Really strong plot line to this book, writing style can seem a little old-fashioned compared to modern day thrillers but it still worked well enough for me. The only criticism I would really point out is Innes' clumsy dialogue, especially when he attempts to write in cockney for one of the main characters -- it's like Dick Van Dyke in Mary Poppins! Other than that, really well written, I especially liked the way the book has three major stages - the initial shipwreck, the court martial, and the trip to Maddon's Rock. Kept me interested right to the end, which I suppose is all you can ask for really