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The Dorset Boy #1
A Talent For Trouble
In the late 18th Century life was cheap and you had fight to survive. Martin Stockley at 12 years old was underfed and undersized as the youngest of nine in a Dorset clay miner's family and was probably doomed to die, worn out and broken at a very young age in the clay mines of Dorset. But he had a sharp mind, had learned to read, write and do his numbers and had a fascination for maps. A stroke of good fortune sees him escape that destiny and be taken on as a Ship's Boy and Under Steward to the Captain in the Royal Navy Frigate the Falcon. What follows is a chronicle of his talent for getting into and out of trouble at Gibraltar, the siege of Toulon and against Barbary pirates. Luck and a lot of Dorset courage sees him at the centre of a series of adventures. Blood, guts, a beautiful Contessa and prize money. What more could a young lad from Dorset ask for?
258 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 15, 2018
562 people are currently reading
259 people want to read
About the author
Christopher C. Tubbs
35 books110 followersBiography
I am descendent of a long line of Dorset clay miners and have chased my family tree back to the 16th century in the Isle of Purbeck. I have been a public speaker at conferences for most of my career in the Aerospace and Automotive industries and was one of the founders of a successful games company back in the 1990’s.
Now in my sixties, and living in the Netherlands Antilles, I finally got to write the stories I had going around in my head for many years. Thanks to inspiration from the great sea authors like Alexander Kent, Dewey Lambdin, Patrick O’Brian and Dudley Pope I was finally able to put digit to keyboard and start writing the Dorset Boy series.
I make no apologies that I write for myself. The stories emerge as I write and I am often surprised by the twists and turns that they take.
I am descendent of a long line of Dorset clay miners and have chased my family tree back to the 16th century in the Isle of Purbeck. I have been a public speaker at conferences for most of my career in the Aerospace and Automotive industries and was one of the founders of a successful games company back in the 1990’s.
Now in my sixties, and living in the Netherlands Antilles, I finally got to write the stories I had going around in my head for many years. Thanks to inspiration from the great sea authors like Alexander Kent, Dewey Lambdin, Patrick O’Brian and Dudley Pope I was finally able to put digit to keyboard and start writing the Dorset Boy series.
I make no apologies that I write for myself. The stories emerge as I write and I am often surprised by the twists and turns that they take.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
July 22, 2019
Kindle Unlimited
A fun, action-packed seafaring tale of a very young man from Dorset placed on boat captained by just the right man for proper guidance.
I do enjoy stories of young men and their challenges, but this one, Marty by name, delivers beyond all reason or expectations whenever he is faced with a challenge. I don't plan to continue reading these adventures unless I go for a long spell again when I am unable to get to my library (as this past week's weather impacted me).
Time frame of this series is 1790's and Gibraltar held much of the action.
Definitely Recommend for YA audience. Hey, there are Pirates and French Revolutionaries!
A fun, action-packed seafaring tale of a very young man from Dorset placed on boat captained by just the right man for proper guidance.
I do enjoy stories of young men and their challenges, but this one, Marty by name, delivers beyond all reason or expectations whenever he is faced with a challenge. I don't plan to continue reading these adventures unless I go for a long spell again when I am unable to get to my library (as this past week's weather impacted me).
Time frame of this series is 1790's and Gibraltar held much of the action.
Definitely Recommend for YA audience. Hey, there are Pirates and French Revolutionaries!
January 19, 2019
Pleasant read
Don't know if it was intended as YA but it has a simplicity of
vocabulary and sentence structure with a minimum of antique speachifying sometimes used for historicity.
I enjoyed the book and look forward to future tales.
I found a number of typos and misused sound alikes but don't know how to send them to this and many other authors. Please advise.
Don't know if it was intended as YA but it has a simplicity of
vocabulary and sentence structure with a minimum of antique speachifying sometimes used for historicity.
I enjoyed the book and look forward to future tales.
I found a number of typos and misused sound alikes but don't know how to send them to this and many other authors. Please advise.
December 28, 2018
Very well written and enjoyable...
