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John James #1
Or Else My Lady Keeps the Key
It's 1672 in Port Royal, Jamaica. John James, London bricklayer's apprentice turned pirate, is returning from the sack of Panama with his share of the loot (a lousy 200 pieces of eight) and a resolve to go back to bricklaying, since piracy pays so badly. First, though, he has a duty: he must deliver a letter to a lady.
The letter is from his dead comrade, Sir Thomas Blackstone, who was a court intriguer on a mission for Prince Rupert of the Rhine. The letter's recipient is Clarissa Waverly, Blackstone's mistress and accomplice. Before he went off to Panama, Blackstone hid four thousand pounds of the prince's money, unwilling to trust his lady friend not to make off with it in his absence. Dying of battle wounds, he wrote to let her know where he'd concealed the money.
The letter is from his dead comrade, Sir Thomas Blackstone, who was a court intriguer on a mission for Prince Rupert of the Rhine. The letter's recipient is Clarissa Waverly, Blackstone's mistress and accomplice. Before he went off to Panama, Blackstone hid four thousand pounds of the prince's money, unwilling to trust his lady friend not to make off with it in his absence. Dying of battle wounds, he wrote to let her know where he'd concealed the money.
ebook
First published March 31, 2008
187 people want to read
About the author
Kage Baker
161 books355 followersBorn June 10, 1952, in Hollywood, California, and grew up there and in Pismo Beach, present home. Spent 12 years in assorted navy blue uniforms obtaining a good parochial school education and numerous emotional scars. Rapier wit developed as defense mechanism to deflect rage of larger and more powerful children who took offense at abrasive, condescending and arrogant personality in a sickly eight-year-old. Family: 2 parents, 6 siblings, 4 nieces, 2 nephews. Husbands: 0. Children: 0.
Prior occupations: graphic artist and mural painter, several lower clerical positions which could in no way be construed as a career, and (over a period of years for the Living History Centre) playwright, bit player, director, teacher of Elizabethan English for the stage, stage manager and educational program assistant coordinator. Presently reengaged in the above-listed capacities for the LHC's triumphant reincarnation, AS YOU LIKE IT PRODUCTIONS.
20 years of total immersion research in Elizabethan as well as other historical periods has paid off handsomely in a working knowledge of period speech and details.
In spare time (ha) reads: any old sea stories by Marryat, the Aubrey-Maturin novels by Patrick O'Brien, the Hornblower books, ANYTHING by Robert Louis Stevenson, Raymond Chandler, Thorne Smith, Herman Melville (except Pierre, or the Ambiguities, which stinks) Somerset Maugham, George MacDonald Frasier.
Now happily settled in beautiful Pismo Beach, Clam Capital of the World, in charming seaside flat which is unfortunately not haunted by ghost of dashing sea captain. Avid gardener, birdwatcher, spinster aunt and Jethro Tull fan.
http://www.sfwa.org/2010/01/rip-kage-...
Prior occupations: graphic artist and mural painter, several lower clerical positions which could in no way be construed as a career, and (over a period of years for the Living History Centre) playwright, bit player, director, teacher of Elizabethan English for the stage, stage manager and educational program assistant coordinator. Presently reengaged in the above-listed capacities for the LHC's triumphant reincarnation, AS YOU LIKE IT PRODUCTIONS.
20 years of total immersion research in Elizabethan as well as other historical periods has paid off handsomely in a working knowledge of period speech and details.
In spare time (ha) reads: any old sea stories by Marryat, the Aubrey-Maturin novels by Patrick O'Brien, the Hornblower books, ANYTHING by Robert Louis Stevenson, Raymond Chandler, Thorne Smith, Herman Melville (except Pierre, or the Ambiguities, which stinks) Somerset Maugham, George MacDonald Frasier.
Now happily settled in beautiful Pismo Beach, Clam Capital of the World, in charming seaside flat which is unfortunately not haunted by ghost of dashing sea captain. Avid gardener, birdwatcher, spinster aunt and Jethro Tull fan.
http://www.sfwa.org/2010/01/rip-kage-...
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
August 1, 2014
Pirates loom large in the collective imagination - and even larger in my childhood world of the imagination. Considering that, I've been a bit nonplussed at how few good pirate novels there are. Of those that exist, a good number are for a more juvenile audience than I've gradually become.
