The Devil and the Dark Water Review

Synopsis

The year is 1634 and Samuel Pipps, the world-renowned alchemical detective, has been arrested for a crime no one is sure if he committed. He is destined to be tried in Amsterdam but must first survive the perilous eight-month journey aboard the Saardam from Batavia (modern day Jakarta). When mysterious symbols appear across the ship, treacherous words whisper in passenger’s ears and bodies begin to mount, it is up to Pipps’ loyal companion, Arent Hayes, to solve the devilry and save Pipps from his uncertain fate.

Book Review

I was browsing the tables of books in Truro’s Waterstones one afternoon in June, when a random woman appeared over my shoulder, like an apparition, and told me that I should buy Stuart Turton’s The Devil and the Dark Water; she had loved it. The moody front cover and a quick glance at the blurb was enough for me to take the book to the tills and home with me… I was so glad that I did. Because I have no way of thanking my guardian book-angel, I am instead taking up her mantle and appearing in ghostly digital form on this blog to recommend you the book!

The book is Turton’s second novel following his incredibly successful debut, The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle. Turton builds an incredible world aboard the Saardam - you could practically smell the stench of blood and sweat with squalor dripping off the pages. Pipps’ tiny cell bears its walls down around you and your bookmark might just become your own protective relic against the vengeful sprits that seem to stalk the boat’s decks. You may now realise that if gore, violence, and the sensation of your blood-curdling freaks you out, then this is not the book for you!

"Turton aimed to be as historically accurate as he could with my of the details, but delightfully provided us female characters with great bravery"

At the book’s core, is the well-established Sherlock Holmes and John Watson dynamic. Pipps has the lightning-fast mind, ambiguous morals, and lacklustre social skills, whilst Arent Hayes is the practical one, fixing Pipps’ messes and asking “why” and “how” on our behalf. Their relationship is written with a depth that makes you question whether this really is the first book they have appeared in together. Their history stretches far into the past and there lies an unspoken admiration and affection for each other. Because of this, Hayes isn’t relegated to simple sidekick as he brings his own kind of quick thinking and grittiness that you can easily root for. Though the Holmesian formula is at play, I didn’t feel this trope disadvantaged the narrative; it provided familiarity amongst the murky world of ship politics.

One of the most enjoyable characters is Sara Wessel, wife of the severe Governor General Jan Haan, the one who arrested Pipps. Sara, and her young daughter Lia, are bright, proactive, and full of agency. Turton aimed to be as historically accurate as he could be with many of the details, but delightfully provided us female characters with great bravery in this era… and in a genre that is often swamped with the male fantasies of adventure and power.

However, like the crammed Saardam, the narrative occasionally became crowded too. I did find myself flicking back to the passengers list at the beginning of the book for some needed reminders. With notable dignitaries, a mutinous ship crew, passengers, stowaways, curses and demon-fearing villages, alongside political conspiracies, secret cargoes, and shadowy sounding organisations like ‘the Gentlemen 17’, reading it was sometimes overwhelming. Being 548 pages long, it is definitely not your one-sitting breeze through. You’d have a lot less fun if it was though, I can guarantee that. Turton delightfully teases out the mystery across the book and the desire for answers easily outstrips any longing to just create your own chart documenting the characters.

I understand the enthusiasm and confidence of the woman who appeared to me in Waterstones because I now, too, share that enthusiasm and confidence in this fantastic book. It has the atmosphere of The Hounds of the Baskervilles, at sea. And, with it being developed into a seven-part Netflix drama, the heady opportunity to say “I’ve read the book, actually” before watching it is all yours. The Devil and the Dark Water grips you with chilling hands and catapults you into a darkly entrancing world of demons and devils.

Demons always find their way back to you, no matter how hard you try to banish them.