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Draca
'A terrific and compelling story which highlights mental and physical challenges that many who have served will recognise.' General Sir Nick Parker, Commander British Forces Afghanistan 2010 'A cracking, believable yarn made even more authentic by the wonderfully descriptive sailing scenes – and by falling in love with the true heroine, the Bristol Channel pilot cutter Draca.' Ewen Southby-Tailyour OBE, Yachtsman of the Year 1982 ‘Tension release, tension release, fear, laughter, fear, lust, so you don’t notice the tightening of the noose … the story sucks you in and won’t let go' Suzie Wilde, Author of Sea Paths and Obsidian ' A really cracking read about a soldier who attacks his battlefield demons through his passion for sailing - and sadly still needs help' Sir Peter Wall, President of Combat Stress
- GenresFiction
Paperback
Published May 14, 2020
About the author
Geoffrey Gudgion
6 books30 followersGeoffrey Gudgion grew up with his nose in a book, often one featuring knights in armour. A turbulent career including the armed forces and business has now settled into full-time writing. Since the publication of Saxon’s Bane and Draca he has gravitated to the fantasy genre and is the author, as G.N. Gudgion, of the Rune Song trilogy. The first in the series, Hammer of Fate, will be published on 1 June 2023 by Second Sky, an imprint of Bookoutoure/Hachette.
Geoff loves to create stories with complex, conflicted characters that a reader can bleed with, cry for, and perhaps fall in love with; stories with a strong historical slant but where women don’t have to be either beautiful damsels or witches. They live in worlds where you can smell the sweat and the sewers, as well as the roses.
He lives in a leafy corner of England, where he’s a keen amateur equestrian and a very bad pianist. He spends much of his time crafting words in a shed, fifty yards and five hundred years from his house.
Geoff loves to create stories with complex, conflicted characters that a reader can bleed with, cry for, and perhaps fall in love with; stories with a strong historical slant but where women don’t have to be either beautiful damsels or witches. They live in worlds where you can smell the sweat and the sewers, as well as the roses.
He lives in a leafy corner of England, where he’s a keen amateur equestrian and a very bad pianist. He spends much of his time crafting words in a shed, fifty yards and five hundred years from his house.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
August 7, 2020
The Draca is a vintage sailing cutter built in 1905. Her owner is Eddie Ahlquist, an old man dying of cancer. She lies beached at a marine, slowly falling into decay due to the ravages of time as her owner also fails. Eddie’s grandson, Jack, is a former Marine in his Her Majesty’s armed services, who has returned from service in the middle East minus a foot and part of his leg, beset with PTSD, and carrying a load of guilt from the deaths of two of his fellow Marines, one who died with him and one who died trying to rescue him. Jack is the one member of the dysfunctional Alquist family who truly cares for Eddie and he tries to spend as much time with him as possible.
Eddie has earned the epithet ‘Mad Eddie” because of his wild sailing of Draca before he became too ill to continue. He had found a four-foot-long piece of ancient timber carved into the neck and head of a snarling dragon which he made into the figurehead for Draca. The figurehead now sits in his garden and Eddie talks to it when Jack is not around, thinking he sees the outline of a huge, looming figure coming through the trees toward his cottage.
When Eddie dies, Jack inherits Draca as well as his grandfather’s cottage, his diaries, and his library of Viking literature. Jack’s father, an overbearing and greedy man with whom Jack has an adversarial relationship for his entire life, does not understand why Eddie’s estate did not go to him and vows to fight Eddie’s will in court.
Jack moves into the cottage while the will is in probate and, with a suggestion that restoring the Draca might help him with his lasting emotional and physical problems, takes out loans against Eddie’s estate. He immediately dives into the difficult work of bringing Draca back to her original condition. As he does, the serpent figurehead seems to capture his psyche as it had his grandfather’s, and he also sees the looming figure amongst the trees. He is drawn to the figurehead and Draca as if they both have a hold on him.
