Wooden ships and secret U-boats. Pirates and Nazis
versus Nelson’s Royal Navy and two courageous youngsters.
Missing children and a kidnapped dog. A time machine and a
castle filled with secrets. Stir together with salty
adventure and spicy intrigue, and serve with tea and
biscuits. These are the ingredients that make Nick of
Time a timeless adventure for young and old alike.
Nick
McIver and his younger sister, Katie, live in the
lighthouse on Greybeard Island, one of the Channel
Islands. While “birdwatching” – keeping a wary eye out
for German planes and submarines – in June 1939, they
stumble across a sea chest floating in a cove. It looks
brand new, but Nick believes it dates back to the time
of Admiral Horatio Nelson, a man Nick admires. The chest
is too heavy to lift, so the two children visit Gunner,
the local barkeep. What they find at the tavern, though,
is Captain Billy Blood, a most fiercesome pirate who
wants the treasure within the chest. When Nick refuses
to identify its location, Blood kidnaps Nick’s dog and
threatens to kill him at six o’clock the next evening
unless he gets what he wants.
While
retrieving the sea chest, Nick, Katie, and Gunner happen
upon a German U-boat with capabilities far beyond what
the British government suspects. The trio believes only
one person can help them – Lord Hawke, a recluse who
lives in the daunting castle on the island. News of
Blood’s reappearance enrages Hawke and Hobbes, his
companion, for this nasty pirate kidnapped Hawke’s
children many years ago. The appearance of the U-boat
and an urgent plea for help from Nick’s ancestor
convince Hawke and Hobbes to help the trio save their
country, Nick’s dog, and the missing children. Hawke,
Gunner, and Nick travel back to 1805 to help Captain
McIver outfox Captain Blood and reach Admiral Nelson
with vital information before it’s too late, while
Hobbes and Katie head for England to tell Winston
Churchill about the submarine only to find themselves
reluctant guests of the Nazis.
Nick
of Time is one of those stories you want to read
under the covers with a flashlight after Mom tucks you
in bed and turns off the light. The serpentine twists
never slow the action, and the heroes must employ their
wits, as well as their brawn, to overcome the villains.
The frequent switches in points of view are a bit
distracting, but don’t detract from the suspense and
exploits of Nick and his sister. The author, who usually
writes for adults, wrote this book for young adults and
older children, but grown-ups will enjoy the tale as
well. Nick of Time is a great story for
families to read together.
Pirates and
Privateers
