The Devil and the Dark Water, by Stuart Turton

This book was so different to anything I had read before - imagine a Sherlock Holmes detective story crossed with all the action and setting of the Pirates of the Caribbean, set in the 1600s on a voyage from India to Amsterdam!? It is a psychological thriller murder mystery, with a bit of romance, historical fiction, with lots of hauntings, omens, superstition and adventure. It felt just like a film, I enjoyed reading this SO much, the characters felt so read and didn’t want it to end! Before the ship has even set sail, the passengers and crew are met with symbols, warnings and feel like their journey is cursed. It is clear that something very nasty is happening, and soon animals and people are found dead. This book has some amazing twists I never predicted, and it was so engaging and interesting the whole way through. I wish there could be a sequel! Having read and loved The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, I was so excited to read this! It was so different, but absolutely brilliant.

How accessible is it?

I was a bit worried that I wouldn’t be able to remember everyone’s names but I was so grateful for the passenger list at the front of the book, so I kept referring back to that. I also loved the beautiful map of the ship and I looked at that many times whilst reading. After a few chapters, I was absolutely transfixed and I read this so effortlessly like I was watching a movie.