- Paperback: 304 pages
- Publisher: Minotaur Books,US; Reprint edition (17 Oct 2005)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0312334427
- ISBN-13: 978-0312334420
- Product Dimensions: 20.9 x 14 x 2.1 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,889,647 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
| ||||||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Plus, get an extra £5 Gift Certificate when you trade in books worth £10 or more before June 30, 2012. Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. |
Product details |
More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
The year is 1838, and after more than ten years in the planning, the famous United States Exploring Expedition is set to launch into uncharted waters from the coast of Virginia. A convoy of seven ships filled with astronomers, mapmakers, naturalists, and the sailors charged with getting them around the world, the "Ex. Ex." is finally underway, with much fanfare. Aboard the convoy as ship's linguist is Wiki Coffin. Half New Zealand Maori and half American, Wiki speaks numerous languages and is expected to help the crew navigate the Pacific islands that are his native heritage. But just before departure Wiki, subject to the unfortunate bigotry of the time, is arrested for a vicious murder he didn't commit. The convoy sails off, but just before the ships are out of reach Wiki is exonerated, set free to catch up with his ship and sail on. The catch: the local sheriff is convinced that the real murderer is aboard one of the seven ships of the expedition, and Wiki is deputized to identify the killer and bring him to justice.
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
Browse and search another edition of this book.
Browse and search another edition of this book.
First Sentence
The man who was about to be wrongfully arrested waited in the black shadow of a tree by the Elizabeth River. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
The man who was about to be wrongfully arrested waited in the black shadow of a tree by the Elizabeth River. Read the first page
Explore More
Concordance
Browse Sample PagesConcordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
Tag this product(What's this?)Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organise and find favourite items. |
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
An excellent read. This fictional murder mystery is skilfully set against the background of the turbulent U.S. Exploring Expedition, led by Lt. Charles Wilkes in 1838-42. Druett's years of research and writing experience in the field of real maritime history have enabled her to portray the world of the sailing navy with confidence and accuracy. Creating a main fictional character as part-Maori, with other Polynesian sailors occasionally coming into the story, gives it an interesting slant as well as contributing essential elements to the plot. The tension builds steadily. As the final scene is played out among the sailing ships alone on a calm sea, one's attention is tightly held, to the last page.
Format:Paperback
The morning the US Exploring Expedition is set to launch, Wiki Coffin finds himself waiting on shore. When shots ring out, he thinks he is the target. Instead, the target is a row boat floating down the river. The occupant of the boat is already dead from a broken neck. She is the wife of one of the expedition's astronomers.
Wiki is briefly accused of the crime, but the sheriff quickly realizes that couldn't be. He's able to rejoin the expedition before it completely launches. But when another death occurs not too long into the voyage, Wiki begins to suspect a connection between the two. Is there a killer on board? Can Wiki find him?
This is a series debut that shows lots of promise. Wiki, half New Zealander and half American, is a fascinating character. In fact, all the characters on board the expedition are interesting. And watching the way Wiki is treated is quite fascinating. I was not even aware of this historic expedition from the 1830's, so that aspect of it is fascinating as well. Plus, I love boats and the ocean. The mystery was good and managed to confuse me until the heart stopping ending.
The only real flaw is the historic detail. I know, I know, it's a historic mystery. But, the author, at times, overwhelmed me with ship jargon. These terms weren't explained anywhere in the book. Additionally, she occasionally slowed down the action to give us great detail about life on the ship. Some of that came into play later in the book, but even so it frustrated me at the time. And there is some needless background on the main characters that slowed things down.
Despite the overwhelming historic detail, I really enjoyed this book. I am looking forward to catching up with Wiki soon to see where the expedition heads next.
Wiki is briefly accused of the crime, but the sheriff quickly realizes that couldn't be. He's able to rejoin the expedition before it completely launches. But when another death occurs not too long into the voyage, Wiki begins to suspect a connection between the two. Is there a killer on board? Can Wiki find him?
This is a series debut that shows lots of promise. Wiki, half New Zealander and half American, is a fascinating character. In fact, all the characters on board the expedition are interesting. And watching the way Wiki is treated is quite fascinating. I was not even aware of this historic expedition from the 1830's, so that aspect of it is fascinating as well. Plus, I love boats and the ocean. The mystery was good and managed to confuse me until the heart stopping ending.
