The Birthday of Eternity (Comfort & Company, #2)
Book
L.A. private investigators Kit and Henry become entangled in the city's robust post-WWII occult...
Historical Mystery Private Dectectve Series
Novice Threads (Silver Sampler #1)
Book
A thirst for education. Shattered dreams. Fragile relations. 1840s Scotland Being sent to...
Historical Fiction Women's Fiction Victorian Saga
Boy with Wings
Book
What does it mean to be different? When Johnny Cruel is born with strange appendages on his back...
Literary Fiction Historical Fiction
Fanning Fireflies (The Limerent Series #3)
Book
There is something rotting in Harrisville. It's 1944 and Veronica works so she can afford to eat....
Historical Supernatural Romance
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2353 KP) rated Murder at Beechwood in Books
Feb 7, 2025
I’ve quickly become addicted to these historical mysteries. One reason is the expert way that real and fictional characters interact seamlessly on the page. All of them are well drawn, and I’ve gotten caught up in their ongoing stories. The plot of this one was good with several ingenious elements. The ending was a bit rushed, but it worked for me. Despite the summer vacation vibes, this book does get serious, but it is worth it. I’m hoping I can book the next in the series soon.
The Many Lives & Loves of Hazel Lavery
Book
In the heart of tumultuous times, amidst the grandeur of Victorian opulence, there existed an...
Historical Fiction Biographical Fiction Women in History
You Will Know Me by My Deeds
Book
Billy Tarwater thought he had left the troubled past behind, until a series of ominous incidents...
Historical Crime Sequel
Tangled in Water
Book
1932. Natalia is 16 and a bootlegger's daughter, playing the mermaid mascot on a rundown paddlewheel...
Historical Fiction Prohibition
The Weather Woman
7.0
Rate It
Book
The rich and atmospheric new novel from prize-winning author Sally Gardner, set in the 18th century...
Magical realism Historical fiction
Connor Sheffield (293 KP) rated Black Sails - Season 1 in TV
May 30, 2017
This show is a great representation of the life and time of Piracy however, and I can review it from a point of view of someone who knows quite a bit about the golden age of piracy in actual historical facts. Unlike the previous pirate content I reviewed, Blackbeard, this show portrays pirates as scarred, dirty, bloody, and frightening in their own way. However, similar to the Blackbeard short series, the pirates and other characters all have near perfect teeth. It seems to be that only (in what I have seen anyways) the Pirate's of the Caribbean franchise has managed to nail the full historical accuracy of the look of a pirate from clothing, to makeup, to the teeth.
On the other hand, this does not cause much of a disturbance to the viewing of this show, because the drama is brilliant, if you can bare the somewhat slow plot lines unfold as there are many characters in this show, and each have a ship full of issues that all need resolving with very few of them actually being resolved. From love interests, to thievery, betrayal and all round general opposition between old allies and acquaintances. There is a lot of 'business' to deal with on the side of Eleanor Guthrie and her dealings with our main protagonists, among other important characters, some of which are based upon historical figures such as Captain Benjamin Hornigold, Charles Vane, Anne Bonny and Jack Rackham (known throughout history as Calico Jack). All portrayed as tough, cunning and sometimes (most times for Rackham) as humerous.
The production of this show is great, with beautiful sets, great looking props and special effects that make this a believable series to get lost in. It's one of the better pirate themed mediums that I have seen, and I personally really enjoy the drama and suspense of the episodes, as well as the twists and turns of certain scenario's which leave you wanting more.
The cast deliver great performances and make you believe that they are truly men or women to be feared, and not to be double crossed. From Charles Vane's tough exterior, to Eleanor Guthrie's power over trade in Nassau, and even Captain Flint's fear inducing presence, as we watch his secrets spill out into the hands of the wrong people.
This is a show I would recommend to anyone who enjoys the theme of pirates, with some fantasy and a lot of drama, but I should warn you, that it doesn't hold back with neither the nudity or the actions performed, during the state in which someone would be naked. Whether it's the whores in the brothel, or the few short term relationships between characters.
Minor Spoilers - nothing too important.
The first example you see of this extent of mature content, as well as some of the humour of this show, is when John Silver is taken into a whore house, and is told that 'Blackbeard' wishes to see him. When he enters, he finds a woman standing there, and as John Silver points out "You are not Blackbeard" only to discover that the beard, is revealed to be between her legs.
As I said, watch at your own risk but I would recommend it to anyone interested in the theme of Pirates during the Golden Age.