Readers who enjoy mind-bending mystery novels may expect Stuart Turton’s The Devil and the Dark Water to follow the same plot lines as other novels in the genre. However, this novel breaks barriers in terms of location, character development, point of view, and much-needed humour mixed in throughout this dark and twisted mystery.
In Stuart Turton’s second novel, The Devil and the Dark Water follows the story of Lieutenant Arent Hayes and renown detective Samuel Pipps as they prepare to board one of the East Indian Trading Company’s ships, the Sardaam, to travel to Amsterdam where Pipps will be executed for a crime he is suspected of committing. Upon their arrival at the docks in Batavia, it is made clear to both Sammy and Arent that their voyage to Amsterdam would not be an easy one when a leper rumoured to be dead proclaims that the Sardaam is cursed and that every person who takes the voyage to Amsterdam will die before they reach their destination. Once a slew of unholy miracles begin tormenting the ship, Arent, Sammy, and their new comrade Sara Wessel decide to take matters into their own hands and find who, or what, is tormenting the ship and its passengers.
Throughout The Devil and the Dark Water, there were enough twists and turns throughout each chapter of the novel that proves to keep the reader interested until the very end. Like authors such as Stephen King and Agatha Christie, Turton is able to convince readers of many characters’ innocence, even if they may not be innocent at all. Sara Wessel, Creesjie Jens, Arent Hayes, among other characters prove to be zealous in banishing the demon called Old Tom—but what if Old Tom is lurking inside of one of these main “innocent” characters? Turton is able to continuously push the suspicion from one character to another throughout the novel, ultimately causing the reader much difficulty in finding a reliable narrator. With some comedic aspects sprinkled in with the action and mystery, Turton continuously keeps readers’ attention and wondering who, exactly, is the cause of this chaos.
With the mix of humour, suspense, plot twists, and action scenes, The Devil and the Dark Water proves to be a novel all kinds of readers will enjoy. There are important social themes such as feminism and tyranny present throughout the text including fierce women characters like Sara and her daughter Lia who push for female equality throughout. With the strong push for feminist ideals along with the strength shown through men and women working together, the novel aspires to show the power that comes forth when people come together for the greater good.
While many of the characters are well developed, witty, and even a little untrustworthy, there is still room for some of the characters to be developed even more by the end of the novel. Sammy and Arent’s story is only briefly explained in the text and it would have been helpful to understand just how deep their friendship goes. Additionally, it becomes quite hard for the reader to fully comprehend why Arent is so enveloped with the task of protecting Sammy—even if it means that Arent himself is in danger. Furthermore, the governor general, Jan Haan, was much more underdeveloped than other characters in this novel. It would be helpful for the reader to know how he turned from the loving uncle Arent remembers into a cunning and vicious leader and husband.
Overall, The Devil and the Dark Water is a thrilling take of friendship, loyalty, betrayal, and just how far some people will go to protect the innocent. Avid mystery readers and new mystery readers alike will find something they like about this novel, whether it be the relationships characters form between themselves or the constant twists and turns that entice them to continue turning the pages.
The Devil and the Dark Water is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of October 6th 2020.
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Synopsis | Goodreads
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.
The breathtaking new novel from Stuart Turton, author of the The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, winner of the Costa Best First Novel Award.
