Sailors in the 1600s were a suspicious lot, so when strange symbols appear on an eight-month voyage to Amsterdam, the crew and passengers of the Saardam begin to suspect that the ship is cursed and that a demon walks among them. Thankfully, they have one of the world's greatest detectives, Samuel Pipps, on board — unfortunately, however, he's a prisoner confined to a dark, uncomfortable cell. Nevertheless, Pipps' loyal bodyguard Arent Hayes begins investigating the symbols, aided by Sara Wessel, disgruntled wife of the governor general. But a few "unholy miracles" later, and they're fighting storms, mutiny, and possible murder. Will they be able to solve the mystery and arrive in Amsterdam safely?
This is a fun historical fiction novel, perfect for fans of swash-buckling adventure stories. But the flap copy and cover descriptions can't be said to be correct. "A murder on the high seas" is splashed across the back cover, though such a murder doesn't appear until well past the book's halfway point, so don't put this book in the "murder mystery" pile. That quibble aside, it's a fun story and worth a read.
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