However, 'Or Else My Lady Keeps the Key' is A Classic Pirate Novel. It might not qualify as Great Literature - but it fires a broadside straight at all the targets it ought to, swashbuckling its roisterous way through a thoroughly fun (and never a bit serious) adventure.
Our narrator, John, has just come off the account, having returned from Captain Morgan's sack of Panama aboard a privateer, with less to show for it than he'd hoped. Still, his savings, he figures, will cover the outlay to get his own bricklaying business opened. A respectable, if modest life awaits... or so he thinks.
When John delivers a letter from his dead shipmate to a bereaved mistress, she tempts him with a tale of a vast sum of treasure, just waiting to be picked up. If only John will accompany her, she'll split the booty with him. John, while a charming enough man, is - if not quite as dumb as a sack of the bricks he hoped to lay - rather gullible. Soon, his life savings is invested in Mistress Waverly's schemes, and a rollicking, shipboard venture is underway.
However, 'Or Else My Lady Keeps the Key' is A Classic Pirate Novel. It might not qualify as Great Literature - but it fires a broadside straight at all the targets it ought to, swashbuckling its roisterous way through a thoroughly fun (and never a bit serious) adventure.
Our narrator, John, has just come off the account, having returned from Captain Morgan's sack of Panama aboard a privateer, with less to show for it than he'd hoped. Still, his savings, he figures, will cover the outlay to get his own bricklaying business opened. A respectable, if modest life awaits... or so he thinks.
When John delivers a letter from his dead shipmate to a bereaved mistress, she tempts him with a tale of a vast sum of treasure, just waiting to be picked up. If only John will accompany her, she'll split the booty with him. John, while a charming enough man, is - if not quite as dumb as a sack of the bricks he hoped to lay - rather gullible. Soon, his life savings is invested in Mistress Waverly's schemes, and a rollicking, shipboard venture is underway.
May 13, 2011
Nothing beats a really good pirate story. There’s just an inherent coolness factor to the bygone era where the rogues of the sea terrorized merchant ships. Women enjoy the romanticism of the stories, while men respond to the action and the pirate’s rebellious attitude toward proper society. Because at some point, there seems to be a little urge in everyone that wants to just get away from the rest of the world, chucking off the yoke of everyday life to become truly free.
Kage Baker’s pirate novella, “Or Else My Lady Keeps the Key” turns this urge for freedom on its head. The story revolves around John James, a buccaneer who wishes to throw off the yoke of pirate life and become a bricklayer. You see, bricklaying is more lucrative. And a whole lot less dangerous. But with apologies to all the bricklayers out there, it just isn’t very sexy. Well since “Or Else My Lady Keeps the Key” is about pirates and not bricklayers, it should appear obvious that John doesn’t have much success retiring from the pirate life.
The novella starts with John on that most famous of pirate quests: delivering a dead mate’s letter. John dispatches his duty well (a job in the postal service might be a nice fallback option for him, if the bricklaying doesn’t work out), delivering the letter to Mrs. Clarissa Waverly. Not surprisingly, the letter contains instructions detailing where John’s old mate had left some treasure before his untimely demise. A whole four thousand pounds of treasure, in fact. So Mrs. Waverly cuts a deal with John: help her find the money and she will give him half. So the two of them set off on a journey for Leauchaud, booking passage on a merchant ship. Well it isn’t too long before their ship is besieged by pirates, and Mrs. Waverly and John must join the band of rogues. So begins their adventure filled with naval battles, shipwrecks, voodoo, sharks and a deserted island.
Baker has written a really fun adventure story populated with great characters who hit all the right notes. The pacing is brisk, and the action just keeps steadily coming in waves as Mrs. Waverly and John must overcome all types of obstacles in their search for the treasure. There is nothing groundbreaking here, nor is that the intent of Baker. This is pure entertainment, and in this manner, the novella succeeds remarkably. Even though the ending can be seen from miles away, I didn’t feel this hurt the story. It was the journey getting to the conclusion, more than the ending that mattered.
