The mystery in this book zips along better than the previous (RUN AFOUL), and I liked it quite a lot. It's still got leisurely bits but also some good action-packed scenes. Trying to piece together the crime, Wiki goes down a number of wrong paths and finally gets to the truth. Loved the part aboard his father's ship, when with their lives in danger Wiki gives unauthorized commands, saving everyone but earning himself a dressing down from the first mate. And Mr. Seward...that went in a direction I wasn't expecting (Druett has written non-fiction about sailors like Mr. Seward, btw) Wiki is a wonderful protagonist, he's young but has traveled widely and seemingly knows someone everywhere they go. Interesting historical tidbits, nice sense of place, good dialogue. There are only five in the series, and I've already read #5 (THE BECKONING ICE), so DEADLY SHOALS finishes the series for me. I've enjoyed them very much.

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