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Books set in Robin Hood's Bay

Flither Lass book image

FLITHER LASS, my historical novel set during WW1, was inspired by the village of Robin Hood's Bay and given the fictional name of Wyke Bay. (More details here.)

Available in paperback and Kindle from Amazon.

But I wasn't the first to use this amazing backdrop of ancient fishermen's cottages, with their attractive red pantiled roofs, haphazardly built amongst a maze-like structure of passageways and ginnels, all with the sound of the sea and cries of seagulls.

So here is my (as yet) somewhat modest database of books that have also been set here. Some are no longer in print, but sales links are included where possible.

And if you know of other books that would sit nicely on this page, then please do contact me here.


Leo Walmsley

Leo Walmsley (1892-1966) is perhaps the most well-known author to write about the village, which he called Bramblewick, a name that has been adopted for use by local cottages and businesses. Even his fictional name for Whitby, "Burnharbour", can be seen on certain properties, such is his literary legacy. Not only did he write his novels about Robin Hood's Bay, he lived and worked there until joining up for the First World War.

All are available from Whitby Bookshop, Holmans in Whitby, and Higgledy Pig in Robin Hood's Bay.

Three Fevers by Leo Walmsley

THREE FEVERS
(1932)
Phantom Lobvster by Leo Walmsley

PHANTOM LOBSTER
(1933)
Foreigners by Leo Walmsley

FOREIGNERS
(1935)
Sally Lunn by Leo Walmsley

SALLY LUNN
(1937)
Master Mariner by Leo Walmsley

MASTER MARINER
(1948)
The Golden Waterwheel by Leo Walmsley

THE GOLDEN WATERWHEEL
(1954)
Sound of the Sea by Leo Walmsley

SOUND OF THE SEA
(1959)
Cover of Angler's Moon by Leo Walmsley

ANGLER'S MOON
(1965)

JIDDY VARDY
– the trilogy by Ruth Estevez


Covers for Jiddy Vardy trilogy by Ruth Estevez

A thrilling tale of one girl's search for identity and love, set against a backdrop of wild seas, smuggling and violence.

Published 2018-23

Available from
Whitby Bookshop, Book Corner, Saltburn, Higgledy Pig in Robin Hood's Bay, or by order from any Waterstones or bookshop.




FOR A KEG OF GOOD BRANDY
by Patricia Labistour
(2004)

Cover of For a Keg of Good Brandy by Patricia Labistour

A smuggling tale set in Robin Hood's Bay.


AN EBBING TIDE
by Patricia Labistour
(2006)


Cover for An Ebbing Tide by Patricia Labistour

The sequel to For a Keg of Good Brandy.


BACK AGAIN
by James Peter Storm Taylor
(2017)

Cover of Back Again by Stephen Reevell

Privately published novel of adventure and romance.

Available to buy. Please ask here.


BAY
by Duncan Reid
(2019)

Cover of Bay by Duncan Reid

Privately published fictionalised memoir about growing up in Robin Hood's Bay in the late-40s/early-50s.



SHADOWMANCER
by G P Taylor
(2007)

Cover for Shadowmancer

Takes you into a world of superstition, magic and witchcraft where nothing can be taken for granted, and the ultimate sacrifice might even be life itself.


ONE DAY
by Stephen Reevell

Cover for One Day by Stephen Reevell

Privately published story of a young boy born in a Yorkshire Mining village who's determined to make a life for himself on the Yorkshire coast.

Available to buy. Please ask here.


VOICES FROM THE SEA:
A Ghost Story of Robin Hood's Bay
by John Gilman (1998)



MISSING IN TIME
by Catherine Harriott
(2017)


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FYLINGBAY – SMUGGLER'S HAVEN
by Stephen Lyle Ward
(2018)


THE GENTLEMEN GO BY
by Elizabeth Barnard Black
(1933)


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A tale of smuggling days on the North Yorkshire coast.


RAVENSWYKE
by A L White
(1980)



THE OLD FOX DECEIV'D
by Martha Grimes
(1982)


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THE OFFING
by Benjamin Myers
(2019)


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A powerful novel about an unlikely friendship between a young man and an older woman, set in the former smuggling village of Robin Hood's Bay in the aftermath of the Second World War.


THE HUNTRODDS EYE:
A Tale of Robin Hood's Bay
by Victor H Brown
(1992)

Cover for The Huntrodds Eye


ECHOES OF THE PAST
by Jessica Blair (2003)

May be ordered from
The Whitby Bookshop


STORM BAY
by Jessica Blair (2010)

May be ordered from
The Whitby Bookshop

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RESTLESS SPIRIT
by Jessica Blair (2010)

May be ordered from
The Whitby Bookshop

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