Dark Water
Boston, 1883. Hiram Carver, a callow, pampered youth, takes up his first position as assistant surgeon on board USS Orbis. Aged 21, and never having been to sea before, he struggles to adapt to life afloat. On board he encounters William Borden, a member of the crew. Borden has a reputation in the seafaring world as the “hero of the Providence”. Years before, aboard the Providence, Borden negotiated with a group of mutineers for the life of the captain and crew and led them to safety across the Pacific. Yet a violent episode on the Orbis reveals hidden troubled depths. They go on to meet years later when Borden is admitted to a mental asylum under the care of Carver, who resolves to cure Borden using a new technique he has developed. However, memory and truth are uncomfortable bedfellows, and perhaps bringing deep memories to the surface is not a good idea.
Carver is a complex character. Often weak, he is also totally ruthless, perceptive and sharp, yet incredibly naïve. This is a wonderfully dark, gothic and atmospheric novel which explores the dark waters of insanity. If you like your books psychologically dark and gothic, this is for you.
