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To be a little different from the usual
'meet the author'
'meet the author'
let's meet a
character...
Wiki Coffin
from
About the book:
Wiki Coffin, linguist aboard the U.S. Exploring Expedition, the famous voyage meant to put America at the forefront of 19th century scientific discovery, brings many skills to his job. Whether he's translating native languages, assisting his good friend Captain George Rochester as unofficial first mate, or upholding the rule of law as deputy to the sheriff of the port of Virginia, Wiki is never far from the action aboard the seven ships that make up the expedition.
But when they encounter a wrecked sealing ship and its desperate crew on the shoals of remote, uninhabited Shark Island, Wiki has little idea just how many of his skills are about to be put to the test. As soon as they board the wreck, a dead body turns up with a dagger firmly inserted between its shoulder blades. And it's not just any dead body: the victim of the brutal murder is none other than the enigmatic captain of the doomed voyage. What’s more, Wiki's colleague and nemesis Lieutenant Forsythe is suspected of the crime.
Knowing full well that Forsythe is capable of such violence, Wiki nonetheless believes him innocent and is duty-bound to prove it for the good of the expedition. Was the murder a case of mutinous sealers taking the law into their own hands? Did the secrets of several mysterious long-ago voyages finally come back to haunt a dishonest and dishonorable captain? Or is Shark Island home to something more sinister than a few lonely goats? Something isn't quite right about the crew of the wrecked ship, and Wiki will stop at nothing to find out just what it is that they're hiding, and, in the process, unmask a vicious killer.
CONNECT WITH Joan Druett at “World of the Written Word”
character...
Wiki Coffin
from
Q: Hello, I’m Helen, host of Novel Conversations, please do make yourself comfortable. Would you like a drink? Tea, coffee, wine – something stronger? You’ll find a box of chocolates and a bowl of fruit on the table next to you, please do help yourself. I believe you are a character in Joan Druet’s novel Shark Island. Would you like to introduce yourself? Are you a lead character or a supporting role?
A: Kia ora, I am Wiki Coffin, the leading character in the Wiki Coffin maritime mystery series. My author is Joan Druett, and my drink of choice is coffee. Indonesian coffee by preference!
Q: What genre is the novel and what is it about?
A: Well, ehoa (friend), I have to think about which novel, as this is a mystery SERIES. I probably should start with the first in the series, “A Watery Grave,” but I think I will dwell on the second book, “Shark Island.” By a strange set of circumstances, I am the “linguister” (translator) with the 1838 United States Exploring Expedition, coaxed there by my friend and comrade, the commander of one of the smaller ships, Swallow. Having been deputized as the arm of law and order on the expedition by the sheriff of Norfolk, Virginia, I am given some strange missions – and this is one of the oddest, being nothing less than to hunt out a party of vicious pirates on an uninhabited island off the coast of Brazil.
Q: No spoilers, but are you a ‘goodie’ or a ‘baddie’? (Or maybe you are both?)
A: Kia ora, ehoa (thankyou very much, mate) but I am definitely on the side of good. Most of the time, anyway. I was not even there when the murder was committed! But my arch-enemy, Lieutenant Forsythe, was definitely there. Sadly, I was forced to acquit him, and keep on looking for the killer.
Q: Tell me about another character in the novel – maybe your best friend, lover or partner … or maybe your arch enemy!
A: Kei te whakarekareka koe (you must be kidding) because I have already explained that Lieutenant Forsythe is my arch-enemy. He is a beefy Southerner with distinctly racist views. However, he is a crack shot, and has already saved the life of my friend (in the previous book), and I do feel for him when his best friend is the second victim. Worse still, the carcass was carried off by a shark while I was actually in the water, along with all the evidence. Nasty moment, I assure you.
Q: Is this the only novel you have appeared in, or are there others in a series?
A: It is not only one of a series, but I have also starred in a number of short stories, published in the Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine. The latest, “The Botanist,” will come out in the double New Year issue, to be on book stall shelves very soon.
Q: What is one of your least favourite scenes you appear in?
A: Actually, and I hate to admit it, but it is the scene where I identify the murderer.
Q: And your favourite scene?
A: When I defended myself against a vicious, murderous onslaught with the only weapon at hand – a taiaha, or native quarterstaff, which I had made myself. The weapon sang with the force of Tumatauenga, the god of war, giving me the strength to prevail, at that desperate moment. (But that is a spoiler.)
Q: Tell me a little about your author. Has she written any other books?
A: About thirty, or maybe more. Everyone has lost count.
Q: Is your author working on anything else at the moment?
A: Should be finishing off another story for the AHMM.
Q: How do you think authors can be helped or supported by readers or groups? What does your author think is the most useful for her personally?
A: The support of other writers, both Indie and traditional, who love and write about the sea.
Q: If your author was to host a dinner party what guests would she invite and why? Maximum nine guests – real, imaginary, alive or dead.
A :
Thank you Wiki it was a pleasure talking to you.
Salute! Here’s to writing a best seller!
Wiki Coffin, linguist aboard the U.S. Exploring Expedition, the famous voyage meant to put America at the forefront of 19th century scientific discovery, brings many skills to his job. Whether he's translating native languages, assisting his good friend Captain George Rochester as unofficial first mate, or upholding the rule of law as deputy to the sheriff of the port of Virginia, Wiki is never far from the action aboard the seven ships that make up the expedition.
But when they encounter a wrecked sealing ship and its desperate crew on the shoals of remote, uninhabited Shark Island, Wiki has little idea just how many of his skills are about to be put to the test. As soon as they board the wreck, a dead body turns up with a dagger firmly inserted between its shoulder blades. And it's not just any dead body: the victim of the brutal murder is none other than the enigmatic captain of the doomed voyage. What’s more, Wiki's colleague and nemesis Lieutenant Forsythe is suspected of the crime.
Knowing full well that Forsythe is capable of such violence, Wiki nonetheless believes him innocent and is duty-bound to prove it for the good of the expedition. Was the murder a case of mutinous sealers taking the law into their own hands? Did the secrets of several mysterious long-ago voyages finally come back to haunt a dishonest and dishonorable captain? Or is Shark Island home to something more sinister than a few lonely goats? Something isn't quite right about the crew of the wrecked ship, and Wiki will stop at nothing to find out just what it is that they're hiding, and, in the process, unmask a vicious killer.
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| Joan Druett is a New Zealand historian and novelist, specialising in maritime history. |
Fascinating. Especially to those who love the sea, exotic locales and certain rogue sailors. Checking out Ms. Druett's blog is almost required reading as well.
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