If, like this reviewer, you love pirate yarns and wish they still wrote them you will be glad to see that they do. All the usual excitement of that type of swashbuckling fiction is present and correct in this enjoyable tale, with the added dimension of a spot of magic and a fantasy setting.

Ms. Massey has the right, light touch for this sort of thing, springing from thrilling chase to swordfight, and hitting the right spot with a good humored, pacy style. This is worlds away from anything Tolkeinesque, and the current trend for following George R. R. Martin’s martial tomes and as a result makes a welcome change to see that somebody is using their imagination. The plot kept me guessing what was going to happen next, and there are some engaging characters of whom I hope to read more about in a sequel or two. The adventures are hopefully only just beginning for Mad Kestrel - and I plan to be reading them all. Highly recommended.