Synopsis:
Michael Bevan is barely scraping by with his used bookstore and rare book collection when he discovers a timeworn journal that may change everything. Dating back to 1768, the tattered diary appears to be a chronicle kept during the first of legendary seafarer Captain James Cook’s three epic voyages through the Pacific islands. If it’s as valuable as Mike thinks it is, its sale may just bring enough to keep his faltering used bookstore afloat for another year.
Then he meets a pair of London dealers with startling news: Adrian Hart and Penelope Wilkes claim to possess the journal of Cook’s second voyage. Is it possible a third diary exists? One which might detail Cook’s explosive final voyage—and his death at the hands of native
Hawaiians? Together, all three would be the holy grail of Pacific exploration. But before Mike can act, the two journals are stolen.
Chasing them down will sweep Michael, Adrian, and Penelope across the globe—past a dead body or two—and into a very sinister slice of paradise. High in the Southern Alps of New Zealand, in a remote and secretive Maori compound, a secret rests in the hands in of a man daring enough to rewrite history . . . and desperate enough to kill.
Then he meets a pair of London dealers with startling news: Adrian Hart and Penelope Wilkes claim to possess the journal of Cook’s second voyage. Is it possible a third diary exists? One which might detail Cook’s explosive final voyage—and his death at the hands of native
Hawaiians? Together, all three would be the holy grail of Pacific exploration. But before Mike can act, the two journals are stolen.
Chasing them down will sweep Michael, Adrian, and Penelope across the globe—past a dead body or two—and into a very sinister slice of paradise. High in the Southern Alps of New Zealand, in a remote and secretive Maori compound, a secret rests in the hands in of a man daring enough to rewrite history . . . and desperate enough to kill.
*(summary courtesy of Goodreads)
My Review
A fast paced, adventure with a hint of mystery this book proved to be. It has some historical aspects to it; for example Captain James Cook and his voyages.
I've read about Captain Cook in passing during high school, so it was nice to brush up on some history. I also liked learning about little known facts about New Zealand. I've never really known about the Maori beliefs, but it was pretty neat to read about it. The description of the war dance seems very apt, as I have witnessed it myself.
I'm not sure why there needed to be a love triangle with Tane, Pillow and Michael. It kind of made sense but then it didn't. I don't see how that was so important to the story. I could have personally done without. The ending was interesting; I'm not sure I agree with it, but it was intriguing nonetheless. Not a bad read.
Expected publication: August 26th 2014 by Alibi
Rating: 🔔🔔🔔
Recommend? Worth a read. Any adventure lovers will like this book.
(ARC courtesy of Net Galley and Alibi Publishing)
0 comments:
Post a Comment