The Devil and the Dark Water
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4.0 • 207 Ratings
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- $1.99
Publisher Description
PEOPLE's Best Books of the 2020s
"Compulsively readable."—New York Times Book Review
From Stuart Turton, author of The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, comes an extraordinary new locked-room murder mystery.
A murder on the high seas. A remarkable detective duo. A demon who may or may not exist.
It's 1634, and Samuel Pipps, the world's greatest detective, is being transported to Amsterdam to be executed for a crime he may, or may not, have committed. Traveling with him is his loyal bodyguard, Arent Hayes, who is determined to prove his friend innocent. Among the other guests is Sara Wessel, a noblewoman with a secret.
But no sooner is their ship out to sea than devilry begins to blight the voyage. A strange symbol appears on the sail. A dead leper stalks the decks. Livestock dies in the night.
And then the passengers hear a terrible voice, whispering to them in the darkness, promising three unholy miracles, followed by a slaughter. First an impossible pursuit. Second an impossible theft. And third an impossible murder.
Could a demon be responsible for their misfortunes?
With Pipps imprisoned, only Arent and Sara can solve a mystery that stretches back into their past and now threatens to sink the ship, killing everybody on board.
Shirley Jackson meets Sherlock Holmes in this chilling thriller of supernatural horror, occult suspicion, and paranormal mystery on the high seas.
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
Equal parts historical fiction, supernatural horror, and whodunit, The Devil and the Dark Water takes readers on a strange high-seas adventure. In the 17th century, a ship sets sail from the Asian port of Batavia, loaded with distinguished passengers—including famous detective Samuel Pipps, who’s bound for Amsterdam to be executed for his role in a mysterious crime. Pipps’ muscle-bound bodyguard hopes to clear his boss’ name, a mission that’s rudely interrupted by the appearance of a demon named Old Tom, who apparently has business with several other passengers. Author Stuart Turton packs this lightning-fast adventure with lots of eeriness and fascinating period details. (You’ll learn more about personal hygiene in the 1600s than you ever imagined!) With twists, treachery, and romance at every turn, Turton’s book is a wild ride in every sense of the word.
Customer Reviews
Scooby Doo ending
I could not stop reading the book. Loved it. Super captivating. But the ending was…disappointing, letdown. I was super excited to start reading the other books for the author but now im unsure.
Ending doesn’t deliver
Strong first 2/3, but ending is disappointing
Tense and exciting
Excellent read from beginning to end.