Midnight Marauders

Jean Free, a library consultant, is a retired public-school teacher and
librarian in Whitby, Ontario.

Eleven-year-old Dan Vienotte lives in Seaport, Nova Scotia, in 1931. His
father is a government Preventive Service officer who investigates rum
smugglers. Dan becomes friends with Robert MacIssac (Corker), a rum
runner, peddler, and town drunk. Dan tries to solve mysteries involving
ghosts and disappearing contraband liquor, nearly dies in a boat fire,
and has a series of adventures sure to appeal to children in grades 5
and 6.

Hennigar has a good ear for language of the period (“in cahoots,”
“hooch,” “sweet on”), as well as for detail (Model A running
boards, jigging with crushed snails in Mahone Bay). Dan’s relationship
with Becky Wentzell is interesting, since, as their friendship develops,
Dan is able to stand up for her against Bruce Bealer, the school bully.
Facts about Billy Bishop, Elliot Ness, and Al Capone might encourage
students to further reading. A glossary of nautical and other terms used
in the story is included.

Midnight Marauders is a exciting historical novel of the prohibition
period. Adventures in a secret cave, a voyage on the schooner Martha
Rae, large print, and Murphy’s illustrations make this novel a good
read.