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Captain Hook: Villain or Victim
David J. Locke is a would-be journalist with lofty aspirations. Following an incredible lead, he sails the high seas in search of Captain James T. Hook, resolved to uncover the pirate's version of what happened with Peter Pan.Adventure abounds during Locke's travels; unexpected revelations lurk around every dark corner. During his travels, an old seaman befriends Locke and guides the inexperienced reporter as he learns truths about Hook he never expected.
- GenresMiddle Grade
72 pages, Paperback
Published February 5, 2019
1 person is currently reading
14 people want to read
About the author
Ellwyn Autumn
17 books41 followersLET'S TAKE A LITERARY JOURNEY TOGETHER!
Ellwyn Autumn is an American author/blogger/ghostwriter and a certified teacher with a Master's Degree in Education. She writes children's picture books, middle-grade novels, and Young Adult fiction. Ellwyn's first self-published novel, Chris Kringle's Cops The First Mission, was a Finalist in the 2016 Reader's Favorite International Book Contest. Her Kamyla Chung picture book series addresses difficult issues facing young children. Kamyla Chung and the Classroom Bully is a Mom's Choice Award Gold Winner, on Jedlie's Certified Great Reads List and has earned Story Monster Approval.
Ellwyn discovered her passion for writing in second grade when she had to write a book report for school. She was so excited to write the report, until her mother told her that she had to write about someone else's book and not her own story. Ellwyn became indignant and decided that once she finished the book report she would most certainly write her own original story. She has been writing ever since!
Ellwyn lives with her family in Pennsylvania. She loves all things magical, curling up with a good book, writing stories, and almost anything with chocolate in it.
Ellwyn Autumn is an American author/blogger/ghostwriter and a certified teacher with a Master's Degree in Education. She writes children's picture books, middle-grade novels, and Young Adult fiction. Ellwyn's first self-published novel, Chris Kringle's Cops The First Mission, was a Finalist in the 2016 Reader's Favorite International Book Contest. Her Kamyla Chung picture book series addresses difficult issues facing young children. Kamyla Chung and the Classroom Bully is a Mom's Choice Award Gold Winner, on Jedlie's Certified Great Reads List and has earned Story Monster Approval.
Ellwyn discovered her passion for writing in second grade when she had to write a book report for school. She was so excited to write the report, until her mother told her that she had to write about someone else's book and not her own story. Ellwyn became indignant and decided that once she finished the book report she would most certainly write her own original story. She has been writing ever since!
Ellwyn lives with her family in Pennsylvania. She loves all things magical, curling up with a good book, writing stories, and almost anything with chocolate in it.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 26, 2019
Book Reviewed by Stacey on www.whisperingstories.com
Ever wanted to know how Captain Hook became the most feared pirate or what happened to him after the crocodiles supposedly ate him in Peter Pan? Well, now you can in Ellwyn Autumn’s account of what happened after the fairytale ended.
Edwardian London 1913 – Accountant David J. Locke believes in magic and fairytales so when he hears a young boy telling his peers about Captain Hook and how he’s still alive he wants to know more. He persuades the boy to tell him everything he knows. The boy tells him that Captain Hook is alive and living in Madagascar. Locke gives up his job and sets sail hoping to get an interview with the dreaded pirate and make his fortune.
However, not everything is as it seems on the crossing to Madagascar and Locke discovers far more than he ever dreamed of knowing.
Captain Hook: Villain or Victim isn’t exactly the story I was expecting to read. I was expecting would-be journalist David J. Locke to spend most of the book interviewing the most famous fictional pirate but this was more of an account of what Locke got up to on the journey including a discovery and secrets galore.
The book was easy to read, well written, engaging, and I read it in under 30 minutes. I wasn’t sure what age this book would be best for, most likely middle grade. The only little niggle that I have with the story is that it had quite a few words that even my thirteen-year-old had never heard of before. Words such as ostracized, fortuitous, admonished, veracity amongst a few others, perhaps a glossary at the back to help educate children what the words mean might be good.
Ever wanted to know how Captain Hook became the most feared pirate or what happened to him after the crocodiles supposedly ate him in Peter Pan? Well, now you can in Ellwyn Autumn’s account of what happened after the fairytale ended.