Last Word:
“Or Else My Lady Keeps the Key” is a great little pirate story filled with all the requisite elements one would expect from such a story. Also, this limited edition novella is absolutely gorgeous, which isn’t surprising since it’s published by Subterranean Press. So if you are searching for a fun and entertaining pirate story that will give you an afternoon of adventure, grab your cutlass, chuck off the yoke of everyday life, and set sail with “Or Else My Lady Keeps the Key”.
Kage Baker’s pirate novella, “Or Else My Lady Keeps the Key” turns this urge for freedom on its head. The story revolves around John James, a buccaneer who wishes to throw off the yoke of pirate life and become a bricklayer. You see, bricklaying is more lucrative. And a whole lot less dangerous. But with apologies to all the bricklayers out there, it just isn’t very sexy. Well since “Or Else My Lady Keeps the Key” is about pirates and not bricklayers, it should appear obvious that John doesn’t have much success retiring from the pirate life.
The novella starts with John on that most famous of pirate quests: delivering a dead mate’s letter. John dispatches his duty well (a job in the postal service might be a nice fallback option for him, if the bricklaying doesn’t work out), delivering the letter to Mrs. Clarissa Waverly. Not surprisingly, the letter contains instructions detailing where John’s old mate had left some treasure before his untimely demise. A whole four thousand pounds of treasure, in fact. So Mrs. Waverly cuts a deal with John: help her find the money and she will give him half. So the two of them set off on a journey for Leauchaud, booking passage on a merchant ship. Well it isn’t too long before their ship is besieged by pirates, and Mrs. Waverly and John must join the band of rogues. So begins their adventure filled with naval battles, shipwrecks, voodoo, sharks and a deserted island.
Baker has written a really fun adventure story populated with great characters who hit all the right notes. The pacing is brisk, and the action just keeps steadily coming in waves as Mrs. Waverly and John must overcome all types of obstacles in their search for the treasure. There is nothing groundbreaking here, nor is that the intent of Baker. This is pure entertainment, and in this manner, the novella succeeds remarkably. Even though the ending can be seen from miles away, I didn’t feel this hurt the story. It was the journey getting to the conclusion, more than the ending that mattered.
Last Word:
“Or Else My Lady Keeps the Key” is a great little pirate story filled with all the requisite elements one would expect from such a story. Also, this limited edition novella is absolutely gorgeous, which isn’t surprising since it’s published by Subterranean Press. So if you are searching for a fun and entertaining pirate story that will give you an afternoon of adventure, grab your cutlass, chuck off the yoke of everyday life, and set sail with “Or Else My Lady Keeps the Key”.
October 26, 2010
The one where John James has every intention of leaving behind a life of piracy -- seriously, he really means it -- but how can he refuse to do one last favor for his old shipmate's beautiful mistress?
This was a quick, fun adventure story with four fine characters, any one of whom I'd spend another book with. I wavered for a while between three and four stars before choosing three because, while there's nothing wrong with the book, it also doesn't really open out into anything larger than itself.
The same story from the point of view of Sejanus, the freedman who has rejected both his father's Christianity and his grandfather's faith in the loas, would probably have had that satisfying touch of the mythic. You can see it happening around the edges of this story, but John James is so thick that it goes right over his head.
This was a quick, fun adventure story with four fine characters, any one of whom I'd spend another book with. I wavered for a while between three and four stars before choosing three because, while there's nothing wrong with the book, it also doesn't really open out into anything larger than itself.
The same story from the point of view of Sejanus, the freedman who has rejected both his father's Christianity and his grandfather's faith in the loas, would probably have had that satisfying touch of the mythic. You can see it happening around the edges of this story, but John James is so thick that it goes right over his head.
January 19, 2024
Book Review: Or Else My Lady Keeps the Key
Rating: ★ ★ ★
Synopsis: It's 1672 in Port Royal, Jamaica. John James, London bricklayer's apprentice turned pirate, is returning from the sack of Panama with his share of the loot (a lousy 200 pieces of eight) and a resolve to go back to bricklaying, since piracy pays so badly. First, though, he has a duty: he must deliver a letter to a lady. The letter is from his dead comrade, Sir Thomas Blackstone, who was a court intriguer on a mission for Prince Rupert of the Rhine. The letter's recipient is Clarissa Waverly, Blackstone's mistress and accomplice. Before he went off to Panama, Blackstone hid four thousand pounds of the prince's money, unwilling to trust his lady friend not to make off with it in his absence. Dying of battle wounds, he wrote to let her know where he'd concealed the money.
