The Falmouth Son

The first book in the Lingering Past Trilogy

Mark Ballett’s first novel, The Falmouth Son, is a mystery romance which tells the story of Fyche’s troubled journey from boy to man. It is set in Falmouth, Cornwall, where the country’s nautical history still lingers and touches all who live there.

Returning home to Falmouth, following his mother’s unexpected death, he discovers that she lied to him about his absent father. A mystery surrounds his birth and no one in the town wants him to find out what happened. Piece by piece he uncovers the truth with his new friend Chrissy’s help. She also makes him question the advice his imaginary father, The Captain, had given him over the years about what it is to be a man.

As the search progresses there are excerpts from the Special Book, a collection of Fyche’s imagined childhood adventures with The Captain, which document a fantastic private world, where men are men and Falmouth’s rich nautical past comes alive. It reveals another side to Fyche that Chrissy uses to help him grasp the meaning of love.

But how can you love, or allow yourself to be loved, until you know who you are?

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Readers' Comments

‘I have just finished your book finding myself with tears in my eyes – you have power in your writing. You have so much to say and knowledge to broadcast. The poetic narrative of “The Special Book” could happily stand on its own. Many congratulations and let us have more of your imaginative thinking and power of expression.’

MT March 2018
‘Super book. Couldn’t put it down.’

TN March 2018
‘Really enjoyed this well written imaginative book. Enjoyed the stories about Fyche’s imaginary father and his search for his real one. A very different and unexpected end to the story. A really good read.’

SG March 2018
‘Set in Falmouth this is a page turner as you get drawn into a mystery surrounding Fyche, a young man finding his identity his father and true love. Lyrical, poetic and emotional it will make you want to visit Cornwall because of the evocative descriptions found within the pages of this special novel.’

FD March 2018
‘I LOVED your book sooo much – its been a fantastic read. I really liked the way the special book was intwined in the book – I think it works perfectly !! I love the way you write = desciptive but not too much – when is the next one – are you continuing with Fyche ??’

NS May 2018
‘I loved it. I mean by this not platitudes but actual proper enjoyed it. The writing was smooth to the touch like turned wood. I found myself eager to return to it, wanting to share the quest. The main character is endearing, frustrating and unique. You understand why the women want to be around him, you puzzle as to why they stay! Sense of place was hugely powerful too.’

R SS May 2018
‘I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was quite a different idea. I particularly liked the way there are two interwoven stories. It kept me hooked!!!’

JUDITH S October 2018