Edwardian London 1913 – Accountant David J. Locke believes in magic and fairytales so when he hears a young boy telling his peers about Captain Hook and how he’s still alive he wants to know more. He persuades the boy to tell him everything he knows. The boy tells him that Captain Hook is alive and living in Madagascar. Locke gives up his job and sets sail hoping to get an interview with the dreaded pirate and make his fortune.
However, not everything is as it seems on the crossing to Madagascar and Locke discovers far more than he ever dreamed of knowing.
Captain Hook: Villain or Victim isn’t exactly the story I was expecting to read. I was expecting would-be journalist David J. Locke to spend most of the book interviewing the most famous fictional pirate but this was more of an account of what Locke got up to on the journey including a discovery and secrets galore.
The book was easy to read, well written, engaging, and I read it in under 30 minutes. I wasn’t sure what age this book would be best for, most likely middle grade. The only little niggle that I have with the story is that it had quite a few words that even my thirteen-year-old had never heard of before. Words such as ostracized, fortuitous, admonished, veracity amongst a few others, perhaps a glossary at the back to help educate children what the words mean might be good.
December 2, 2025
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Has it ever occurred to you that there might be another version to Peter Pan’s story? Would you want to see Captain Hook’s point of view? If so, then you will truly enjoy this lovely short read: Captain Hook: Villain or Victim by Ellwyn Autumn.
I have always loved Peter Pan and this fairy tale is without a doubt my favourite fairy tale. The world is unique, and the story is amazing. Maybe Peter Pan was the reason I was always so in love with England. I will never know.
When Ellwyn introduced me to her book, I knew I had to have it. I had to read it and find out what Captain Hook’s story might be. The book is quite short, but full of adventures throughout. We follow the journalist, David J. Locke, who sails through the seas searching for Captain Hook. When he finally gets a clue, he dives into the story of Captain Hook and discovers truths that have never been told before.
Even though there were times when the Captain Hook’s story seems like a side-story to David J. Locke’s adventures, it was a pleasure to read it, and I read it in one sitting. The book keeps you interested throughout, and the fiction of the re-telling is quite smart and uniquely thought through. I am very happy that I read this book! I would recommend it to all of you that love retellings and love fairy tales.
A huge thank you to Ellwyn Autumn, for sending me a paperback copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest
Has it ever occurred to you that there might be another version to Peter Pan’s story? Would you want to see Captain Hook’s point of view? If so, then you will truly enjoy this lovely short read: Captain Hook: Villain or Victim by Ellwyn Autumn.
I have always loved Peter Pan and this fairy tale is without a doubt my favourite fairy tale. The world is unique, and the story is amazing. Maybe Peter Pan was the reason I was always so in love with England. I will never know.
When Ellwyn introduced me to her book, I knew I had to have it. I had to read it and find out what Captain Hook’s story might be. The book is quite short, but full of adventures throughout. We follow the journalist, David J. Locke, who sails through the seas searching for Captain Hook. When he finally gets a clue, he dives into the story of Captain Hook and discovers truths that have never been told before.
Even though there were times when the Captain Hook’s story seems like a side-story to David J. Locke’s adventures, it was a pleasure to read it, and I read it in one sitting. The book keeps you interested throughout, and the fiction of the re-telling is quite smart and uniquely thought through. I am very happy that I read this book! I would recommend it to all of you that love retellings and love fairy tales.
A huge thank you to Ellwyn Autumn, for sending me a paperback copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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April 23, 2019
Received from the Author
I liked reading about Peter Pan, I was and still am a bit fan of fairytales and especially fairytale retellings. I love to read about villains and their motivations, why are they bad why the do what they do, there is usually a lot more to the story and I love to read about it...
David J. Locke decided to be a journalist after hearing an interesting lead about Captain Hook. He sails the sees in hopes of meeting him and befriends a captain on the way. It turns out there is more to the story of Peter Pan than it seems. :)
I enjoyed reading Captain Hook, it's written in a very lovely style, the kind you just have smile whilst reading and I liked reading about Hook story, I only wish it was way longer :)
I liked reading about Peter Pan, I was and still am a bit fan of fairytales and especially fairytale retellings. I love to read about villains and their motivations, why are they bad why the do what they do, there is usually a lot more to the story and I love to read about it...