Thoughts: While initially unremarkable, this brief read eventually piqued my interest after a quarter of the way through. I encountered no spelling or grammatical errors in my copy. The characters, though relatable and mostly likable, felt somewhat cliché with a lack of a compelling character arc. The world-building was solid, but the introduction of magic/paranormal elements seemed forced and disconnected from the story until later on. Despite a satisfactory conclusion to the story arc, it lacks the gripping hook to captivate most readers. It serves as a decent, easy-to-read option for passing the time, but falls short of delivering an emotionally gripping masterpiece.
Rating: ★ ★ ★
Synopsis: It's 1672 in Port Royal, Jamaica. John James, London bricklayer's apprentice turned pirate, is returning from the sack of Panama with his share of the loot (a lousy 200 pieces of eight) and a resolve to go back to bricklaying, since piracy pays so badly. First, though, he has a duty: he must deliver a letter to a lady. The letter is from his dead comrade, Sir Thomas Blackstone, who was a court intriguer on a mission for Prince Rupert of the Rhine. The letter's recipient is Clarissa Waverly, Blackstone's mistress and accomplice. Before he went off to Panama, Blackstone hid four thousand pounds of the prince's money, unwilling to trust his lady friend not to make off with it in his absence. Dying of battle wounds, he wrote to let her know where he'd concealed the money.
Thoughts: While initially unremarkable, this brief read eventually piqued my interest after a quarter of the way through. I encountered no spelling or grammatical errors in my copy. The characters, though relatable and mostly likable, felt somewhat cliché with a lack of a compelling character arc. The world-building was solid, but the introduction of magic/paranormal elements seemed forced and disconnected from the story until later on. Despite a satisfactory conclusion to the story arc, it lacks the gripping hook to captivate most readers. It serves as a decent, easy-to-read option for passing the time, but falls short of delivering an emotionally gripping masterpiece.
April 12, 2024
Ίσως και 3,5
Μικρή, χαριτωμένη και καλογραμμένη πειρατική ιστορία, που ξεφεύγει από τα κλασικό πρότυπα είτε της αιματοχυσίας κάτω από τη μαύρη σημαία είτε της παιδικής παραλλαγής που καθιέρωσε η Ντίσνει. Εξαιρετικοί χαρακτήρες και αρκετή υποδόρια ειρωνεία.
Ένας πειρατής αποφασίζει να αποσυρθεί από την ενεργό δράση όταν συνειδητοποιεί ότι το κέρδος του ήταν μόλις 50 λίρες, όμως καθώς πάει να υποβάλλει τα σέβη του στη χήρα ενός συντρόφου, μπλέκεται σε μια ιστορία ανάκτησης θησαυρού που θα τον ξαναβγάλει στη θάλασσα. Ωστόσο, μέχρι να φτάσει στο νησίκ του θησαυρού, θα περάσει κυριολεκτικά από σαράντα κύματα, ενώ η αφοσίωση της χήρας στον κοινό τους σκοπό δεν είναι πάντα δεδομένη.
Καλή πλοκή, με ενδιαφέροντες χαρακτήρες και νότες μεταφυσικής, συνθέτουν μια ευχάριστη νουβέλα με ένα πολύ καλό φινάλε, στο οποίο η ειρωνεία είναι κάτι παρπάνω από εμφανής.
Μικρή, χαριτωμένη και καλογραμμένη πειρατική ιστορία, που ξεφεύγει από τα κλασικό πρότυπα είτε της αιματοχυσίας κάτω από τη μαύρη σημαία είτε της παιδικής παραλλαγής που καθιέρωσε η Ντίσνει. Εξαιρετικοί χαρακτήρες και αρκετή υποδόρια ειρωνεία.
