The Essex Serpent
Sarah Perry
In 1893 a village on the muddy coast of Essex was being terrorised by a mythical monster called the Essex Serpent. Cora Seaborne, recently widowed and coming to Essex from London for some fresh air, hears about the Serpent and, as an amateur naturalist and keen collector of fossils, becomes convinced that this could be a new and undiscovered species of sea creature. For their part, the villagers believe that it is a historical beast wakened from a long slumber. Cora makes the acquaintance of the local vicar, who is trying to persuade his flock that there is no such thing as a monster for true followers of Christ. Despite their different views, a friendship forms between Cora and the vicar.
