AustLit

Set in the Caribbean, Jamaica Run is an adventure story of intrigue and mystery surrounding the search for documents. Real-estate developer William Montague wants to buy the Dacey plantation in order to build a resort hotel. When the eccentric Mrs Dacey turns him down despite her family's failing finances, Montague produces a pair of distant relatives, Janice and Robert Clayton, and attempts to prove that the estate rightfully belongs to them. When Robert Clayton is later found dead, Mrs Dacey's son Todd is initially accused of his murder. When it is realised that the identity of the rightful heirs to the plantation is buried in a sunken ship off the Jamaican shore, the search begins, led by a schooner skipper (and former American Navy officer) Patrick Fairlie, who is in love with Mrs Dacey's daughter Ena. Papers are eventually discovered that appear to prove that the Claytons are the rightful heirs, but they are later found to be forgeries. A developing relationship between Todd Dacey and Janice Clayton is several times placed under pressure, but, after the Great House burns down, they realise that they love each other and set about rebuilding the mansion. Pat and Ena also finally declare their love for each other and sail off in Pat's schooner.