Helpful Score: 2
I really enjoyed this book. The main characters were well-written and strong, especially Sara, who was struggling inside her marriage. Old Tom made a great villain. At 453 pages, the book came in a bit long, but I couldn't stop reading.
Helpful Score: 1
1634, Samuel Pipps, the world's greatest detective, is being transported to Amsterdam to be executed for a crime he may, or may not, have committed. Traveling with him is his loyal bodyguard, Arent Hayes, who is determined to prove his friend innocent. Among the other guests is Sara Wessel, a noblewoman with a secret. Devilry begins to blight the voyage. A strange symbol appears on the sail. A dead leper stalks the decks. Livestock dies in the night. The passengers hear a terrible voice, whispering to them in the darkness, promising three unholy miracles, followed by a slaughter. First an impossible pursuit. Second an impossible theft. And third an impossible murder. Could a demon be responsible for their misfortunes? With Pipps imprisoned, only Arent and Sara can solve a mystery that stretches back into their past and now threatens to sink the ship, killing everybody on board. This is a chilling thriller of supernatural horror, occult suspicion, and a paranormal mystery on the high seas. It has a clever plot and colorful characters. A slow start and a bit too long but very enjoyable. I'm now looking forward to his next book.