Ahoy there, me hearties, gather round while I spin ye a yarn about Douglas Skelton’s latest Jonas Flynt adventure, Ship of Thieves. I’ve sailed with Flynt since the first outing, and by thunder, this fifth entry might be the stormiest voyage yet. It takes our dour, damaged man-for-hire from the grey cobbles of Edinburgh to the blistering heat of the Caribbean, and what a wild passage it is!

The tale begins with a kidnapping—Mercy, Flynt’s stepmother, is snatched by her old slave master and taken back across the Atlantic like stolen treasure. Gideon Flynt, Jonas’s father and once a formidable force, gives chase, though the years and rum have worn him down to something less than the pirate king he once fancied himself. Cassie, Jonas’s first love and a woman with sharper instincts than most admirals, pleads with our man to intervene, knowing full well Gideon will struggle in such waters. Jonas, though always reluctant to fly anyone’s flag but his own, cannot say no. That’s the hook, and it’s sharp enough to set the course.

Now, let me tell you, the pace here is as swift as a frigate under full sail. Skelton wastes little time raising anchor. Once Flynt reaches the Caribbean, the seas become filled with action, intrigue, and the constant threat of betrayal. Encounters with the most infamous pirate of all time are handled with confident style—no exaggerated pirate show, but a well-rounded, clever rogue who feels as dangerous as a squall in the dead of night. The tension crackles like gunpowder; even moments ashore in taverns or a governor’s mansion feel replete with danger, with knives hidden in smiles and cannon fire just beyond the horizon.

What truly keeps this series afloat, though, are the relationships. Colonel Charters, Flynt’s employer, remains a constant thorn—a man who sees Flynt as both tool and liability, and their dynamic here is all the more brittle as Jonas charts his own course. With Cassie, there’s a poignant agitation; she sees the man he could be, not just the weapon he’s become. And Mercy—though absent for much of the tale—casts a long shadow, her abduction the spark for everything. Flynt’s family ties are as tangled as a rope in a storm, and Skelton makes us feel every tug on his conscience.

A pirate’s life in the Caribbean is vividly brought to life by Skelton. The smell of blood on deck, steamy nights full of danger, and sugar plantations. It is an exotic yet harsh universe that never veers into romance for its own sake, though echoes of Treasure Island hover in the wind. Historical facts, such as the cruel codes of piracy and the grim reality of enslavement, give substance to this high adventure.

So, will ye board? ‘Twas never in doubt. The Ship of Thieves is swift, ferocious, and brimming with tension. You won’t regret raising the Jolly Roger with Jonas Flynt if you have a penchant for peril, a love of outlaws, and a stomach for the darker tides of history.

Verdict: As relentless as the sea and as sharp as a cutlass, The Ship of Thieves is a cracking yarn.

I can’t believe we are already on book number five in the Company of Rogues series and this time it is personal for Jonas Flynt. His stepmother Mercy is kidnapped and on her way back to the West Indies and the control of her former owner. His father Gideon Flynt has taken after them to bring her back home and Mercy’s daughter Cassie has turned up after Jonas’s help. What he wasn’t expecting was that she would have her son and his best friend with her. For Jonas there is no choice to be made. He needs to help his family even though he knows that it will mean going against Colonel Nathaniel Charters. Its not going to be easy as he is literally in unchartered waters and even though he knows he is likely sailing into a trap it doesn’t change his decision.
This book is a little different from the previous in the series and I have to say I think that it is my favourite so far. We are used to Jonas putting himself in harms way for a good cause (or by order of Colonel Charters) but this time he is willing to go that extra step when he comes face to face with Blackbeard himself. Not only is he trying to protect Cassie and her son but also one of the young mates on board who seems in awe of the pirate life. Trusting what is left of his family to his friend he has to take on a whole new persona to fool everyone and stay alive.
I think this time we get to see a bit more of the real Jonas, the one he tries to keep hidden so that he can justify what he has to do. He is really torn, he knows he did wrong by Cassie in the past and she is headstrong, a trait that seems to have passed to her son who seems to hate Jonas with a passion, blaming him for the death of the only father he knew and that hate is going to get him in a lot of trouble if he cant keep it in check. I understand why Cassie wants to go to help rescue her mother, after all Jonas doesn’t have a very good track record when it comes to sticking around for her, but you just know somehow that her impetuous decisions are not going to end well.
As ever Douglas Skelton has given his readers a book that is pacy and has you invested in the outcome of all involved. Even the new characters are well developed, and I loved the introduction of real people that add an air of authenticity to the whole book. The ending was not quite what I expected (but I knew that Jonas would suffer personally somehow) and I am not sure how he will recover from this but I am happy to know that we are going to get a chance to find out.

