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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
This novel reminded me of a mix of Sherlock Holmes meets Hallowe’en Party by Agatha Christie on a ship. I enjoyed the journey through author took us to solve the nefarious plot, however, I think the ending was rushed. The easy going nature acceptance of the plot twist was too quick after how much of the book we invested to solving the mystery. 4/5 stars.
I enjoyed the mystery and that's what Mr. Turton wants I think. But....but....I've been such a fan and devotee of Patrick O'Brian for so long that I couldn't suspend my disbelief. Operating a ship in the 1600s is not what this book is about nor should it be the focus but....but.....
The 7-1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle is definitely on my reading list.
The 7-1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle is definitely on my reading list.
I wanted to like this book because I was blown away by The 7 1/2 Death of Evelyn Hardcastle but I found this one to be TEDIOUS!
This was disappointing. It took forever to read because it sort of meandered and I would keep losing interest, and the ending was so meh. This book had such squandered potential. I expected better.
A story set on a 17th-century ship wouldn't normally draw my attention, but I enjoyed the creativity of Turton's first book so much that I decided to give this try. I liked it even more than the first! Definitely an interesting and engaging read. (And his final note to readers made me laugh out loud!)
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Like many others, I loved The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle. It was such a distinctive book that I thought it would be a hard act to follow. The Devil and the Dark Water is another genre-defying mystery with its setting on a 17th-century Dutch East Indiaman, it's playing with ideas of diabology and deliberately anachronistic characters.
The key to enjoying this book seems to me to be to suspend any expectation of historical accuracy or profound characterisation and just experience the inventiveness and narrative skill as the characters try to work out who or what is causing the death and destruction on the apparently doomed voyage. Great fun.
The key to enjoying this book seems to me to be to suspend any expectation of historical accuracy or profound characterisation and just experience the inventiveness and narrative skill as the characters try to work out who or what is causing the death and destruction on the apparently doomed voyage. Great fun.
This is a book that I was looking forward to reading
It started well and for 2/3rd to 3/4's was quite good BUT sadly petered out to a disappointing ending
Maybe the original ending would have been better??
It started well and for 2/3rd to 3/4's was quite good BUT sadly petered out to a disappointing ending
Maybe the original ending would have been better??
A thrilling historical mystery on the high seas that is totally original and kept me guessing to the last. I’m sad because I’ve finished it as I was gripped from beginning to end.
This was a great book for 2020, as it was pure, involving, rooting-tooting adventure and escapism. There were sea-skirmishes, storms, evil omens, desert islands, plundered jewels and tongueless- lepers set a-flame. It’s kind of a Princess Bride murder-mystery for adults and it really helped me forget I was in a grim, locked-down, wintery, rainy south Manchester hellscape. If you’re looking for poignient truths about the human condition don’t read this book. If you want Pirates of the Caribbean meets Lost by way of The Goonies- read this book. My main criticism is that it’s really fucking heavy, so my wrists giving out were the main reason I turned the light off after half an hour of a bed-time read.