Drawing from her commercial fishing experiences, Skogan breathes life into the story. The language and the flow of the text somehow mimic the gentle rocking motion of the sea and then change cadence as the boat encounters the rough waters of the storm. Though the mystery of the young woman is left up to the reader's imagination, Skogan's text evokes an eerie mood. Even the title of the book can be perceived as a double entendre, referring both to the boat and the woman whose presence, whether real or ghostly, brings good luck.

      McCallum's full-page watercolour illustrations complement the text. The deep grays and blues of the rain, the waves and the mist add an air of mystery. Darker shades are used to depict the angry sea while lighter colours are prevalent in the scenes of the boat in calm waters and in the illustrations depicting the boat's interior. Figures are drawn slightly out of proportion, their stocky builds perhaps inferring the strength and sturdiness of the captain and his crew.

      A well-told tale, with just enough of a mystery to keep readers guessing.

Recommended.