Bring It Close [Paperback]

This story takes place shortly after the conclusion of Pirate Code and sees Captain Jesemiah Acorne off on another ocean adventure without his dearest love. Well, he's got his `ship luvver' but not his human (`white witch') one. I enjoyed Tiola more in this book than in Pirate Code, because she seemed more gainfully occupied and stronger in character. It is less about her and more about the people she is trying to help. Finding themselves on different ships, headed in the same direction, Tiola doesn't realize that Jesemiah has to confront Captain Edward Teach (aka Blackbeard) in order to save the ship on which she is travelling. Helen successfully takes this story out of the jurisdiction of the two previous voyages, back to Jesemiah's home in Virginia. There, haunted by the voice of his long dead father, Jesemiah has to come to terms with himself and his roots.

Blackbeard is a very enthralling character to weave into this tale or perhaps I should say Jesemiah has been woven into Blackbeard's (no, not his beard, his tale). Ms Hollick definitely has a way with conversational phraseology. Blackbeard's accent is heavy and cumbersome, but for me that added to the overall effect, because I was forced to slow down as I read his words, thus creating a spinechilling overtone to the manner in which he converses. Evil and deadly, I just couldn't wait for his next appearance. Shame he's dead! (whoops......spoiler)

Helen doesn't shy away from courageous descriptions of squalid prison life, gruesome floggings and blood-curdling swordfights and that is one of the things I enjoy most about her writing; its honesty and integrity. She is able to bring it all to life with a very shrewd, fluent and skilful style which makes for a true page turner. Pick this book up today. I promise you won't regret. And did you know that a 'bring it close' is another name for a telescope? I learn something everyday, I hope...