By Dorison & Lauffray
Publisher: Cinebook
ISBN: 978-1-84918-072-6
This Treasure Island sequel ploughs on, this time through the Atlantic waves aboard the Neptune. All the key players are in place, and all within the ship's walls, so suspicions begin to be raised about certain members' intentions while plots threaten to reveal themselves. At the forefront of all this is Lady Vivian Hasting's servant, aware of her ladyship's intended betrayal and who seeks to expose both her and Long John Silver – on board as the ship's cook – for what they plan to do. However, Silver has a handful of his own ruthless men aboard and it isn't long before this problem meets with an unfortunate accident beneath an unsecured load.
However, rather than put to the situation to rest, it brings about a greater problem. The load was secured by Jack, who is there against Silver's wishes, and Jack knows he did a proper job tying the load. He turns to Silver for help only to discover that Silver is well aware the ropes were cut and he tells Jack the boy doesn't have it in him to weather the coming storm. Rising to the challenge, when Jack is accused of not securing the load properly and is threatened with a flogging, he remains tight-lipped and takes a heavy beating with the lash as he refuses to admit any guilt, or, as Silver fears, reveal the plot in return for an end to the pain. But even at this stage, far out into the voyage and many miles from land, the situation threatens to get still worse.
Lovingly put together by Dorison and Lauffray, with powerful and atmospheric artwork and a strong and favourable nod towards the original novel, this is a hugely enjoyable book through and through. Rather than paint the characters as stark black and white, good versus evil, everyone is a shade of grey which adds to the drama and keeps the storyline buoyant with possibilities. Gripping stuff.
And if you liked that: Book 1 is still available
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