When an American whaler arrives to a British coastal town, the peace of its inhabitants is disrupted. It's 1920s England, and the coastal town of Gravely is finally enjoying a fragile peace after World War I. John Lowell, a naturalist who writes articles on the flora and fauna of the shoreline, and his wife Harriet, lead a simple life, basking in their love for each other and enjoying the company of John's visiting old school friend, David. But when an American whaler arrives in town with his beautiful red-haired daughters, boasting of his plans to build a pier and pleasure-grounds a mile out to sea, unexpected tensions and temptations arise. As secrets multiply, Harriet, John, and David must each ask themselves: what price is to be paid for pleasure? "A novel of shifting, silted landscapes and relationships laid bare, with quiet urgency The Woodcock reveals the complexities of desire, instinct and faith." —Eley Williams, author of The Liar’s Dictionary "Beautifully written – I could almost taste the salt." —Carys Bray, author of A Song for Issy Bradley "An astonishing piece of literary ventriloquism – Smyth revisits the period novel with a contemporary sensibility and an incredible sense of place." —Owen Booth, author of The All True Adventures (And Rare Education) of The Daredevil Daniel Bones   "This is a funny and thoughtful novel. Sardonic sometimes, mordant at others, it is always witty, fast, and smart." —Tim Dee, author of Greenery   "Smyth has a naturalist’s eye for detail, and turns it here upon human nature. The Woodcock is beautiful and unsettling in equal measure." —Jon Dunn, author of Orchid Summer "The world Smyth evokes with his vibrant prose leaps off the page – every character lives and breathes, and beneath its ordinary surface, 1920s Gravely teems with beauty, complexity and mystery." —Jenn Ashworth, author of Fell "Compelling characters." — Daily Mail "An accomplished debut." — iPaper "Smyth's evocation of place and nature […] is imbued with a compelling sense of closely observed realism." — Literary Review "The period detail and the sensibilities and prejudices of the time are portrayed with great deftness." — Times Literary Supplement Richard Smyth is a Yorkshire-based author and freelance writer. He has written several nonfiction books and written features, reviews, and comment pieces for publications including The Guardian , Times Literary Supplement , New Statesman , and Bird Watching . He is also a compiler of crosswords for New Scientist , History Today , BBC Wildlife , History Revealed , and a question setter for BBC Mastermind .