The Strange Intruder

by Arthur Catherall
Available from Amazon
****
The island of Mykines is the smallest of the Faroe Islands. The farthest to the northwest, it is closer to Iceland than Scotland. The climate is harsh, and the people are hardy, and when whales are sighted, all the able-bodied men left on the island set out to hunt them. All except sixteen-year-old Sven. He had been hunting sea birds with his uncle and six other men, and could not make it to the landing before the other men took off in the boats. This turned out to be well, as Sven would be needed on the island.

Sven’s father had been on the crew of a cod schooner, the Faroes Seeker. They had been out six months and were on their way to sell their catch and return home to their families. Just before the whale hunt the Faroes Seeker was damaged by floating wreckage and a man badly injured, and they radioed for help. Since the other men had left the island, they could not come to their rescue. A terrific storm blew up, and the ship was in imminent danger of being smashed against the rocky coast. The older men and the women on the island were ready to help the drifting men in the boat in any way, but it would need someone with more physical strength and endurance to aid the men if they were shipwrecked on the rocks.

To further complicate matters, the strange intruder showed up, and was very dangerous. Sven feels the responsibility to protect the people on the island, but he knows the men on the boat are depending on his help. His desperate dilemma is how to do both. He seems never to stop running almost from the beginning of the book, and eventually puts his own life on the line to protect those around him.

Although people live in the Faroes Islands, you probably haven’t read too many books that are set there. I was interested to read about a little about life in these islands. Arthur Catherall has woven an exciting adventure of a young man who needs the courage and strength to do what is right. A great book for a rainy day!