J.C. Edwards (1)

This is the second book in the series and continues the story of the chequered career of Jacob Fletcher, the illegitimate son of Lord Coignwood who was pressed into the Royal Navy in order to prevent him from inheriting his father's estates. In fact, Lady Coignwood, Jacob's stepmother is behind this because she and her children were disinherited by the late lord. Having failed to have Seaman Fletcher killed in the previous book in this one she hires the thief catcher, Samuel Slym, to kill him for her.

This book has two naval battles, one, the 'Glorious First of June', is a well documented fleet action and the other is a seemingly fictional engagement. Both are well written and vividly described but are not to the standard of either CS Forester, Patrick O’Brian or Alexander Kent IMHO. The real problem with this book comes when Fletcher returns to England.

Lady Sarah Coignwood is an excellent villain, a total sexual predator who has an almost mystical power over men. She will perform every sexual act imaginable with anybody whom she thinks will help her own personal cause and then throw then off without a flicker of conscience despite being close to 40. She’ll stop at nothing to get hold of the Coignwood estate. Sam Slym is totally captivated by her and is an interesting character . However, none of the other characters are either well drawn or particularly believable.

Personally I feel that this was a mish-mash that would have made two pretty good books but as one it just doesn't really work. That said and done I still found it a compulsive read that I struggled to put down.… (más)

It is 1783 and as per usual Britain is at war with France. Jacob Fletcher, uncertain of his parentage, is an apprentice to a local magistrate and mayor in the Cornish sea port of Polmouth. Being an apprentice should exempt young Fletcher from being 'pressed' but the Navy is short of men and the pressgang have been directed to grab him in particular. Fletcher soon finds himself on his majesty's frigate Phiandra, about to set sail to take on the French Navy.

Meanwhile at Coignwood Hall, the late Sir Henry, one of the richest men in Britain, lies face down in his soup whilst his beautiful but evil widow, along with their two unscrupulous sons search though his personal papers, where they learn to their horror that virtually the entire family fortune has been left to a previously unidentified illegitimate son.

The story is told with alternate chapters following the machinations of the loathsome step-family ashore and events aboard ship. The shipboard chapters are written in the first person by the likeable if not always credible ex-apprentice and its refreshing to see the Royal Navy viewed from its lower decks.

The story certainly doesn't lack action and generally I felt that Drake handled his onboard elements, the sailing, ship-board rivalries and gunnery, reasonably well. However, Drake does ask his readers to stretch their credulity to near breaking point to believe that within a few weeks of boarding a ship for the first time in his life our ex-apprentice is able not only master the seaman’s craft enough to for all intensive purposes take command of a frigate, but also to become the strongest, toughest and bravest hand on aboard.

Similarly I felt that the author rather over-egged hid on-land machinations a little more than was strictly necessary. However, I’m a sucker for an engaging historical yarn, and even if the ending requires one final leap of faith, Drake has produced one here. I found myself thoroughly engaged as I raced through it and will certainly be on the look out for the next book in the series.… (más)

Starts well with Fletcher in America as a result of his merchant ship being taken by a colonial privateer. His gunnery prowess wins him a berth on the first US warship. They take on the Brits and their wt of metal is offset by the rate of fire from their opponent, so the match ends in a draw. Fletcher jumps ship and ends up on the British flagship for the Battle of the Saintes. Good sea story so far but it goes downhill rapidly as we go ashore in England and follow the other claimants to Fletcher's wealth.
It became very predictable and not very interesting. I was flipping pages to get through to the, only to find that all the villains survive for the next episode.… (más)