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Muddied Waters
It is the end of the Golden Age of Piracy, with all of the most famous bandits either killed, disappeared, or captured and executed by authorities. A retiring viceroy, on his way home and carrying with him decades worth of riches, runs into one of the few crews of brigands left roaming the open waters. His misfortune is not only the haul of their lives, but a prize for the ages. The pirates attempt to disappear with the treasure, not realizing that this viceroy will stop at nothing to regain what has been stolen from him. Muddied Waters is a tale of ambitious and uncompromising men who carry with them not only the fruits of their plunder, but the weight of its true cost.
280 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 31, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
February 27, 2019
Pirates who slip in and out of cliche' "pirate lingo," otherwise well disciplined crews who neglect basic ship's maintenance, the stereotypical vain nobleman who is willing to endanger the life of an entire crew for his own convenience and ego. And, these are only in the first two chapters of "Muddied Waters."
I know you are supposed to find something nice to say when you start a book review, but I am so tired of reading adventure stories by guys who have never been anywhere near the setting or time period of their story. (I don't read bodice rippers either.)
Write what you know. If you don't know anything, do what I do. Read.
(That last comment was because of an author who snapped at me for a review he didn't like and said, "If you think you can do better, why don't you write a book. Obviously, I don't think I can write a good novel. I know where my talents lie.)
I received this book free in exchange for an honest review on Goodreads.
I know you are supposed to find something nice to say when you start a book review, but I am so tired of reading adventure stories by guys who have never been anywhere near the setting or time period of their story. (I don't read bodice rippers either.)
Write what you know. If you don't know anything, do what I do. Read.
(That last comment was because of an author who snapped at me for a review he didn't like and said, "If you think you can do better, why don't you write a book. Obviously, I don't think I can write a good novel. I know where my talents lie.)
I received this book free in exchange for an honest review on Goodreads.
July 13, 2020
I picked this book up after reading the summary because I wanted an adventure book. I have never read a pirate-centered book before, but I do enjoy historical fiction novels if they are well-researched and paint realistic characters in my mind.
Muddied Waters by Theo Clarkson did not disappoint. The first couple of chapters really made me want to read more. It started off with a high-interest execution, and then continued to tell the story from multiple points of view. I found myself invested in their motives and anticipating their next move. Pirates, like most Earthlings, are just looking for a leg-up in this uncertain world. As in life, sometimes the “bad guys” were not all bad, and it was impossible to pass judgement without questioning yourself. For example, if I was traveling with my life’s fortune and was robbed by pirates, I’d likely be happy to escape with my life. But the lengths that Viceroy Carlos Bejo goes to take it back illustrate just how desperate his family situation is after his father foolishly wasted their money. Then again, it is a hell of a large fortune, so who knows how one would act in that situation. We read about characters who essentially have gold fever, and their decisions are “muddied” as greed takes over. All these characters revolve around the Viceroy and his pursuit of regaining his fortune.
As I assume most pirate books are, this book is violent. Expect all of the stereotypical pirate-associated actions to be included. Foul language, liquor, underage kids doing adult things, skulls and crossbones, fights, and lots of violence are contained throughout the book. The pirate dialect took a short time getting used to but then added to the realism of the characters. I now understand the context into which piracy was made popular and fell, and am interested to read further on this subject. I would recommend this book and will be reading others by Theo Clarkson.
Muddied Waters by Theo Clarkson did not disappoint. The first couple of chapters really made me want to read more. It started off with a high-interest execution, and then continued to tell the story from multiple points of view. I found myself invested in their motives and anticipating their next move. Pirates, like most Earthlings, are just looking for a leg-up in this uncertain world. As in life, sometimes the “bad guys” were not all bad, and it was impossible to pass judgement without questioning yourself. For example, if I was traveling with my life’s fortune and was robbed by pirates, I’d likely be happy to escape with my life. But the lengths that Viceroy Carlos Bejo goes to take it back illustrate just how desperate his family situation is after his father foolishly wasted their money. Then again, it is a hell of a large fortune, so who knows how one would act in that situation. We read about characters who essentially have gold fever, and their decisions are “muddied” as greed takes over. All these characters revolve around the Viceroy and his pursuit of regaining his fortune.
As I assume most pirate books are, this book is violent. Expect all of the stereotypical pirate-associated actions to be included. Foul language, liquor, underage kids doing adult things, skulls and crossbones, fights, and lots of violence are contained throughout the book. The pirate dialect took a short time getting used to but then added to the realism of the characters. I now understand the context into which piracy was made popular and fell, and am interested to read further on this subject. I would recommend this book and will be reading others by Theo Clarkson.
February 21, 2019
This book was okay for me.
April 25, 2018
Exciting pirate story with great characters and many plot twists. I found the story to be compelling and easy to read.
I particularly liked how the author blended the lines between good characters who do bad things, and bad characters who have redeeming qualities. This gave the characters more depth.
The novel was well researched and the author used sailing and piracy terms well throughout the novel.
Overall great story. Looking forward to the next novel from this author.
I particularly liked how the author blended the lines between good characters who do bad things, and bad characters who have redeeming qualities. This gave the characters more depth.
The novel was well researched and the author used sailing and piracy terms well throughout the novel.
Overall great story. Looking forward to the next novel from this author.
December 9, 2021
The golden age of piracy is coming to an end as the world grows smaller and a generation dangles at the end of a noose. A once enterprising reverie for the young at heart and the criminally insane, now a dirty hand-me-down dream. All that’s left of the pirate legacy is greed found at the bottom of a bottle or the end of a barrel. Man’s true nature is shown through Theo Clarkson as he spins a tale of humanity’s darkest desires in Muddied Waters. One of the last of the pirate ships on the ocean, Sweet Liberty, comes across a Portuguese cargo ship carrying a king-size ransom. They take what they please and hold the king’s cousin, Belo, hostage. To the man’s humiliation, the pirates bargain with his life and sell him off to the nearest settlement for a pittance. Unbeknownst to the pirates, Belo’s do-or-die moto drags them into a manhunt that leads to nothing but misery and death.
Clarkson recreates an amazing atmosphere from the 1800s, bringing us back to a time where life was brutal and short. We can feel the reality of what peasants faced. The choices they made to gain an ounce of a better life. And the choices the higher-ups, the rich and the royal, made in order to suppress their subjects. Looking at the scene with Captain Teague and Milligan having a drink in the captain’s quarters Teague talks about the differences between him and Milligan. Both got the short end of the stick, but whereas Teague made his first kill when he was living on the streets as a child; Milligan fought in the Navy for his country. Teague sees his first kill as self-defense and Milligan’s as murder. Neither men’s’ actions were noble or moral, but it was what they had to do to survive.
The novel opens with the executioner telling readers about each individual being hanged that day. A foreshadowing of the characters eventual downfall. This creates a well-fashioned, artistic eye-opener for the readers. The story is written in third person allowing readers to get multiple perspectives and an overall feel for situations. Readers then know everything that happens in the book while characters can be blind-sided. This makes for great dramatic ‘reveal-all’ scenes, which Clarkson does beautifully. But not only is he able to blind-side the characters, but also his readers every-now-and-then too, creating reveals that shock his audience. I found the accents of the characters in the story to be interesting and creative.
Muddied Waters is exceptionally well-written and engaging. A pirates tale that builds slowly, giving readers a chance to take in all the characters and setting before racing off with suspense and turmoil leading up to the climax. Readers will be able to step back in time to the 1800’s and experience the not always glamourous pirate life. A great take over the typical happy pirate adventures.
