A murder in the night, an unraveling family mystery, and dreams haunted by spirits unexpectedly thrust a young Jacquotte Delahaye into a world of danger, intrigue and piracy. Every legend has a beginning...hers starts here.

Caribbean 1650s. Sixteen-year-old Jacquotte yearns for adventure but finds herself confined by the constraints of her station. Until one day, fate sweeps her into a world far beyond her imaginings. When she witnesses her father's brutal murder at the hands of English soldiers, her world shatters, leaving behind only questions and a burning thirst for vengeance.

Driven by the need to survive and fueled by a desire for answers, Jacquotte embarks on a perilous journey. With courage as her compass, she clandestinely boards her late father's ship. Amongst the crew, she must prove her worth, facing skepticism and scorn as she navigates the treacherous waters of a male-dominated world.

As she delves deeper into the mystery surrounding her father's death, Jacquotte uncovers secrets that shake her to the core, test her moral groundings and threaten to reshape the very foundations of power in the Caribbean.

Can she take control of her own legendary destiny? Or will she find herself swallowed by the very darkness she seeks to conquer?

In this rich coming of age narrative, author S.K. Minnis tells the compelling origin story of a woman who challenged societal norms and fought for her place within the pages of history. From the violence that set her on a journey of self-discovery to her first battles at sea and her harrowing capture by the Red Coats, readers will thrill at Jacquotte’s tenacious drive to forge her own path regardless of the cost.

Girl Before the Legend is the first book in The Red Pirate historical fiction series. If you like real-world heroines, symbolic magical realism, and glimpses into a gripping past, then you’ll love this tale of a forgotten pirate legend.