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Blackwood Family #5
Knife Edge
After the murder of his father, Lieutenant-Colonel Mike Blackwood, Ross Blackwood finds himself assigned to the Far East, taking on rebels and illegal-arms dealers in Hong Kong and Malaysia. Along the way he meets another Blackwood, his cousin Steve, who has made a life for himself in the Corp, as an explosives expert. The two Blackwoods uphold the honor of their family and their chosen profession while negotiating the fallout of Britain's post-colonial politics.
307 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2004
60 people are currently reading
119 people want to read
About the author
Douglas Reeman
138 books178 followersAKA Alexander Kent.
Douglas Edward Reeman was a British author who has written many historical fiction books on the Royal Navy, mainly set during either World War II or the Napoleonic Wars.
Reeman joined the Royal Navy in 1940, at the age of 16, and served during World War II and the Korean War. He eventually rose to the rank of lieutenant. In addition to being an author, Reeman has also taught the art of navigation for yachting and served as a technical advisor for films. Douglas married author Kimberley Jordan Reeman in 1985.
Reeman's debut novel, A Prayer for the Ship was published in 1958. His pseudonym Alexander Kent was the name of a friend and naval officer who died during the Second World War. Reeman is most famous for his series of Napoleonic naval stories, whose central character is Richard Bolitho, and, later, his nephew, Adam. He also wrote a series of novels about several generations of the Blackwood family who served in the Royal Marines from the 1850s to the 1970s, and a non-fiction account of his World War II experiences, D-Day : A Personal Reminiscence (1984).
Series:
* Blackwood Family
Douglas Edward Reeman was a British author who has written many historical fiction books on the Royal Navy, mainly set during either World War II or the Napoleonic Wars.
Reeman joined the Royal Navy in 1940, at the age of 16, and served during World War II and the Korean War. He eventually rose to the rank of lieutenant. In addition to being an author, Reeman has also taught the art of navigation for yachting and served as a technical advisor for films. Douglas married author Kimberley Jordan Reeman in 1985.
Reeman's debut novel, A Prayer for the Ship was published in 1958. His pseudonym Alexander Kent was the name of a friend and naval officer who died during the Second World War. Reeman is most famous for his series of Napoleonic naval stories, whose central character is Richard Bolitho, and, later, his nephew, Adam. He also wrote a series of novels about several generations of the Blackwood family who served in the Royal Marines from the 1850s to the 1970s, and a non-fiction account of his World War II experiences, D-Day : A Personal Reminiscence (1984).
Series:
* Blackwood Family
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 21, 2024
Ross Blackwood seems to be the last of his line in the Royal Marines. The story follows his exploits in the Far East, Ireland and ends with his involvement in landings on South Georgia during the Falklands War. The usual gung-ho stuff but the accounts lack a good flow and seemed disjointed to me. They were also peppered with various romantic interludes that came across more as military operations than was perhaps intended. I am pleased this series has reached the end. 2 stars.
November 15, 2023
For me this book ,and infact the "Blackwood series" as a whole , lacked the usual excitement and 'edge of your seat allure' that I've come to expect from Douglas Reeman .
The story lines were very predictable rather than the usual twists and turns and so felt almost bland -like a good meal that's lacking salt to give it some oomph.
The general idea of the "Blackwood's" was good, but for me would have been better suited to 3 books rather than 5 as at times the storylines felt very similar and like an attempt to simply fill pages rather than captivate or enthral the reader .
The story lines were very predictable rather than the usual twists and turns and so felt almost bland -like a good meal that's lacking salt to give it some oomph.
The general idea of the "Blackwood's" was good, but for me would have been better suited to 3 books rather than 5 as at times the storylines felt very similar and like an attempt to simply fill pages rather than captivate or enthral the reader .
December 14, 2024
A very disappointing end to the author’s Royal Marine saga, featuring a number of generations of the Blackwood family. Really feels like Douglas Reeman just ran out of steam with a series that has been quite good, but finishes with the dull thud of a damp squib.
