W.W. Jacobs is best known for his chilling horror story 'The Monkey's Paw', but 'A Master of Craft' shows his brilliant talent for comedy. This is a story about a man who tries to outrun his own life, with wonderfully chaotic results.

The Story

Captain Flower, tired of his routine, hatches a plan. He stages his own drowning to escape his old identity and start fresh. He assumes a new name and gets a job as a mate on a different boat, thinking he's free. But the past has a funny way of catching up. His former crew, a persistent young woman from his old life, and a series of awkward coincidences all converge to threaten his new, quiet existence. The heart of the story is the mounting pressure as Flower tries desperately to keep his secret while his old and new worlds collide on the river.

Why You Should Read It

Jacobs has a sharp eye for human nature. Captain Flower isn't a villain; he's just a man who made a drastic, foolish choice, and we get to watch him squirm. The real joy is in the supporting cast—the suspicious boatmen, the dogged friends, and the romantic entanglements that all get tangled in Flower's web of lies. The setting on the Thames riverboats feels alive and authentic, a world Jacobs knew intimately. It's a gentle, funny book about the impossibility of truly escaping who you are.

Final Verdict

Perfect for readers who enjoy classic British humor in the vein of P.G. Wodehouse or Jerome K. Jerome, but with a working-class, nautical twist. It's also a great pick if you like character-driven stories where the plot hinges on a single, big secret. Don't expect high-stakes adventure; expect a smart, cozy, and genuinely amusing story about a very bad plan.