Wirral Life August 2022 | Page 25

REVIEW OF JESS KIDD ' THE NIGHT SHIP ' BY SUE PORTER

From the best selling author of The Hoarder , Himself and Things in Jars comes the fourth novel by Jess Kidd . Set in 1600 ’ s , the infamous ship Batavia set sail with a cargo , crew and passengers on its maiden voyage to Batavia , capital of the Dutch East Indies . A fine looking ship , built for speed and to carry coin , jewellery and silver !

Mayken van den Heuvel is a nine year old young lady intent on making the most of this journey especially when her nursemaid Imke is taken ill . They both make rich characters to follow on this epic sea journey . We also hear about John Pinten and English soldier , Smoert the kitchen boy , Pauwels Barentsz , whom she calls Holdfast a sailor all entangled in nine year old Mayken ’ s life . As with any Jess Kidd there is a supernatural element in the form of the eel-like Bullebak

lurking in the holds of the ship on the ship Batavia . Best to keep your light on at this stage ! The tale is told in two narratives from Mayken ’ s journey in 1600 ’ s and that of a nine year old Gill Hurley in 1989 . Gill lives on one of the Houtman Abrolhos Islands , where his grandfather , Joss Hurley holds a cray-fishing lease . Gill leads a solitary life and is left much to his own devices . He has had an unconventional upbringing , and is dealing with grief and guilt . He is fascinated by the story of the Batavia , the wreckage of which was found off the Island . He does not believe in ghosts , Little May doesn ’ t exist ... but the Bunyip … Fast paced chapters , fabulously written , one to block out your diary and finish in a one sitting read .

Signed copies and indie editions are available at Linghams bookshop : Visit www . linghams . co . uk or call 0151 342 7290 .