This is a terrific book on many levels: the struggles of a veteran with physical and emotional baggage for the time of his service; the warped interactions of a family with a bully for a father and husband; Jack’s own crumbling marriage; the exhilaration of sailing, especially on this old, restored schooner; a developing love between Jack and a young woman, George, who runs the boatyard where Draca is moored; and the growing hold of Draca and the figurehead on Jack. There is also interspersed between the chapters excerpts from what is clearly a Viking story, the ‘saga of King Guthrum,’ with a strong indication that the figurehead derives from a Viking ship in the saga and that it is cursed. Will figurehead claim Jack’s life to satisfy the curse?
The characters are wonderfully created. Jack is a finely tuned rendering of a veteran with PTSD, old Eddie is both loveable and frightening in his final madness, and Harry, Jack’s father, is a villain – perhaps a little heavy-handed, but still believable. George is at the same time both incredibly naïve (she doesn’t recognize when Charlotte, Jack’s wife, tries to draw her into a lesbian affair and that left me scratching my head) and equally brave, as she tries to heal Jack and at the end risks her own life to save him in a horrific storm at sea.
As a sailor, all the descriptions of sailing and the rigging and sails of Draca, especially at sea and in the wind, were both familiar and exciting. This might not be so for someone who has never sailed, although I believe any reader can loosely follow the action. Having the drawing of Draca for reference was a good help.
In short, this is a rollicking tale, both down to earth and also unearthly, combining many elements into a fine story. I strongly recommend it.
Eddie has earned the epithet ‘Mad Eddie” because of his wild sailing of Draca before he became too ill to continue. He had found a four-foot-long piece of ancient timber carved into the neck and head of a snarling dragon which he made into the figurehead for Draca. The figurehead now sits in his garden and Eddie talks to it when Jack is not around, thinking he sees the outline of a huge, looming figure coming through the trees toward his cottage.
When Eddie dies, Jack inherits Draca as well as his grandfather’s cottage, his diaries, and his library of Viking literature. Jack’s father, an overbearing and greedy man with whom Jack has an adversarial relationship for his entire life, does not understand why Eddie’s estate did not go to him and vows to fight Eddie’s will in court.
Jack moves into the cottage while the will is in probate and, with a suggestion that restoring the Draca might help him with his lasting emotional and physical problems, takes out loans against Eddie’s estate. He immediately dives into the difficult work of bringing Draca back to her original condition. As he does, the serpent figurehead seems to capture his psyche as it had his grandfather’s, and he also sees the looming figure amongst the trees. He is drawn to the figurehead and Draca as if they both have a hold on him.
This is a terrific book on many levels: the struggles of a veteran with physical and emotional baggage for the time of his service; the warped interactions of a family with a bully for a father and husband; Jack’s own crumbling marriage; the exhilaration of sailing, especially on this old, restored schooner; a developing love between Jack and a young woman, George, who runs the boatyard where Draca is moored; and the growing hold of Draca and the figurehead on Jack. There is also interspersed between the chapters excerpts from what is clearly a Viking story, the ‘saga of King Guthrum,’ with a strong indication that the figurehead derives from a Viking ship in the saga and that it is cursed. Will figurehead claim Jack’s life to satisfy the curse?
The characters are wonderfully created. Jack is a finely tuned rendering of a veteran with PTSD, old Eddie is both loveable and frightening in his final madness, and Harry, Jack’s father, is a villain – perhaps a little heavy-handed, but still believable. George is at the same time both incredibly naïve (she doesn’t recognize when Charlotte, Jack’s wife, tries to draw her into a lesbian affair and that left me scratching my head) and equally brave, as she tries to heal Jack and at the end risks her own life to save him in a horrific storm at sea.
As a sailor, all the descriptions of sailing and the rigging and sails of Draca, especially at sea and in the wind, were both familiar and exciting. This might not be so for someone who has never sailed, although I believe any reader can loosely follow the action. Having the drawing of Draca for reference was a good help.
