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The Deadly Isles
A young scientist with ties to a family fortune survives a murder attempt while working in Tahiti. He discovers the identity of the assailant, but not the motive. For this, he follows the would-be murderer aboard an island-hopping passenger/cargo schooner bound for the Marquesas.
192 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1969
About the author
John Holbrook Vance
14 books6 followersBetter known as Jack Vance.
Library of Congress Authorities:
Vance, Jack, 1916-2013,
Vance, John Holbrook, 1916-2013 [legal name],
and other names. "Jack Vance; b. in San Francisco; d. Sunday evening [May 26, 2013], Oakland, aged 96; award-winning mystery, fantasy, and science fiction author who wrote more than 60 books; Jack Vance, whose legal name was John Holbrook [Vance], published most of his work as Jack Vance, but he also wrote 11 mysteries as John Holbrook Vance and three as Ellery Queen, as well as books under the pen names of Alan Wade, Peter Held, John van See, and Jay Kavanse, according to the Jack Vance website, which is maintained by family and friends)"
Do not confuse with Vance, Jack, 1915-1958 (a pseudonym of Henry Kuttner)
Library of Congress Authorities:
Vance, Jack, 1916-2013,
Vance, John Holbrook, 1916-2013 [legal name],
and other names. "Jack Vance; b. in San Francisco; d. Sunday evening [May 26, 2013], Oakland, aged 96; award-winning mystery, fantasy, and science fiction author who wrote more than 60 books; Jack Vance, whose legal name was John Holbrook [Vance], published most of his work as Jack Vance, but he also wrote 11 mysteries as John Holbrook Vance and three as Ellery Queen, as well as books under the pen names of Alan Wade, Peter Held, John van See, and Jay Kavanse, according to the Jack Vance website, which is maintained by family and friends)"
Do not confuse with Vance, Jack, 1915-1958 (a pseudonym of Henry Kuttner)
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 28, 2024
The Deadly Isles is a 154 page mystery novel that was first published in 1969 under the name John Holbrook Vance. It was written by the famous science fiction writer Jack Vance whose real name was John Holbrook Vance.
For the most recent review and other Vance reviews please see:
https://vancealotjackvanceinreview.bl...
The first chapter of the story consists of two 1967 newspaper clippings from the San Francisco Chronicle. One is an announcement about Lia Wintersea being engaged to the popular socialite and yachtsman Brady Royce. The other is about a specialty dancer who was found dead in her apartment after being tortured and strangled.
In chapter two we learn that Brady is 48 years old and very wealthy and that Lia is an extravagantly beautiful, effortlessly elegant, supple and slender woman who has poise, charm and dignity and is only 22 years old. The couple plan to spend their honeymoon on Brady's yacht with a group of friends, sailing first to Hawaii and then to the Marquesas and Tahiti. Brady writes to his cousin Luke Royce, who is a marine biologist living in Tahiti, and invites Luke to join them after they reach the Marquesas. Prior to sailing out there is a secret, mysterious meeting in a seedy bar in a disreputable area between two unidentified people, a strange looking woman dressed in black and a dramatically handsome man. The woman comments on the death of the dancer who was strangled and invites the man on a trip to the South Pacific.
Brady's cousin, Luke, is planning to sail from Tahiti to the Marquesas to meet his cousin and his entourage. But a murder attempt is made on Luke. A man driving a Renault runs Luke and his Vespa off a steep cliff overlooking the ocean. Luke manages to survive the fall when he lands in the water. Afterward he recalls having seen the driver of the Renault previously. The same man was observed near the post office when Luke picked up his mail. He especially remembered the man's remarkably dark black opal eyes. Luke concludes that this man wanted to kill him but did not know where he lived or what he looked like but did know his post office box number and waited at the post office until Luke retrieved his mail. After the man saw Luke take his mail from the box the man followed him and then forced him off the cliff with his vehicle.
The following day Luke notices an article in the newspaper that an American Scientist Suffers Fatal Disaster. He realizes the article is about him and that the authorities found his crashed Vespa and think that his body was washed out to sea. Rather than reporting to the police that he is still alive Luke decides to pretend he never saw the article. He does not want to tip off the man who tried to kill him. Instead Luke cuts his hair, shaves off his beard and purchases tourist clothes to disguise himself to try to track down his would be murder. He eventually locates the man in a bar, finds that he goes by the name Ben Easley and learns that he is scheduled to sail to the Marquesas on the same ship Luke has booked. Luke decides to still board the ship but to do so under a fake name. Once his ship has sailed much of the novel shifts back and forth between the events on Luke's ship and the activities on his cousin's schooner.
The plot is rather straightforward and not overly complex, convoluted or difficult to follow. The storyline is faced paced, suspenseful and very atmospheric, depicting exotic South Seas cultures. Vance, of course, loved to sail and travel and this novel highlights his love of the ocean. The Deadly Isles should appeal to most Vance fans and some mystery readers. It does not have some of the narrative brilliance, or witty dialogue that characterizes Vance's very finest novels. But it is a captivating and entertaining novel that is well worth reading. I've read it twice now and liked it even better the second time, changing my rating from a 3 to a 4.
For the most recent review and other Vance reviews please see:
https://vancealotjackvanceinreview.bl...
The first chapter of the story consists of two 1967 newspaper clippings from the San Francisco Chronicle. One is an announcement about Lia Wintersea being engaged to the popular socialite and yachtsman Brady Royce. The other is about a specialty dancer who was found dead in her apartment after being tortured and strangled.
In chapter two we learn that Brady is 48 years old and very wealthy and that Lia is an extravagantly beautiful, effortlessly elegant, supple and slender woman who has poise, charm and dignity and is only 22 years old. The couple plan to spend their honeymoon on Brady's yacht with a group of friends, sailing first to Hawaii and then to the Marquesas and Tahiti. Brady writes to his cousin Luke Royce, who is a marine biologist living in Tahiti, and invites Luke to join them after they reach the Marquesas. Prior to sailing out there is a secret, mysterious meeting in a seedy bar in a disreputable area between two unidentified people, a strange looking woman dressed in black and a dramatically handsome man. The woman comments on the death of the dancer who was strangled and invites the man on a trip to the South Pacific.
Brady's cousin, Luke, is planning to sail from Tahiti to the Marquesas to meet his cousin and his entourage. But a murder attempt is made on Luke. A man driving a Renault runs Luke and his Vespa off a steep cliff overlooking the ocean. Luke manages to survive the fall when he lands in the water. Afterward he recalls having seen the driver of the Renault previously. The same man was observed near the post office when Luke picked up his mail. He especially remembered the man's remarkably dark black opal eyes. Luke concludes that this man wanted to kill him but did not know where he lived or what he looked like but did know his post office box number and waited at the post office until Luke retrieved his mail. After the man saw Luke take his mail from the box the man followed him and then forced him off the cliff with his vehicle.
The following day Luke notices an article in the newspaper that an American Scientist Suffers Fatal Disaster. He realizes the article is about him and that the authorities found his crashed Vespa and think that his body was washed out to sea. Rather than reporting to the police that he is still alive Luke decides to pretend he never saw the article. He does not want to tip off the man who tried to kill him. Instead Luke cuts his hair, shaves off his beard and purchases tourist clothes to disguise himself to try to track down his would be murder. He eventually locates the man in a bar, finds that he goes by the name Ben Easley and learns that he is scheduled to sail to the Marquesas on the same ship Luke has booked. Luke decides to still board the ship but to do so under a fake name. Once his ship has sailed much of the novel shifts back and forth between the events on Luke's ship and the activities on his cousin's schooner.
The plot is rather straightforward and not overly complex, convoluted or difficult to follow. The storyline is faced paced, suspenseful and very atmospheric, depicting exotic South Seas cultures. Vance, of course, loved to sail and travel and this novel highlights his love of the ocean. The Deadly Isles should appeal to most Vance fans and some mystery readers. It does not have some of the narrative brilliance, or witty dialogue that characterizes Vance's very finest novels. But it is a captivating and entertaining novel that is well worth reading. I've read it twice now and liked it even better the second time, changing my rating from a 3 to a 4.
December 21, 2014
reviews.metaphorosis.com
3.5 stars
I bought my very expensive Compact Vance Integral Edition (CVIE) primarily because of the mysteries that Jack Vance had written as Jonathan Holbrook Vance. I'd read and enjoyed almost all of Vance's SFF novels, but, aside from two equally expensive print-on-demand books (The Dark Ocean and Bad Ronald), the mysteries were hard to come by.
I'm still quite pleased with my CVIE, and I've been taking my time to read through it over the last few years. But one of the things I've learned is that SFF is really where Vance's strengths were. Without the weird settings and social constructs that SFF affords, his distant, often asocial characters don't fit as well.
The Deadly Isles is a story about the inheritance of a valuable San Francisco estate, as played out during a cruise between Tahiti and Hawaii. Luke Royce, targeted by a black-eyed stranger, tries to figure out what's happening to him and why.
The story starts awkwardly, with two newspaper notices - one an engagement, one a homicide. The homicide doesn't tie into the story substantially for quite long time, yet we know it's important, which undercuts the suspense Vance tries to generate. Even without that aspect, the story takes quite sometime to get going, and it's not until chapter three that it really settles in.
As a mystery, it's satisfying but not exceptional. The prose is smooth, the setting appealing, the mystery sufficient. The story as a whole, though, doesn't demonstrate the magic Vance so often achieved with his speculative writing.
All in all, recommended for completist Vance fans, and not a bad read, but nothing to go out of your way for.
CVIE VI
February 6, 2026
Vance shows his secondary skill
Jack Vance’s scifi stories often have a mystery element, but several of his books are straightforward mysteries. This is a good one, the denouement and plot twists ingenious, and in Mik Finsch a memorable villain. Worth your time!
Jack Vance’s scifi stories often have a mystery element, but several of his books are straightforward mysteries. This is a good one, the denouement and plot twists ingenious, and in Mik Finsch a memorable villain. Worth your time!
May 3, 2012
The first of Jack Vance's mystery novels that I've ever read. I'm almost not even certain if "mystery" is the proper term -- it's mostly a leisurely travelogue between various Polynesian islands, with a couple of casual murders and a neat wrap-up in the final chapter. I enjoyed it, but more because of the travelogue elements than the mystery elements -- I believe Vance himself spent a fair amount of time sailing those waters, and it shows. (Although he was sailing those waters probably back in the 1940's or 1950's and the book was written in 1966 so some of the portrayals of the natives are not quite as . . . nuanced as we might prefer.)
All things considered, an enjoyable book -- probably closer to a 3.5 than a 3 -- with occasional flashes of characteristic Vancean wit and sparkle in the dialogue and descriptive passages.
All things considered, an enjoyable book -- probably closer to a 3.5 than a 3 -- with occasional flashes of characteristic Vancean wit and sparkle in the dialogue and descriptive passages.
May 25, 2024
The Deadly Isles is a 154 page mystery novel that was first published in 1969 under the name John Holbrook Vance. It was written by the famous science fiction writer Jack Vance whose real name was John Holbrook Vance.
For the most recent review and other Vance reviews please see:
https://vancealotjackvanceinreview.bl...
The first chapter of the story consists of two 1967 newspaper clippings from the San Francisco Chronicle. One is an announcement about Lia Wintersea being engaged to the popular socialite and yachtsman Brady Royce. The other is about a specialty dancer who was found dead in her apartment after being tortured and strangled.
In chapter two we learn that Brady is 48 years old and very wealthy and that Lia is an extravagantly beautiful, effortlessly elegant, supple and slender woman who has poise, charm and dignity and is only 22 years old. The couple plan to spend their honeymoon on Brady's yacht with a group of friends, sailing first to Hawaii and then to the Marquesas and Tahiti. Brady writes to his cousin Luke Royce, who is a marine biologist living in Tahiti, and invites Luke to join them after they reach the Marquesas. Prior to sailing out there is a secret, mysterious meeting in a seedy bar in a disreputable area between two unidentified people, a strange looking woman dressed in black and a dramatically handsome man. The woman comments on the death of the dancer who was strangled and invites the man on a trip to the South Pacific.
Brady's cousin, Luke, is planning to sail from Tahiti to the Marquesas to meet his cousin and his entourage. But a murder attempt is made on Luke. A man driving a Renault runs Luke and his Vespa off a steep cliff overlooking the ocean. Luke manages to survive the fall when he lands in the water. Afterward he recalls having seen the driver of the Renault previously. The same man was observed near the post office when Luke picked up his mail. He especially remembered the man's remarkably dark black opal eyes. Luke concludes that this man wanted to kill him but did not know where he lived or what he looked like but did know his post office box number and waited at the post office until Luke retrieved his mail. After the man saw Luke take his mail from the box the man followed him and then forced him off the cliff with his vehicle.
The following day Luke notices an article in the newspaper that an American Scientist Suffers Fatal Disaster. He realizes the article is about him and that the authorities found his crashed Vespa and think that his body was washed out to sea. Rather than reporting to the police that he is still alive Luke decides to pretend he never saw the article. He does not want to tip off the man who tried to kill him. Instead Luke cuts his hair, shaves off his beard and purchases tourist clothes to disguise himself to try to track down his would be murder. He eventually locates the man in a bar, finds that he goes by the name Ben Easley and learns that he is scheduled to sail to the Marquesas on the same ship Luke has booked. Luke decides to still board the ship but to do so under a fake name. Once his ship has sailed much of the novel shifts back and forth between the events on Luke's ship and the activities on his cousin's schooner.
The plot is rather straightforward and not overly complex, convoluted or difficult to follow. The storyline is faced paced, suspenseful and very atmospheric, depicting exotic South Seas cultures. Vance, of course, loved to sail and travel and this novel highlights his love of the ocean. The Deadly Isles should appeal to most Vance fans and some mystery readers. It does not have some of the narrative brilliance, or witty dialogue that characterizes Vance's very finest novels. But it is a captivating and entertaining novel that is well worth reading. I've read it twice now and liked it even better the second time, changing my rating from a 3 to a 4.
For the most recent review and other Vance reviews please see:
https://vancealotjackvanceinreview.bl...
The first chapter of the story consists of two 1967 newspaper clippings from the San Francisco Chronicle. One is an announcement about Lia Wintersea being engaged to the popular socialite and yachtsman Brady Royce. The other is about a specialty dancer who was found dead in her apartment after being tortured and strangled.
In chapter two we learn that Brady is 48 years old and very wealthy and that Lia is an extravagantly beautiful, effortlessly elegant, supple and slender woman who has poise, charm and dignity and is only 22 years old. The couple plan to spend their honeymoon on Brady's yacht with a group of friends, sailing first to Hawaii and then to the Marquesas and Tahiti. Brady writes to his cousin Luke Royce, who is a marine biologist living in Tahiti, and invites Luke to join them after they reach the Marquesas. Prior to sailing out there is a secret, mysterious meeting in a seedy bar in a disreputable area between two unidentified people, a strange looking woman dressed in black and a dramatically handsome man. The woman comments on the death of the dancer who was strangled and invites the man on a trip to the South Pacific.
Brady's cousin, Luke, is planning to sail from Tahiti to the Marquesas to meet his cousin and his entourage. But a murder attempt is made on Luke. A man driving a Renault runs Luke and his Vespa off a steep cliff overlooking the ocean. Luke manages to survive the fall when he lands in the water. Afterward he recalls having seen the driver of the Renault previously. The same man was observed near the post office when Luke picked up his mail. He especially remembered the man's remarkably dark black opal eyes. Luke concludes that this man wanted to kill him but did not know where he lived or what he looked like but did know his post office box number and waited at the post office until Luke retrieved his mail. After the man saw Luke take his mail from the box the man followed him and then forced him off the cliff with his vehicle.
The following day Luke notices an article in the newspaper that an American Scientist Suffers Fatal Disaster. He realizes the article is about him and that the authorities found his crashed Vespa and think that his body was washed out to sea. Rather than reporting to the police that he is still alive Luke decides to pretend he never saw the article. He does not want to tip off the man who tried to kill him. Instead Luke cuts his hair, shaves off his beard and purchases tourist clothes to disguise himself to try to track down his would be murder. He eventually locates the man in a bar, finds that he goes by the name Ben Easley and learns that he is scheduled to sail to the Marquesas on the same ship Luke has booked. Luke decides to still board the ship but to do so under a fake name. Once his ship has sailed much of the novel shifts back and forth between the events on Luke's ship and the activities on his cousin's schooner.
The plot is rather straightforward and not overly complex, convoluted or difficult to follow. The storyline is faced paced, suspenseful and very atmospheric, depicting exotic South Seas cultures. Vance, of course, loved to sail and travel and this novel highlights his love of the ocean. The Deadly Isles should appeal to most Vance fans and some mystery readers. It does not have some of the narrative brilliance, or witty dialogue that characterizes Vance's very finest novels. But it is a captivating and entertaining novel that is well worth reading. I've read it twice now and liked it even better the second time, changing my rating from a 3 to a 4.
May 30, 2024
The Dark Ocean is a 175 page mystery novel that was written in the late 1960s but was not published until 1985 when it was released in hardcover by Underwood Miller. In 2002 it was published as part of the hardcover Vance Integral Edition and in 2012 the Subterranean Press released it along with three other Vance mystery novels in a hardcover edition titled Desperate Days: Selected Mysteries Volume Two. Spatterlight released the first paperback edition in 2017.
For the most recent review and other Vance reviews please see:
https://vancealotjackvanceinreview.bl...
The Dark Ocean is somewhat similar to Vance's novel The Deadly Isles in that most of the story takes place on a ship. Instead of a yacht in the South Seas near Tahiti, The Dark Ocean is set on an Italian freighter that leaves San Francisco on its way to Italy with stops in Los Angeles, El Salvador and Panama. It is an engaging and easy to read novel with a rather straightforward plot that is not very complex or subtle. At times it is also not very realistic or believable. I would recommend The Dark Ocean only to ardent Vance fans.
The main character, Betty Haverhill, lives in an upscale area of Menlo Park near San Francisco with her mother who keeps trying to introduce her to wealthy young men her mother thinks are good marriage prospects. Her mother is shocked when Betty flunks out of pre-med school at Stanford and accepts her father's offer to travel around the world by herself at his expense. Being independent minded and rather rebellious, Betty wants as colorful an experience as possible so decides to arrange passage on an Italian freighter out of San Francisco. When she boards, however, much to her surprise and disapproval, she finds that a young man whom she had been dating has also booked passage. He says he purchased a ticket because he wanted to accompany her to protect her and to convince her to eventually marry him. Betty does not love him, does not want to marry him and deeply resents his presence which she considers an imposition on her freedom and independence.
While on board Betty flirts with a wealthy Dutchman, Mik Finsch, who is very charismatic but has a rather shady past. When Finsch attempts to rape Betty, her would be boyfriend comes to her defense and a fist fight breaks out. When her "boyfriend" suddenly disappears from the ship, leaving a typed suicide note, Betty suspects Finsch of foul play. She does not leave the ship when it stops at port in Los Angeles, however, even though Finsch remains aboard and she now has to share her cabin with another woman. Other mishaps occur and Betty again suspects and tries to prove that Finsch is involved. If the story itself is at times unrealistic, Vance does make up for it to some degree with his vivid prose and excellent writing style so that the writing is better than the story. Overall The Dark Ocean is not that interesting and will probably appeal mostly to dedicated Vance fans. I’ve read it three times and rate it a 3 out of 5, “Liked it.”
For the most recent review and other Vance reviews please see:
https://vancealotjackvanceinreview.bl...
The Dark Ocean is somewhat similar to Vance's novel The Deadly Isles in that most of the story takes place on a ship. Instead of a yacht in the South Seas near Tahiti, The Dark Ocean is set on an Italian freighter that leaves San Francisco on its way to Italy with stops in Los Angeles, El Salvador and Panama. It is an engaging and easy to read novel with a rather straightforward plot that is not very complex or subtle. At times it is also not very realistic or believable. I would recommend The Dark Ocean only to ardent Vance fans.
The main character, Betty Haverhill, lives in an upscale area of Menlo Park near San Francisco with her mother who keeps trying to introduce her to wealthy young men her mother thinks are good marriage prospects. Her mother is shocked when Betty flunks out of pre-med school at Stanford and accepts her father's offer to travel around the world by herself at his expense. Being independent minded and rather rebellious, Betty wants as colorful an experience as possible so decides to arrange passage on an Italian freighter out of San Francisco. When she boards, however, much to her surprise and disapproval, she finds that a young man whom she had been dating has also booked passage. He says he purchased a ticket because he wanted to accompany her to protect her and to convince her to eventually marry him. Betty does not love him, does not want to marry him and deeply resents his presence which she considers an imposition on her freedom and independence.
While on board Betty flirts with a wealthy Dutchman, Mik Finsch, who is very charismatic but has a rather shady past. When Finsch attempts to rape Betty, her would be boyfriend comes to her defense and a fist fight breaks out. When her "boyfriend" suddenly disappears from the ship, leaving a typed suicide note, Betty suspects Finsch of foul play. She does not leave the ship when it stops at port in Los Angeles, however, even though Finsch remains aboard and she now has to share her cabin with another woman. Other mishaps occur and Betty again suspects and tries to prove that Finsch is involved. If the story itself is at times unrealistic, Vance does make up for it to some degree with his vivid prose and excellent writing style so that the writing is better than the story. Overall The Dark Ocean is not that interesting and will probably appeal mostly to dedicated Vance fans. I’ve read it three times and rate it a 3 out of 5, “Liked it.”
April 12, 2018
Read in VIE (and Dangerous Ways)
December 4, 2019
Jack Vance wrote several mysteries under his given name of John Holbrook Vance. These seem rarer than hen's teeth-I only found a trio of them by the wildest accident about two years ago. Jack Vance is one of my all time favorite SF authors. I anticipated an enjoyable mystery when I picked up The Deadly Isles. And the mystery portion of this book was indeed well crafted. But I did not care for the novel overmuch and it took me a while to figure out why: I hate everyone in it. Every character grated on my nerves. Also Vance uses a really creaky plot device to extend the narrative-it worked for Homer but wearied me. Not his best book.
February 15, 2021
Another Jack Vance murder mystery, set in the Pacific Hawaii area in the '50s or '60s.
Nice enough read, nice setting with lots of exotic locations, sailing ships, beautiful women, and the constant threat of a menacing murderer.
Not really typical for the marvelous, creative writer that Vance is, but a pleasant read for completionists.
Nice enough read, nice setting with lots of exotic locations, sailing ships, beautiful women, and the constant threat of a menacing murderer.
Not really typical for the marvelous, creative writer that Vance is, but a pleasant read for completionists.
June 16, 2026
Vance stuffs most of his novels with vibrant characters but the characters here are completely uninteresting.
May 25, 2024
The Dark Ocean is a 175 page mystery novel that was written in the late 1960s but was not published until 1985 when it was released in hardcover by Underwood Miller. In 2002 it was published as part of the hardcover Vance Integral Edition and in 2012 the Subterranean Press released it along with three other Vance mystery novels in a hardcover edition titled Desperate Days: Selected Mysteries Volume Two. Spatterlight released the first paperback edition in 2017.
For the most recent review and other Vance reviews please see:
https://vancealotjackvanceinreview.bl...
The Dark Ocean is somewhat similar to Vance's novel The Deadly Isles in that most of the story takes place on a ship. Instead of a yacht in the South Seas near Tahiti, The Dark Ocean is set on an Italian freighter that leaves San Francisco on its way to Italy with stops in Los Angeles, El Salvador and Panama. It is an engaging and easy to read novel with a rather straightforward plot that is not very complex or subtle. At times it is also not very realistic or believable.