When Jonas Flynt's stepmother is taken one night and his father goes after the kidnappers, he is duty bound to support the family. However this means travelling to the pirate stronghold of Nassau, a long way from London and the Company of Rogues. Captain Charteris gives him a task to do which will support him but Flynt ends up as part of the crew of Edward Thatch, commonly known as Blackbeard. Now Flynt has to use his wits to survive.
I really like the Jonas Flynt books as they are rough and ready but very well-researched historical fiction. This is a rather delightful diversion into the the early history of the British Caribbean colonies and the ending of the golden age of piracy. It's a simple tale of revenge but played nicely and with some fantastic characters.

5 things I loved about Ship of Thieves by Douglas Skelton, No 5 in the Jonas Flynt series:

1. the action seamlessly moves from 1718 London to the pirate republic of Nassau, weaving fact in with fiction to give us a fascinating cast of characters
2. the hidden and not-so-hidden references to Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island
3. our hero Jonas realises more fully the importance of family and friends - and how this helps drive the storyline
4. the pace of the story as it hurtles along to its conclusion - I feel like I inhale these books rather than read them, they’re so whip-smart
5. there’s going to be another one!

I thank NetGalley and Canelo Adventure for an advance reader copy of “Ship of Thieves.” All opinions and comments are my own.

Can things get any worse for Jonas Flynt? Well, yes, yes, they can. But author Douglas Skelton knows how to make an exciting story out of it in any event, and “Ship of Thieves” has all the elements of a rip-roaring adventure, even with “that” ending.

Lest you think “yo ho yo ho the pirate’s life for me,” this is no pleasure cruise, not with the likes of Edward Thatch AKA Blackbeard as a main character. Following along as Flynt searches for his abducted stepmother and then seeing her slave master get his just desserts is highly satisfactory, even if it comes at a terrible cost. There will be more work for Jonas, no matter where his travels take him. Most likely, perhaps, with the one who got away.

The Historical Note expounds on the very real characters and their activities dramatized in the book. One can see how authors like Douglas Skelton (and, indeed, Robert Louis Stevenson) take those exploits and turn them into rousing stories.

From Edinburgh to London to the Bahamas , this story takes you on a roller coaster of a ride. Thrills and spills, piracy and plundering, lost loves and dangerous enemies. The book has it all ...plus !! This series just gets better and better especially while wondering what Jonas Flynt might be involved in next. I love the use of some historical words and language throughout which adds to the tale and I do like to learn new words along the way too. But the most exciting part was right at the end - Jonas Flynt Will Be Back

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC to review

Now, long-time readers will know how much I enjoy this series but I have mentioned once or twice that this series of historical crime novels tends to shy away from the whodunnit aspect. While there were twists and surprises, the stories definitely where historical thrillers rather than historical mysteries.

This one? It’s probably more of an historical adventure even than a thriller. And I could not put it down

Jonas Flynt and his life has mesmerised me from his first appearance in An Honourable Thief (which won the Puzzly in January 2023) and there are some serious developments in this one. While it is a shame to see one particular long-time character disappear early on, I think Skelton makes a great choice in taking Flynt completely out of his element, both geographically and, to an extent, emotionally as he gets to know his son for the first time in his life.

There are twists and turns all over the place and one particular incident – one particular sentence – made my jaw hit the floor. You’ll know it when you read it.

