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The Sugar Secret: A thrilling action-packed naval adventure
335 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 26, 2026
About the author
Lyle Garford
21 books45 followersLyle Garford is the author of The Evan Ross Series (historical fiction), The Owen Spence Series (historical fiction), The Stick Bug Stories (children’s fantasy), and two standalone works of fiction entitled The Christmas Cafe and The Space Farmer. He lives in Vancouver, Canada.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
April 25, 2026
The Sugar Secret, the seventh installment in Lyle Garford’s Evan Ross series, offers an intriguing premise set against the backdrop of the Napoleonic conflicts in the Caribbean. Taking place in 1808 amid the fallout of Trafalgar, the novel weaves together espionage, naval maneuvering, and a treasure hunt tied to the island of St. Kitts.
The story unfolds through dual perspectives: on one side, two Knights of Malta operating as French loyalists and spies under Napoleon, and on the other, Captain Evan Ross and the British naval presence attempting to understand and counter a series of French raids. This structure has real potential, and at its best - particularly in the sections following Colonel Rémy Bernard’s covert plotting - it creates a compelling sense of intrigue grounded in historical detail.
However, the dual perspective is also where the novel undercuts its own tension. Because readers are privy to the French mission from the outset, much of the mystery on the British side loses its impact. Key revelations, particularly Ross’s late discovery of the treasure plot, feel underwhelming because the audience has long since been ahead of him.
Pacing is another uneven element. Many of the novel’s pivotal naval engagements are surprisingly brief and lack the weight they deserve, often concluding before they leave a lasting impression. Conversely, smaller moments, such as an attempted murder late in the book, are described in extended detail despite offering little suspense, given the narrative structure. This imbalance contributes to a sense that some of the most interesting material is glossed over, while less critical scenes are given disproportionate attention.
Garford’s prose, however, is a strength. The writing strikes a welcome balance for historical fiction: clear and accessible without sacrificing period authenticity. Dialogue feels appropriate to the era without becoming overwrought, and the author avoids the common pitfall of overloading the narrative with excessive nautical jargon that may not add anything for the average, casual reader.
Characterization is more mixed. While the novel assumes familiarity with recurring figures, new or less central characters can come across as somewhat flat for readers entering the series at this point. More notably, the depiction of women is uneven. Female characters are often introduced primarily through their appearance or romantic connections, and several feel underdeveloped despite their narrative importance. There are exceptions; Gabrielle, for instance, is given a more complete emotional arc and stands out as one of the more engaging characters, but overall, the book misses opportunities to portray its women as fully realized individuals.
That said, the novel does handle certain historical elements thoughtfully. Its treatment of slavery acknowledges the brutality of the period without minimizing it, and Black characters are portrayed as individuals rather than mere background figures - an aspect that adds depth to the setting and is all too frequently missing in novels set during this period.
This book will likely appeal most to dedicated fans of traditional naval historical fiction, particularly those who enjoy the style and sensibilities of earlier works like the Horatio Hornblower series. Readers already invested in the Evan Ross series will likely find more to appreciate in returning characters and ongoing arcs. Newcomers can follow the story without too much confusion, though some character dynamics and emotional beats may not land as strongly without prior context.
Overall, The Sugar Secret is a novel with a strong conceptual foundation and engaging historical framework, but one that ultimately falls short in execution. With more balanced pacing and greater attention to character depth—especially in maintaining narrative tension—it could have been a standout entry in the series.
The story unfolds through dual perspectives: on one side, two Knights of Malta operating as French loyalists and spies under Napoleon, and on the other, Captain Evan Ross and the British naval presence attempting to understand and counter a series of French raids. This structure has real potential, and at its best - particularly in the sections following Colonel Rémy Bernard’s covert plotting - it creates a compelling sense of intrigue grounded in historical detail.
However, the dual perspective is also where the novel undercuts its own tension. Because readers are privy to the French mission from the outset, much of the mystery on the British side loses its impact. Key revelations, particularly Ross’s late discovery of the treasure plot, feel underwhelming because the audience has long since been ahead of him.
Pacing is another uneven element. Many of the novel’s pivotal naval engagements are surprisingly brief and lack the weight they deserve, often concluding before they leave a lasting impression. Conversely, smaller moments, such as an attempted murder late in the book, are described in extended detail despite offering little suspense, given the narrative structure. This imbalance contributes to a sense that some of the most interesting material is glossed over, while less critical scenes are given disproportionate attention.
Garford’s prose, however, is a strength. The writing strikes a welcome balance for historical fiction: clear and accessible without sacrificing period authenticity. Dialogue feels appropriate to the era without becoming overwrought, and the author avoids the common pitfall of overloading the narrative with excessive nautical jargon that may not add anything for the average, casual reader.
Characterization is more mixed. While the novel assumes familiarity with recurring figures, new or less central characters can come across as somewhat flat for readers entering the series at this point. More notably, the depiction of women is uneven. Female characters are often introduced primarily through their appearance or romantic connections, and several feel underdeveloped despite their narrative importance. There are exceptions; Gabrielle, for instance, is given a more complete emotional arc and stands out as one of the more engaging characters, but overall, the book misses opportunities to portray its women as fully realized individuals.
That said, the novel does handle certain historical elements thoughtfully. Its treatment of slavery acknowledges the brutality of the period without minimizing it, and Black characters are portrayed as individuals rather than mere background figures - an aspect that adds depth to the setting and is all too frequently missing in novels set during this period.
This book will likely appeal most to dedicated fans of traditional naval historical fiction, particularly those who enjoy the style and sensibilities of earlier works like the Horatio Hornblower series. Readers already invested in the Evan Ross series will likely find more to appreciate in returning characters and ongoing arcs. Newcomers can follow the story without too much confusion, though some character dynamics and emotional beats may not land as strongly without prior context.
Overall, The Sugar Secret is a novel with a strong conceptual foundation and engaging historical framework, but one that ultimately falls short in execution. With more balanced pacing and greater attention to character depth—especially in maintaining narrative tension—it could have been a standout entry in the series.
April 9, 2026
Evan Ross series
Another terrific read , thoroughly enjoyed it . Anyone interested in Napoleonic times I’m sure would appreciate this series .
Another terrific read , thoroughly enjoyed it . Anyone interested in Napoleonic times I’m sure would appreciate this series .
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews