Run Afoul (Wiki Coffin Mysteries) [Paperback]

Joan Druett (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: St. Martin (October 3, 2006)
• ASIN: B000YHOCA8
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)

More About the Author

Back in the year 1984, on the picture-poster tropical island of Rarotonga, I literally fell into whaling history when I tumbled into a grave. A great tree had been felled by a recent hurricane, exposing a gravestone that had been hidden for more than one and a half centuries. It was the memorial to a young whaling wife, who had sailed with her husband on the New Bedford ship Harrison in the year 1845. And so my fascination with maritime history was triggered ... resulting in 18 books (so far). The latest -- number nineteen -- is a biography of a truly extraordinary man, Tupaia, star navigator and creator of amazing art.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mystery in the Age of Sail!, August 29, 2007

By 

A. Lee (L.A., CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Run Afoul (Wiki Coffin Mysteries 3) (Hardcover)

A 19thC U.S. (naval) Exploration Expedition has been having its difficulties... amongst them, the poisoning death of one of the scientists. Linguist and multi-talented aide and former NE whaler, Wiki Coffin, a half-Maori, half-American, has a penchant for finding the truth. He's had to before... and bears a certificate as a justice/deputy from Virginia to prove it. This time he has to deal with the odd politics of Rio de Janeiro, the U.S. Navy and some very eccentric scientists eager to follow their passions no matter what the cost. And he has to deal with his father, Captain William Coffin, who is in port on a trading run. I found the characters fascinating, the plot complex and dramatic, the historical and naval detail extremely convincing. And I'm definitely interested in reading more (there are two previous books in this series). Fans of naval adventures and Patrick O'Brian books should enjoy this, as well as those interested in mysteries set in this period.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fans of MASTER & COMMANDER might enjoy this series, January 1, 2008

By 

PJ Coldren (Saint Helen, MI, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Run Afoul (Wiki Coffin Mysteries 3) (Paperback)

Wiki (William) Coffin is a linguist on the Vincennes, part of the U.S. Exploring Expedition. He is the bi-racial son of Bostonian trader Captain William Coffin and a Maori woman. Wiki hasn't seen his father in years, having led the wandering life of a sea-faring man since he was seventeen or so.

The Vincennes is headed for Rio, to do some exploring and some experiments in Brazil and the surrounding environs. Wiki is a competent helmsman, and thus valuable in being able to perform several functions aboard ship.

While in Rio, an annoying shipmate is poisoned. Wiki is convinced that the cook charged with the crime, having ample motive and opportunity, is not the killer. Robert Festin is acquitted because the local pharmacist admits to not cleaning the mortar and pestle used to compound a strychnine compound. Festin is an acclaimed chef in Rio, and the populace is delighted. Wiki is glad Festin is acquitted but not sure that the way it was done is really what happened.

In the meantime, another vessel in the Expedition has a collision with a Boston trading ship, captained by (you guessed it) William Coffin. Coffin Sr. pulls some strings and becomes part of the expedition venturing along the coast. Wiki is on the ship accompanying this group. Yet another man dies, and this time William Coffin is charged with the crime. Wiki has had some experience in solving crimes, which he puts to good use.

This is the third book in Druett's Wiki Coffin series. If RUN AFOUL is any indication of her talent, the first two will be good reads. Druett does a good job with the various conflicts Wiki encounters based on his ancestry, his calling, and his very good looks. Druett also conveys realistically (as near as I can tell) the life aboard various sailing vessels in this time period. The reader is not immersed in the noxious smells and tastes, but we are made aware that Wiki doesn't live in the same world that we do. When was the last time anyplace you lived was smoked for rats? Not having read the MASTER & COMMANDER series, I can't compare the two. I do suspect, however, that fans of that series would enjoy this one.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars insightful vivid look at a bygone era, November 17, 2006

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Run Afoul (Wiki Coffin Mysteries 3) (Hardcover)

In 1838 the U.S. Exploring Expedition continues its mission this time in the South Atlantic Ocean heading towards Brazil. In Rio's harbor, one of the expedition's ships the Swallow collides with an American vessel the Osprey causing a major hole in the latter, but no one is hurt. Afterward, Osprey Captain Will Coffin, Sr. greets his son Wiki, a half Maori half American sailing as a linguist with the scientific expedition.

Their elation in running into each other ends quickly, when William, Sr. is arrested on a charge of murder. Wiki, a sheriff's deputy, investigates believing his father would never kill anyone in cold blood as charged. With the verdict already in before the trial begins and the Expedition getting ready to move on, Wiki is running out of time and seemingly making no progress except that someone wants him backing off or else.

The investigation takes a far back seat to the insightful vivid look at a bygone era when science is just beginning to take hold and Darwin's travel and work is recent to the fully developed cast. The story line is at its best when RUN AFOUL explores 1838 clashes between the US Navy officers, scientists, and the Brazilian government; the whodunit seems pale in comparison. In his third, adventure, Wiki remains a wonderful guide though this time he is a bit preoccupied with his father in deep trouble.

Harriet Klausner