The Mariner's Curse is a haunting ghost story about a 12-year-old boy and a cursed survivor of the Titanic.
For twelve-year-old Rory, things could not be any worse than they are. His parents are divorced. His mother has just married a used car salesman who is always calling Rory “sport.” And now Rory is stuck with his mom and step dad on their honeymoon vacation because his real father was called in to work.
The only highlight is that Rory is going with the newlyweds on a cruise ship. Rory loves the ocean and the feeling of being alone. He wants to grow up and sail his way through life, never having to confront people or the guilt he carries about his tragic past.
But even this dream cruise is marred when Rory accidentally bumps into a cranky old man named Mr. Morgan.
Who is this old man whose clothing seems so out of place and why does Rory keep spotting Mr. Morgan checking on the boat’s safety equipment?
Rory decides to find out.
Following Mr. Morgan through the inner workings of the ship, Rory notices that the old man checks all the ships gauges. He spots the old man arguing with members of the crew. What could he be up to?
Rory soon finds out when Mr. Morgan catches the boy spying on him. Mr. Morgan corners the boy and demands that Rory explain his actions:
“Are you the demon finally come to claim me?” he hissed.
Rory is terrified.
Is Mr. Morgan crazy? Or is there something more to him, something old and sinister?
Rory was not about to hang around and find out. He escaped Mr. Morgan and made his way to the stairs.
Shortly after Rory’s scary encounter, he meets a girl, Lucy. Lucy is not like any other girl Rory’s ever met. First off, unlike other girls, she actually noticed him. Second, Lucy has an opinion on everything and, third, she loves to get into trouble.
When Rory tells Lucy about the strange old man, Lucy insisted they investigate.
The Mariner’s Curse by John Lunn (Tundra Books, ISBN: 0-88776-672-2) is a ghost story that will draw you in to a strange world of mystery, tension, deception, and pity.
As the reader learns more about Rory and Mr. Morgan, a fuller picture comes into view. Here are two people who are being held prisoner by a guilty conscience and a demon who is feeding on their fears. The only way either of them can escape the Mariner’s Curse is to make amends and let go of their troubled past.
