Book Review, Frenchman’s Creek by Daphne du Maurier
Frenchman’s Creek is a story set in 17th century Cornwall, and tells the tale of a young aristocratic wife, who leaves her drinking and gambling husband in London and decamps to their estate in Cornwall, along with her 2 small children and their nurse.
While out walking one day, she comes across a French pirate ship hidden in a creek (hence the name of the book). She is enamoured by the charismatic young captain, and they begin an affair. Dressed as a cabin boy, she participates in his piratical activities, including stealing a ship and its cargo from a local big-wig.
Eventually the pirate is found and put in prison pending a death sentence. To find what happened next, you need to read the book.
The group found the book entertaining and easy to read, summing it up as a “fantasy romance”, putting aside the moral problems it raises.