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The Devil and the Dark Water

By: Stuart Turton
Narrated by: Julian Rhind-Tutt
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Publisher's Summary

Bloomsbury presents The Devil and the Dark Water by Stuart Turton, read by Julian Rhind-Tutt.

Selected for the BBC Two Book Club Between the Covers and the Radio 2 Jo Whiley Book Club.

Shortlisted for The Books Are My Bag Fiction Award.

An impossible murder

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 from the Dutch East Indies to Amsterdam, where he is facing trial and execution 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, while also on board are Sara Wessel, a noble woman with a secret, and her husband, the governor general of Batavia.

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 are slaughtered in the night. And then the passengers hear a terrible voice whispering to them in the darkness, promising them three unholy miracles. First: an impossible pursuit. Second: an impossible theft. 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....

From the author of the dazzling The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, winner of the Costa Best First Novel Award, comes an audacious and original new high concept murder mystery.

©2020 Stuart Turton (P)2020 Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

Critic Reviews

"If you read one book this year, make sure it’s this one." (Daily Mail)

"A superb historical mystery: inventive, twisty, addictive and utterly beguiling.... A TRIUMPH." (Will Dean)

"A glorious mash-up of William Golding and Arthur Conan Doyle." (Val McDermid)

What listeners say about The Devil and the Dark Water

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Different that Stuart Turton’s first novel

Another great book from Stuart Turton. Very different story but kept me hooked from the first! Well written and great twist at the end!

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Mystery on the high seas

The Wreck of the Batavia meets Sherlock Holmes. if you like either of these two things you'll love this book. Another wonderful book by Stuart Turton.

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Not bad

Honestly I did not get pulled into this as quickly as I did with the Seven Deaths but it is a solid piece of writing with complex characters and an even more complex story. I will remain a fan of Stuart Turton and look forward to his next book. The narration for this book was good and suited the style of writing.

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  • Overall
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thriller historic fiction Adventure

I really enjoyed this book. Yes I did get lost a few times where the story sort of slowed down but it then picked up again each time. There has been a few people complain about the (Spoiler)storm that takes place saying it went on for too many chapters, but honestly I feel it was just enough or maybe just a little more could have been said.

 I love the result at the end I did have my guesses. I won't spoil this on you. I would have loved to have seen a little bit more chemistry between Arent and Sara but at the author says in the end of the book  letter from the author he didn't want it to turn into a story all about them, or Arent being the sexy bodyguard kind of character. But has said that if you wish to do so then that is what you shall have.  
All in all I do recommend this book a adventure to read, there are a few gruesome scenes taking place in the book. But nothing over the top. 

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