Carolyn Walsh 's Reviews > The Devil and the Dark Water

Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Canada for this gripping, historical/mystery story set on the high seas. The time is 1634 aboard a merchant ship, the Saardam, transporting spices and unknown cargo to Amsterdam from Batavia (Jakarta, Indonesia). This is a perilous 8-month journey and at best of times would be threatened by storms and pirates, and hostility within the crew. The journey has a claustrophobic atmosphere. It is an enthralling, complicated mystery with fascinating characters, occult folklore, and paranormal/supernatural beliefs that bring fear to those onboard who are beset by 17th-century superstition.

While boarding the ship, the passengers hear a fearsome curse. A crippled leper in rags has climbed to a height on the dock. He utters the words that the ship is in danger and people are doomed to die. There is a devil on the ship coming after them. The leper then sets himself on fire and dies. It is learned that his tongue had been cut out, so where did the words originate? Later he is sighted onboard the ship. How can that be?

Onboard the Saardam is the worlds' most famous detective, Sammy Pipps. Much has been written about Sammy's exploits and crimes solved. He is accompanied by his friend and bodyguard, Arent Hayes, a huge ex-mercenary with a kind, gentle nature. There will be plenty of puzzles to be solved on the long voyage. Unfortunately, Sammy is being transported in shackles to Amerstadam to stand trial and punishment for a crime unknown to Arent. Sammy is placed in a small, dark cell and implores his partner to find out what is going on. It is left up to Arent to solve the weird, mysterious occurrences. He has no confidence in his detective ability. His previous investigation found the wrong man guilty. Now he has been commanded to discover if the devil is on board, called 'Old Tom' by the superstitious.

The Governor-General, Jan Haan, is present. He is a wealthy, powerful, and cruel man who seems to be more in control of the ship than its captain. He intimidates and beats his wife, noblewoman Sara. She is a determined woman with a mind of her own who has been suppressed by the lowly role of women in the 17th century. Her daughter, Lia, has been taught to keep her high intelligence secret so as not to insult the men who do not believe women should think for themselves. Sara's husband's mistress, Creesjie is also present. She is a sexy former prostitute and later a courtesan. Sara becomes friends with the cheerful Ceesjie and also with Arent. Sara teams up with Arent due to her curiosity about some frightening sightings and mysterious deaths and to feel independent from her stifling husband.

The ship is peopled with all sorts of diverse, enigmatic characters. There are sinners, scoundrels killers, a dwarf, witchfinders, fearsome musketeers, the powerful and greedy, a cruel boatswain, an elderly holy man, and sailors with secret backgrounds. This sets up a dazzling and exciting plot which includes rivalries, revenge, and betrayals mixed with fearsome events that touch on the supernatural.

I thought the middle was slow-paced with some filler that made it longer than need be (3 Stars). This detracted from its tension and suspense. The clever conclusion was ingenious and rated a 5 star with twists and revelations that I never could have anticipated.