It's been over two weeks since I've read this book, but this racy romp has stuck in my mind as if I'd been to Brazil - The 'River Sea' is the Amazon - and back, too. Who could resist its colourful characters, be struck by its strong evocation of place or be moved by its impicit but forcefully put critique of imperialism?

At the centre of the book is Milly, a winningly attractive heroine and her governess Miss Minton. M&M's conflict with the boorish Carters becomes intertwined with Finn's fight to remain in his adopted country rather than inherit his country pile back in Blighty. The Crows are a memorably inept couple of hencemen, the 'players' are a distracting interlude, the final stich-up is pretty silly, this is an entertaining, enjoyable and endlessly engaging book.

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