Help! Can't remember book title or author

[clint_redhot]

I think this book was probably published in the 90's. The basis was that a man and his teenage (or possible younger) son were on a boat. There had been problems with "pirates" coming onto people's boats and kidnapping/murdering/stealing. This man and his son were on their boat and were kidnapped and taken back to an island.

The islanders were extremely dangerous and riotous. They had a strict belief system. Sex was very open. Religion was very fierce. They drank, had sex and ate in excess. They tried turning the son against his father and pretty much succeeded. I can't recall the end of the novel but I don't think it was a happy ending, lol.

Please help me!! I used to own the book but lost it along the way. I have been trying to figure out the name for years and it's seriously starting to bug the heck out of me!! I thought that part of the name had the word "island" in it but now I'm not so sure as googling different variations hasn't pulled up anything.

Thank you!! *fingers crossed*

 

[WickedWitch]

The Island by Peter Benchley

"The Island is yet another caribbean-based adventure tale of which Peter Benchley is so adept at weaving. The plot is fresh and original enough: a reporter takes his son on a working vacation as he tries to unravel the mystery behind an alarming amount of boat disappearances in the area of Navidad island, and ends up the captive of a band of pirates descended from the actual French renegade 17th century pirate L'olonois. The buccaneers live as they have for more than 300 years and their customs and brutalities are severe indeed. Maynard (the reporter) must devise an escape and rescue his son, whom the pirates have adopted as one of their own, before it is too late."