In short, this is a rollicking tale, both down to earth and also unearthly, combining many elements into a fine story. I strongly recommend it.
June 1, 2020
Received an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for a fair review
A gripping story featuring a fascinating wounded hero, “Draca”, by Geoffrey Gudgion (Unbound), revolves around a haunted boat, troubled family bonds and a slow-paced, thoughtfully written romantic relationship.
Jack is a brooding wounded warrior, with a compelling Beta dimension that adds layers to his complex characterization. We have the broken former Royal Marine going through a tough process of physical and mental recovery, that involves a life-altering injury and PTSD, among other issues, the tender and devoted grand-son and the unexpected man and lover revealed in the relationship with the heroine (George).
George is a captivating heroine, too, refreshingly different. The healing powers and the psychic dimensions are well written and feel… realistic.
The Viking sagas, Draca’s dragon tale and the nautical universe were less compelling to me, although the fantasy world is crucial to the story and well rendered.
Great side characters – Harry is one of the most obnoxious characters I’ve read recently, his blind stubbornness and callousness superbly written – and great writing style.
A gripping story featuring a fascinating wounded hero, “Draca”, by Geoffrey Gudgion (Unbound), revolves around a haunted boat, troubled family bonds and a slow-paced, thoughtfully written romantic relationship.
Jack is a brooding wounded warrior, with a compelling Beta dimension that adds layers to his complex characterization. We have the broken former Royal Marine going through a tough process of physical and mental recovery, that involves a life-altering injury and PTSD, among other issues, the tender and devoted grand-son and the unexpected man and lover revealed in the relationship with the heroine (George).
George is a captivating heroine, too, refreshingly different. The healing powers and the psychic dimensions are well written and feel… realistic.
The Viking sagas, Draca’s dragon tale and the nautical universe were less compelling to me, although the fantasy world is crucial to the story and well rendered.
Great side characters – Harry is one of the most obnoxious characters I’ve read recently, his blind stubbornness and callousness superbly written – and great writing style.
August 2, 2020
Draca is a book I would not normally read and I almost didn’t. But I’m so glad I did. This spooky tale kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. The writing was excellent and the author’s sailing knowledge shines, so much so that I’ve realised I would love to sail only if I can lounge on deck with a book and a cocktail! The characters are very strong, some very likeable and some utterly detestable. I will be recommending this book to all.
Thanks to Pigeonhole and Geoffrey for the opportunity to read this and I hope to read more by this author.
Thanks to Pigeonhole and Geoffrey for the opportunity to read this and I hope to read more by this author.
July 22, 2020
Beautiful, eerie, and enthralling I write this review as a member of Rosie’s Book Review Team, and I freely chose to review an ARC copy of this novel. I didn’t know Geoffrey Gudgion before I read this novel, but the description and the cover called me (a bit worrying when I think about it after finishing the book), and my reward was a fantastic read that combines many elements likely to interest a large variety of readers. Draca, the vessel of the title, is a haunting presence throughout the book. Old Eddie, its owner, was fascinated by old Norse mythology and his Viking heritage, and there are fragments from the Saga of King Guthrum (c a AD 875) heading each new chapter and telling a fascinating story of the Vikings’ incursions into Britain and their battles with the Saxons. This mythological background and the story of King Guthrum and his son Jarl Harald moves apace with the adventures of Draca and Jack, Eddie’s grandson and new owner of the sailing cutter. There are adventures that will delight those who love sailing (but also those who don’t. I haven’t done any proper sailing but have a soft spot for books and movies set at sea, and I’m sure I’m not the only one. Let me clarify that although there is ample evidence of knowledge and research on the topic of sailing, no expertise is required to enjoy the novel). The characters and especially the relationship between the male members of the Ahlquist family, make for fascinating reading, as we have parents and sons of different generations with complex love-hate relationships, and they relive their conflicts on and off the ship. Other themes are also explored and add to the overall interest of the novel: Jack, the main protagonist of the story, was a decorated Royal Marine who was severely wounded during the war, and now suffers from PTSD and is finding it difficult to adjust to civilian life. His flashbacks and his account of his experiences are realistic and compelling (not surprising when we take into account the author’s background), and it makes him a particularly sympathetic character. We also have romance (although the two characters seemed made for each other from the beginning, and I’m sure most readers will enjoy it, considering the background of both characters it seemed a bit too perfect for me, especially if readers are expecting a standard horror story); a woman with a gift for healing and for sensing things about people; and a paranormal element that I felt worked very well. I think the description offers more than enough information about the plot, and I want to avoid spoilers. I think this novel cuts across a few genres. There are very realistic elements, in particular those depicting the psychological state of the characters, PTSD and obsession; there are also mythological and fantastical elements; paranormal/horror elements; sailing adventures; family relationships (a family saga, to a point); and a romance (there is some sex, but it is pretty mild and not very explicit, and people who follow my review know I don’t like erotica, so…). If I had to choose, I enjoyed the mythological/fantastical aspects of the story, the sailing adventure, and the realistic aspects, especially the relationship between the men, the most. I have mentioned some of the characters already. The story is narrated in the third person, each chapter usually following the point of view of one of the main characters (Harry, Old Eddie’s son and Jack’s father, not a particularly likeable character and not somebody who evolves much during the novel, but he is not all bad either; Jack; and George, the main female character, who runs the boatyard and seems to combine characteristics of the caring female who would do anything for her man, with an independent and wise woman who tries hard to keep trouble at bay), interspersed with the Saga of King Guthrum and also, especially at the beginning, with fragments of Eddie’s diary, which help us understand more about the man and about Draca. We also meet Charlotte (Charlie), Jack’s wife, who is a very intriguing character, but her story is not developed in a lot of detail (and we don’t see things from her point of view), not is that of Jack’s mother, who seems to be an old-fashioned housewife and hardly has a voice of her own. We don’t see enough of Tilly, Jack’s sister, for her to play a part in the story (other than being a hindrance at times). The writing is excellent. There are beautiful descriptions of sailing, not only of the act of sailing but also of the emotions it creates, and as I’ve said already, the psychological experiences of the characters, particularly of Jack are rendered in such a way that we can’t help but feel as if we were there, sharing in his anguish and feelings. There are lyrical passages that made me reread them again, and this is a book that combines an absorbing story that makes you keep turning the pages with a style of writing that demands to be savoured an enjoyed. I’ve highlighted many fragments, but I thought I’d share a couple to give you some idea of what to expect: When the tide was just on the ebb it sucked at the beach below the cottage, a soft susurration at the limit of hearing. In the pre-dawn darkness it sounded like whispering, so human that he strained to distinguish the words. Draca was a bit like some men she’d met who were handsome on the outside and dangerous on the inside. In that way, Draca was the opposite of Jack. He was dangerous on the outside but probably dead gentle on the inside, like he was wearing a suit of armour, or a shell, like a crab. The ending… I think the author has managed to pull quite a trick there, because all the different elements come to a satisfactory ending (no, I’m not saying happy), and I enjoyed it, for sure. And it does not leave us hanging, so people who don’t appreciate cliff-hangers don’t need to worry… much. The author mentions his sources (people and books) in his acknowledgments, and I was particularly happy to learn about Unbound, the first crowdfunding publisher, which made the book possible. The book also includes a list of supporters and patrons, and I will try to keep track of their future projects. In brief, a great read, that I’d recommend to people interested in male family relationships, PTSD, and who don’t mind a touch of the paranormal and romance. Fans of sailing stories and those who love Norse mythology and Old Saxon history will enjoy it even more. There are some chilling and eerie moments, but the horror, such as it is, is mostly psychological, so this should not put off people who usually avoid the genre. I won’t forget Draca in a long time, and I’m sure if you read it you won’t, either.
August 2, 2020
Well, I should start by saying that this is definitely a book that I wouldn't normally have picked up. I'm glad I did because it turned out to be a very enjoyable read!
It was a tense and gripping read, with the added bonus of some family drama and spooky moments! It had me hooked from the start.
Geoffrey did an amazing job describing the scenes, which really made you feel like you were experiencing them with the characters!
I loved our troubled hero, Jack who's troubles really made him a relatable character. I loved George too, who never gave up on what she wanted! But as with all stories there were characters I really didn't care for. They were awful and there were a few times when I really wanted to reach into the book and give them a good slap! Honestly I don't think I've ever come across a character who deemed themselve to be so entitled! That being said, one of these characters atleast redeemed themselves a little towards the end of the book!
I loved that the book touched on the topic of PTSD and how it can affect people in different ways.
I will admit that some of the boating terms went over my head, but it really didn't take away from the overall experience of reading the book.
The Vikings theme of the book was also quite fascinating! The resesrch done into this was clearly very well done!
Thank you to Pigeonhole and Geoffrey Gudgion for the chance to read this book! And also to my fellow Pigeonholers for making this another fun read!
It was a tense and gripping read, with the added bonus of some family drama and spooky moments! It had me hooked from the start.
Geoffrey did an amazing job describing the scenes, which really made you feel like you were experiencing them with the characters!
I loved our troubled hero, Jack who's troubles really made him a relatable character. I loved George too, who never gave up on what she wanted! But as with all stories there were characters I really didn't care for. They were awful and there were a few times when I really wanted to reach into the book and give them a good slap! Honestly I don't think I've ever come across a character who deemed themselve to be so entitled! That being said, one of these characters atleast redeemed themselves a little towards the end of the book!
I loved that the book touched on the topic of PTSD and how it can affect people in different ways.
I will admit that some of the boating terms went over my head, but it really didn't take away from the overall experience of reading the book.
The Vikings theme of the book was also quite fascinating! The resesrch done into this was clearly very well done!
Thank you to Pigeonhole and Geoffrey Gudgion for the chance to read this book! And also to my fellow Pigeonholers for making this another fun read!
August 4, 2020
From the first moment I started reading Draca I was enthralled by the main characters Eddie, Harry and Jack Ahlquist and why there was so much bitterness between them. Draca a beautiful 100 year old sailing boat belongs to Grandpa Eddie who is fascinated by Old Norse mythology and his Viking heritage. On his death, he leaves Draca to his grandson Jack, a decorated war hero who has been medically discharged from the Marines and who is suffering from PTSD. Eddie’s Will causes a rift between father and son, Harry and Jack, who had already been estranged before the death of Eddie. The story unfolds with Jack spending all his time obsessively renovating Draca so that he can sail her once again in his quest to find a new purpose and to follow in his Grandfather’s footsteps. I particularly enjoyed the mythical aspects of the story with excerpts from the saga of King Guthrum which are fascinating. Heartache, courage, PTSD, loss, romance and mythology wrapped up in one brilliant story. Thank you Pigeonhole for the opportunity to read this mind blowing book and my thanks to Geoffrey Gudgion for reading along with us and for all his helpful comments on the way. 5 stars from me.
August 2, 2020
I was given the opportunity to read this via The Pigeonhole and am glad I did.
Jack’s grandad dies at the start of the book and leaves him everything, including a sailing boat; Draca. Jack has recently left the Marines and is not very happily married. He turns to restoring the boat, but a dragon figurehead his grandfather had seems to be housing malevolent spirits.
This is a complicated book to categorise. There’s an element of history, a kind of ghost story, some family drama and some romance. It’s well written and contains some moments of extremely high drama. It’s good on exploring the impact of PTSD and the characters are well drawn, allowing the reader to empathise with the hero.
A good read.