Clarkson recreates an amazing atmosphere from the 1800s, bringing us back to a time where life was brutal and short. We can feel the reality of what peasants faced. The choices they made to gain an ounce of a better life. And the choices the higher-ups, the rich and the royal, made in order to suppress their subjects. Looking at the scene with Captain Teague and Milligan having a drink in the captain’s quarters Teague talks about the differences between him and Milligan. Both got the short end of the stick, but whereas Teague made his first kill when he was living on the streets as a child; Milligan fought in the Navy for his country. Teague sees his first kill as self-defense and Milligan’s as murder. Neither men’s’ actions were noble or moral, but it was what they had to do to survive.
The novel opens with the executioner telling readers about each individual being hanged that day. A foreshadowing of the characters eventual downfall. This creates a well-fashioned, artistic eye-opener for the readers. The story is written in third person allowing readers to get multiple perspectives and an overall feel for situations. Readers then know everything that happens in the book while characters can be blind-sided. This makes for great dramatic ‘reveal-all’ scenes, which Clarkson does beautifully. But not only is he able to blind-side the characters, but also his readers every-now-and-then too, creating reveals that shock his audience. I found the accents of the characters in the story to be interesting and creative.
Muddied Waters is exceptionally well-written and engaging. A pirates tale that builds slowly, giving readers a chance to take in all the characters and setting before racing off with suspense and turmoil leading up to the climax. Readers will be able to step back in time to the 1800’s and experience the not always glamourous pirate life. A great take over the typical happy pirate adventures.
June 19, 2019
Muddied Waters, by Theo Clarkson, is not the kind of book I usually pick up but I'm glad I spent time diving into his tale of adventure, treasure and intrigue. The author's ability to draw detailed, complex characters is probably what impressed me most about the book, in addition to a story full of so many layers it never gets old or boring.
The pirate jargon was dead on, matey, and lent an aura of authenticity to the fast-moving story of a nobleman in search of his stolen trove of gold. The thieves are pirates, of course, but not the kind you see in Hollywood films. These "bad guys" are realistic people who have good sides too. The same kind of realism is apparent in the so-called "good guy" whose gold was stolen by the pirates. All the players have their own motives, grudges and backgrounds. The result is a fun read that will have you siding with different characters as the story unfolds. To his great credit, author Clarkson doesn't paint a black-and-white picture of who's in the right and who's in the wrong.
For readers who have a sensitivity to harsh language and violence, be warned that this is, after all, a pirate story. The hefty doses of fighting and swearing were actually good for the story, in my opinion, as they contributed to the quick pace and historic accuracy of the story. In a world where murder, deception and bloody fights are a way of life, profanity is usually along for the ride. There's a soap opera feel to the book at times but that doesn't detract from its power. In fact, some of the most beloved books in history, like Gone With the Wind, could easily fall into the soap opera category.
In the end, Clarkson packs his tale with so many colorful events and people that it's hard to stop reading. The opening scene is a real grabber and serves as a clear warning that this book is going to be a quick-moving, multi-layered saga of the seas. Executions are never pretty, but when they're part of a well-woven story told by a skilled writer, they have their place. Five big seafaring stars for Theo Clarkson's "Muddied Waters."
The pirate jargon was dead on, matey, and lent an aura of authenticity to the fast-moving story of a nobleman in search of his stolen trove of gold. The thieves are pirates, of course, but not the kind you see in Hollywood films. These "bad guys" are realistic people who have good sides too. The same kind of realism is apparent in the so-called "good guy" whose gold was stolen by the pirates. All the players have their own motives, grudges and backgrounds. The result is a fun read that will have you siding with different characters as the story unfolds. To his great credit, author Clarkson doesn't paint a black-and-white picture of who's in the right and who's in the wrong.
For readers who have a sensitivity to harsh language and violence, be warned that this is, after all, a pirate story. The hefty doses of fighting and swearing were actually good for the story, in my opinion, as they contributed to the quick pace and historic accuracy of the story. In a world where murder, deception and bloody fights are a way of life, profanity is usually along for the ride. There's a soap opera feel to the book at times but that doesn't detract from its power. In fact, some of the most beloved books in history, like Gone With the Wind, could easily fall into the soap opera category.
In the end, Clarkson packs his tale with so many colorful events and people that it's hard to stop reading. The opening scene is a real grabber and serves as a clear warning that this book is going to be a quick-moving, multi-layered saga of the seas. Executions are never pretty, but when they're part of a well-woven story told by a skilled writer, they have their place. Five big seafaring stars for Theo Clarkson's "Muddied Waters."
July 19, 2019
Muddied Waters started off with a bang, and continued to impress from there. The first chapter had a very sinister and impressing feel. The book started off with the punishment of convicted pirates in the Golden Age, including one small boy. From there, the action and adventure begins.
Theo Clarkson brought the history of pirates back to life so that you felt that you were living right along side them. The dialogues were very realistic, and made you feel like you were really listening to different people talk. The dialogues used for the ship bound pirates was very authentic and was refreshingly consistent from beginning to end. In parts, I was almost expecting for the dialogue to become over-the-top, in the sense that word choice and the pirate dialect can almost become an acquired read, but was pleasantly surprised that even when people were talking, the story itself kept flowing along.
This book had a sense of adventure and urgency that was put together seamlessly. Between conflicts with government officials, a race to regain a stolen crew, and personal turmoil, the book was as exciting as it was genuinely interesting. Each character was very three dimensional. While reading, each and every character was brought to life. At times it was difficult to decide who was the good guy and who was the bad guy. Just like in real life, each person had their positive aspects and negative ones. Almost every character had a back story that explained their tendencies and why they did the things they did, which is hard to find in a book.
After reading this book, I have a new perspective of the time of pirates that I have never had before. Muddied Waters was refreshingly exciting, thought provoking, and personal. It was an adventure from beginning to end. When I read it, it put me in a different world outside of today's reality. I would definitely recommend this book for anyone looking for a an exciting historical adventure.
Theo Clarkson brought the history of pirates back to life so that you felt that you were living right along side them. The dialogues were very realistic, and made you feel like you were really listening to different people talk. The dialogues used for the ship bound pirates was very authentic and was refreshingly consistent from beginning to end. In parts, I was almost expecting for the dialogue to become over-the-top, in the sense that word choice and the pirate dialect can almost become an acquired read, but was pleasantly surprised that even when people were talking, the story itself kept flowing along.
This book had a sense of adventure and urgency that was put together seamlessly. Between conflicts with government officials, a race to regain a stolen crew, and personal turmoil, the book was as exciting as it was genuinely interesting. Each character was very three dimensional. While reading, each and every character was brought to life. At times it was difficult to decide who was the good guy and who was the bad guy. Just like in real life, each person had their positive aspects and negative ones. Almost every character had a back story that explained their tendencies and why they did the things they did, which is hard to find in a book.
After reading this book, I have a new perspective of the time of pirates that I have never had before. Muddied Waters was refreshingly exciting, thought provoking, and personal. It was an adventure from beginning to end. When I read it, it put me in a different world outside of today's reality. I would definitely recommend this book for anyone looking for a an exciting historical adventure.
February 27, 2019
Ambitious retired Viceroy Carlos Belo just wants to return home with the fortune he's saved over twenty years in Goa, so he can save his family from his fathers' reckless squandering of their inherited fortune.
Although he's commissioned the biggest Portuguese galleon he could find to deliver it and himself to Lisbon, a sudden storm leaves them stranded on the tiny island of Reunion, helpless prey for pirates.
As the story follows Belo and the fortune in gold he so desperately wants to keep, events move rapidly out of his control and spiral into a maelstrom of recklessness, murder, and revenge.
Captain Da Cunha is one of the few characters in the game who only wants to get home safely. As he tries to keep his ship and crew together, he remains as true to himself as he's able throughout the story.
Most of the rest of the people can't help but become infected with gold fever, and we follow the different characters coming into contact with Belo's former treasure as they each try to get where they want to be.
Belo remains convinced that with Captain Da Cunha's help, he can regain his treasure from the pirates even after they've sailed away. He drives the captain and crew as hard as he dares to repair the ship and pursue his gold.
Pirate Captain Teague is portrayed as a basically good man who step-by-step loses touch with his morals and values.
Alger Moore, sixteen and nearly a man, also tries hard to hang on to his ethics but has a difficult choice to make.
As the gold moves across the sea and affects nearly everyone around, you're drawn into the stories of each person who comes in contact with it.
Will the retired Viceroy succeed in getting back his treasure, or is he wasting his life in fruitless pursuit?
I really enjoyed how the author filled out the characters and made them real people with understandable motivations and feelings - well done!
Although he's commissioned the biggest Portuguese galleon he could find to deliver it and himself to Lisbon, a sudden storm leaves them stranded on the tiny island of Reunion, helpless prey for pirates.
As the story follows Belo and the fortune in gold he so desperately wants to keep, events move rapidly out of his control and spiral into a maelstrom of recklessness, murder, and revenge.
Captain Da Cunha is one of the few characters in the game who only wants to get home safely. As he tries to keep his ship and crew together, he remains as true to himself as he's able throughout the story.
Most of the rest of the people can't help but become infected with gold fever, and we follow the different characters coming into contact with Belo's former treasure as they each try to get where they want to be.
Belo remains convinced that with Captain Da Cunha's help, he can regain his treasure from the pirates even after they've sailed away. He drives the captain and crew as hard as he dares to repair the ship and pursue his gold.
Pirate Captain Teague is portrayed as a basically good man who step-by-step loses touch with his morals and values.
Alger Moore, sixteen and nearly a man, also tries hard to hang on to his ethics but has a difficult choice to make.
As the gold moves across the sea and affects nearly everyone around, you're drawn into the stories of each person who comes in contact with it.
Will the retired Viceroy succeed in getting back his treasure, or is he wasting his life in fruitless pursuit?
I really enjoyed how the author filled out the characters and made them real people with understandable motivations and feelings - well done!
July 20, 2020
Viceroy Belo is determined to get his riches back home and return his family���s name into good graces. After a storm leaves the ship he is traveling on vulnerable, one of the last pirate ships, manned by Captain Teague, takes advantage of their position. The pirates were surprised at the abundance of riches and gladly left Belo, his ship’s captain Da Cunha, what was left of the crew and their damaged ship in the port he found them. With the amount of treasure being so grand, the pirates start going stir crazy and greedy to get to the next port and enjoy the spoils. Captain Teague finds it difficult to keep his crew in line and follow through with his plan to get to the new land and everyone off with their share safely. Along the way, they find that Viceroy Belo is steadfast in his pursuit and is closing in on them. They don’t realize how far he will go to retrieve what he can of his treasure.
This book had me rooting more for the pirates than for the vengeful viceroy. Alger was my favorite pirate, though not a huge main character, his story is developed enough. He is a young man who is just trying to figure himself out after being under his father’s thumb. He doesn’t realize how cutthroat life as a pirate would be until it is too late. Even though his experience hardens him, he still keeps his good senses.
I was amazed at how much I enjoyed this book as I do not normally read historical fiction, but this one had me intrigued. From the start, it was engaging and the dialect was easy to follow. Each character had their own background and their stories were melded into the plot seamlessly. The book was definitely meant for mature readers with the adult language and adult situations. The amount of plot twists and turns will have you on edge to find out what happens next.
This book had me rooting more for the pirates than for the vengeful viceroy. Alger was my favorite pirate, though not a huge main character, his story is developed enough. He is a young man who is just trying to figure himself out after being under his father’s thumb. He doesn’t realize how cutthroat life as a pirate would be until it is too late. Even though his experience hardens him, he still keeps his good senses.
I was amazed at how much I enjoyed this book as I do not normally read historical fiction, but this one had me intrigued. From the start, it was engaging and the dialect was easy to follow. Each character had their own background and their stories were melded into the plot seamlessly. The book was definitely meant for mature readers with the adult language and adult situations. The amount of plot twists and turns will have you on edge to find out what happens next.
January 2, 2020
Muddied Waters was not what I expected. The last few pirate stories I read were sanitized Disney stories and I kept expecting Jack Sparrow to show up as a character. This story was surprisingly historically accurate consistently throughout the story. Especially the fight scenes. Which is always nice in a piece of fiction. The golden age of piracy is alive and well in Theo Clarkson’s imagination.
At times while reading, I could hear the characters, smell the ocean, people and the ports where they stopped. The language was appropriate for an adult read and for the time period.
Starting the story with an execution was a clever way to draw people into the scene. It kept me interested especially with each chapter being a different pirate and their lives and interactions.
The author, Theo Clarkson has a love of pirates; it is easy to tell with how much research was put into this work. At times, the sentences weren’t as clear as they could be, but it didn’t affect the story much. The formatting was off at times but that is something that can be fixed easily and wasn’t as distracting as it could have been.
Writing this book, Theo Clarkson used foul language, fight scenes and didn’t “clean up the scenery” as some writers have a habit of doing. At times reading it, I could feel the salty sea, blood spatter and other matter through his descriptions; as that was the times during the colonial age. Hygiene, cleanliness and consistent education were not the high priorities. Not dying, finding food and lodging on a regular basis were the necessities of everyday life. Living with a price on your head and enjoying it made pirates seem like the ultimate adrenaline junkie. I look forward to reading his next books. They will just as entertaining as this first one.
At times while reading, I could hear the characters, smell the ocean, people and the ports where they stopped. The language was appropriate for an adult read and for the time period.
Starting the story with an execution was a clever way to draw people into the scene. It kept me interested especially with each chapter being a different pirate and their lives and interactions.
The author, Theo Clarkson has a love of pirates; it is easy to tell with how much research was put into this work. At times, the sentences weren’t as clear as they could be, but it didn’t affect the story much. The formatting was off at times but that is something that can be fixed easily and wasn’t as distracting as it could have been.
Writing this book, Theo Clarkson used foul language, fight scenes and didn’t “clean up the scenery” as some writers have a habit of doing. At times reading it, I could feel the salty sea, blood spatter and other matter through his descriptions; as that was the times during the colonial age. Hygiene, cleanliness and consistent education were not the high priorities. Not dying, finding food and lodging on a regular basis were the necessities of everyday life. Living with a price on your head and enjoying it made pirates seem like the ultimate adrenaline junkie. I look forward to reading his next books. They will just as entertaining as this first one.
March 6, 2021
Great Novel
Muddied Waters by the author Theo Clarkson is a the perfect book to read for all readers, who love to experience excitement on the high seas. This novel will grab you right away with the hanging of a well- known pirate on the gallows. When this book first started off I was thinking that it was going to be boring, however, after the first two chapters it began to get more interesting. It is the end of the Golden Age of Piracy , with all of the most famous bandits either killed, disappeared, or captured and executed by authorities. Muddied Waters is a tale of ambitious and uncompromising men who love to carry with them not only the fruits of their product, but also the weight of its cost. I found the colorful wording of this terrific book to be extra enticing since the writer has plenty of descriptive scenes that can only be imagined with this wonderful portrayal of pirate life. Clarkson writes a tale that is intricate and complex. What character will you connect with the most? The author has a way with his words, and in this novel it shows that he had knowledge and love about pirates. I enjoyed this story, even though I am not into pirates, it helped me to understand the historical aspect of pirates. It is a fantastic read, especially if you love pirates. And, if you don’t care too much about pirates, the novel still offers a lot with its glimpse into the human attributes of revenge, justice, greed and deceit in the decaying end of the world of pirates. I enjoyed reading this book, and I highly recommend it to be read by any reader who does are does not like pirates, you will learn a lot, because I know I did. The author put his all into this story, and I as a reader enjoyed it. Great Job!
Muddied Waters by the author Theo Clarkson is a the perfect book to read for all readers, who love to experience excitement on the high seas. This novel will grab you right away with the hanging of a well- known pirate on the gallows. When this book first started off I was thinking that it was going to be boring, however, after the first two chapters it began to get more interesting. It is the end of the Golden Age of Piracy , with all of the most famous bandits either killed, disappeared, or captured and executed by authorities. Muddied Waters is a tale of ambitious and uncompromising men who love to carry with them not only the fruits of their product, but also the weight of its cost. I found the colorful wording of this terrific book to be extra enticing since the writer has plenty of descriptive scenes that can only be imagined with this wonderful portrayal of pirate life. Clarkson writes a tale that is intricate and complex. What character will you connect with the most? The author has a way with his words, and in this novel it shows that he had knowledge and love about pirates. I enjoyed this story, even though I am not into pirates, it helped me to understand the historical aspect of pirates. It is a fantastic read, especially if you love pirates. And, if you don’t care too much about pirates, the novel still offers a lot with its glimpse into the human attributes of revenge, justice, greed and deceit in the decaying end of the world of pirates. I enjoyed reading this book, and I highly recommend it to be read by any reader who does are does not like pirates, you will learn a lot, because I know I did. The author put his all into this story, and I as a reader enjoyed it. Great Job!
June 3, 2019
“Muddied Waters” is a lively tale - spun to illustrate an intriguing timespan in history, the Golden Age of Piracy. Author Theo Clarkson articulately begins to bring the reader to the days of swash-buckling freebooters, where thievery, and the dreadful consequences of murder weigh out. Rich with escapades of a several ships through treacherous waves of the Indian Ocean, the audience stumbles upon the story of “Our Lady of the Deep”.
Discover what unfolds on wounded warships, brigadier bandits, blades and bravery…and the battle for treasures of gold, porcelain and silk. The author engages the reader with vibrant travels leading to gallows, governors, gut wrenching betrayal, and the journey of a pirate hunt heavy with the rebellion of forces and wills.Clarkson cultivates each character with creative care, weaving a storyline of struggle, slavery, strength in adversity, and one giant savage. Unlikely companions prove fate and fortune interesting bedfellows.
The reader is carried through distant lands and a marooned island village, not lacking for descriptive pictorials of native civilizations and champions, coastal cities and captains. It’s easy to become is immersed in the chapters to find warriors and rulers amongst human oddities and humility, a mining disaster of a marooned island village, all intertwined amongst empty hearts and plantations…a story of revenge and uncertain alliances. This is a MUST READ for those who want a break from the mundane - in favor of variety as well as vengeance. This novel does not disappoint as a means to an end, a plethora of pervading paradigm shifts.
Discover what unfolds on wounded warships, brigadier bandits, blades and bravery…and the battle for treasures of gold, porcelain and silk. The author engages the reader with vibrant travels leading to gallows, governors, gut wrenching betrayal, and the journey of a pirate hunt heavy with the rebellion of forces and wills.Clarkson cultivates each character with creative care, weaving a storyline of struggle, slavery, strength in adversity, and one giant savage. Unlikely companions prove fate and fortune interesting bedfellows.
The reader is carried through distant lands and a marooned island village, not lacking for descriptive pictorials of native civilizations and champions, coastal cities and captains. It’s easy to become is immersed in the chapters to find warriors and rulers amongst human oddities and humility, a mining disaster of a marooned island village, all intertwined amongst empty hearts and plantations…a story of revenge and uncertain alliances. This is a MUST READ for those who want a break from the mundane - in favor of variety as well as vengeance. This novel does not disappoint as a means to an end, a plethora of pervading paradigm shifts.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 10, 2019
Muddied Waters by Theo Clarkson has a dramatic start, as the opening of the book presents an execution by hanging. This startling introduction pulled me right in, and I was fascinated by the complex and action-packed plot, as well as the excellent character development throughout the story.
As the story unfolds, Viceroy Belo desires to return to his home country of Portugal with treasure. Unfortunately, pirates attack and steal the treasure. Belo swears he will reclaim the treasure and redeem himself, restoring his pride and his family name.
I have never had a particular interest in reading books that featured pirates, and my only exposure to “pirate stories” is through watching fictionalized films. But this well-written book was filled with surprising plot twists and intriguing, consistent adventure. Murder, deceit, brutal pillaging, and violence kept me on the edge of my seat.
I especially enjoyed Clarkson’s descriptive writing style, and the battle scenes and language were particularly detailed. So too were the characters, as they were presented as complex figures, neither “evil” nor completely “good,” and I found myself rooting for and empathizing with certain characters even though their behavior was at times reprehensible.
Theo Clarkson is a talented writer who tells a compelling adventure story! The ending was a surprise to me, and I found it challenging to put this book down until the very last page. Even if you think you might not enjoy a book about pirates, give this novel a chance. I think you will enjoy it. I look forward to reading more of Clarkson’s books in the future.
As the story unfolds, Viceroy Belo desires to return to his home country of Portugal with treasure. Unfortunately, pirates attack and steal the treasure. Belo swears he will reclaim the treasure and redeem himself, restoring his pride and his family name.
I have never had a particular interest in reading books that featured pirates, and my only exposure to “pirate stories” is through watching fictionalized films. But this well-written book was filled with surprising plot twists and intriguing, consistent adventure. Murder, deceit, brutal pillaging, and violence kept me on the edge of my seat.
I especially enjoyed Clarkson’s descriptive writing style, and the battle scenes and language were particularly detailed. So too were the characters, as they were presented as complex figures, neither “evil” nor completely “good,” and I found myself rooting for and empathizing with certain characters even though their behavior was at times reprehensible.
Theo Clarkson is a talented writer who tells a compelling adventure story! The ending was a surprise to me, and I found it challenging to put this book down until the very last page. Even if you think you might not enjoy a book about pirates, give this novel a chance. I think you will enjoy it. I look forward to reading more of Clarkson’s books in the future.
January 12, 2020
Talk about an adventure! This page turner will draw you in with the characters very quickly. It gave me more delight as a reader for a pirate story than usual. From the beginning to the end, you start having a true understanding of the characters, you'll be better at connecting with their views overall as everything starts to change. The adventure of "Muddied Waters" quickly starts you up with a tense moment, anger, and awkwardly drunken vulnerability from the characters.
Theo Clarkson starts with the story with acknowledging the desire to experience freedom and riches, which should let you know instantly that this is your average pirate story. However, it covers class, royal standards, fears, and absolute chilling dangers. My favorite thing about Theo's storytelling, is the point of view. You are able to identify clearly who you are reading about. You are able to notice the changes in things, but you can identify the personal details about each one. Without spoiling the character details, the pirates were all longing for a future. There was also elaborate seriousness that actually reflected in the story.
I recommend this adventure book for those who are looking for a great pirate story. This isn't your accurate or in-depth adventure of our history of sea sailing, but more so of a story telling the outlook of fun travels and adventures. It's enjoyable because of that. I will be honest, I'm not a fan of accurate stuff in books as it becomes a race for fact, and it wasn't too much in the book. Theo really took his time with each character and created an awesome story around pirates and adventure.
Theo Clarkson starts with the story with acknowledging the desire to experience freedom and riches, which should let you know instantly that this is your average pirate story. However, it covers class, royal standards, fears, and absolute chilling dangers. My favorite thing about Theo's storytelling, is the point of view. You are able to identify clearly who you are reading about. You are able to notice the changes in things, but you can identify the personal details about each one. Without spoiling the character details, the pirates were all longing for a future. There was also elaborate seriousness that actually reflected in the story.
I recommend this adventure book for those who are looking for a great pirate story. This isn't your accurate or in-depth adventure of our history of sea sailing, but more so of a story telling the outlook of fun travels and adventures. It's enjoyable because of that. I will be honest, I'm not a fan of accurate stuff in books as it becomes a race for fact, and it wasn't too much in the book. Theo really took his time with each character and created an awesome story around pirates and adventure.
March 21, 2020
After visiting Disneyland and riding the Pirates of the Caribbean with my family when I was a kid, I was immediately hooked on pirate stuff. As a teenager, I devoured the swashbuckling epics of Robert Louis Stevenson and Rafael Sabatini. So, it was natural to be drawn to Theo Clarkson’s Muddied Waters which is a relatively new entry in the buccaneering genre. And, this tale does not disappoint.
All the familiar plot elements are present, such as the drinking of rum, a mandatory keelhauling, a young man coming of age and the old ploy where the pirate ship flies a friendly flag before hoisting the skull and crossbones at the last minute. But, not only is this an enjoyable adventure story on the high seas, it also has quite a bit of literary merit as well.
I loved the parallel conversations between Belo and Da Cunha and Teague and Milligan. On one hand, Milligan and Da Cunha are bound by duty and faith so that they attempt to live within a moral code. On the other hand, Belo and Teague attempt to assert their free will on the world.
Another underlying theme is the fairness of 18th century social structures where nobility lives with lavish riches while the lower classes scramble for the scraps. I also enjoyed the Shakespearean device of having the upper classes and educated speak in a different way than the lower-class characters. While Belo and Milligan speak without dialect, the pirates and other lesser characters adopt the English pirate vernacular.
Overall, then, anyone who is in the mood for action with a pinch of philosophical insight, will certainly want to pick up this book.
All the familiar plot elements are present, such as the drinking of rum, a mandatory keelhauling, a young man coming of age and the old ploy where the pirate ship flies a friendly flag before hoisting the skull and crossbones at the last minute. But, not only is this an enjoyable adventure story on the high seas, it also has quite a bit of literary merit as well.
I loved the parallel conversations between Belo and Da Cunha and Teague and Milligan. On one hand, Milligan and Da Cunha are bound by duty and faith so that they attempt to live within a moral code. On the other hand, Belo and Teague attempt to assert their free will on the world.
Another underlying theme is the fairness of 18th century social structures where nobility lives with lavish riches while the lower classes scramble for the scraps. I also enjoyed the Shakespearean device of having the upper classes and educated speak in a different way than the lower-class characters. While Belo and Milligan speak without dialect, the pirates and other lesser characters adopt the English pirate vernacular.
Overall, then, anyone who is in the mood for action with a pinch of philosophical insight, will certainly want to pick up this book.
April 14, 2020
It’s hard to remember that piracy was a booming business some time ago, scorned and encouraged at the same time by the world powers, the balance of which ebbed and flowed (Portugal, England, Spain). Since there is so very little history devoted to the age of piracy, it was a pleasure to read a novel which has clearly been carefully researched and vetted, down to the last detail. The author’s knowledge of everything from costumes, language, sailing ships, the topography of the known world at that time, strengthens the characters and the adventures depicted in the book. Most of the characters are, by today’s standards, totally unlikeable, but at the same time perfectly suited for the times. The presence of slavery in the new world, the African slavers and the “utopia” of former slaves described in the text only make the story more realistic, gritty and down right interesting, if not fascinating.
There are true characters, not heroes in the sense that we might be accustomed to, particularly in historical fiction. The characters are clearly the product of their rigidly defined environments and social class. Piracy is more, to this people, than a chance for riches and adventure, it is an opportunity to rebel against ones carefully controlled circumstances and sense of otherwise being doomed to a narrow, often dreary existence. Piracy is class warfare, regardless of sponsor or intention. Piracy is also a tool to be exploited by the powers that be in the new world.
This novel is history unwashed, language rich and coarse, characters with flaws as large as you can imagine, but always interesting and never boring! Great Read!
June 7, 2020
I do enjoy a good Pirate Story and this one added even more depth to boot! Theo Clarkson did a very good job of holding true to the pirate code while explaining the times when this code was broken. He also did a very good at adding non pirate type characters into the story for both Pirate work and for both protagonist and antagonist purposes.
Characters in this book were well developed, some right from the start and others as their backstories are provided during the course of the book. I also apricated how the author did not use the same stories as so many other pirate tales include but decided to entertain us with a new adventure full of twists and turns.
Although it is difficult to imaging sympathizing with a pirate, I did find myself at times siding with a few of the characters due to the parts they were playing in the story, despite what I would have thought.
The story is very well written and kept me engaged right from the beginning, and the additional stories which seemed out of place all made sense once the storyline met one another. I found myself saying “oh, that’s why that information was included”, many times just when things began falling into place.
It was interesting to see how one ship was captured and then turned into a pirate ship for robbing and looting other ships. This is something I guess I never really considered prior to reading this book. Also the Viceroy’s unrelenting pursuit really pushed the story, while his desire and the boys drive to prove themselves gave the story more depth.
I enjoyed this book very much and will definitely recommend it!
Characters in this book were well developed, some right from the start and others as their backstories are provided during the course of the book. I also apricated how the author did not use the same stories as so many other pirate tales include but decided to entertain us with a new adventure full of twists and turns.
Although it is difficult to imaging sympathizing with a pirate, I did find myself at times siding with a few of the characters due to the parts they were playing in the story, despite what I would have thought.
The story is very well written and kept me engaged right from the beginning, and the additional stories which seemed out of place all made sense once the storyline met one another. I found myself saying “oh, that’s why that information was included”, many times just when things began falling into place.
It was interesting to see how one ship was captured and then turned into a pirate ship for robbing and looting other ships. This is something I guess I never really considered prior to reading this book. Also the Viceroy’s unrelenting pursuit really pushed the story, while his desire and the boys drive to prove themselves gave the story more depth.
I enjoyed this book very much and will definitely recommend it!
August 19, 2020
While the story starts out with a public hanging, the story quickly takes you to the high seas of piracy, fighting, pillaging, colorful language, deceit and death. It all starts with a ship called the Abismo, captained by Da Cuhna who is taking Portugese royalty Belo back to his home land with all his gold and jewels. The Abismo is intercepted by the pirate ship Liberty, captained by Teague. Teague and his crew board the Abismo, a fight ensues and Teague steals all of Belo's riches. Some of Da Cuhna's remaining crew members join Teague's crew.
The tale then takes you on several journeys with Captain Teague. Meanwhile, the badly disabled Abismo is fixed and Da Cuhna and Belo set out on a quest to find Teague to take back Belo's riches. At some point Da Cuhna and Belo catch up with Teague and they go after them. One the day that the ships meet, the sky is dark and a severe storm is starting to form. With Belo bent of revenge, he orders Da Cuhna to go after the Liberty against Da Cuhna's better judgement. When they catch up to the Liberty, during the storm, a fight ensues all while the two ship continue to ram each other from the waves.
Find out ones survive the storm and which ones don't. But the adventures are not over as the remaining men find themselves deserted on an uncharted island. Are they alone or are they. It is now a fight to survive to try and make it back home. I really enjoyed this book. It kept the reader engaged and made it hard to put down. It is fast paced with a lot of twists and turns and makes you feel like you right there in the story. A great read.
The tale then takes you on several journeys with Captain Teague. Meanwhile, the badly disabled Abismo is fixed and Da Cuhna and Belo set out on a quest to find Teague to take back Belo's riches. At some point Da Cuhna and Belo catch up with Teague and they go after them. One the day that the ships meet, the sky is dark and a severe storm is starting to form. With Belo bent of revenge, he orders Da Cuhna to go after the Liberty against Da Cuhna's better judgement. When they catch up to the Liberty, during the storm, a fight ensues all while the two ship continue to ram each other from the waves.
Find out ones survive the storm and which ones don't. But the adventures are not over as the remaining men find themselves deserted on an uncharted island. Are they alone or are they. It is now a fight to survive to try and make it back home. I really enjoyed this book. It kept the reader engaged and made it hard to put down. It is fast paced with a lot of twists and turns and makes you feel like you right there in the story. A great read.
March 28, 2021
My brother suggested me to read this book and now I can't be more grateful to him. It was a delightful read. Honestly, I'm not a big fan of historical fctions but this book is certainly an exception. This is one of the cleverest book I have ever read. The plot is dazzling and the execution is flawless. The book may seem a bit confusing at beginning due to all the jumbled up information but everything falls in place as we move through the chapters.
This book talks about the tale of a group of pirates. Treasures, pirates and full of adventures, this book reminds me of the movie "pirates of the carribbean".
Unlike other fictions, Theo Clarkson spended so much time describing characters and their background. He wrote chapters explaining their past history which appeared as most compelling component of the book to me. Set in historic time of bandits and burgulars, this book is a real gem and it keeps readers engaged till the end and I'm truly impressed by the craftsmanship of Clarkson in this particular story; I must say he really knows how to paint a picture with words and he really brought all the character and landscapes alive with his beautifully formed words and expressions.. Although, the book contains lot of complicated and strange words which may require a bit research from the reader's side but the overall plot of the book supersedes the ambiguity of words.
overall, it's entertaining and a quick read and if I didn’t have to work I probably would’ve finished it in one sitting. So, i would recommend this to anyone who has slightest of their interest in historic fictions, it's a real teat for eyes.
This book talks about the tale of a group of pirates. Treasures, pirates and full of adventures, this book reminds me of the movie "pirates of the carribbean".
Unlike other fictions, Theo Clarkson spended so much time describing characters and their background. He wrote chapters explaining their past history which appeared as most compelling component of the book to me. Set in historic time of bandits and burgulars, this book is a real gem and it keeps readers engaged till the end and I'm truly impressed by the craftsmanship of Clarkson in this particular story; I must say he really knows how to paint a picture with words and he really brought all the character and landscapes alive with his beautifully formed words and expressions.. Although, the book contains lot of complicated and strange words which may require a bit research from the reader's side but the overall plot of the book supersedes the ambiguity of words.
overall, it's entertaining and a quick read and if I didn’t have to work I probably would’ve finished it in one sitting. So, i would recommend this to anyone who has slightest of their interest in historic fictions, it's a real teat for eyes.
March 13, 2019
“Muddied Waters” by Theo Clarkson is a well-written fiction about pirate’s brutal and unforgiving life. While lots of pop culture glorified the image of pirates and created fantasies about their lifestyle, the author did a good job depicting the job’s reality. They weren’t noble, hero style vigilantes nor their life filled with pleasures and treasures. Pirates were mostly greed driven bandits of the sea, and for many of them, as the book shows, this career did not end well. The book focuses on how the pirate’s everyday life is filled with betrayers and unexpected turnouts. Yesterday’s friend could be today’s enemy, and today’s enemy could be tomorrow’s friend.
Instead of looking for the treasure through exciting adventures, the book begins with the crew of ‘Sweet Liberty’, led by Captain Jackson Teague, acquiring the treasure through the most simple method of stealing it from the ones who had them. Unfortunately, business with treasure is like a game of tag in reverse form: the moment you have it, you are it, but instead of going after the others, everyone else is coming after you. Not only the crews realize that they have to watch out for the strangers, but also remain vigilant with each other, since they cannot trust their buddies to not stab them in their back and claim their shares. The author, through this brutal, realistic plot creates suspense that makes readers curious about the fate of the characters as well as the treasure. The book starts and ends with a question: if there ever will be a winner in this cut-throat game.
June 14, 2019
It is a fantastic read, especially if you love pirates. And, if you don’t care too much for pirates, the novel still offers a lot with its glimpse into the human attributes of revenge, justice, greed and deceit in the decaying end of the world of pirates.
I was impressed that the story begins in the Indian ocean with a Viceroy from Goa and has Portuguese ties. People tend to glance over pirates in the Indian Ocean in favor of the ones in the Caribbean. The story begins on the island of Reunion, a French outpost island after a terrible storm, I presumed an off-season monsoon, has nearly laid the ship the Nossa Senhora Do Abismo to the abyss. The story shortly becomes a whirlwind of stories revolved around people who encounter the Viceroy’s treasure.
I personally enjoyed the multiple stories that come into one, it has a holistic sense of unity that develops as the story progresses. Author Theo Clarkson has done some outstanding research on the book, the terms, places, and general behaviors of the period that create a compelling story. However, at times, the imagination is needed to work a little harder because the sentences are a bit clunky.
By no means am I saying that it is a bad book, I would still recommend reading it, it is the first of many great books that Theo will produce. Just know going in that it will be a little clunky at certain parts.
Overall, I am very glad that I took the chance and purchased this book. If I knew what I knew about it now, I would still purchase the book again.
I was impressed that the story begins in the Indian ocean with a Viceroy from Goa and has Portuguese ties. People tend to glance over pirates in the Indian Ocean in favor of the ones in the Caribbean. The story begins on the island of Reunion, a French outpost island after a terrible storm, I presumed an off-season monsoon, has nearly laid the ship the Nossa Senhora Do Abismo to the abyss. The story shortly becomes a whirlwind of stories revolved around people who encounter the Viceroy’s treasure.
I personally enjoyed the multiple stories that come into one, it has a holistic sense of unity that develops as the story progresses. Author Theo Clarkson has done some outstanding research on the book, the terms, places, and general behaviors of the period that create a compelling story. However, at times, the imagination is needed to work a little harder because the sentences are a bit clunky.
By no means am I saying that it is a bad book, I would still recommend reading it, it is the first of many great books that Theo will produce. Just know going in that it will be a little clunky at certain parts.
Overall, I am very glad that I took the chance and purchased this book. If I knew what I knew about it now, I would still purchase the book again.
June 17, 2019
Jolly pirate atmosphere that kicks of with an execution, by hanging. The stereotypical stole a loaf of bread orphan was included of course. Followed by the bragging irreverent pirate captain seemingly unimpressed with death itself. However you are left with a cliffhanger early on as the book quickly jumps to another point in time leaving me wondering if the prisoners really did die.
The story follows Captain Teague of the Liberty, a pirate ship that manages to stumble into an amazing amount of wealth. They quickly find that more money does in fact come with more problems as greed disseminates amongst the crew. Captain Teague does his best to maintain order within his democracy as lesser minds turn to baser thoughts all while attempting to fence the immensely valuable treasures so they can all retire happily after.
The journey is an intriguing one with politics and personalities from all over the globe as the pirate sail from port to port aiming to solve their problems and yet only finding new ones. It is nice to read and imagine a less structured life and world as most of us are invariably trapped in the comfort of routine and order. I enjoyed reading this book and all the colorful characters that came with it. Even though you have plenty of typical people in this book, the smart charismatic Captain, the power hungry brute, The strong and Silent man and so on they all felt unique and interesting and had a place in the story. This was a very enjoyable tale of the high seas with the uncommon twist of not searching for treasure, but seeking to get rid of it!
The story follows Captain Teague of the Liberty, a pirate ship that manages to stumble into an amazing amount of wealth. They quickly find that more money does in fact come with more problems as greed disseminates amongst the crew. Captain Teague does his best to maintain order within his democracy as lesser minds turn to baser thoughts all while attempting to fence the immensely valuable treasures so they can all retire happily after.
The journey is an intriguing one with politics and personalities from all over the globe as the pirate sail from port to port aiming to solve their problems and yet only finding new ones. It is nice to read and imagine a less structured life and world as most of us are invariably trapped in the comfort of routine and order. I enjoyed reading this book and all the colorful characters that came with it. Even though you have plenty of typical people in this book, the smart charismatic Captain, the power hungry brute, The strong and Silent man and so on they all felt unique and interesting and had a place in the story. This was a very enjoyable tale of the high seas with the uncommon twist of not searching for treasure, but seeking to get rid of it!
December 5, 2019
Muddied Waters is a fast, fun read. From the moment I opened the book to the moment I put it down, I was thoroughly entertained and enthralled with the characters, the plot, and the storytelling. It was a solid story and the best pirate story I’ve read since Treasure Island (granted that amounts to about zero books—but my point stands that I enjoyed this one).
Muddied Waters is the story set during the twilight of the age of pirates and pits a pirate crew against an undermanned crew carrying the treasure of a person of minor royalty but major wealth. The retiring viceroy Belo is accompanying his treasure to ensure its safekeeping while at sea. There they run into the Liberty captained by a pirate named Teague.
From there the adventure begins as these two ships and lives are intertwined thereafter. Belo is determined to get his treasure back and Teague and crew are intent on keeping it. The battle of wills and wit is the central contention driving the plot forward.
There are some interesting battles, surprising deaths, and interesting twists and turns all along the way. If you enjoy a good pirate story, you can’t go wrong picking this one up. Theo Clarkson has done a remarkable job depicting the life and times of pirates and sailing during this time.
If pirates aren’t your thing, this is still a great read. The story is tight and streamlined. The characters are well-developed and interesting. The twists will keep you guessing. For a quick, fun read, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend picking up this book.
Muddied Waters is the story set during the twilight of the age of pirates and pits a pirate crew against an undermanned crew carrying the treasure of a person of minor royalty but major wealth. The retiring viceroy Belo is accompanying his treasure to ensure its safekeeping while at sea. There they run into the Liberty captained by a pirate named Teague.
From there the adventure begins as these two ships and lives are intertwined thereafter. Belo is determined to get his treasure back and Teague and crew are intent on keeping it. The battle of wills and wit is the central contention driving the plot forward.
There are some interesting battles, surprising deaths, and interesting twists and turns all along the way. If you enjoy a good pirate story, you can’t go wrong picking this one up. Theo Clarkson has done a remarkable job depicting the life and times of pirates and sailing during this time.
If pirates aren’t your thing, this is still a great read. The story is tight and streamlined. The characters are well-developed and interesting. The twists will keep you guessing. For a quick, fun read, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend picking up this book.
March 9, 2021
I have been positively obsessed with pirates since Pirates of the Caribbean and have gobbled up all pirate related material since. Muddied Waters is very close to Treasure Island but I would argue it's actually better as it isn't slow. It pulls you in with a public hanging and classic pirate cheekiness then takes off from there. I especially loved that there are certain chapters devoted to characters' backstories. How did they get there? Who were they before this? It stands out as most books don't take the time to touch on it and it's a shame because it's a fantastic tool that only serves the get you further invested in the novel and the characters. The show Lost did this as well and it works beautifully. The various characters are shown having rich and varying accents and that are depicted perfectly through their dialect. Of course the pirate dialect is expected but Clarkson accomplishes quite a task by wonderfully
incorporating authentic dialogue that will have you reading out loud to mimic it just to see if it matches what your internal voice is reading. The writing is well done. The storyline (s) are seamless and well crafted. The novel revolves around a chase of cat and mouse, but above all, consequences. Grudges and greed are driving forces in Muddied Waters. There are a few unexpected turns but it works! My only complaint is that I wish there had been a map at the beginning to just further immerse you. It's not a big deal but just seems like an easy and fun add.
March 4, 2019
An exciting adventure!!!
Muddied Waters begins and you are immediately swept up into a crowd of greedy onlookers gathering to watch a group of executions by hanging. You very quickly learn that one of these is of a pirate, Captain Drummond, and with his death the book pulls you into the drama and deep world of piracy and pillaging.
Clarkson writes a tale that is intricate and complex. Which character will you connect with the most? One of the pirate captains? One of the pirate crews? A spurned captain? Royalty proven and earned? Or will Da Cunha the captain turned pirate hunter grab your attentions the most? Interesting names abound, like Awiti, Alger, Teague, Belo, Stone, and Percy, which is nice because it makes keeping track of this wide cast of characters easier.
If you like pirate stories and well-woven tales that always make you wonder just what might be coming around the next bend, then this story is for you! Grab a cozy spot to sit, a snack, and some time away for yourself, get this book and enjoy the afternoon!!! Prepare yourself for plenty of twists, turns, and surprises as Muddied Waters takes you on an exciting adventure across the globe through pirating "villages," independent island communities, and Navy ports. I enjoyed the detailed writing style and inclusion of vivid description. The words leapt off the page and came to life in front of my eyes. My cold snowy weekend became a lot more interesting when I opened this book!
Muddied Waters begins and you are immediately swept up into a crowd of greedy onlookers gathering to watch a group of executions by hanging. You very quickly learn that one of these is of a pirate, Captain Drummond, and with his death the book pulls you into the drama and deep world of piracy and pillaging.
Clarkson writes a tale that is intricate and complex. Which character will you connect with the most? One of the pirate captains? One of the pirate crews? A spurned captain? Royalty proven and earned? Or will Da Cunha the captain turned pirate hunter grab your attentions the most? Interesting names abound, like Awiti, Alger, Teague, Belo, Stone, and Percy, which is nice because it makes keeping track of this wide cast of characters easier.
If you like pirate stories and well-woven tales that always make you wonder just what might be coming around the next bend, then this story is for you! Grab a cozy spot to sit, a snack, and some time away for yourself, get this book and enjoy the afternoon!!! Prepare yourself for plenty of twists, turns, and surprises as Muddied Waters takes you on an exciting adventure across the globe through pirating "villages," independent island communities, and Navy ports. I enjoyed the detailed writing style and inclusion of vivid description. The words leapt off the page and came to life in front of my eyes. My cold snowy weekend became a lot more interesting when I opened this book!
June 7, 2019
Personally, I think the pirate adventure genre is one that is criminally underlooked and underrepresented. So when a friend recommended I give this book a try, I jumped right in. “Muddied Waters”, by Theo Clarkson, is a thrilling ride from start to finish, with a nerve-wracking execution scene beginning right in the first chapter! The story only gets more intricate and intense from there, becoming interwoven with deceit, murder, and impressive battles on the high seas. Clarkson especially shines in how he develops his characters. Each one is written in multiple shades of grey, too good to be ‘bad’ but still too bad to be ‘good’, and as the plot progresses you find yourself really empathizing with their motivations and understanding them, even while rooting for their downfall. This is a detail I can really appreciate, because as exciting and enticing the world of piracy may have seemed, the reality is that it was not only incredibly dangerous, but a pirate’s life was violent, brutal, and not something to be romanticized. Clarkson doesn’t shy away from this cold reality, and it made this book seem all the more real. In addition, I felt it his world is historically accurate and diverse, describing scenes and characters so vividly that they could almost jump off the page. Overall, I thoroughly recommend this book and I had a great time reading it. I will be following Clarkson in the future to see what else he releases.
July 18, 2019
Muddied Waters by Theo Clarkson is a swashbuckling adventure perfect for fans of the Pirates of the Caribbean series. The story starts with Captain Teague and his ship, the Sweet Liberty, plundering a ship carrying very expensive loot. Viceroy Belo has most of his and his country’s wealth aboard the Abismo when it is attacked by the ferocious pirates. The first fight scene is one of many that excite the reader and draw them into this dangerous world of pirates and scallywags. Viceroy Bello is lucky to escape with his life and swears revenge against the pirates. He vows to become a pirate hunter and reclaim the treasure that belongs to him, even if it means losing everything in the process.
The pirates are ecstatic because this is one of the biggest hauls of loot they have ever seen. They are anxious to divvy up their loot and retire into the golden life. However, they quickly realize that turning their silks and spices into actually spendable gold is going to be harder than they think. As pirates, they have always had the law searching for them. But now that they have stolen the greatest treasure of all time? Everyone is out to get them. They have to be smart to outwit their enemy and keep their treasure for themselves. This almost reminded me of the movie Fargo, because when people start to hide money (and ask questions) things quickly spin out of control, going from bad to worse. Of course, this makes for a wild and fun story on the high seas!
The pirates are ecstatic because this is one of the biggest hauls of loot they have ever seen. They are anxious to divvy up their loot and retire into the golden life. However, they quickly realize that turning their silks and spices into actually spendable gold is going to be harder than they think. As pirates, they have always had the law searching for them. But now that they have stolen the greatest treasure of all time? Everyone is out to get them. They have to be smart to outwit their enemy and keep their treasure for themselves. This almost reminded me of the movie Fargo, because when people start to hide money (and ask questions) things quickly spin out of control, going from bad to worse. Of course, this makes for a wild and fun story on the high seas!
July 18, 2019
Muddied Waters by Theo Clarkson is not a swashbuckling pirate adventure. Instead, it’s a story of life during a time period where the world is changing. It begins with the public hanging of a famed pirate, a thief and a boy. The story then follows a path of Captain Teague and his crew as they come upon a fortune in gold, jewels and silk owned by a Viceroy Belo who is trying to get his riches home to Portugal. The pirates head to what they believe is a safe haven to cash in their loot and split and treasure, but once there realize that maybe no where is safe anymore. For Viceroy Belo, it’s a tale of revenge and seeking retribution for those who dared to steal from him – at all costs. For Teague and his crew, it’s a tale of survival – from escaping Viceroy Belo’s pursuits to narrowly missing the slave rebellions prevalent during the time period, to surviving the colony of former slaves that they happened upon. The cost of these endeavors is high, leaving the characters with questions of their life choices. I really liked the story line of the characters in the crew. How would finding more riches than you could really spend in a lifetime affect you as a person? Clarkson brings you along when individuals cross those lines and how the promise of riches changes a person. Where do the remaining characters end up? You will have to imagine what happens unless there’s a second book in the works. Give it a try – you might enjoy it!
August 24, 2019
So I begin reading the story and it starts off going into an execution scene. I immediately think of one of those mideival type movies. The book is mostly about pirate culture with lots of drama, piracy and such.
I don’t know historically wise much about pirates but it seems like the terms and descriptions were accurate. Usually since the pirate of the Caribbean movies, when I think of pirates I automatically think of the carribbean. However the story mentions the Indian ocean and some I think porteguese ties. There are multiple stories that seemlessly tie into one big story. The author did great at depicting the characters, very easy to follow and get to know the characters. Their names were pretty unique, usually the names used in books I read are pretty common. I thought that was pretty cool. I like those kind of books, it makes it feel like you are really getting the whole experience of the story instead of just one main characters view.
Lets see, there was a bunch of profanity, a lot. I didn’t too much care for that. However given the type of story I guess it made sense. Crew was very cutthroat...not my taste.
Overall the story is very entertaining, you wont be bored reading it. Even though its typically not a book I would read it is a good story. Id recommend for anyone into pirate and historical-esque type novels. Its pretty grimy though not for the faint of heart. I feel like I need to cleanse my aura after reading this lol!
I don’t know historically wise much about pirates but it seems like the terms and descriptions were accurate. Usually since the pirate of the Caribbean movies, when I think of pirates I automatically think of the carribbean. However the story mentions the Indian ocean and some I think porteguese ties. There are multiple stories that seemlessly tie into one big story. The author did great at depicting the characters, very easy to follow and get to know the characters. Their names were pretty unique, usually the names used in books I read are pretty common. I thought that was pretty cool. I like those kind of books, it makes it feel like you are really getting the whole experience of the story instead of just one main characters view.
Lets see, there was a bunch of profanity, a lot. I didn’t too much care for that. However given the type of story I guess it made sense. Crew was very cutthroat...not my taste.
Overall the story is very entertaining, you wont be bored reading it. Even though its typically not a book I would read it is a good story. Id recommend for anyone into pirate and historical-esque type novels. Its pretty grimy though not for the faint of heart. I feel like I need to cleanse my aura after reading this lol!
October 17, 2019
Do you want to be a pirate and sail the high seas?
If so, then read the book entitled, “Muddied Waters” by Theo Clarkson.
Captain Rodrigo Da Cunha is the Captain of the “Abismo” and it’s men. Also, aboard the ship is Carlos Jacinte Alberte Belo, a retired “Viceroy of Portuguese Goa” who is the cousin to the King of Portugal and owner of the treasure aboard the ship. After their ship is boarded by “Piratas” from Captain Jackson Teague’s ship the ‘Sweet Liberty’, Belo is then held for ransom. Gouverneur Calvin Philippe of Reunion Island negotiates for the release of Belo. Belo decides to once again join Captain DeCunha and what is left of the crew of the ‘Abismo’ to recover his treasure which also partly belongs to the King of Portugal. Captain DaCunta agrees to continue their quest to the port of Libertalia to find the crew of the ‘Sweet Liberty’ and the treasure.
A quick repair sets the ‘Abismo’ and it’s crew on its way. After three weeks of sailing, Belo gets some needed advice from Captain DeCunha about having faith that they are headed in the right direction and will find the ‘Sweet Liberty’, their crew and the treasure.
The ‘Sweet Liberty’ sails around the southern tip of Africa with a crew that is set on drinking and gambling. Then, suddenly, crew members start disappearing one by one.
Who will survive the high seas, corruptness, greed and clash of the crew members who dislike each other?
Adults only.
If so, then read the book entitled, “Muddied Waters” by Theo Clarkson.
Captain Rodrigo Da Cunha is the Captain of the “Abismo” and it’s men. Also, aboard the ship is Carlos Jacinte Alberte Belo, a retired “Viceroy of Portuguese Goa” who is the cousin to the King of Portugal and owner of the treasure aboard the ship. After their ship is boarded by “Piratas” from Captain Jackson Teague’s ship the ‘Sweet Liberty’, Belo is then held for ransom. Gouverneur Calvin Philippe of Reunion Island negotiates for the release of Belo. Belo decides to once again join Captain DeCunha and what is left of the crew of the ‘Abismo’ to recover his treasure which also partly belongs to the King of Portugal. Captain DaCunta agrees to continue their quest to the port of Libertalia to find the crew of the ‘Sweet Liberty’ and the treasure.
A quick repair sets the ‘Abismo’ and it’s crew on its way. After three weeks of sailing, Belo gets some needed advice from Captain DeCunha about having faith that they are headed in the right direction and will find the ‘Sweet Liberty’, their crew and the treasure.
The ‘Sweet Liberty’ sails around the southern tip of Africa with a crew that is set on drinking and gambling. Then, suddenly, crew members start disappearing one by one.
Who will survive the high seas, corruptness, greed and clash of the crew members who dislike each other?
Adults only.
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