The Devil and the Dark Water

Turton???s debut novel, The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, was one of my top reads of the year it came out. While there was some confusion due to a large cast and interesting timeline choices the plot was so interesting that it kept me hooked the whole way through. I will be re-reading that book for years to come. Unfortunately, the second book by Turton did not work for me in the same way.

A murder on the high seas. A 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. Travelling with him is his loyal bodyguard, Arent Hayes, who is determined to prove his friend innocent.

But no sooner are they out to sea than devilry begins to blight the voyage. A twice-dead leper stalks the decks. Strange symbols appear on the sails. Livestock is slaughtered. And then three passengers are marked for death, including Samuel.

Could a demon be responsible for their misfortunes?

With Pipps imprisoned, only Arent can solve a mystery that connects every passenger onboard. A mystery that stretches back into their past and now threatens to sink the ship, killing everybody on board.

Cleverness is a type of strength, and they won???t accept a woman who???s stronger than they are. Their pride won???t allow it, and their pride is the thing they hold dearest.

The Devil and the Dark Water