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John Pearce #9
A Sea of Troubles
1794. In the wake of the Glorious First of June, an equivocal success for the British naval fleet against the French Revolutionary forces, Lieutenant John Pearce has pressing matters to attend to. He must undertake an urgent commission from Lord Hood, track down Midshipman Toby Burns, and placate Emily Barclay who, estranged from her husband, is now under Pearce's protection. Meanwhile, smugglers whose ship Pearce inadvertently stole are on his tail, determined to get their money or kill him in revenge - possibly both.
And it is not only John Pearce who has his fair share of trouble. The triumphant Channel Fleet returns, with Ralph Barclay limping from a musket ball in the thigh, Cornelius Gherson fuming at the jokes about his cowardice, and bully-boy Devenow sporting a wounded shoulder and a cauliflower ear. But the battle is already the subject of controversy - both the French and British claim victory, and Barclay is accused of holding back from the action.
Pearce turns the tables on his enemies with the aid of his crew, conjures up a trick to free his friends and sets off for the Mediterranean with Emily Barclay. He must fight a ferocious sea battle on the way to aid an old friend, and can only hope that his troubles will end along with his mission. But are they only just beginning?
And it is not only John Pearce who has his fair share of trouble. The triumphant Channel Fleet returns, with Ralph Barclay limping from a musket ball in the thigh, Cornelius Gherson fuming at the jokes about his cowardice, and bully-boy Devenow sporting a wounded shoulder and a cauliflower ear. But the battle is already the subject of controversy - both the French and British claim victory, and Barclay is accused of holding back from the action.
Pearce turns the tables on his enemies with the aid of his crew, conjures up a trick to free his friends and sets off for the Mediterranean with Emily Barclay. He must fight a ferocious sea battle on the way to aid an old friend, and can only hope that his troubles will end along with his mission. But are they only just beginning?
320 pages, ebook
First published October 29, 2012
47 people are currently reading
86 people want to read
About the author
David Donachie
66 books63 followersaka Tom Connery, Johnny 'Two Combs' Howard, Jack Ludlow, Jack Cole.
David Donachie was born in Edinburgh in 1944. He has had a variety of jobs, including selling everything from business machines to soap. He has always had an abiding interest in the naval history of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, which he drew upon for the many novels he has set in that period. The author of a number of bestselling books, he lived in Deal with his wife, fellow A&B author Sarah Grazebrook.
David Donachie was born in Edinburgh in 1944. He has had a variety of jobs, including selling everything from business machines to soap. He has always had an abiding interest in the naval history of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, which he drew upon for the many novels he has set in that period. The author of a number of bestselling books, he lived in Deal with his wife, fellow A&B author Sarah Grazebrook.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 17, 2015
This is the ninth installment in the John Pearce series. The year is 1794 and Pearce has become a grudging secret-errand boy to the powerful minister Henry Dundas. Emily Barkley wants Pearce to track down her nephew Midshipman Toby Burns.
Toby Burns is now assigned to the HMS Agamemnon commanded by Lord Horatio Nelson. They go on a series of actions and shore raids. Pearce is living with Emily and Captain Barkley will soon find out, and the Pelicans are all together now.
There is a feeling of transition to the whole story, as Pearce deals with the aftermath of the previous mission and prepares for the next. Donachie builds great characters and the story moves right along. There is lots of action and suspense in the story. Please note that this series must be read in the order it was written. I am getting the feeling the series might be winding down. I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is narrated by Peter Wickham.
Toby Burns is now assigned to the HMS Agamemnon commanded by Lord Horatio Nelson. They go on a series of actions and shore raids. Pearce is living with Emily and Captain Barkley will soon find out, and the Pelicans are all together now.
There is a feeling of transition to the whole story, as Pearce deals with the aftermath of the previous mission and prepares for the next. Donachie builds great characters and the story moves right along. There is lots of action and suspense in the story. Please note that this series must be read in the order it was written. I am getting the feeling the series might be winding down. I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is narrated by Peter Wickham.
August 21, 2017
Excellent Story
The John Pearce series is well-written and the plot has been carefully crafted as well. Descriptions, dialogue, and characters are all good. Donahie's vocabulary and understanding of nautical terms and situations make the story thing true.
The John Pearce series is well-written and the plot has been carefully crafted as well. Descriptions, dialogue, and characters are all good. Donahie's vocabulary and understanding of nautical terms and situations make the story thing true.
August 9, 2021
Highly recommend
November 4, 2020
Fantastic
I love historical fiction , especially naval history around the France and England ( sorry a Great Britain) revolution and Napoleons rise to power.
I love historical fiction , especially naval history around the France and England ( sorry a Great Britain) revolution and Napoleons rise to power.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews