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ClareR (5542 KP) rated The Devil and the Dark Water in Books
Feb 7, 2021
I listened to The Devil and the Dark Water on Audible, read so well by Julian Rhind-Tutt. HIs voice suited this story so well, and it transported me on to the ‘Saardem’, which had left Batavia, en route to Amsterdam. The sights, the smells, the business, the people, the chaos, were all so well described. And then a leper appears on top of some packing crates, loudly issues a warning that the ship will end in ruin - and bursts in to flames. Sarah Wessel, the Governors wife and a healer, tries to help him but he dies - and this is where it starts to get really strange. It transpires that the leper had no tongue. So how did he speak?
Once the boat has begun its journey, the really menacing things start to happen. A demon called Old Tom makes his presence felt, along with his threats, and the Three Unholy Miracles he promises seemingly come to pass.
On board is the infamous detective Samuel Pipps - except he is imprisoned and on his way to be executed in Amsterdam. His Bodyguard, Arent Hayes, has been employed to ensure his safety (by Pipps) and he asks his advice when he can. But it seems that Pipps’ invaluable detecting skills will go largely untapped. It’s up to Arent.
I loved the menace that runs through this book. Now, I don’t believe in Demons, but even I was wondering when it would appear! And there was NO way that I was EVER going to guess the ending (I would be interested to hear whether anyone else did!).
It’s a great book: full of adventures of the High Seas, with ruthless sailors, soldiers and passengers!
Once the boat has begun its journey, the really menacing things start to happen. A demon called Old Tom makes his presence felt, along with his threats, and the Three Unholy Miracles he promises seemingly come to pass.
On board is the infamous detective Samuel Pipps - except he is imprisoned and on his way to be executed in Amsterdam. His Bodyguard, Arent Hayes, has been employed to ensure his safety (by Pipps) and he asks his advice when he can. But it seems that Pipps’ invaluable detecting skills will go largely untapped. It’s up to Arent.
I loved the menace that runs through this book. Now, I don’t believe in Demons, but even I was wondering when it would appear! And there was NO way that I was EVER going to guess the ending (I would be interested to hear whether anyone else did!).
It’s a great book: full of adventures of the High Seas, with ruthless sailors, soldiers and passengers!