Mother Cary’s Butter Knife

Keenan Mowat is the youngest of three fishermen brothers. Although he does not have the bulk or brawn of his elder siblings, they never sail without him, for Keenan has an affinity with the sea; with him aboard, they always return safely to shore, with a good haul of fish in their nets.

One tranquil evening, while preparing for a night fishing trip, a mysterious stranger warns Keenan that many lives will be lost to the waves that night. If he is to survive, Keenan must take with him a hook, an axe and a silver sword. The first two objects are easily found, but the only silver blade Keenan knows of is Mother Cary’s butter knife, which he hastily snatches up before rushing to join his brothers on their treacherous adventure.

Inspired by traditional folk tales of mythical sea creatures, this other-worldly story of the savagery and beauty of the ocean will captivate readers. The ethereal illustrations, in a palette of watery blues, greens and greys, perfectly complement the poetic narrative. The author’s love and respect for nature shines through in this mesmerising tale from the Shadows and Light series.