The main character, Betty Haverhill, lives in an upscale area of Menlo Park near San Francisco with her mother who keeps trying to introduce her to wealthy young men her mother thinks are good marriage prospects. Her mother is shocked when Betty flunks out of pre-med school at Stanford and accepts her father's offer to travel around the world by herself at his expense. Being independent minded and rather rebellious, Betty wants as colorful an experience as possible so decides to arrange passage on an Italian freighter out of San Francisco. When she boards, however, much to her surprise and disapproval, she finds that a young man whom she had been dating has also booked passage. He says he purchased a ticket because he wanted to accompany her to protect her and to convince her to eventually marry him. Betty does not love him, does not want to marry him and deeply resents his presence which she considers an imposition on her freedom and independence.
While on board Betty flirts with a wealthy Dutchman, Mik Finsch, who is very charismatic but has a rather shady past. When Finsch attempts to rape Betty, her would be boyfriend comes to her defense and a fist fight breaks out. When her "boyfriend" suddenly disappears from the ship, leaving a typed suicide note, Betty suspects Finsch of foul play. She does not leave the ship when it stops at port in Los Angeles, however, even though Finsch remains aboard and she now has to share her cabin with another woman. Other mishaps occur and Betty again suspects and tries to prove that Finsch is involved. If the story itself is at times unrealistic, Vance does make up for it to some degree with his vivid prose and excellent writing style so that the writing is better than the story. Overall I found The Dark Ocean to be only mildly interesting and suspect it will probably appeal mostly to dedicated Vance fans. I’ve read it three times and rate it a 3 “Liked it.”
For the most recent review and other Vance reviews please see:
https://vancealotjackvanceinreview.bl...
The Dark Ocean is somewhat similar to Vance's novel The Deadly Isles in that most of the story takes place on a ship. Instead of a yacht in the South Seas near Tahiti, The Dark Ocean is set on an Italian freighter that leaves San Francisco on its way to Italy with stops in Los Angeles, El Salvador and Panama. It is an engaging and easy to read novel with a rather straightforward plot that is not very complex or subtle. At times it is also not very realistic or believable.
The main character, Betty Haverhill, lives in an upscale area of Menlo Park near San Francisco with her mother who keeps trying to introduce her to wealthy young men her mother thinks are good marriage prospects. Her mother is shocked when Betty flunks out of pre-med school at Stanford and accepts her father's offer to travel around the world by herself at his expense. Being independent minded and rather rebellious, Betty wants as colorful an experience as possible so decides to arrange passage on an Italian freighter out of San Francisco. When she boards, however, much to her surprise and disapproval, she finds that a young man whom she had been dating has also booked passage. He says he purchased a ticket because he wanted to accompany her to protect her and to convince her to eventually marry him. Betty does not love him, does not want to marry him and deeply resents his presence which she considers an imposition on her freedom and independence.
While on board Betty flirts with a wealthy Dutchman, Mik Finsch, who is very charismatic but has a rather shady past. When Finsch attempts to rape Betty, her would be boyfriend comes to her defense and a fist fight breaks out. When her "boyfriend" suddenly disappears from the ship, leaving a typed suicide note, Betty suspects Finsch of foul play. She does not leave the ship when it stops at port in Los Angeles, however, even though Finsch remains aboard and she now has to share her cabin with another woman. Other mishaps occur and Betty again suspects and tries to prove that Finsch is involved. If the story itself is at times unrealistic, Vance does make up for it to some degree with his vivid prose and excellent writing style so that the writing is better than the story. Overall I found The Dark Ocean to be only mildly interesting and suspect it will probably appeal mostly to dedicated Vance fans. I’ve read it three times and rate it a 3 “Liked it.”
February 24, 2017
Great mystery novel.
December 3, 2020
A nice modern day story by Vance, the writer that is a master of science fiction and fantasy, but a mediocre thriller writer.
The story develops trying to set the background quickly, following by the body of the work which has the protagonist and main characters locked in eachothers company on an ocean liner as the tension begins to build.
Some of the characters are vivid and nicely characterized, but ultimately this is a pleasant but forgettable tale. For completionists.
The story develops trying to set the background quickly, following by the body of the work which has the protagonist and main characters locked in eachothers company on an ocean liner as the tension begins to build.
Some of the characters are vivid and nicely characterized, but ultimately this is a pleasant but forgettable tale. For completionists.
February 27, 2017
Another Jack Vance Special. Great book.
April 12, 2018
Read in Desperate Days
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews