood

London, 1893. When Cora Seaborne's controlling husband dies, she steps into her new life as a widow with as much relief as sadness. Along with her son Francis - a curious, obsessive boy - she leaves town for Essex, in the hope that fresh air and open space will provide refuge.<BR><BR>On arrival, they hear rumours that the mythical Essex Serpent, once said to roam the marshes claiming lives, has returned to the coastal parish of Aldwinter. Cora, a keen amateur naturalist, is enthralled, convinced that what the locals think is a magical beast may be a yet-undiscovered species. As she sets out on its trail, she is introduced to William Ransome, Aldwinter's vicar, who is also deeply suspicious of the rumours, but thinks they are a distraction from true faith.<BR><BR>As he tries to calm his parishioners, Will and Cora strike up an intense relationship, and although they agree on absolutely nothing, they find themselves at once drawn together and torn apart, affecting each other in ways that surprise them both.

*THE SUNDAY TIMES NUMBER ONE BESTSELLER*<BR><BR>Now a major Apple TV series starring Claire Danes and Tom Hiddleston<BR><BR>'A blissful novel of unapologetic appetites ... here is a writer who understands life' JESSIE BURTON, author of THE MINIATURIST<BR><BR>London, 1893. When Cora Seaborne's controlling husband dies, she steps into her new life as a widow with as much relief as sadness. Along with her son Francis - a curious, obsessive boy - she leaves town for Essex, in the hope that fresh air and open space will provide refuge. <BR><BR>On arrival, rumours reach them that the mythical Essex Serpent, once said to roam the marshes claiming lives, has returned to the coastal parish of Aldwinter. Cora, a keen amateur naturalist with no patience for superstition, is enthralled, convinced that what the local people think is a magical beast may be a yet-undiscovered species.<BR><BR>As she sets out on its trail, she is introduced to William Ransome, Aldwinter's vicar, who is also deeply suspicious of the rumours, but thinks they are a distraction from true faith. <BR><BR>As he tries to calm his parishioners, Will and Cora strike up an intense relationship, and although they agree on absolutely nothing, they find themselves at once drawn together and torn apart, affecting each other in ways that surprise them both. The Essex Serpent is a thrilling and unforgettable novel of intrigue, love, and the many forms it can take. <BR><BR>A modern classic perfect for fans of Jessie Burton, Sarah Waters and Stacey Halls, THE ESSEX SERPENT is now a major Apple TV series starring Claire Danes and Tom Hiddleston.

Unlikely best friends Thomas and Grace are bound together by questions of faith, love and astronomy in this dazzling summer read from the #1 bestselling author.<BR>READERS HAVE FALLEN IN LOVE WITH ENLIGHTENMENT:<BR> 'Vibrates with wonder'<BR> 'I absolutely loved it'<BR> 'Full of magic'<BR> 'Exquisite...strange and wonderful and unpredictable'<BR> 'This book tore my heart apart then put it back together again'<BR><BR>Thomas Hart and Grace Macaulay have lived all their lives in the small Essex town of Aldleigh. Though separated in age by three decades, the pair are kindred spirits - torn between their religion and their desire to explore the world. But their friendship is ruptured by the arrival of love.<BR><BR>Over the course of twenty years, Thomas and Grace will find their lives brought back into orbit as a devastating story of passion and scientific adventure unfolds and Aldleigh's unique mysteries are revealed.<BR><BR>'It's glorious... A beautiful, memorable novel' OBSERVER <BR><BR>'Sarah Perry just gets better and better' INDEPENDENT<BR><BR>'Absorbing... A romance worthy of Emily Brontë' WALL STREET JOURNAL<BR><BR>'Gorgeous...ethereal' GUARDIAN<BR><BR>'Sarah Perry creates worlds to disappear into... Beautiful, vivid' BBC<BR><BR>*LONGLISTED FOR THE BOOKER PRIZE 2024*<BR> *A BOOK OF THE YEAR FOR THE GUARDIAN, DAILY TELEGRAPH AND DAILY MAIL*<BR>

**LONGLISTED FOR THE WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR NON-FICTION 2026*<BR>**WINNER OF THE NERO BOOK AWARDS NON-FICTION AWARD 2025**<BR>**LONGLISTED FOR THE GORDON BURN PRIZE 2026**<BR><BR>'Please read this book. It may very well change how you live' Rachel Clarke<BR><BR>'I was spellbound' Kathryn Mannix<BR><BR>This is not a book about grief: it is a book about dying, the universal aspect of life, and it is a book about family, and care and love.<BR><BR>Sarah Perry's father-in-law David died in the autumn of 2022, only nine days after a cancer diagnosis. Until then he'd been a healthy and happy man: he loved stamp collecting, fish and chips, comic novels, his local church, and the Antiques Roadshow. He was in some ways a very ordinary man, but as he began to die, it became clear how extraordinary he was.<BR><BR>Sarah and her husband Robert nursed David themselves at home. They bathed and cleaned and dressed him, comforted him in pain, sat with him through waking and sleeping, talked to him, sang to him, prayed with him. Day by day and hour by hour, they witnessed what happens to the body and spirit as death approaches and finally arrives.<BR><BR>'Beautiful and profound and completely gripping' Mark Haddon<BR><BR>'We cannot be but somewhat changed by this remarkable book' Daily Telegraph<BR><BR>'By the end I was left shaken, deeply moved' Christos Tsiolkas<BR><BR>'This book will be a lifeline for so many people' Seán Hewitt<BR><BR>'Sarah is in a league of her own as a writer - I don't know how she does it' Sara Collins<BR><BR>'A love letter to life that resonates far beyond its own pages' Robert Douglas-Fairhurst

Paperback

From the internationally bestselling author of The Essex Serpent—soon to be an Apple TV+ Series“A beautiful, dream-like, unsettling narrative in which every word, like a small jewel, feels carefully chosen, considered and placed. Rarely do debut novels come as assured and impressive as this one.”—Sarah Waters, New York Times bestselling author of The Paying GuestsElegant, sinister and psychologically complex, After Me Comes the Flood is the haunting debut novel by Sarah Perry, the bestselling author of The Essex Serpent and Melmoth.One hot summer’s day, John Cole decides to shut his bookshop early, and possibly forever, and drives out of London to see his brother. When his car breaks down on an isolated road, he goes looking for help and finds a dilapidated house. As he approaches, a laughing woman he’s never seen before walks out, addresses him by name and explains she’s been waiting for him. Entering the home, John discovers an enigmatic clan of residents all of whom seem to know who he is, and also claim they have been awaiting his arrival. They seem to be waiting for something else, too—something final....Written before Sarah Perry’s ascension to an internationally bestselling author, After Me Comes the Flood is a spectacular novel of obsession, conviction, and providence. 

From the internationally bestselling author of The Essex Serpent—soon to be an Apple TV+ Series“Masterful...scary and smart, working as a horror story but also a philosophical inquiry into the nature of will and love. Perry did as much in her richly praised novel The Essex Serpent, but this is a deeper, more complex novel and more rewarding.”—The Washington PostIn Melmoth, Sarah Perry’s breathtaking follow-up to The Essex Serpent, a mysterious dark-robed figure has roamed the globe for centuries, searching for those whose complicity and cowardice have fed into the rapids of history’s darkest waters—and now, it is heading in our direction.It has been years since Helen Franklin left England. In Prague, working as a translator, she has found a home of sorts—or, at least, refuge. That changes when her friend Karel discovers a mysterious letter in the library, a strange confession and a curious warning that speaks of Melmoth the Witness, a dark legend found in obscure fairy tales and antique village lore. As such superstition has it, Melmoth travels through the ages, dooming those she persuades to join her to a damnation of timeless, itinerant solitude. To Helen it all seems the stuff of unenlightened fantasy.But, unaware, as she wanders the cobblestone streets Helen is being watched. And then Karel disappears....

Now boarding for a trip like no other! Miss Dixie is a sweet Boston Terrier dog and a Missionary Dog for the Lord's Army. She is so excited about her new assignment. She has received orders to go to the country of Mongolia, the home of her best friend, Dolly. Missionary 1st Lieutenant Dolly is a precious Rottweiler dog. Dolly was chosen as Miss Dixie's partner for this mission because she is from Mongolia. Join our brave travelers as they share God's message and meet new friends along the way. Craft activities at the end of the book will inspire and engage young readers. "Sarah Perry hit a home run with her children's book, The Missionary Dog! Many a young life will be changed, redirected and literally saved by these Biblical truths that transform entire destinies. The Missionary Dog will download character and will bring salvation into little hearts all over the world! Fun, entertaining and absolutely vital for the children in your life!" Len Mink Creator of Gospel Duck "The Missionary Dog is all about children and is a very exciting way to learn about God's mission toward spreading the Good News around the world. No doubt every child loves dogs and based on this reason you will be able to hear how the main dogs interact with each other in an interesting way to accomplish spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ! Your little ones will receive inspiration to share the Good News all around the world and we highly recommend this book for your family." Rev. David and Tseegii Baatar Ministers from Mongolia