About the Author

Des Ekin is a retired journalist and the author of four books. Born in County Down, Northern Ireland, he began his career as a reporter. After spending several years covering the Ulster Troubles, he rose to become Deputy Editor of the Belfast Sunday News before moving to his current home in Dublin. He worked as a journalist, columnist, Assistant Editor and finally Political Correspondent for The Sunday World until 2012. His book The Stolen Village (2006) was shortlisted for the Argosy Irish Nonfiction Book of the Year and for Book of the Decade in the Bord Gais Energy Irish Book Awards 2010. He is married with a son and two daughters.

Reviews

‘I couldn’t put it down ... I really can’t recommend it highly enough ... how it hasn’t been made into a movie, I’ll never understand’
*RTE Radio 1*

excellent
*Sunday Independent*

fascinating and readable
*The Irish Echo*

An enthralling read, not simply for the story of the raid itself, which Ekin recreates with bloodcurdling vividness, but for the parallels the author draws with the current geo-political situation
*The Irish Times*

a harrowing tale that sheds light on the little-known trade in white slaves ... a fascinating exploration of a forgotten chapter of British and European history
*Giles Milton - BBC History Magazine*

Wonderfully interesting . . . A labour of love is how the author describes it, and after 350 easily read pages, it’s well worth the journey
*The Irish Examiner*

Ekin is admirably surefooted as he finds his way through an impenetrable thicket of often contradictory sources and weaves his findings into an irresistibly readable narrative. Human interest is always well to the fore in a compelling book which also reminds us of the inexhaustible capacity of history to spring surprises.
*The Scotsman*

This is a gripping account that’s exhaustively researched but wears its learning lightly, and proceeds along at a lively pace . . . proof if it was needed, that fact is often more interesting than fiction
*Metro Newspaper*

one of the most compelling reads of the last decade
*The Sunday World*

written in a style that is easy to read and contains a wealth of historical information that is by turns surprising, fascinating, inspiring and blood curdling. It is highly recommended reading for anyone interested in 17th century life in Ireland with its familial double-dealing and English indifference as its leaders became preoccupied with the build up to a civil war. It is equally enthralling for the more general reader who simply enjoys a 'ripping yarn' for it is packed full of them.
*Frank Parker, suite101.com*

do yourself a favour and read it, you will be enthralled ... superbly researched and written book flows freely from beginning to end, and will command your attention once you start reading it ... paints a vivid picture of life at that time ... a thoroughly enjoyable and educational read
*Arab-Irish Journal*

Wonderfully interesting . . . A labour of love is how the author describes it, and after 350 easily read pages, it’s well worth the journey
*The Irish Examiner*

Do yourself a favour and read this book, it's utterly captivating
*Living In magazine*

fascinating .. very strong high recommendation
*Ryan Tubridy, Virgin Radio*