Full of engaging, amusing, and above all human characters, this novel also boasts a vividly presented narrative of a turbulent era. Mount manages to keep the reader intrigued as Jem careers from bawdy houses to Oliver Cromwell's inner circle, from Dutch Wars to Jamaica, from political intrigue to treasure hunting. The characters with whom he treats run the gamut of all levels of society and include Samuel Pepys, the pirate Henry Morgan, and even the "Emperor of China," as Jem's fortunes vacillate.
The author manages to employ a light hand and fine wit as he he juggles the demands of sweeping narrative, historical research, and intriguing characters, and succeeds in keeping the reader both entertained and fascinated by the period and its depiction. Mary Whipple