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taisie22's review
5.0
John Grant carves figureheads for the wooden ships being built in Aberdeen. When the shipwright on his latest boat is murdered, it's up to John to find the murderer. There's a lot of possible suspects as Jimmie Crombie was an extremely unlikeable man. Meanwhile, the ship's owner, William Anderson, wants John to carve a figurehead after Elizabeth Anderson, his wife. Elizabeth schemes with her daughter Helen for John to model Helen instead. Helen is also interested in the murder, an unusual position for a woman in that time period.
I enjoyed this book very much. It is well-written and true to the period and setting. I learned a lot about wooden shipbuilding and the age of sail. All the characters are interesting. They come from all walks of life but display the resilience and hard work as well as poverty and crime. I especially liked the part about the young apprentice who decides to emigrate to America. This book is a true slice of life in the early part of the nineteenth century.
I highly recommend The Figurehead.
I enjoyed this book very much. It is well-written and true to the period and setting. I learned a lot about wooden shipbuilding and the age of sail. All the characters are interesting. They come from all walks of life but display the resilience and hard work as well as poverty and crime. I especially liked the part about the young apprentice who decides to emigrate to America. This book is a true slice of life in the early part of the nineteenth century.
I highly recommend The Figurehead.
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