Mutiny!

The year is 1687, and fourteen-year-old David (Davy) Shea, has just been orphaned, thanks to his beloved Mother's death. He is sent to live with his unknown, and disreputable Uncle Patrick (Patch), who happens to be a naval surgeon. Patch, after trying to avoid the inevitable, allows Davy to become his apprentice in helping anyone who comes to him with trouble, whether they are sick or wounded. When Unlce Patch joins Philip Hunter, a good friend of his, on a British war frigate known as the HMS Retribution, Davy is allowed to go along as his loblolly (assistant) boy. Unfortunately, one day, the HMS Retribution's captain goes too far, and Philip Hunter leads a failed mutiny (rebellion), that leaves everyone involved, including Patch, with a death sentence. In the midst of trying to save his newly beloved uncle from hanging, Davy is caught up with the group when they escape from prison and form a band of pirates. Now Davy is trying to figure out whether Philip Hunter and his Uncle Patch have really turned their back on the king, or if there is a greater plot in the making.As someone who enjoys historical fiction and pirates greatly (especially after seeing PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN), I was overjoyed when I came across the PIRATE HUNTER series at my local Barnes & Noble, and just had to purchase the first book in the series, MUTINY! Boy am I ever glad that I did. This is one of the best introductory books to a series that I have ever read. Davy is an intelligent character, who is kind to many, whether they treat him unkindly or not. His adventures are exciting, yet dangerous at the same time, and make the reader feel for him when he gets into trouble. Filled with many wonderful twists and turns in the plot, pirate fans of all ages, male and female, will be unable to put this book down. A must have book for all. I am now eagerly anticipating my chance to read the next book in the series, THE GUNS OF TORTUGA. Great work Brad Strickland and Thomas E. Fuller!Erika Sorocco