The Queen Versus Billy, and Other Stories

A collection of short stories set largely in Pacific island and maritime environments that dramatizes encounters between outsiders and local communities, often in the wake of violence or disaster. The tales vary from tense inquiries and punitive expeditions to quieter accounts of loss, defeat, and unexpected mercy, delivered with vivid atmosphere and nautical detail. Recurring concerns include cultural misunderstanding, the moral burdens of authority, and the clash between imposed legal order and indigenous practices, with narratives alternating between action-driven episodes and reflective character studies.