Flyntlock Bones: The Eye of Mogdrod

It would be understandable to think that Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes has already been re-invented in every conceivable way – but that’s not true! In Keilty’s swashbuckling trilogy for children, the world’s most famous detective is re-imagined as a young pirate called Flyntlock Bones, whose crew-mates sail the seven seas in search of mystery. 
This is the second instalment of the trilogy and Flyntlock, after leaving the orphanage at Baskerville, has become an established member of the crew on the Black Hound. When Captain Watkins receives a message from chief of the swampy Bog Islands, Fergus McSwaggers, lamenting the loss of a priceless golden chalice, the game is afoot! 
Like all good mysteries, Flyntlock’s search for the chalice features political intrigue, shifty-looking suspects and fights with dangerous villains. In the Bog Islands, marauding tribes maintain uneasy alliances through lots of grog-fuelled feasting, but Egfart the Oderous and the chilling Ice Pirates have their own plans that Flyntlock must fathom – a task made all the more challenging by the rather distracting presence of an enormous, monstrous cat with giant fangs!
The contrasting genres of detective story and pirate adventure complement one another more than one might expect and Keilty does an impressive job of juggling all the necessary tropes. Obligatory stereotypes are all present, from eye-patched parrots to peg-legged boatswains, and parents will enjoy adopting all of the characters’ pirate voices when reading aloud. The story races along at a great rate of knots and Flyntlock’s quick wits mean that readers never have to wait long for the next conundrum to be cracked so that the action can continue. 
Young readers will love Elvins’ generously-detailed illustrations. Lively, monochrome cartoons accompany most pages, and occasional full-page spreads arrive like gifts just in time to draw children further into the most dramatic scenes. Full of chaotic energy and exaggerated characterisation, the pictures are comparable in style to those of Chris Riddell, and add enormous value to the overall enjoyment of the book. 
Flyntlock Bones is a playful adventure book whose illustrations, including a brilliant gallery of characters and two detailed maps, are the most enjoyable element. Though Flyntlock himself is admirably brave and kind, characters are not all memorable – but there is certainly enough high-seas fun to last for one last episode.