Treasure Islands
Pamela Stephenson
Headline, $35

Although better known as the comedienne from Not the Nine O'Clock News and the long-suffering wife of actor Billy Connolly, Pamela Stephenson has written two best-selling biographies of her husband and is now adding to her literary reputation with this engaging adventure narrative. She takes on a whole new guise as historian, sailor and world circumnavigator.

Almost on a whim, Pamela decided to use the majority of her life-savings to follow a dream she has long had. She bought and re-fitted a 112-foot clipper and set out through the South Seas with a hired professional crew to follow in the footsteps of her (almost) namesake, Fanny Stevenson, maverick wife of Robert Louis. When proposing this somewhat preposterous trip to her husband, she quotes Billy as saying, "I've got two words to say to you — Bermuda Triangle."

The result is this fascinating book which is, really, two books: a contemporary 'sailing into the blue yonder' travelogue and a history/biography of the Stevensons and their 19th century voyage to the far-flung coral islands and lagoons of the North Pacific.

Whether engrossed in the story of the Stevensons or in Pamela's own adventure and perils aboard the Takapuna, you'll find this rollicking yarn both absorbing and thoroughly entertaining.

Scott Whitmont is the owner of The Lindfield Bookshop.