The Devil and the Dark Water by Stuart Turton

1634 on a sailing ship bound for Amsterdam is a crew and passengers besieged by tragedy from the start. Aboard the ship are wealthy and powerful Dutch nobles and their families, a secret cargo that is heavily guarded by musketeers and a detective held in the brig on his way to prison or worse accompanied by his friend and self-appointed bodyguard. There is also a devil in the shadows. Soon, the crew and some of the passengers believe that the ship has been cursed by the devil known as "Old Tom"as lights from a ghost ship appear and bodies start turning up. This is a sophisticated mash up of historical mystery, high sea adventure and a good amount of the supernatural. The result is a complex storyline filled with political intrigue and an array of unusual characters. Fans of Wilbur Smith's early Courtney stories, Ted Bell and Hillary Mantel will appreciate this.  4 stars