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The Devil and The Dark Water by Stuart Turton (2020)


Laura’s Rating: 2/5 Stars


I bought this book solely based on the fact that it was by the same author of The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle. That book was so unique and interesting that I had to see what else Stuart Turton had to offer.


The Analysis:


This book primarily takes place on the high seas, with characters sailing from Batavia to Amsterdam aboard the Sardaam spice trading ship. Governor General Jan Haan is transporting a valuable weapon and other secret cargo, in hopes to become a member of the powerful Gentlemen 17 council upon arrival in Amsterdam. Upon leaving the docks in Batavia, a mysterious leper warns that the ship is cursed by a devil known as Old Tom. Luckily, detective hero Samuel Pipps is on board, with his mercenary bodyguard Arent Hayes. However, Sammy is shackled as a prisoner for reasons unknown, making it nearly impossible for him to investigate as needed. It’s up to Arent and the other passengers to solve the mystery of Old Tom and the ill-fated Sardaam before it is too late.


This book didn’t grip me from the beginning the way Turton’s first novel did, and in fact, I was about 75% of the way through before I was actually excited to keep reading. Everything before that point felt like set up and when the real climax hit, it was less thrilling than I had hoped. It seems to me that the author got caught up in creating a rich setting and a detailed cast of characters, but didn’t fully flesh out the actual story. There was an interesting web of relationships and motivations that connected the central characters, but I found many of the details and even some of the characters unnecessary. Overall, the book had potential but was a bit of a disappointment.





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