Description

1950s Morocco: murder, magic and divided loyalties…

Hamou Badi is born in a mountain village with the magical signs of the zouhry on his hands. The zouhry is a figure of legend, capable of finding all manner of treasure. But instead of finding treasure, young Hamou finds a body.

Haunted by this unsolved murder, Hamou goes on to train as a police officer in Casablanca. Yet the city is trapped in a nationalist uprising, and Hamou is soon torn between his heritage and his employers. How will he choose between all he knows and all he loves?

‘Hugely enjoyable’ Rachel Hore
‘Compelling’ The Times
‘Addictive reading’ Viggo Mortensen
‘Powerful and transportive’ Elizabeth Chadwick
‘A must-read’ Chat

Publisher Review

The Black Crescent transports you to another place and time and completely absorbs you in an arresting story of love and divided loyalties. Jane Johnson is a remarkable author… I loved it. — Rowan Coleman A compelling narrative * The Times * The Black Crescent is a marvellous novel, evocative, powerful and transportive, and Hamou is a wonderful protagonist, full of empathy and curiosity about people. I loved it and felt I had been steeped in Morocco. — Elizabeth Chadwick The Black Crescent admitted me to a Casablanca I’d never imagined before… A hugely enjoyable and unusual historical novel — Rachel Hore Gorgeous escapism — Muriel Gray A stirring story of murder, magic and divided loyalties set in the Casablanca of the Fifties * Best Magazine * A must-read * Chat magazine * Johnson’s depth of knowledge about Morocco is evident in every page. Atmosphere and accuracy exude from every sentence. The story is great too! I loved this book. — Ben Kane Addictive reading: once I enter Jane’s world, I am compelled to stay and pause as little as possible until I have reached the last word — Viggo Mortensen This is one to savor * Publishers Weekly * BOOK OF THE MONTH * WI Life * PRAISE FOR JANE JOHNSON:

‘A beautifully written and intriguing story that stayed with me long after I had turned the last page’ Santa Montefiore.

‘A wonderful blend of the past and the present day making an unputdownable, beautifully written novel’ Katie Fforde.

‘I wanted to live in this story. Jane Johnson writes with such grace and ease’ Carol Drinkwater.

‘The Sea Gate just blew me away. Utterly compelling and one of the few books for a long time that kept me reading deep into the night’ Barbara Erskine.

‘Johnson weaves a passionate, lyrical story of family secrets, wartime Britain and modern-day Cornwall. Think Arabian Nights meets du Maurier’s Rebecca – I loved it’ — J.S. Monroe