The novel is set in a fishing village in Dorset during the mid 18th century.

The story concerns a 15 year old orphan boy, John Trenchard, who becomes friends with an older man who turns out to be the leader of a gang of smugglers.

A much-loved classic story about a boy's adventures among smugglers and thieves as he endeavours to discover the whereabouts of the treasure hidden by the legendary pirate Blackbeard.John Meade Falkner was an English novelist and poet, best known for his novel, Moonfleet.

An extremely successful businessman as well, he became chairman of the arms manufacturer Armstrong Whitworth during World War I.

In addition to his three novels and his poetry, he also wrote three topographical guides (Oxfordshire, Bath and Berkshire) and a History of Oxfordshire.