A YA novel by Avi, published in 1996 in two volumes: The Escape from Home and Lord Kirkle's Money. A May 2012 reprint of Lord Kirkle's Money is titled Into the Storm.
County Cork, 1851. Soldiers representing Lord Kirkle arrive to tumble the village of Kilonny. Luckily for Patrick O'Connell, 12, and Maura O'Connell, 15, their father is living in America and has sent his wife and children tickets to join him. At the last minute, Mrs. O'Connell refuses to board the ship, forcing Maura and Patrick to continue without her.
In London, Laurence Kirkle, 11, is beaten by his brother Albert for an offense he didn't commit. He takes a thousand pounds from his father, not knowing how much it is, and runs away to Liverpool. On Laurence's trail are Mr. Clemspool, a kidnapper hired by Albert to take him to America, and Mr. Pickler, a private detective hired by Lord Kirkle to bring him home.
In Liverpool Patrick meets Laurence, and the boys form a plan to stow Laurence on the ship the O'Connells are taking to Boston.
Beyond the Western Sea is a homage to Victorian serials, particularly those of Charles Dickens and Anthony Trollope, and uses several tropes popular in that era.
This book provides examples of:
- Bedsheet Ladder: Laurence uses a curtain to escape from his hotel room.
- Book Ends
- The first and last lines both contain the phrase "the edge of possibilities."
- Laurence and Albert argue because Laurence refuses to black Albert's boots. Near the end, without either of them initially knowing, Laurence blacks Albert's boots.
- Catchphrase: Mr. Clemspool likes to repeat, "Am I my brother's keeper?"
- Eye Scream: Mr. Grout had a stake driven in his eye, ending his prizefighting career.
- Like Father, Like Son: Lord Kirkle and Albert in terms of looks, Lord Kirkle and Laurence in terms in personality.
- Pet the Dog: Lord Kirkle literally pets Laurence's jacket, Mr. Murdock looks at Bridy kindly after her family dies and Betsy Howard buries her face in her hands after the boardinghouse burns down.
- Victorian London: Part of the story is set in 1851 London.
