Review by Brian Lowen on 13 November 2008.
This is the 7th novel featuring Thomas Kydd.
We have seen his progress in the earlier novels from being a young wig-maker in Guildford to seized by the 'press gang' to be part of the crew of a 98 gun ship in the Napoleonic Wars, in the great age of fighting sailships.
He has gradually progressed through the ranks until in this book he gets his first command of a small brig defending Malta against the Barbary Pirates and the French who are desperately trying to rescue the remnants of their army in Egypt following the defeat of their fleet by Nelson at the Battle of the Nile. His command does not last long as peace is declared with the French (though short lived) and he has to return to England and his ship is decommissioned. However, he manages to get another command in the merchant fleet but it is in a convict ship going to New South Wales in Australia. It is a great description of the conditions of the convicts on their long journey of several months and then the type of life they could expect when they arrived in Australia.
When Kydd eventually gets back to England war breaks out again with the French and he gets his previous ship back again.
Thoroughly good story, been interesting to see life in the lower decks from Kidds' point of view as an ordinary seaman. You normally see it from a captains point of view like C.S. Forester & Hornblower or Alexander Kent & Bolitho. Its a great read if you are interested in this period of history. I am eagerly awaiting the next story in this saga - The Admirals Daughter.
Recommend that anybody who wants to read this series of books start at the beginning.
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