Review by Colin Credle
In book two of Scott Chantler’s Three Thieves series all the action and events take place under the roof of the Black Rock Inn. It’s pouring rain and dark outside and there are not too many options for travellers. The inn’s owner is Grig, who relishes cutting corners and evading the Queen’s taxes by smuggling expensive wine and overcharging his customers. Smugglers Quinn and Tully are delivering the barrels of contraband wine when Captain Drake of the Queen’s Dragons is hunting for the main cast, and arrives seeking shelter from the storm. It seems everyone is seeking shelter at the Black Rock Inn.
Our hero, 14 year old orphan Dessa Redd has managed to escape the authorities from Kingsbridge, but everyone is after her and her companions, Topper and Finn, for their attempted robbery of the Queen’s treasure (see Tower of Treasure.) The Black Rock Inn beckons with shelter, warm food, but also too many witnesses. Owner Grig’s wife Eudora never speaks to anyone, tolerates Grig’s derision and hides behind her scarred face. Eudora has a story and certainly proves more decent than her avaricious husband, quietly hiding Dessa, Topper and Finn in the stables when more of the Queen’s Dragon soldiers join Captain Drake at the Inn. It completes a full cast sheltering from the rain in the same place: soldiers, smugglers, fugitives, travellers, a magician and interfering observers.
Chantler packs each panel with expression, pace and energy, and so keeps the Three Thieves tale moving along. He discloses some new and intriguing information, familiarises us with the characters we know, introduces some new ones and keeps the action moving. We learn more about the mysterious Master Greyfalcon, Dessa learns more information on her missing brother and Captain Drake knows something is amiss. Chantler’s artwork continues to engage, entertain and amuse – on to The Captive Prince.