Jack’s grandad dies at the start of the book and leaves him everything, including a sailing boat; Draca. Jack has recently left the Marines and is not very happily married. He turns to restoring the boat, but a dragon figurehead his grandfather had seems to be housing malevolent spirits.
This is a complicated book to categorise. There’s an element of history, a kind of ghost story, some family drama and some romance. It’s well written and contains some moments of extremely high drama. It’s good on exploring the impact of PTSD and the characters are well drawn, allowing the reader to empathise with the hero.
A good read.
August 2, 2020
Well written and well researched, Geoff combines past and present, fantasy and fact in this story of men, dragons and boats.
Jack inherits Draca, his grandfather's wooden boat. Relationships don't work for him, following his time as a Royal Marine. He suffers physically and mentally, and pushes people away. Draca seems to help his healing, but exerts something of a spell over him, especially the carved dragon his grandfather mounted as a figurehead.
I enjoyed all the nautical terms and sailing stories, as well as the well drawn and rounded characters, especially those you love to hate. I held my breath and experienced some of the rough seas as I read this thoroughly enjoyable book. Thanks to Pigeonhole and Geoff Gudgion. I will be reading more of your books.
Jack inherits Draca, his grandfather's wooden boat. Relationships don't work for him, following his time as a Royal Marine. He suffers physically and mentally, and pushes people away. Draca seems to help his healing, but exerts something of a spell over him, especially the carved dragon his grandfather mounted as a figurehead.
I enjoyed all the nautical terms and sailing stories, as well as the well drawn and rounded characters, especially those you love to hate. I held my breath and experienced some of the rough seas as I read this thoroughly enjoyable book. Thanks to Pigeonhole and Geoff Gudgion. I will be reading more of your books.
August 20, 2020
A novel that is difficult to pigeon-hole, with aspects of several genres, fused together in a fine tale of Jack, a war-damaged ex-marine, trying to come to terms with a failing marriage, a broken family, the possibility of a new love, all told against the backdrop of his attempt to resurrect his late grandfather's old yacht, Draca, and the Viking history that haunts it.
The story is told from different points of view, and really surges when Jack is front and centre. The short snippets of Viking history, and from the pages of his grandfather's journal, work well, teasing the reader with further hints of the yacht's backstory, and the sailing terminology is beautifully woven in.
You can see the climax coming, but that doesn't detract from how it is written - the last 50-60 or so pages are gripping, and more importantly, the ending feels just right. A fine read indeed.
The story is told from different points of view, and really surges when Jack is front and centre. The short snippets of Viking history, and from the pages of his grandfather's journal, work well, teasing the reader with further hints of the yacht's backstory, and the sailing terminology is beautifully woven in.
You can see the climax coming, but that doesn't detract from how it is written - the last 50-60 or so pages are gripping, and more importantly, the ending feels just right. A fine read indeed.
August 5, 2020
Draca is a gripping, fast paced thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat the whole way through. A varied cast of characters with complex relationships and intriguing stories of their own. I will admit that many of the boating terms went straight over my head but It did not spoil my experience at all. This book is not your average thriller. There were plenty of spooky moments woven throughout, which I loved whilst also dealing with complex issues such as PTSD. This was a great read and I look forward to reading more by this author
September 3, 2020
Draca is a wonderful tale that combines many different elements and weaves them together to make a satisfying story; not an easy book to categorize so it will have wide appeal. I started reading Draca on the Pigeonhole app and got so engrossed, I requested it from Rosie’s Book Review Team list as well.
Jack is a former officer in the Royal Marines with PTSD, and a life-altering injury, trying to get his life back on an even keel. He was close to his grandfather, Eddie, who has recently died and left most of his estate to Jack. To say this does not go down well with Jack’s father, Harry, and his sister, Tilly, would be an understatement. Their mercenary attitude and sense of entitlement beggars belief especially as they had not cared much about Eddie when he was alive.
Add to this Jack’s faltering marriage to Charlotte, the rift between him and his family, and his embryonic relationship with George and you have the makings of a real page-turner. Told in the third person from the points of view of Jack, Harry and George we can see the story from all angles.