I've read a lot of the genre, Kent, Forrestor, Parkinson, Lambdin etc, and you are the closest in style to Kent, which is the highest compliment I can give a naval fiction writer.
thanks for the read... and if he gets near Sir Sidney.... sigh
I've read a lot of the genre, Kent, Forrestor, Parkinson, Lambdin etc, and you are the closest in style to Kent, which is the highest compliment I can give a naval fiction writer.
thanks for the read... and if he gets near Sir Sidney.... sigh
January 12, 2019
Excellent read with great detail. Enough detail about the protagonist to show his gradual maturation.
Best new series start I have read in some time. I liked the characters and their development in the book. Believable story line with enough historical events to anchor the story. Overall an excellent book. The only shrink coming was an editing problem that relied on a spell check program which gave "the ship saled" rather than sailed and EAst rather than least.
Enjoy the start of a new story line.
P p
Best new series start I have read in some time. I liked the characters and their development in the book. Believable story line with enough historical events to anchor the story. Overall an excellent book. The only shrink coming was an editing problem that relied on a spell check program which gave "the ship saled" rather than sailed and EAst rather than least.
Enjoy the start of a new story line.
P p
January 18, 2023
I generally enjoy stories of the British navy during the Napoleonic wars. I have read all the way through Horatio Hornblower, Richard Bolitho, Nicholas Ramage, and Jack Aubrey/Stephen Maturin. I was hoping this would be a new series to work my way through, but I'm not highly inclined to continue past this book.
Marty Stockley is a pre-teen in a clay-mining family in Dorsetshire. His school teacher sees his intelligence and knows there should be a better life for him than spending his days doing hard manual labor in the mines. She arranges for Marty to be taken on as a cabin boy by her brother, captain of a frigate in the Royal Navy. Marty proves to be an extremely adept seaman, and soon is promoted to midshipman, is given considerable responsibilities, and has several thrilling adventures.
I have several issues with the book. One is that Marty's amazing progress pushes past my willing suspension of disbelief. He is just too good, learns too much too quickly, and acquires too many new skills with too great an ease. He's a comic book superhero version of a naval officer. A second problem is that the pace of the action feels somewhat rushed. The battle scenes fly by without a great deal of tension. Finally, the book needed at least one more rewrite from the author and then another pass or two from a good editor. There are numerous problems with spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and sentence structure.
I've given the book two stars. I finished it, but I was skimming pretty quickly by the end.
Marty Stockley is a pre-teen in a clay-mining family in Dorsetshire. His school teacher sees his intelligence and knows there should be a better life for him than spending his days doing hard manual labor in the mines. She arranges for Marty to be taken on as a cabin boy by her brother, captain of a frigate in the Royal Navy. Marty proves to be an extremely adept seaman, and soon is promoted to midshipman, is given considerable responsibilities, and has several thrilling adventures.
I have several issues with the book. One is that Marty's amazing progress pushes past my willing suspension of disbelief. He is just too good, learns too much too quickly, and acquires too many new skills with too great an ease. He's a comic book superhero version of a naval officer. A second problem is that the pace of the action feels somewhat rushed. The battle scenes fly by without a great deal of tension. Finally, the book needed at least one more rewrite from the author and then another pass or two from a good editor. There are numerous problems with spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and sentence structure.
I've given the book two stars. I finished it, but I was skimming pretty quickly by the end.
July 8, 2019
The series started out promising with a likable protagonist and with added details to provide some texture to the world the story depicts. Unfortunately the writing contains some glaring defects which the author is unable to alleviate as the series continues.
One could speculate that some of the less enjoyable features of his books owes to the fact that Tubbs has a background in game creation. Some things which work or are accepted in such an interactive visual medium are not acceptable in a written story. Aside from general weaknesses such as historical inconsistencies and the confusion of character and ship names, Tubbs has a tendency to throw characters and situations at the reader without really introducing and developing them in a satisfactory manner so the reader has at time to guess the context of a scene and the relationship between characters. This becomes all the more frustrating when more than two characters interact since the author is really weak at controlling dialogue and you sometimes scratch your head wondering who said what and why to whom. The occasional unmotivated shift in narrative perspective only adds to the confusion.
Another problematic aspect is character development or rather its lack. After the initial phase in which the protagonist acclimatises to his new environment he quickly adapts and becomes a master of his trade in record time. No challenge is to big no skill to complicated. Sometimes it is even neglected to mention he even has a particular skill before he demonstrates it. It is simply understood that our hero is supremely competent and unrivalled at his craft. Any slight weaknesses like his blushing when interacting with confident females and worrying about the success of his plans are merely decorative and do not in any way influence his actions. His development as a naval officer is more an accumulation of upgrades rather than a coming-of-age story.
The author should consider investing in some professional help with editing his stories, the potential for improvement would definitely justify it.
One could speculate that some of the less enjoyable features of his books owes to the fact that Tubbs has a background in game creation. Some things which work or are accepted in such an interactive visual medium are not acceptable in a written story. Aside from general weaknesses such as historical inconsistencies and the confusion of character and ship names, Tubbs has a tendency to throw characters and situations at the reader without really introducing and developing them in a satisfactory manner so the reader has at time to guess the context of a scene and the relationship between characters. This becomes all the more frustrating when more than two characters interact since the author is really weak at controlling dialogue and you sometimes scratch your head wondering who said what and why to whom. The occasional unmotivated shift in narrative perspective only adds to the confusion.
Another problematic aspect is character development or rather its lack. After the initial phase in which the protagonist acclimatises to his new environment he quickly adapts and becomes a master of his trade in record time. No challenge is to big no skill to complicated. Sometimes it is even neglected to mention he even has a particular skill before he demonstrates it. It is simply understood that our hero is supremely competent and unrivalled at his craft. Any slight weaknesses like his blushing when interacting with confident females and worrying about the success of his plans are merely decorative and do not in any way influence his actions. His development as a naval officer is more an accumulation of upgrades rather than a coming-of-age story.
The author should consider investing in some professional help with editing his stories, the potential for improvement would definitely justify it.
April 6, 2019
I liked this book. It's a new voice in the (admittedly crowded) field of Napoleonic War naval adventures. For me, the character of Marty works very well. It rings profoundly true that a boy from a humble background could see a naval career as a way to improve his prospects, even before he realizes he has aptitude for a leadership role and a flair for combat. It's a fact that quite young boys went to sea in those days, both in navies and in commercial ships.
The plot is lively and action-packed, and most of the maneuvers can be visualized fairly easily by the reader who has some exposure to sailing terminology. The historical background is authentic.
The editing shows evidence of carelessness or a too great reliance on spellchecker. There are frequent misused words. And, unfortunately, there are several notable errors in describing the ships and their equipment. (Example: the "gun deck" in a frigate is a weather deck over part of its length, and usually called the main deck. The boy is led below onto a deck where the crew ate and slept, and that deck would be the berth deck and would have no guns in this period.
The author doesn't threaten C. S. Forester or PAtrick O'Brian as a leading author of authentic-to-the-last-detail naval fiction (the kind that you can learn seamanship from), but he's a quick, enjoyable read and I'm going to follow Marty's further adventures with interest. Will he become a captain? I think so!
I should also point out that the author's note makes it clear he has a heritage of people similar to his hero in background. This is a rather obscure part of Great Britain and the mining industry there is a little known culture for most readers. While it would have inevitably slowed the plot a bit, I would have welcomed some local color before the hero is sent to join his ship.
The plot is lively and action-packed, and most of the maneuvers can be visualized fairly easily by the reader who has some exposure to sailing terminology. The historical background is authentic.
The editing shows evidence of carelessness or a too great reliance on spellchecker. There are frequent misused words. And, unfortunately, there are several notable errors in describing the ships and their equipment. (Example: the "gun deck" in a frigate is a weather deck over part of its length, and usually called the main deck. The boy is led below onto a deck where the crew ate and slept, and that deck would be the berth deck and would have no guns in this period.
The author doesn't threaten C. S. Forester or PAtrick O'Brian as a leading author of authentic-to-the-last-detail naval fiction (the kind that you can learn seamanship from), but he's a quick, enjoyable read and I'm going to follow Marty's further adventures with interest. Will he become a captain? I think so!
I should also point out that the author's note makes it clear he has a heritage of people similar to his hero in background. This is a rather obscure part of Great Britain and the mining industry there is a little known culture for most readers. While it would have inevitably slowed the plot a bit, I would have welcomed some local color before the hero is sent to join his ship.
April 29, 2019
Christopher C Tubbs ventures into crowded seas with “A Talent for Trouble: The Dorset Boy Book 1,” a coming-of-age tale of a poor youth seeking his fortune in the British Navy at the time of the French Revolution. Classics in this genre include C.F. Forester’s Hornblower novels, Patrick O’Brian’s Aubrey/Maturin books, and Dewey Lambdin’s ongoing Alan Lewrie series. The standard is high, to say the least.
In Tubb’s first volume, twelve-year-old Marty Stockley is rescued from a harsh life in the mines by a teacher who recognizes his intelligence and whose brother is, conveniently, an officer in need of a cabin boy. Initially, I thought the author might be taking a Harry Potter approach to his series, with early books tailored for younger audiences. But Marty grows up faster than Harry, and this book's style does mirror those changes—as well as Tubbs’s knowledge of the historical period.
Still, young Marty is one of the luckiest heroes in fiction, succeeding to a degree that often stretches credibility. He quickly masters every challenge, from gunnery to the French language. He even wins the affection of a wealthy girl. By contrast, Alan Lewrie pays his dues in ways that Marty just doesn’t. And that could be a problem if Mr. Stockley doesn't face greater obstacles and conflicts in subsequent books.
In Tubb’s first volume, twelve-year-old Marty Stockley is rescued from a harsh life in the mines by a teacher who recognizes his intelligence and whose brother is, conveniently, an officer in need of a cabin boy. Initially, I thought the author might be taking a Harry Potter approach to his series, with early books tailored for younger audiences. But Marty grows up faster than Harry, and this book's style does mirror those changes—as well as Tubbs’s knowledge of the historical period.
Still, young Marty is one of the luckiest heroes in fiction, succeeding to a degree that often stretches credibility. He quickly masters every challenge, from gunnery to the French language. He even wins the affection of a wealthy girl. By contrast, Alan Lewrie pays his dues in ways that Marty just doesn’t. And that could be a problem if Mr. Stockley doesn't face greater obstacles and conflicts in subsequent books.
December 3, 2021
A Light Froth of a Book
In a very crowded field of historical naval fiction, we have this entry, a fast-moving, light story about a Dorset boy. Simplistic at its core, the story does have some interesting historical elements that carry the story along. The character development is very superficial, but the appeal of the central character as he progresses from a raw cabin boy to a capable midshipman does offer some interest to the story.
The British Navy has much to atone for the treatment of the young men who were stationed on ships with adults during the age of sail. Along with the poor treatment of the seamen, many of whom were “pressed” into service, it’s a wonder the British Navy had as much success at sea during the establishment of the British Empire.
A talent for Trouble is simple, light reading, but, if you are looking for stirring naval action, the appeal of characters that you care about you should look elsewhere.
In a very crowded field of historical naval fiction, we have this entry, a fast-moving, light story about a Dorset boy. Simplistic at its core, the story does have some interesting historical elements that carry the story along. The character development is very superficial, but the appeal of the central character as he progresses from a raw cabin boy to a capable midshipman does offer some interest to the story.
The British Navy has much to atone for the treatment of the young men who were stationed on ships with adults during the age of sail. Along with the poor treatment of the seamen, many of whom were “pressed” into service, it’s a wonder the British Navy had as much success at sea during the establishment of the British Empire.
A talent for Trouble is simple, light reading, but, if you are looking for stirring naval action, the appeal of characters that you care about you should look elsewhere.
June 12, 2019
While the basic idea for the series is interesting, the execution is poor. The author constantly mixes up words, using reigns where reins belongs, and confusing waist and waste… as examples. There are also times when a needed word is dropped from a sentence, or a clumsy edit leaves one or more extra words.
There are errors related to the manners of the time, appropriate slang, and naval terminology that make it hard to really get into the narrative.
The most ridiculous error was probably writing that a man who marries a duke's/baron's (the title is inconsistent in the books) widow assumes the dead man's title. This is such a basic error, one that the smallest amount of research would have prevented, that it's almost unforgivable.
Beyond all of that, the stories were interesting but never rose any higher. No real sense of drama. Although I did read all 5 available books, had I been interrupted at any point and prevented from finishing, I wouldn't have cared.
There are errors related to the manners of the time, appropriate slang, and naval terminology that make it hard to really get into the narrative.
The most ridiculous error was probably writing that a man who marries a duke's/baron's (the title is inconsistent in the books) widow assumes the dead man's title. This is such a basic error, one that the smallest amount of research would have prevented, that it's almost unforgivable.
Beyond all of that, the stories were interesting but never rose any higher. No real sense of drama. Although I did read all 5 available books, had I been interrupted at any point and prevented from finishing, I wouldn't have cared.
March 27, 2023
Pretty solid and enjoyable book about the start of a boy's naval career. You can see the arc of his life already in place even as he starts out, but its nice and fresh to see the very start, which most of these books skip over. The boy is suggested as a captain's servant by a sympathetic lady who sees the scrawny kid forced to work in the clay mines in Dorset.
His career -- as is all too often in these books -- tears through a bit too fast, being chosen for midshipman less than a year asea, when its typically a 3-year start. But the young man learns at a steady pace, makes his mistakes, and stumbles on occasion. He's a bit precocious but not beyond reason. I'm looking forward to more in this series.
His career -- as is all too often in these books -- tears through a bit too fast, being chosen for midshipman less than a year asea, when its typically a 3-year start. But the young man learns at a steady pace, makes his mistakes, and stumbles on occasion. He's a bit precocious but not beyond reason. I'm looking forward to more in this series.
August 23, 2024
This isn't your typical historical fiction novel as it focuses in on the life of a young boy - more of a coming-of-age story of a young man. It has some charm and appeal, with good interplay between the characters. The author certainly knows how to tell a story. You will also get a taste of old-fashioned ship battles as well as a little bit of a history lesson. However, if you are looking for a good tale to read with a continuing cast of characters, this one should be on your reading list. I picked this up for “free” with my Kindle Unlimited subscription vs. the regular price of $3.99 – I certainly received more than $3.99 of entertainment value and I am sure you will, also/
April 6, 2022
The idea of setting a Royal Navy story from a cabin boy’s perspective is both a good one, and unique in my experience. That said, poor and overly simplistic writing, together with interesting situations and characters dismissed in two or three sentences; spoils the “story” aspect.
Clearly, the author has not done his — easy to do — homework on the Royal Navy, in the period of the French Revolution, and First Empire.
Reduced to....a might have been. Pity.
Clearly, the author has not done his — easy to do — homework on the Royal Navy, in the period of the French Revolution, and First Empire.
Reduced to....a might have been. Pity.
November 16, 2021
Readable and different
Quite liked this book. It started differently from those of the rest of the guys in the band - great to have the background to where Marty came from. It was worth the read and I'll carry on - some good twists and turns but Marty is an interesting character so I expect more! They certainly grew up quick in the 28th century...
Quite liked this book. It started differently from those of the rest of the guys in the band - great to have the background to where Marty came from. It was worth the read and I'll carry on - some good twists and turns but Marty is an interesting character so I expect more! They certainly grew up quick in the 28th century...
August 16, 2024
A good start to a new Age of Fighting Sail Saga. A clay miner's son goes to sea as a cabin boy and develops swiftly into a very fit, trained and capable midshipman. His first adventures are many, varied and frequently dangerous. His first voyage ends with a bit of spying so even a career in espionage may be in the offing.
February 2, 2019
Great Story
The author provided a good description of the British ships and the action was realistic. I felt the boy was too young for his early adventures and responsibilities. The plot was well thought out and was almost be. The language was not overdone.
The author provided a good description of the British ships and the action was realistic. I felt the boy was too young for his early adventures and responsibilities. The plot was well thought out and was almost be. The language was not overdone.
April 7, 2019
A very enjoyable read
A very enjoyable read along the lines of Patrick O'Brien. Good character development and intrigue to keep us readers rapidly flipping through to the end. Looking forward to the next in the series.
A very enjoyable read along the lines of Patrick O'Brien. Good character development and intrigue to keep us readers rapidly flipping through to the end. Looking forward to the next in the series.
September 18, 2019
Interesting addition to Napoleonic war stories. The author creates a Napoleonic war version of the British Special Operations Executive (SOE) that carried out operations in occupied France during WWII.
November 19, 2019
Gripped
While reading this I was with all the cast and crew, the details assisted to create a realistic plot and background , very believable, excitement unlimited .
A great read, roll on the next books in series.
While reading this I was with all the cast and crew, the details assisted to create a realistic plot and background , very believable, excitement unlimited .
A great read, roll on the next books in series.
April 2, 2020
Exciting and Interesting
This is a great series! Action, adventure, friendship, family, intrigue, and history combined. I just finished book 6 and am looking forward to book 7.
This is a great series! Action, adventure, friendship, family, intrigue, and history combined. I just finished book 6 and am looking forward to book 7.
July 17, 2020
Good story
The title turned me off a bit to begin with but I like naval stories of this period so decided to read it. I was impressed with the pace and totally enjoyed the story.
The title turned me off a bit to begin with but I like naval stories of this period so decided to read it. I was impressed with the pace and totally enjoyed the story.
July 17, 2021
2.5 stars. The problem with this book and the next three is that there is no real antagonist. The main character never fails, which is boring. Maybe this changes later in the series? I won't stick around to find out.
January 6, 2022
A refreshingly good read
Any follower of Alexander Kent will enjoy this book. A rousing story with just the right amount of humanity that paints a more normalised picture of sea life in the 1700's than the usual dour atmosphere of the lower decks portrayed by many writers.
Any follower of Alexander Kent will enjoy this book. A rousing story with just the right amount of humanity that paints a more normalised picture of sea life in the 1700's than the usual dour atmosphere of the lower decks portrayed by many writers.
January 23, 2022
Don't understand all the praise.
Too simplistic ( is it supposed to be YA?), shallow characters predestrian and predictable. Tedious.
The main character seems to be superman and batman and Hornblower .
Tubbs should have stuck writing games software.
Too simplistic ( is it supposed to be YA?), shallow characters predestrian and predictable. Tedious.
The main character seems to be superman and batman and Hornblower .
Tubbs should have stuck writing games software.
February 13, 2023
At about the 50% progress I'm thinking young Marty should by wearing a cape and expect given his current rate of progress and advancement by book end he'll be a Post Captain with his own frigate and many adventures already experienced.
This is an easy read with simple structure. It stretches way beyond belief the talent Marty has for quickly learning and accomplishing all things nautical as well as his fighting prowess.
I'm giving it a generous 3 stars at this point because it is somewhat entertaining. I doubt I'll continue beyond book #1'
I'm done and done. Moving on. Try it and judge for yourself.
This is an easy read with simple structure. It stretches way beyond belief the talent Marty has for quickly learning and accomplishing all things nautical as well as his fighting prowess.
I'm giving it a generous 3 stars at this point because it is somewhat entertaining. I doubt I'll continue beyond book #1'
I'm done and done. Moving on. Try it and judge for yourself.
July 24, 2023
A vast ye! This be good reading for summer!
I'm impressed that this book and start of the series was very enjoyable and fun to read. I look forward to more adventures and sea actions of this Dorset man. A new fan!
I'm impressed that this book and start of the series was very enjoyable and fun to read. I look forward to more adventures and sea actions of this Dorset man. A new fan!
August 24, 2023
Excellent
Very enjoyable and quick read. The story is a good example of good story telling. I felt connected to the story and already bought the second book in anticipation of reading more.
Very enjoyable and quick read. The story is a good example of good story telling. I felt connected to the story and already bought the second book in anticipation of reading more.
November 29, 2023
Delightful
Not sure why I picked this sea adventure. My normal reading material is sci-fi, fantasy and magic. But something caught my eye and I'm glad! An excellent early naval romp.
Not sure why I picked this sea adventure. My normal reading material is sci-fi, fantasy and magic. But something caught my eye and I'm glad! An excellent early naval romp.
April 22, 2024
Excellent seafront adventure
Exciting action and descriptions of a young man becoming a seaman and strong fighter for the British navy. The characters are well defined in this fast paced story. Can't wait for the installment.
Exciting action and descriptions of a young man becoming a seaman and strong fighter for the British navy. The characters are well defined in this fast paced story. Can't wait for the installment.
July 12, 2024
wonderful yarn
This is a very good book. It is the story of a young boy, who goes to see and has to grow up fast. He turns out to be a naval Superman and I look forward to reading the next dozen or so books in the series
This is a very good book. It is the story of a young boy, who goes to see and has to grow up fast. He turns out to be a naval Superman and I look forward to reading the next dozen or so books in the series
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews