Very good tale of mystery suspense and horror set in the early eighteenth century.
Good basic idea,kept me interested and entertained all through. It would have been five stars but of a couple of small ropey patches and the main evil character did not come to life quite as much as possible.
Surprisingly I can find only one decent review of this book online, despite it being three years since it's republishing by the excellent Arthur Ransome Trust, I really don't get why.
If you like very graphic horror this will not suit you,more in the classic lie and even through billed as an adult novel,older children and those like me who like a happy ending( which we are signalled to early on) could enjoy it.
As stated in the fascinating introduction nothing really in common with the Swallows and Amazons series ....,apart from being an enjoyable book! ( )