Joan Druett, Run Afoul

Run Afoul

Joan Druett

St. Martin's, Nov 2006, $23.95

ISBN 0312353360

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 storyline 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