We see Ross Blackwood through three different conflicts amid much tedious falling in love with every female he meets. Even the action scenes are oddly told, sections needing re-reading to ensure understanding while wincing at some really clunky dialogue.
One to avoid.
We see Ross Blackwood through three different conflicts amid much tedious falling in love with every female he meets. Even the action scenes are oddly told, sections needing re-reading to ensure understanding while wincing at some really clunky dialogue.
One to avoid.
March 25, 2024
This was by far my least favourite Reeman story I've read. To be honest I was concerned y the 'blurb' as I couldn't see how the concluding story of the Blackwood Royal Marine saga being set in peace time was going to work. I struggled through approximately one third of the book before giving up owing in the main to the fact that almost nothing had happened.
Hopefully this is just a blip within Reeman catalogue which is usually so good.
Hopefully this is just a blip within Reeman catalogue which is usually so good.
January 29, 2011
Though I've read many of Reeman Douglas's books, I usually enjoy them. I could not get to grips with the writing style of this one however. Something significant would happen & the reader would be left to piece it all togeter over the succeeding pages - or chapters. As an example, a chapter ends with:
"The sun had gone. And he was falling. Like a tunnel, darker and darker. Then nothing."
Then in the next chapter there are phrases such as:
"Other memories. White jackets, patient and sometimes anxious voices. More pain. Then sliding away. Like swimming underwater. Or dying."
And further still:
"An ambulance. Another hospital. More pain. Somehow trying to hold on. Keep a grip. It will take time".
From this the reader is left to conclude that something catastrophic happened causing the character to be transported to hospital to undergo extensive medical treatment. Exactly what occurred though is never fully discussed but left to the reader to piece together from fragments and vague memories of the character.
Not my favourite Reeman book to date.
"The sun had gone. And he was falling. Like a tunnel, darker and darker. Then nothing."
Then in the next chapter there are phrases such as:
"Other memories. White jackets, patient and sometimes anxious voices. More pain. Then sliding away. Like swimming underwater. Or dying."
And further still:
"An ambulance. Another hospital. More pain. Somehow trying to hold on. Keep a grip. It will take time".
From this the reader is left to conclude that something catastrophic happened causing the character to be transported to hospital to undergo extensive medical treatment. Exactly what occurred though is never fully discussed but left to the reader to piece together from fragments and vague memories of the character.
Not my favourite Reeman book to date.
September 16, 2012
After the murder of his father, Lieutenant-Colonel Mike Blackwood, Ross Blackwood finds himself assigned to the Far East, taking on rebels and illegal-arms dealers in Hong Kong and Malaysia. Along the way he meets another Blackwood, his cousin Steve, who has made a life for himself in the Corp, as an explosives expert. The two Blackwoods uphold the honor of their family and their chosen profession while negotiating the fallout of Britain's post-colonial politics.
Review"What makes Reeman's books a cut above the rest is his sensitivity to relationships . . . " -- Sunday Mercury
About the AuthorDouglas Edward Reeman, who also writes under the name Alexander Kent, joined the British Navy at 16, serving on destroyers and small craft during World War II, eventually rising to the rank of lieutenant. He has taught navigation to yachtsmen and has served as a script adviser for television and films. As Alexander Kent, Reeman is the author of the best-selling Richard Bolitho Novels. His books have been translated into nearly two dozen languages.
March 18, 2024
My view might be considered a little biased as I actually served in the Royal Marines during most of the period covered by his novel . I would have loved to give this novel a full 5 stars but there were many historical inaccuracies and whilst this is a work of fiction they were not necessary and simply a lack of knowledge by the Author portrayed as an expert in the field . I enjoyed the story despite my comments and it held my attention enough for me to finish it . One of the most basic errors was the author use of staff cars in a conflict zone and not only that but identifying the user that was unforgivable and stretch creditability too far hence my rating
July 22, 2011
Easy read, not much too it. Probably best not to look at it too deeply and take it for what it is but saying that is a typical Reeman novel. Perfect for a rainy afternoon.
Read
February 1, 2013Latest part of the Blackwood saga - A little slower and more introspective.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews