The devil and dark water. Turton S.

For the first time in Russian, the latest novel by Stuart Turton, the author of the international bestseller, Seven Deaths of Evelina Khardkasl, translated into 30 languages ​​and awarded the prestigious Costa Award for the best debut. If the Seven Deaths of Evelina Khardkasl was called “puzzling, and, moreover, the completely organic mixture of“ Downton Abbey ”and“ Surka Day ”, Agatha Christie and series like“ Quantum Express ”, then“ The Devil and Dark Water ” - this is “A brilliant cross of Conan Doyle with William Golding” (Val McDermid).

So, welcome in 1634. Galeons of the East India Company carry nutmeg and black pepper, spices and silk from Batavia to Amsterdam. The path from the Pacific islands to Europe leads around Africa and takes eight months. Not everyone got to Amsterdam: fierce storms and formidable pirates were levied their share. And from Batavia is preparing to sail to Saardam. Among the passengers are Governor-General Jan Haan with the family and mistress; The famous "Alchemical Detective" Samuel Pips, chained in shackles on unknown charges; His partner is Lieutenant Arenat Hayes. The signs of fate from the very beginning are ominously. On the pier, the lepers are exclaiming: “Saardam's load is marked by the seal of sin, and all who dared to climb aboard is awaiting terrible destruction,” and flashes with a bright flame. When a sail is raised on a gross mask, everyone sees on a white panel a tail-drawn eye drawn by a coal-a symbol of a demon, known by the name of Old Tom. And although in the convoy that sailed from Batavia there were seven ships, the eighth lantern periodically lights up in the night ocean. And when the murder occurs on board, the functions of the detective, instead of Sam’s closet, nicknamed the sparrow in the closet, is forced to take on the arena, nicknamed the Bear...