A review by amothersmusings1
The Ghost Ship by Kate Mosse

5.0

Kate Mosse returns with “The Ghost Ship” the third novel in the number one Sunday Times bestselling ‘Joubert Family Chronicles’ - a sweeping historical epic about love on the high seas in a time of war. 

 

I must start by saying I haven’t personally read any of the previous books in the series and I never once felt at a disadvantage, this book read like a stand-alone and although reading the previous books would have been pleasurable, there’s no need for story continuity. 

 

I’ve always liked learning about female pirates and recently enjoyed reading a novel about Mary Read and Anne Bonny - real life, high sea pirates of the ‘golden age of piracy’ and although “The Ghost Ship” is set a lot of years earlier, Louise and Gilles did remind me of the fiery real life Mary and Anne with their rumours of a romantic connection. Gilles was a great character and my heart bled for his life and the secret he was destined to keep all his life. 

 

This is quite a lengthy novel and I found the first half a slow burn, getting acquainted with the characters and the era but the second half really sped up with tension and excitement and had me engrossed till the cliff hanging ending, definitely leaving me wanting to read the next one! Being at sea in a merchant ship with the real risk of being attacked by corsairs who raided the coastal towns and villages for the slave trade, was a genuine fear and together with the plight of contagion, mutiny and inclement weather, made the journeys dangerous and life threatening. 

 

The descriptions of France, Amsterdam, Las Palmas and life at sea, were incredibly detailed and set the atmospheric scenes perfectly. I loved this book and I am keen to read the first two books, as well as any future books featuring the ‘Joubert’ family.  Kate Mosse is a terrifically talented author and a pleasure to read and if buccaneering, historical fiction novels with romance and adventure interest you, then you’ll love “The Ghost Ship” too. 

 

#TheGhostShip - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️