Ένας πειρατής αποφασίζει να αποσυρθεί από την ενεργό δράση όταν συνειδητοποιεί ότι το κέρδος του ήταν μόλις 50 λίρες, όμως καθώς πάει να υποβάλλει τα σέβη του στη χήρα ενός συντρόφου, μπλέκεται σε μια ιστορία ανάκτησης θησαυρού που θα τον ξαναβγάλει στη θάλασσα. Ωστόσο, μέχρι να φτάσει στο νησίκ του θησαυρού, θα περάσει κυριολεκτικά από σαράντα κύματα, ενώ η αφοσίωση της χήρας στον κοινό τους σκοπό δεν είναι πάντα δεδομένη.
Καλή πλοκή, με ενδιαφέροντες χαρακτήρες και νότες μεταφυσικής, συνθέτουν μια ευχάριστη νουβέλα με ένα πολύ καλό φινάλε, στο οποίο η ειρωνεία είναι κάτι παρπάνω από εμφανής.
August 14, 2020
Quick, fun read.
December 30, 2022
(2008) An okay story. Not your typical swashbuckler pirate romance with a surprise ending.
June 24, 2023
A solid naval adventure
January 24, 2024
I mostly enjoyed this nautical romp, featuring a treasure hunt, pirates, spirits, and more. However, as amusing as it was, it felt a bit lacking, especially with how long it took to ramp up.
April 24, 2016
A short, well-constructed story that's as good as any pirate story I've ever read (except of course On Stranger Tides). This book seems likely to owe something to that Powers masterpiece, at least in its supernatural moments. That aspect is minimal, however, and the story draws even more from the classic Captain Blood, with its swashbuckling but realistically gritty depiction of the piratical life. It's breezy and effortlessly atmospheric, with nautical details that could convince me that Baker was a pirate herself once - or at least a sailor. The light-hearted writing and dashes of humor are reminiscent of her Company novels. This is a quick but enjoyable read, not strikingly original, but neatly satisfying.
May 6, 2011
After taking part in the sack of Panama, John James intends to leave his life as a pirate behind and open a legitimate business. But when a fallen comrade's lover offers him a stake in a hidden treasure, John can't resist the loot - or the woman who promises to lead him to it.
This is a fast read with some really great moments, but I was more interested in the side characters than the main couple. The ending was predictable and I was left with a lot of unanswered questions.
I liked the overall style of the novella, but I can't help wishing that it had either been trimmed down or more fully developed into an entire book.
This is a fast read with some really great moments, but I was more interested in the side characters than the main couple. The ending was predictable and I was left with a lot of unanswered questions.
I liked the overall style of the novella, but I can't help wishing that it had either been trimmed down or more fully developed into an entire book.
June 19, 2008
Kage Baker has never failed me. From the day I picked up "In the Garden of Iden", she has been one of my favorite authors. Her books, her short stories, her novellas...all excellent reads. OR ELSE MY LADY KEEPS THE KEY is her most recent book, a free-standing novella about pirates. I say free-standing, but I have hope that I may see these characters again. This was a very quick read (184 pages), with plenty of adventure, humor, and excitement. Recommended to anyone who likes the above attributes, and realizes that pirates weren't the nicest of people.
February 20, 2012
What could have been a fun historical adventure was spoiled for me by the gratuitous inclusion of African semi-deities following around a black character whose father had been brought from Africa as a slave.
July 22, 2008
oh kage baker. there is nothing more to say. awesome as always. this one is a pirate novella, short and sweet.
August 11, 2008
Kage Baker writing a book about pirates. How can this not be awesome?
May 9, 2009
Meh. Fun, but slight. Which was also a problem I had with a lot of stories in the pirate anthology. I did like Sejanus a lot.
January 10, 2011
Fun little pirate/adventure ditty from the writer of the Company series.
June 2, 2011
I didn't like the ending, but getting there was fun.
October 11, 2011
It was a nice little pirate romp in a Kage style. No company, just people, mostly men. The ending was a bit of an anti-climax, but as others have said, it was a good ride.
February 20, 2013
Arrr. A ripping yarn.
November 20, 2013
Another winner for Kage Baker. This tale of piracy, double-dealing, shipwreck & shark attacks and even "ghosts", is a short novel. It is delightful!
May 22, 2008
this book sucks. Actually its fine, just not interesting at all.
April 2, 2014
Short but fun, and a little unexpectedly scary too!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews