Seek and Destroy

Commander Cochrane Smith #4

by Alan Evans

In November, 1917, Commander David Cochrane Smith and his crew find themselves the target of Kapitan Erwin Voss, the commander of a mighty new battle cruiser of the Kaiser's Navy patrolling the Adriatic

Genres: Historical Fiction, Military Fiction

251 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1985

About the author

Librarian 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.

Reviews

[B T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Commander Smith, Buckley and crew are at it again. Things I liked about it; it picks up right after the last book, there some interesting twists, I really enjoyed the characters of Zacco, Balastra, etc. Make sure when you’re finished to read the Epilogue. My only real criticism is how he figured something out later in the story. I thought it was a bit slim.

Looking forward to the next book.

[Michael Koch · Rating 4 out of 5]

The genre is interesting to me so I enjoyed the book. The story was five stars the writing maybe four. The story was fast paced, exciting and full of interesting things going on. The writing stretched the imagination just a little. Too many things were just a little too coincidental or simply too unlikely on a front line in that, or any, war. I am not sure they were all needed to move the story along.
The timing and location of the story within the First World War is interesting; I have not seen much written about this front (two fronts if you want to count the land and sea separately) and this time in English. Perhaps the Italians have written something. Superimposing this naval story on top of the very bitter land battle was a clever way to broaden the scope and interest of the book. Well worth a read. I would call it 4.5 if I could but I think it will post as a four.

[Tony Hisgett · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book started where the previous book ended, which made a pleasant change as the previous books often left far too many loose ends.
After a good start I was slightly concerned that a few chapters later my main thought was, not another self-interested idiot of a commanding officer.

Smith’s orders are to seek out and destroy Kapitan-zur-See Erwin Voss and his battle cruiser Salzburg, but he seems to end up fighting numerous battles on land as well as sea. Many of the encounters area bit far-fetched, but quite fun. The author includes yet another young woman in the story, but this time there is an interesting twist in the tale.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another page turner involving Commander Smith, this time set in the Adriatic. It follows on nicely from Smith's adventures in the Med, although I seem to remember something about an expected inheritance in the last book that doesn't get a mention. Perhaps that is something that will be addressed in later books. While the story chugs along very nicely, based as it is too some extent on real events, some parts of the story are a bit too convenient and result in unsatisfactory conclusions. That apart, I enjoyed reading the book and look forward to the next instalment.

[Mr Michael R Stevens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast Or Fiction

Another great Cochrane Smith story, the fourth. Although they can be read as individual stories reading them in sequence adds to the experience.
I thoroughly enjoyed this instalment and an already looking forward to the next. Once you have finished the book I urge you to read the epilogue.

[John S · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Commander D C Smith Series are Great

I started Reading this series 2 weeks ago. I cannot put them down David Cochran Smith is a modern day captain Aubrey. If you liked the Aubrey series you will love this one.

[M H Burges · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another action packed story about Commander Cochrane Smith’s World War 1 exploits. He always seems to fall foul of his senior officers. Was not so keen on his land battles, but the story kept the interest going, with a twist towards the end.

[Dianne P. Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

As expected

Another great book by Mr. Evans. In the Epiloge he explains that to have stuck strictly to the truth would have "strained the credulity of the reader." I would still like to read the truth about some of those exploits.

[Mike Whitehouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sink the Salzburg.

A good followup to Thunder at Dawn, Smith thrown in to what looks like an impossible situation but with his usual ability he pulls it off with a little help.

[Nick Brough · Rating 4 out of 5]

On to number 4 in the series (I read number 2 a few years back and unless I reread, it wont be added). Lots to like about this story, but it's my least favourite of the series. The "Contessa" is just too predictable a character as is Smith's attitude to women in general (and theirs to him). It really ought to be explained in the stories somehow.

[Nooilforpacifists · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great peek into the little known naval battles of the Adriatic in WWI. Decent adventure, loosely based on the Italian sinking of the Austrian Viribus Unitis Dreadnaught, and Battleship Wien, in harbor with a midget submarine, jury-rigged by strapping two sailors on live torpedoes. Those two acts ended the Austrian Navy offensive capabilities.

Book is filled with Reeman-esqe Royal Navy chair-sailors frustrating RN Commd'r Smith's task, and clumsy love interest-but a surprise twist.

[Fred McKay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

I enjoyed the book a great deal, good story line good flow,held my interest through out. I enjoy naval war stories.