It’s 1893. Newly widowed, Cora Seaborne and her young son, Francis, leave London and head for Colchester. Cora plans to look for fossils but is intrigued to hear about the myth of the Essex Serpent.

Moving between Essex and London, myth and modernity, Cora's spirited search for the Essex Serpent encourages all around her to test their allegiance to faith or reason in an age of rapid scientific advancement.

At the same time, Sarah Perry’s novel explores the boundaries of love and friendship and the allegiances that we have to one another.

The depth of feeling that the inhabitants of Aldwinter share are matched by their city counterparts as they strive to find the courage to express and understand their deepest desires, and strongest fears.

Sarah Perry's award-winning novel set at the end of the 19th century and inspired by true events.

Omnibus of the first five of ten episodes abridged by Jeremy Osborne.

Read by Ruth Gemmell.

Producer: Rosalynd Ward

A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in April 2017. Show less