FISH

Tongue embedded in cheek, Mone proffers a nautical tale well stocked with typecast pirates and starring an Irish farmboy whose aversion to fighting is surpassed only by his abilities in the water. Inducted into the knavish crew of the sloop Scurvy Mistress, young Fish finds himself involved both in piecing together baroque clues to the location of a fabulous golden treasure known as the Chain of Chuaca and in protecting the gentlemanly but naïve Captain Cobb from brutal mutineers and rival treasure hunters. Passing up The Buccaneers’ Book of Bombs, Guidelines for the Enterprising Pirate and like tomes from the ship’s library to learn pirate skills directly from his new shipmates, Fish becomes so proficient at scrubbing the decks and “seats of easement” that he soon earns acceptance despite his refusal to touch a gun or sword. Thanks to quick wit and an uncommon ability to swim he also saves numerous lives, plays a pivotal role in causing the climactic mutiny’s failure and winds up a hero—a very, very rich hero. Which, readers will agree, is only just. His pacifism adds an unusual element for stories of this ilk, too. (Adventure. 11-13)