Jim Hawkins and the Curse of Treasure Island
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Literature |
| Founded | 2001 |
| Founder | Frank Delaney (as Francis Bryan) |
| Products | Adventure novel |
Jim Hawkins and the Curse of Treasure Island is an adventure novel released in 2001 by Frank Delaney, who wrote under the alias Francis Bryan. This book acts as a continuation of the 1883 classic Treasure Island authored by Robert Louis Stevenson.
Plot summary
A dozen years following the events of Treasure Island, Jim Hawkins has become the proprietor of the Admiral Benbow Inn, which he has enhanced using his portion of the treasure. He has gained a reputation for recounting tales of his past exploits.
Grace Richardson arrives at the inn with her son, Louis, in search of information regarding Joseph Tait, one of the pirates abandoned on the island. When Louis is assaulted by a group led by Sir Thomas Maltby—a Court Councillor asserting legal jurisdiction—Jim kills one assailant and escapes with assistance from Squire Trelawney. Maltby reveals that the deceased attacker was his cousin, the Duke of Berwick.
To postpone any legal repercussions, Jim seeks help from his uncle Ambrose Hatt, a lawyer based in Bristol. An expedition sets sail once more to Treasure Island aboard the Hispaniola, captained by Reid, while being tailed by a black-sailed brig potentially connected to Maltby.
After becoming separated from his companions on land, Jim is captured within a cave but manages to flee using a raft. He is then rescued aboard Maltby’s brig and assumes the identity of Mills, an assay clerk dispatched to assess the island’s silver. Once ashore, Jim recuperates under Dr. Ballantyne’s care and visits Long John Silver, who now lives comfortably nearby.
Jim, Silver, and Ballantyne reunite on the Hispaniola to continue their search on Treasure Island. They discover numerous dead bodies and learn that Tait and a giant companion survived by enslaving shipwreck victims. Tait is taken prisoner while his giant companion is killed. A violent confrontation onboard results in the deaths of both Tait and Maltby; their bodies are committed to the sea.
Jim uncovers that Maltby would have inherited the Duke of Berwick’s title if Louis had died. Grace had secretly married the rightful heir, making Louis their child; Tait had witnessed this union and was safeguarding them. Before dying, Ambrose Hatt secured Tait’s testimony.
Although Jim wished to marry Grace, Ambrose ultimately wins her hand despite their age difference. Louis remains at the Admiral Benbow until he can claim his inheritance. Using new treasure recovered from the island, Jim further renovates the inn and constructs a nearby home for Ben Gunn, who assisted during the expedition.
References
- Delaney, Frank (2001). Jim Hawkins and the Curse of Treasure Island.