The Arctic Fury by Greer Macallister

 Captain Sir John Franklin was a British Royal Navy officer and explorer of the Arctic. His last expedition known as Franklin’s lost expedition (1845-1846) was followed by many searches. One of them (fictional) gives ground for this story.

Boston, 1854. Virginia Reeve is accused of “one count of kidnapping and one count of murder” of Caprice Collins, fellow explorer.

A year and a half earlier, Virginia arrives at Tremond House in Boston where she meets with Lady Jane Franklin. Lady Jane wants her missing husband back and she is forming an expedition composed of women only. Why? “Women can do far more than the narrow lens of society deems fitting.” Lady Jane believes that Virginia, once a guide in California, has the skill and strength for this kind of expedition and to be its leader of twelve women.

The proceedings at the court are intertwined with the process of choosing the women for the expedition and what value they bring, and how the expedition progresses.

The characters are interestingly developed, revealing their thoughts and feelings in alternating voices. Among them, an observant illustrator, who hopes to be the first one to record the flora of the Arctic. In whatever form it exists since she was never asked to join an expedition to an exotic place with lush vegetation.

Once the women disembark the ship and start trekking on land, then there is some sense of place and cold. But I wished for much more of that. The hardship of the Arctic expedition and its fury comes towards the end. And that’s what I was looking forward to experience in this story. I wished it was a bit more of that and started earlier.

Nevertheless, the story is masterfully woven with court proceedings and arctic expedition involving engrossing characters. You want to know what happens next. Who will be revealed next taking part in the expedition or who will be called next as a witness in the courtroom.

The skillful writing is reflected in the whole story and it also comes through with especially one character, which is not so likeable at the beginning. But once she shows her strength in hard conditions and caring side and defends her situation, then she becomes very likeable. Also, I usually do not like to read about court proceedings, but again the skill with which it is presented makes it very absorbing.

Incredibly crafted story of inspiring characters, we deeply care for, bringing one of a kind adventure.

Release date: 1 December 2020

Source: Sourcebooks Landmark Publisher