The Strange Intruder by Arthur Catherall

The Strange Intruder (1964) is a suspenseful adventure novel set on the remote, storm-lashed island of Mykines in the Faroe Islands. Originally published in the UK as The Strange Invader, the story follows sixteen-year-old Sven Klakk as he faces a series of escalating perils.

Plot Summary

The Setting: The story begins during a "Force 10" gale that prevents rescue ships from reaching a damaged schooner drifting toward the island's rocky cliffs.

The Conflict: With most of the able-bodied men away on a whaling expedition, only a few old men, women, and Sven remain to face the crisis.

The "Intruder": The tension peaks when the villagers spot what they think is a shipwrecked crew member swimming for shore. It turns out to be a ravenous polar bear that escaped from captivity on the ship.

The Struggle: Sven must lead the defense of his village, protecting their livestock and families with minimal supplies—including only an old shotgun—while the storm continues to rage