Interspersed with the narrative are extracts from Eddie’s diaries and the Norse Saga of King Guthrum which help to explain Eddie’s weird behaviour in the months before his death. The history of the Saxons and Vikings is not something I know much about, but I am now interested in finding out more. The supernatural element is done with a light touch and seemed perfectly plausible; at times Draca does seem to be a malign influence with a mind of her own.
I loved reading about the sailing without actually having to get on a boat – it’s not something I would ever be brave enough to do, especially as I get really seasick. I don’t think it matters if you understand sailing terminology or not, when Jack takes the vintage sailing cutter out on the open sea, the writing is thrilling and you can almost feel the spray on your face.
This is not the sort of book I would normally read, but I’m so glad I did. Beautifully written and well researched, with fully fleshed out characters, some sympathetic and others not, I thoroughly recommend that you give Draca a try.
Thanks to Geoffrey Gudgion and Unbound for a copy that I review as a member of Rosie’s Book Review Team #RBRT
Jack is a former officer in the Royal Marines with PTSD, and a life-altering injury, trying to get his life back on an even keel. He was close to his grandfather, Eddie, who has recently died and left most of his estate to Jack. To say this does not go down well with Jack’s father, Harry, and his sister, Tilly, would be an understatement. Their mercenary attitude and sense of entitlement beggars belief especially as they had not cared much about Eddie when he was alive.
Add to this Jack’s faltering marriage to Charlotte, the rift between him and his family, and his embryonic relationship with George and you have the makings of a real page-turner. Told in the third person from the points of view of Jack, Harry and George we can see the story from all angles.
Interspersed with the narrative are extracts from Eddie’s diaries and the Norse Saga of King Guthrum which help to explain Eddie’s weird behaviour in the months before his death. The history of the Saxons and Vikings is not something I know much about, but I am now interested in finding out more. The supernatural element is done with a light touch and seemed perfectly plausible; at times Draca does seem to be a malign influence with a mind of her own.
I loved reading about the sailing without actually having to get on a boat – it’s not something I would ever be brave enough to do, especially as I get really seasick. I don’t think it matters if you understand sailing terminology or not, when Jack takes the vintage sailing cutter out on the open sea, the writing is thrilling and you can almost feel the spray on your face.
This is not the sort of book I would normally read, but I’m so glad I did. Beautifully written and well researched, with fully fleshed out characters, some sympathetic and others not, I thoroughly recommend that you give Draca a try.
Thanks to Geoffrey Gudgion and Unbound for a copy that I review as a member of Rosie’s Book Review Team #RBRT
August 11, 2020
It's a love story,a family saga, a Viking saga and a tale of a man coming to terms with his new normal
May 14, 2020
Draca is the story of Jack, a veteran haunted by his service in Afghanistan. It is the story of George, born with a caul and able to see things that others can’t. And it is the story of an old sailing cutter that seems to have a life of its own. There is a great sense of atmosphere and intrigue in this book right from the beginning. Jack inherits a broken down boat from his late grandfather, Eddie and it is clear that something isn’t quite right. Eddie’s ravings of warriors before his death, the suggestion of a figure in the mist, the uncomfortable feelings the ship’s dragon figurehead inspires, all build a feeling of eerie suspense. From the start, the book cleverly weaves myth and magic into the story.
But the book isn’t just a thriller. There are complex characters, with complex relationships: we witness Jack’s challenging relationship with his father and the falling apart of his marriage. Meanwhile, George, the manager of the boatyard in which Draca is restored, deals with her own insecurities and the complications of seeing people in colours. The relationships and back stories of the characters gives the book many more layers than an ordinary thriller.
