The Death Card

By Jan Needle

The middle of the eighteenth century. France and England are at war. Charlie Raven is part of the crew on board the Pointer, trying to gain control of the seas. His captain Hector Maxwell is a cruel master. He commands the sloop Pointer with an iron hand, and scant regard for morals or for men. And he has an irrational hatred towards Charlie. The crew have clashed with smugglers from the Isles of Sicily, with deaths on both sides. And Maxwell is determined to punish the islanders, even though they see themselves as patriotic Englishmen. How far will Maxwell go in his bid for power? And can Charlie avoid his iron fist? Or will he be dealt The Death Card?