Seaflower

In “Seaflower”, Julian Stockwin’s third novel featuring the 19th century nautical adventures of Thomas Kydd, Mr. Stockwin changes course from epic adventure to a series of smaller escapades. Each of these yarns involve placing Kydd within differing -sometimes out of the comfort zone- albeit apropos locations and for a 19th century mariner. Mr. Stockwin does well with the changes of scenery and the descriptions of life in the Caribbean during that time period. However, some of the gleam was lost and this novel does not rate as well as Mr. Stockwin’s previous two. Yet that does not mean this novel wasn’t filled with seafaring action and adventure, it’s just the book felt more like ballast that actual cargo.

Good story, outstanding insights into the art and skills of maintaining and sailing wooden warships.

It is two years since Thomas Kydd was spirited away in the night to serve his country aboard the old line-of-battle ship Duke William. Now, he and and the other members of the ill-fated Artemis are shipwrecked sailors, back in London waiting to be summoned as court martial witnesses. Then, in a political act to shield an officer's reputation, they are shipped out in haste to the Caribbean - where sugar is king and yellow jack a fearsome peril.