"...the characters are engaging, and the scenes of high-seas action are wonderfully crafted". - Booklist"Llewellyn combines a number of story types - sea saga, mystery, family drama, social history, thriller, character study - into an amalgam not easily categorized. The resolution of the complicated plot is wildly unexpected, a punchy ending for a strong, well-written novel that's something far different, and far better, than the average thriller". - Publishers Weekly
It's not impossible that there's a readable story in here, but many of the signs are discouraging. Every character, large and small, seems to have a backstory which must be indulged at slightly too great a length. It's a question of balance and the author has not quite achieved a comfortable footing, at least for my tastes. I want to get to the part of the story that's about ships at sea but so far it's all about the rascals and reprobates ashore. The other discouraging thing is that this book is almost 25 years old and has only one review on goodreads. My enthusiasm has dwindled to a stopping point at page 49.