The only real flaw is the historic detail. I know, I know, it's a historic mystery. But, the author, at times, overwhelmed me with ship jargon. These terms weren't explained anywhere in the book. Additionally, she occasionally slowed down the action to give us great detail about life on the ship. Some of that came into play later in the book, but even so it frustrated me at the time. And there is some needless background on the main characters that slowed things down.
Despite the overwhelming historic detail, I really enjoyed this book. I am looking forward to catching up with Wiki soon to see where the expedition heads next.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
5 reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Great mystery along with a wonderfuul nautical adventure
9 Mar 2005
Format:Hardcover
At the end of this book, you will definitely be left wanting more. You know that the tale has just begun and are hoping the author finishes the next story sooner rather than later. The characters are richly drawn, the descriptions of life on board detailed enough to illuminate the surroundings, but not so detailed as to detract from the story and mystery itself. I would definitely recommend this book.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
terrific historical mystery
29 Sep 2004
Format:Hardcover
In 1838 Norfolk, someone takes a shot at half Maori William "Wiki" Coffin, Jr. before fleeing the area. Wiki next sees the corpse of a woman in his boat. The Sheriff arrests Wiki for murdering Mrs. Tristam Stanton, wife of the expedition's astronomer. However, not long afterward, the Sheriff frees the "darkie" though he has no papers. Instead he believes that the killer is on the ship the Ex. Ex. already sailing on an exploration expedition in the South Seas. Since Wiki is a linguist with the expedition, the Sheriff asks him to investigate the murder on board the vessel.
As Wiki catches up to the ship, he also begins making inquiries. However, he finds the crew's bias towards his race and national origin makes it difficult to obtain answers as well as delineate who is simply a bigot from a killer. Still, Wiki persists even as the ship is wracked with blunders, confusion, and dangerous decisions that almost sinks the effort before reaching the destination let alone solve a homicide.
This is a terrific historical mystery with the emphasis on real events and relationships circa 1838. The story line contains a fabulous who-done-it, but many of the red herrings are caused by racism that makes an individual seem nasty enough to commit murder. Wiki is a wonderful protagonist who hopefully stars in future South Sea adventures, but the key to this superb tale is the insight into the seemingly doomed real United States South Seas Exploring Expedition of 1838.
Harriet Klausner
As Wiki catches up to the ship, he also begins making inquiries. However, he finds the crew's bias towards his race and national origin makes it difficult to obtain answers as well as delineate who is simply a bigot from a killer. Still, Wiki persists even as the ship is wracked with blunders, confusion, and dangerous decisions that almost sinks the effort before reaching the destination let alone solve a homicide.
This is a terrific historical mystery with the emphasis on real events and relationships circa 1838. The story line contains a fabulous who-done-it, but many of the red herrings are caused by racism that makes an individual seem nasty enough to commit murder. Wiki is a wonderful protagonist who hopefully stars in future South Sea adventures, but the key to this superb tale is the insight into the seemingly doomed real United States South Seas Exploring Expedition of 1838.
Harriet Klausner
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
a glimpse into another time and place, with a mystery!
16 Oct 2005
Format:Hardcover
I came across this book, and it sounded interesting. So, I read it.
The book combines the technology of the United States in 1838 with my country's zeal for exploration. Take that, and add a mysterious death. Throw in some interesting characters, and a clever protagonist, "Wiki".
The result is a mystery that I had trouble putting down. I read most of it last night, but waited until this morning to finish. I did not want it to end....fortunately there will be a sequel.
Anyway, the characterisation (?spelling) is wonderful. I felt that I had begun to know these people....and I know nothing about ships of that time.
Somehow, the author has given us a bit of understanding of how things worked then. She also provided us with a great mystery.
The mystery is resolved....I almost got it....but, "Wiki" is quicker.
If you like books by Patrick O'Brien, or if you like mysteries, or, if you would like to try a new book, this is for you. I highly recommend it.
The book combines the technology of the United States in 1838 with my country's zeal for exploration. Take that, and add a mysterious death. Throw in some interesting characters, and a clever protagonist, "Wiki".
The result is a mystery that I had trouble putting down. I read most of it last night, but waited until this morning to finish. I did not want it to end....fortunately there will be a sequel.
Anyway, the characterisation (?spelling) is wonderful. I felt that I had begun to know these people....and I know nothing about ships of that time.
Somehow, the author has given us a bit of understanding of how things worked then. She also provided us with a great mystery.
The mystery is resolved....I almost got it....but, "Wiki" is quicker.
If you like books by Patrick O'Brien, or if you like mysteries, or, if you would like to try a new book, this is for you. I highly recommend it.
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
|
