The story begins in New Zealand in the late 19th century where Mr Peacock is running a hotel, not very successfully, with his family and one of the guests offers him an opportunity he can’t refuse. A chance to take his family to an unoccupied island by the name of Monday Island - as that was the day it was first sighted
He’s promised that the island is a piece of paradise and there’s a ship leaving in a few days time which can take them there.
We follow the journey the Peacock family take to get to their own piece of paradise, and join them as they welcome six Pacific Islanders who have travelled hundreds of miles in search of work.
The weakling of the Peacock family, a boy called Albert doesn’t join the rest of the family in welcoming the new arrivals and it becomes obvious that he’s missing and this leads to a quest by everyone on the island to find him.
The story is beautifully written and really transports the reader to Monday Island and all the secrets it holds.
The characters are a mixed bunch but all are very believable and I was quite amused to imagine Mrs Peacock smoking her pipe.
A beautifully descriptive book which held my attention throughout. A pleasure to read.