In this third seafaring mystery from nautical historian Joan Druett U.S. Exploring Expedition linguist Wiki Coffin sails with the famous convoy of ships toward Brazil, with no idea of the amazing events the fates and the winds have set in store for him.As the great flagship Vincennes, under the dubious command of eccentric captain Charles Wilkes, leads the convoy toward a dramatic entrance in the port of Rio, careless manoeuvring causes one of the vessels to run afoul of a Boston trading ship - a shocking embarrassment that none of the sailors aboard is likely to live down during their time in port.As it turns out, the trader is owned and commanded by the famous and larger-than-life Captain William Coffin, father to Wiki and sailor of all seven seas as well as another dozen or so he's managed to invent in his years of telling tall tales. The encounter sets in motion a series of confounding events that reunites the elder Coffin with his illegitimate half-Maori son and that, before they are through, will see two men dead, Coffin on trial for murder, and Wiki working feverishly to unmask the real killers before the expedition sails on, leaving his father at the mercy of an unforgiving Brazilian court - and Wiki's own tenuous grip on family hanging desperately in the balance.
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Review:
"Druett makes the vanished world she depicts come alive." Publishers Weekly"
From the Back Cover:
Praise for the Novels of Joan Druett
Shark Island
"Rousing . . . Druett should win plaudits from both mystery fans and aficionados of naval adventures."
--Publishers Weekly
"Basing her tale in part on the actual Exploring Expedition's voyages, Druett describes with contagious conviction floggings, cramped quarters, pettifogging officers, and rum rations."
--Kirkus Reviews
A Watery Grave
"This impressive debut will appeal both to fans of historical mysteries and to Patrick O'Brian readers."
--Booklist (starred review)
"Evoking writers from Melville to Patrick O'Brian, this novel is a fine start to a series sure to appeal to lovers of historical mysteries and fans of sea adventures."
--Publishers Weekly
"Noted maritime historian Druett blends strong plotting and scads of authentic maritime detail in an impressive debut that should appeal to fans of historical mysteries and Patrick O'Brian. Highly recommended."
--Library Journal
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherMinotaur
- Publication date2008
- ISBN 10 0312365624
- ISBN 13 9780312365622
- BindingPaperback
- Number of pages288
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Rating