Published By: Black & White Publishing
Pages: 240
Released On: 07/05/2026
When street-savvy London stray Archie accidentally stows away on a flight to Turkey, he’s just looking for shelter. But after stumbling onto a fishing boat in a quiet cove, Archie discovers he’s no ordinary feline – for with his polydactyl paws, he brings uncanny good fortune to vessels at sea.
From the sun-drenched harbours of the Mediterranean to the bustling decks of ocean racers, Archie becomes a legend among sailors. Yet beneath the viral fame and whispered tales of ‘the magical ship’s cat’, Archie yearns for something deeper: a forever-human who will love him not as a talisman, but as a companion.
It may be luck that drives Archie on this great Odyssey around the world, but love will be what calls him home – not to some place, perhaps, but to someone.
*****
Thanks to NetGalley and Black & White Publishing for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
I have a copy of Alex’s book The Ghost Cat but haven’t read it yet, and so I went into this with no expectations. It’s fair to say I will definitely be putting up my TBR list as soon as possible because if it’s anything like this it will be great. This book is just so charming.
Archie felt so human, so recognisable and familiar, and I loved his narration. It’s an original take to narrate a book from a cat’s perspective but I really enjoyed it, especially the parts of that narration that felt more like his inner monologue, they were great.
I am definitely more of a dog person but I do still love cats and this book gave me all the bits I love about them, their independence, their sassiness.
Yes, it’s a bit of fun, a grumpy cat going on a seafaring adventure. But it’s got such heart. It’s about feeling invisible, building up resilience, and longing for a place, a home, a people you can call your own, about love.
Alex has got such a great sense of space, first in London and then around the world, as well as on the sea. Everything is so vivid but not overwhelming and you can see Archie on his travels.
It’s not heavy on plot, but that’s fine by me. This is a character piece, mainly the cat, but also of the few humans he interacts with, for better or for worse. I really loved the characters, there wasn’t a dud one among them.
A fabulously uplifting, quick-to-read book that I dare anyone to read without a smile on their face.
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