I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

When Arent Hayes steps aboard a ship headed back to Amsterdam, he's on a mission - to save his best friend and famous crime solver Sammy Pipps from the hangman's noose. Pipps has been arrested on unknown charges by the governor general, and Arent is intent on clearing his name. However, things become complicated when a cryptic message is shared by a leper as they board the ship, who promptly bursts into flames. The crew and passengers are soon haunted by a demon known as 'Old Tom' and everyone's past comes into play as Arent ends up on a mission to not only save Sammy but everyone on board.

For anyone looking for a dark book with an engrossing mystery tangled up with a bit of horror, and solid characters you really feel for - this is the perfect pick! I really enjoyed this book, and I found that everything was laid out really well, and the mystery just kept turning corners, to the point where there were times I felt I couldn't quite keep up with it (in a good way).

I really loved the dynamic between Arent Hayes and Sammy Pipps - the crime-solving duo where Pipps gets all the praise. They typically fell into the small and big partnership with Sammy being light, delicate and clever and Arent big and brawny yet full of intellect and kindness. They reminded me a little bit of Locke Lamora and Jean from The Gentleman Bastards series.

I also really loved the intelligence and strength of all the women on board - from Sara to Lia and Cressjie, as well as Isabel. The women all had really great qualities as well as flaws, and stood strongly next to the male characters in the book without feeling like pale comparisons (which can sometimes happen in historical thrillers where women are often confined by social status).

There were some great jump scare moments in this book, and scenes that really made me feel creeped out. They were described really well, as were many great points in the book and I often felt like I could see the scene play out in a movie or TV show (the candle coming closer and closer to Vos without him knowing for example).

One of the strongest things for me in this book was the utter wretch that would have been life on this kind of ship - from the small cabin spaces (if you were lucky enough to have a cabin) to the constant threat a crew on the edge portrays. There was always an air of danger and darkness from the soldiers to the musketeers.

I did feel like I was pleasantly surprised in this book at different times, particularly with Arent - he was a bit like Shrek - many layers of onion to unpeel.

While the ending and the reveal did feel a bit extravagant, it was also impressive - the rolling out of the whys and hows. At first, I felt it may be a bit over the top but the more I think about the more impressed I am at these characters and all the intricacies laid out within the pages to make everything come together so nicely.