The Riddle of the Sea

This beautifully illustrated book contains a rip-roaring adventure on the high seas, complete with pirates, a cursed ship, monsters and a battle with the sea itself.

Ravian’s father, Lasse, is a sailor and though he is often away from home for long periods he always returns for Ravian’s birthday. However, on his twelfth birthday Ravian waits in vain for his father to come home. Realising that his father must be in trouble, he sets off to find him, accompanied by his best friend, Marvin the seagull.

He is lured onto a cursed pirate ship, the Night Raider by what appears to be his father’s voice calling him. He is warned not to board the ship by another young boy, Kars, as once he is aboard a curse means that he cannot leave, but his urge to find his father is too strong and he steps onto the deck. The two boys form a strong friendship and are worked hard by the Captain Banks, a fearsome-looking pirate too fond of his rum.

Marvin flies away in search of Lasse, who he finds on a remote but beautiful island, held captive by the former crew of the ship, thrown overboard by Banks who bore the curse as a result. When Marvin returns, Banks agrees to sail to the island and the ship is beset by many dangers, thrillingly described by Kramer. These hardships unite the boys and Banks and he proves to have finer emotions and a sense of honour.

All ends well, but as the story unfolds it has much to say about the power of love and friendship, the sometimes almost overwhelming thrill of adventure and the might and majesty of the sea.