History-wise, it’s very impressive how Skelton weaves Flynt’s story into the actual history of Thatch/Blackbeard (and the pirates of the area as well) without either of the stories suffering.

All in all, it’s a fantastic read, giving a breath of fresh air into a series that didn’t really need it but benefits from it all the same. Who knows where it will go from here? Not me, but I can’t wait to find out.

Every book of Skelton's that I read just gets better and better.

Ship of Thieves see's Jonas Flynt out of his usual hunting grounds of grotty 18th Century London, and this time on the high seas.

A brilliant story that weaves in the last few months of Blackbeard's life. This is a very dark tale, touching on slavery and murder that i couldnt put down.

High class sequel takes Joan’s Flynt to the high seas and the world of piracy! I did not expect this turn of events but it works so well - sending Flynt away with Blackbeard on a secret rescue mission is an excellent concept. The family and relationships built over previous books comes under real strain here - I was genuinely shocked at one point and reread twice looking for a get out clause. Bittersweet ending leaves Flynt’s next steps somewhat uncertain - a new life or will the old still hold a pull? I’m glad it will definitely be a return, looking forward to it.

Jonas Flynt as you've never seen him!

"Ship of Thieves", book 5 in the Company of Rogues series, opens in January 1718, shortly after the events of "A Thief's Blood". While attending an event with his love, Belle, Jonas Flynt is flabbergasted when his first love, Cassie, appears with their son, Jonas. She explains she needs his help - his stepmother, Mercy has been abducted and taken to New Providence, and his father, Gideon has headed off in pursuit. But Gideon is no longer young, and she appeals to Jonas to take ship to the West Indies and help rescue both Mercy and Gideon.

Jonas pays his employer, Colonel Nathaniel Charters, the courtesy of telling him of his mission. Although he initially refuses permission (which Jonas had not asked for) he changes his mind when he realises Flynt can help with a problem - to journey ahead of Woodes Rogers, whose mission it is to offer the pirates of New Providence a pardon in exchange for giving up their privateering ways. Unknown to Charters, Flynt also has been tasked with another job...

And so the reader and Flynt are plunged into a new world - literally. Flynt is transplanted from London, where he has resources, contacts, and a wealth of knowledge, to the other side of the world, where he finds himself a stranger in a strange land - he knows no-one, he doesn't know the people or their ways, except that everyone is after his blood. All he has are his wits, his sword cane, and of course, his pistols Tact and Diplomacy. Along the way, we learn a little more about Flynt, his parents, and the regrets he lives with every day. Flynt truly has become a three-dimensional character.

The author has very cleverly interwoven this tale with real-life events - from the mission of Woodes Rogers to re-establish British sovereignty of New Providence to the demise of the pirate Blackbeard. The story is full of actual characters including Benjamin Hornigold, Charles Vane, Woodes Rogers and Anne Bonney, (oh, and one other) all painted against the backdrop of the Bahamas and in particular Nassau, New Providence. At the heart of the story is the slave trade - the treatment of people as property, and Flynt has his work cut out fighting not just the slavers but the system.

Fans of the series will be pleased to see again Gabriel Cain, the Admiral, and the hidden and mysterious Fellowship.

If Robert Louis Stevenson was alive today, this is the story he would be writing. This surely has to be the finest book in the series so far. Full of drama, emotion, excitement and tragedy, it takes the reader from Edinburgh to London, to the West Indies. It also takes Jonas Flynt on a journey - one which will forever change the direction of his life. This story marks a very definite turning point in the adventures of Jonas Flynt, and while fans of the series are going to love it, they'll be champing at the bit for the next instalment. Maybe there's just time to go off and re-read "Treasure Island".

Highly recommended.

Definitely one of favourite series and author! I love both the characters and the plots. The author masterfully paints atmospheric settings whether in London or, like here, Nassau. I was hooked by this new novel from the first page. Mounting tension , through emotional as well as action and suspense didn't let down till the end. I was very intrigued by the conclusion and I am very pleased that Jonas Flynt will come back again. I can't wait! (part of a series but can be read as a standalone).
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.