To Die a Dry Death [Kindle Edition]

Greta van der Rol (Author)

Book Description

Bronze medal winner, historical fiction, the 2011 eLit Awards

"I recommend this book to any historical fiction fan, and to all friends of books based on real life and given an extra dimension through fiction."--Heikki Hietala, author of Tulagi Hotel

"Die a Dry Death cannot fail to satisfy the most demanding and critical of readers of historical fiction. An excellent read and highly recommended."--Malcolm H. Mendey

"...a fascinating historical adventure that ratchets up the tension with every turn of the page. Greta van der Rol's accomplished debut novel is a gripping exploration into both the endurance of the human spirit and its darker side. Steeped in authenticity, Die a Dry Death is sure to impress even the most demanding of historical fiction readers."--G. Brickson

Shipwrecked on an unknown shore, their greatest peril came from within.

June 1629. Laden with treasure and the riches of Europe, the merchantman Batavia, flagship of the Dutch East India Company, sails on her maiden voyage from Amsterdam bound for the East Indies. But thirty miles off the coast of Terra Incognita Australis--the unknown south land--she smashes into an uncharted reef.

The survivors--women and children, sailors, soldiers and merchants--are washed ashore on a pair of uninhabited, hostile islands, with little food or fresh water. Desperately seeking help, the ship's officers set out in an open boat to make a two-thousand-mile journey to the nearest trading post.

While they are gone, from the struggle for survival on the islands, there emerges a tyrant whose brutal lust for power is even deadlier than the reef which wrecked the Batavia.

Product Details

• File Size: 562 KB
• Print Length: 329 pages
• Publisher: PubRight (June 8, 2011)
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0055OC5FE
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Not Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #550,116 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Thrilling Shipwrecked novel December 19, 2011

By Allison

Format:Kindle Edition

The fully laden Batavia wrecks atop a reef. The crew abandons the ship, leaving most of her precious cargo aboard. The passengers, including women and children struggle to reach the small inhospitable islands close to the wreckage. Once there, it becomes painfully obvious that the survivors are facing starvation and dehydration. The ship's captain and commander leave the islands in search of supplies and rescue. In their absence, Jeronimus Cornelisz takes command of the islands. He abandons some survivors on the other islands and then begins to rule supremely. He kills all who challenge his rule. Not even women and children are safe. This is the story of those who lived and died on three small islands.
This book begins with the shipwreck and continually gets worse. The melancholy quickly transitions to fear and dread.
This book is sold as historical fiction, but I believe that this label limits the book. Greta van der Rol has the ability to get into the characters' minds and allow the reader to glimpse into their thoughts. This makes the book deeper and darker.
The writing at the beginning of the book is a little slow, but it is used to set up relationships that will soon become important. The action quickly picks up and the reader becomes lost in the story.
I recommend this book to anyone wanting a good read on when humans stop being human.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Lost at Sea September 9, 2011

By Mr. Robert Crickard

Format:Kindle Edition

To Die a Dry Death, couched in eminently readable and flawless prose, moves forward, without jeopardising clarity or momentum. Scenarios and events, described with changes of pace that grip the reader, are unveiled with consummate skill. The author has utilised the results of obvious extensive research to imbue this period of the seventeenth century with realism; the marine detail is especially noteworthy. The characters are well rounded, believable and their interaction adds to the credibility of this work. Highly recommended, this is a novel of compelling potency with the guarantee of several enthralling hours marooned with the passengers of the Batavia. Robert Davidson. The Tuzla Run

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Lost at Sea November 30, 2011

By PD Allen

Format:Kindle Edition

While the author is probably better known for her scifi swashbucklers, this is the book that introduced me to her, and it is the one I like the best. This is a historical novel, based on a real incident but packed with more adventure than Robinson Crusoe and Treasure Island put together. There could also be a comparison to Lord of the Flies, but the power struggle on the island is infinitely more compelling.

This is the sort of the book that transports the reader far away. You will find this book hard to put down. And as you read, you will find yourself craving fresh water and a warm, safe bed. This novel is an admirable achievement for a seasoned writer, and even more so for a debut novel.

More About the Author

Greta van der Rol loves writing action-packed adventures with a side salad of romance. Most of her work is space opera, but she has written paranormal and historical fiction.

She lives not far from the coast in Queensland, Australia and enjoys photography and cooking when she isn't bent over the computer. She has a degree in history and a background in building information systems, both of which go a long way toward helping her in her writing endeavours.