Tessa (Edition2024)

Tessa is a gripping novel set in the South Pacific, unfolding aboard a trading steamer where tensions run high among the crew and passengers. The story follows a trader in poor health who becomes entangled in the power struggles between the corrupt captain and the dishonest supercargo. Themes of survival, moral conflict, and the harsh realities of colonial trade are central to the narrative. The novel begins as the ship anchors near a remote village, where the trader's deteriorating condition and strained relationships with the crew create a charged atmosphere. As a young woman arrives on board, she rekindles the trader's spirits and becomes central to his efforts to protect her from the predatory intentions of the crew. Personal and external conflicts collide, as deceit and manipulation threaten to unravel the already fragile dynamics on the ship. The story explores how individuals confront moral dilemmas, the complexities of human relationships, and the lengths one will go to protect others in a world marked by exploitation and danger. The novel's powerful narrative of resilience and survival in the face of betrayal offers a poignant reflection on the human spirit and its struggle for integrity in a corrupt world.