David J. Locke decided to be a journalist after hearing an interesting lead about Captain Hook. He sails the sees in hopes of meeting him and befriends a captain on the way. It turns out there is more to the story of Peter Pan than it seems. :)
I enjoyed reading Captain Hook, it's written in a very lovely style, the kind you just have smile whilst reading and I liked reading about Hook story, I only wish it was way longer :)
April 3, 2021
After finishing this book, it wasn't what I expected it to be. The first half was a little slow, but once I made it half way through thats when the story was something that I wasn't expecting it to be. I love the twist on the fairy tale of Peter Pan (and TinkerBell), and how Ellwyn came up with the story. The main character David J. Locke, believes in magic and fairy tales and goes on an adventure to find Captain Hook. While on his adventure he meets someone called Jimbone and he tells him the real story of Captain Hook.
I also really enjoyed how Ellwyn ended the story!
I also really enjoyed how Ellwyn ended the story!
May 28, 2019
A whimsical tale of the elusive Captain Hook from a closer view of this so-called villainous character. So dust off your eye patches and get ready for a swashbuckling time while finding out the true meaning of friendship.
I recommend this book to young and old alike. Ellwyn Autumn creates such vivid scenes and characters you can't help but love.
I recommend this book to young and old alike. Ellwyn Autumn creates such vivid scenes and characters you can't help but love.
February 10, 2019
Delightful!
This story is for all of us who ever asked a question about the fairy tale. Ellwyn Autumn does an excellent job constructing the backstory. She is skilled at keeping the reader tethered to the original, and she does this through the voice of her new narrator, who is, by the way, hilariously charming.
I read it in one sitting and was a little disappointed that it didn't go on for a few more chapters. However, Ellwyn leaves you with a very tantalizing morsel at the end which makes up for it being too short!
This story is for all of us who ever asked a question about the fairy tale. Ellwyn Autumn does an excellent job constructing the backstory. She is skilled at keeping the reader tethered to the original, and she does this through the voice of her new narrator, who is, by the way, hilariously charming.
I read it in one sitting and was a little disappointed that it didn't go on for a few more chapters. However, Ellwyn leaves you with a very tantalizing morsel at the end which makes up for it being too short!
September 6, 2019
David J. Locke is a dandy who decides on a whim to become a journalist. This story chronicles his search for Captain James T. Hook to report his side of the feud with Peter Pan. Along the way, he encounters prejudice, fear, and wonder.
In a book this short, it’s amazing the depth the author reaches in her characters, and settings. From the aroma of the tea to the imagery of the final scene with Captain Hook I was mesmerized.
The story ends with a solid “hook” for a sequel.
I recommend this story to ages middle-grade and up, including adults who want a taste of youth once more.
In a book this short, it’s amazing the depth the author reaches in her characters, and settings. From the aroma of the tea to the imagery of the final scene with Captain Hook I was mesmerized.
The story ends with a solid “hook” for a sequel.
I recommend this story to ages middle-grade and up, including adults who want a taste of youth once more.
March 30, 2020
This adorable novella presents the question: Is Hook the bad guy?
Follow the adventures of David Jonas Locke as he lets his curiosity lead the way. Locke himself is a hilarious busy-body who considers himself an expert in anything he turns his attention to. When he learns the whereabouts of Captain Hook he embarks on an investigative journey.
This is a very well-written and creative twist to the Peter Pan lore.
Follow the adventures of David Jonas Locke as he lets his curiosity lead the way. Locke himself is a hilarious busy-body who considers himself an expert in anything he turns his attention to. When he learns the whereabouts of Captain Hook he embarks on an investigative journey.
This is a very well-written and creative twist to the Peter Pan lore.
July 11, 2022
Set in 1913 and narrated by David J.Locke, Autumn seeks to answer what became of Captain Hook.
There’s not much of a story.
Better options with same theme:
Capt. Hook by J.V. Hart
Lost Boy by Christina Henry
There’s not much of a story.
Better options with same theme:
Capt. Hook by J.V. Hart
Lost Boy by Christina Henry
July 30, 2022
An adorable story offering a brilliant twist to the Peter Pan saga. Autumn's style maintains the tone of Barrie's original while introducing an intriguing new character, the "flight-o-fancy" David J. Locke. I thoroughly enjoyed this new look at Captain Hook and can't wait to read it to my children.
March 19, 2023
The twist of the story was as aspected. And I would like more time with the characters, it all felt so rushed.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews