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Sword at Sunrise: A Novel of D-Day
May 1943.
The Allies are preparing for a strike that will finish Hitler's Germany.
The landing craft Bloody Norah has been attacked and is now burning helplessly at sea.
Richard Langley and the sullen stoker, Gilhooley, manage to salvage to ship but not without Langley suffering for his heroic efforts.
As he recuperates in a Maltese hospital, his attentions are diverted by the half-French nurse Suzi Jones. Enchanted by her beauty, he longs to learn more about her but he senses that he and Bloody Norah will soon be back in the action.
Meanwhile, in Britain, the preparations for Operation Overlord are being finalised.
Crucial to the British effort will be the dawn landing on the Normandy beach code-named Sword.
Vital to its success will be Langley and Bloody Norah, and the on-the-spot reconnaissance gathered by nurse turned SOE agent Suzi Jones…
‘The Sword at Sunrise’ is an edge-of-the-seat naval adventure set during the historic events of D- Day.
Praise for Alan Evans:
"Vivid and uncannily accurate ... a gripping and exciting story"- Nautical Magazine
'I think a 21 gun salute is required... Alan Evans has produced a cracking thriller' The Daily Mirror
'Evans provides a different sea story, sustained suspense and vivid battle scenes' - Publishers Weekly
Alan Evans is a thriller writer known for vividly recreating the atmosphere of the First World War. His other titles include ‘Ship of Force’, ‘Seek Out and Destroy’ and ‘Thunder at Dawn’.
Endeavour Press is the UK's leading independent publisher of digital books.
The Allies are preparing for a strike that will finish Hitler's Germany.
The landing craft Bloody Norah has been attacked and is now burning helplessly at sea.
Richard Langley and the sullen stoker, Gilhooley, manage to salvage to ship but not without Langley suffering for his heroic efforts.
As he recuperates in a Maltese hospital, his attentions are diverted by the half-French nurse Suzi Jones. Enchanted by her beauty, he longs to learn more about her but he senses that he and Bloody Norah will soon be back in the action.
Meanwhile, in Britain, the preparations for Operation Overlord are being finalised.
Crucial to the British effort will be the dawn landing on the Normandy beach code-named Sword.
Vital to its success will be Langley and Bloody Norah, and the on-the-spot reconnaissance gathered by nurse turned SOE agent Suzi Jones…
‘The Sword at Sunrise’ is an edge-of-the-seat naval adventure set during the historic events of D- Day.
Praise for Alan Evans:
"Vivid and uncannily accurate ... a gripping and exciting story"- Nautical Magazine
'I think a 21 gun salute is required... Alan Evans has produced a cracking thriller' The Daily Mirror
'Evans provides a different sea story, sustained suspense and vivid battle scenes' - Publishers Weekly
Alan Evans is a thriller writer known for vividly recreating the atmosphere of the First World War. His other titles include ‘Ship of Force’, ‘Seek Out and Destroy’ and ‘Thunder at Dawn’.
Endeavour Press is the UK's leading independent publisher of digital books.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1996
About the author
Alan Evans
20 books15 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Alan Evans was born in 1930 in Sunderland. He is an enthralling writer of First and Second World War adventure thrillers, mainly based on naval battles. Carefully researched, and with his own experience of active service, he skilfully evokes the tension and terror of war. Many of the figures and events are based on real-life models. His best-known character is Commander David Cochrane Smith, a maverick First World War sea captain. The protagonist of six of Evans' novels, he has to battle against the highly sceptical Admiralty as well as seemingly impossible odds in order to triumph. Evans' style is pacey and gripping, and in addition to his popular books for adults, he counts three adventure novels for children amongst his credits.
Alan Evans was born in 1930 in Sunderland. He is an enthralling writer of First and Second World War adventure thrillers, mainly based on naval battles. Carefully researched, and with his own experience of active service, he skilfully evokes the tension and terror of war. Many of the figures and events are based on real-life models. His best-known character is Commander David Cochrane Smith, a maverick First World War sea captain. The protagonist of six of Evans' novels, he has to battle against the highly sceptical Admiralty as well as seemingly impossible odds in order to triumph. Evans' style is pacey and gripping, and in addition to his popular books for adults, he counts three adventure novels for children amongst his credits.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 30, 2021
Accurate & compelling
Compelling story about the little known nautical truckers of WW2 - the thousands of ordinary men thrust into a glamorless role moving war material into the face of peril with an implacable enemy on every beachhead - with just enough romance through the pages to spice the tale.
Compelling story about the little known nautical truckers of WW2 - the thousands of ordinary men thrust into a glamorless role moving war material into the face of peril with an implacable enemy on every beachhead - with just enough romance through the pages to spice the tale.
November 21, 2021
Good book but tough to read because of US/British writing styles.
Good book but a rather difficult read. The jdifference between US. and British text made it somewhat tough to read, but it was a good book.
Good book but a rather difficult read. The jdifference between US. and British text made it somewhat tough to read, but it was a good book.
September 11, 2023
Full of action, a really good read
I really enjoyed the book. The action scenes were described so well, at times I felt I was right there in the thick of things. Perhaps the ending might have been a bit more decisive, but that's a minor niggle. Truly a terrific read.
I really enjoyed the book. The action scenes were described so well, at times I felt I was right there in the thick of things. Perhaps the ending might have been a bit more decisive, but that's a minor niggle. Truly a terrific read.
July 13, 2017
Gripping!
May 4, 2020
Good read
Recommend as a very good ww2 novel action and good story line about landing craft in action around Italy and then D day
Recommend as a very good ww2 novel action and good story line about landing craft in action around Italy and then D day
June 7, 2020
Brilliant story
Very enjoyable read, superbly written and well paced. I will be reading more of Mr Evans stories in the very near future.
Very enjoyable read, superbly written and well paced. I will be reading more of Mr Evans stories in the very near future.
July 7, 2020
I have now read the whole series of Alan Evans books on Captain David Smith and am really sad there are only 7 books in the series. Great books - hard to put down any of them
September 2, 2020
Compelling Reading
An absorbing yarn. As ex. R.N., I recognise the well-informed writing. The compilation does not reach the limits of credibility.
An absorbing yarn. As ex. R.N., I recognise the well-informed writing. The compilation does not reach the limits of credibility.
May 1, 2021
Thoroughly enjoyable. Exciting action. I highly recommend this one !
April 4, 2022
A good read, kept my interest.
I liked the way the author wove multiple plots together all centered around the main characters. WW II stories are my favorite.
I liked the way the author wove multiple plots together all centered around the main characters. WW II stories are my favorite.
July 16, 2022
Great war read
Good plot lines and story threads. Easy to follow all the way though. Interesting and well developed main and secondary characters.
Good plot lines and story threads. Easy to follow all the way though. Interesting and well developed main and secondary characters.
February 13, 2023
Good read about a little known aspect if WWII, the various landing craft needed for all the beach invasions
April 13, 2017
Another excellent novel of the Navy in WW2. Exciting plot and a great yarn.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews