Joan Druett

Joan Druett is a maritime historian and author known for her extensively researched books about seafaring, particularly focusing on the role of women at sea during the Age of Sail. Originally from New Zealand, Druett has written both non-fiction works and historical novels, including the award-winning "She Captains: Heroines and Hellions of the Sea" and the Wiki Coffin maritime mystery series. Her research has earned recognition from various maritime history organizations and museums. Through her work researching ship logs, journals, and historical documents, Druett has uncovered and documented previously overlooked aspects of maritime history, particularly regarding the presence of women aboard whaling ships and trading vessels in the 18th and 19th centuries. Druett's writing combines scholarly research with accessible narrative style, and her contributions to maritime history have been acknowledged through awards including a John Lyman Book Award and a Kendall Whaling Museum Research Fellowship.

Readers praise Druett's detailed historical research and ability to bring maritime history to life, particularly in her Wiki Coffin series. Her non-fiction books like "She Captains" and "Hen Frigates" receive recognition for uncovering overlooked stories of women at sea. Common praise points: - Accuracy of nautical terminology and ship life - Strong character development - Clear explanations of complex sailing concepts - Blend of history and narrative Main criticisms: - Pacing can be slow in opening chapters - Some find the maritime jargon overwhelming - Plot complexity occasionally overshadows characters Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: - Island of the Lost: 4.0/5 (2,800+ ratings) - She Captains: 3.9/5 (300+ ratings) - Wiki Coffin series: 3.8/5 average (500+ ratings) Amazon: - Island of the Lost: 4.5/5 (1,000+ reviews) - She Captains: 4.3/5 (200+ reviews) One reader noted: "Druett writes with the detail of Patrick O'Brian but makes sailing terms accessible to newcomers."

Tupaia - Biography of a Tahitian navigator who guided Captain James Cook through Pacific waters.

Island of the Lost - Account of two shipwrecks on Auckland Island in 1864 and their contrasting outcomes.

In the Wake of Madness - Chronicles the 1841 murder of a whaling captain and its aftermath.

She Captains - Historical examination of female ship captains from the 18th and 19th centuries.

Hen Frigates - Documentation of wives who lived aboard merchant ships in the 1800s.

She Was a Sister Sailor - The true story of Mary Brewster's voyage aboard a whaling ship from 1845-1848.

A Watery Grave - First novel featuring Wiki Coffin as a half-Maori detective aboard a U.S. exploring ship in 1838.

Shark Island - Wiki Coffin investigates murders while sailing through the South American coast.

Run Afoul - Mystery involving diplomatic tensions and death in 1830s South America.

Deadly Shoals - Wiki Coffin pursues a killer while exploring the Pacific Islands.

Poisoned Pen - Investigation of murders connected to a mysterious journal during a Pacific voyage.

The Money Ship - Standalone historical novel about treasure hunting in the 19th century Pacific.