As Jack restores the old cutter and begins to sail it, the story unfolds. The book has the pace of a good old-fashioned thriller, with plenty of page-turning action. The magical elements are completely believable and add a frisson to the action. It isn’t clear whether the story will end in doom or redemption, but you will find it hard to tear yourself away from the book until you’ve found out! This is not a run-of-the-mill thriller. The book considers more serious issues such as PTSD. At the same time, it is a fantastic voyage of escapism that will make you shiver with suspense and keep you on the edge of your seat!
But the book isn’t just a thriller. There are complex characters, with complex relationships: we witness Jack’s challenging relationship with his father and the falling apart of his marriage. Meanwhile, George, the manager of the boatyard in which Draca is restored, deals with her own insecurities and the complications of seeing people in colours. The relationships and back stories of the characters gives the book many more layers than an ordinary thriller.
As Jack restores the old cutter and begins to sail it, the story unfolds. The book has the pace of a good old-fashioned thriller, with plenty of page-turning action. The magical elements are completely believable and add a frisson to the action. It isn’t clear whether the story will end in doom or redemption, but you will find it hard to tear yourself away from the book until you’ve found out! This is not a run-of-the-mill thriller. The book considers more serious issues such as PTSD. At the same time, it is a fantastic voyage of escapism that will make you shiver with suspense and keep you on the edge of your seat!
July 22, 2020
I write this review as a member of Rosie’s Book Review Team, and I freely chose to review an ARC copy of this novel.
I didn’t know Geoffrey Gudgion before I read this novel, but the description and the cover called me (a bit worrying when I think about it after finishing the book), and my reward was a fantastic read that combines many elements likely to interest a large variety of readers. Draca, the vessel of the title, is a haunting presence throughout the book. Old Eddie, its owner, was fascinated by old Norse mythology and his Viking heritage, and there are fragments from the Saga of King Guthrum (c a AD 875) heading each new chapter and telling a fascinating story of the Vikings’ incursions into Britain and their battles with the Saxons. This mythological background and the story of King Guthrum and his son Jarl Harald moves apace with the adventures of Draca and Jack, Eddie’s grandson and new owner of the sailing cutter. There are adventures that will delight those who love sailing (but also those who don’t. I haven’t done any proper sailing but have a soft spot for books and movies set at sea, and I’m sure I’m not the only one. Let me clarify that although there is ample evidence of knowledge and research on the topic of sailing, no expertise is required to enjoy the novel). The characters, and especially the relationship between the male members of the Ahlquist fmaily, make for fascinating reading, as we have parents and sons of different generations with complex love-hate relationships, and they relive their conflicts on and off the ship.
Other themes are also explored and add to the overall interest of the novel: Jack, the main protagonist of the story, was a decorated Royal Marine who was severely wounded during the war, and now suffers from PTSD and is finding it difficult to adjust to civilian life. His flashbacks and his account of his experiences are realistic and compelling (not surprising when we take into account the author’s background), and it makes him a particularly sympathetic character. We also have romance (although the two characters seemed made for each other from the beginning, and I’m sure most readers will enjoy it, considering the background of both characters it seemed a bit too perfect for me, especially if readers are expecting a standard horror story); a woman with a gift for healing and for sensing things about people; and a paranormal element that I felt worked very well.
I think the description offers more than enough information about the plot, and I want to avoid spoilers. I think this novel cuts across a few genres. There are very realistic elements, in particular those depicting the psychological state of the characters, PTSD and obsession; there are also mythological and fantastical elements; paranormal/horror elements; sailing adventures; family relationships (a family saga, to a point); and a romance (there is some sex, but it is pretty mild and not very explicit, and people who follow my review know I don’t like erotica, so…). If I had to choose, I enjoyed the mythological/fantastical aspects of the story, the sailing adventure, and the realistic aspects, especially the relationship between the men, the most.
I have mentioned some of the characters already. The story is narrated in the third person, each chapter usually following the point of view of one of the main characters (Harry, Old Eddie’s son and Jack’s father, not a particularly likeable character and not somebody who evolves much during the novel, but he is not all bad either; Jack; and George, the main female character, who runs the boatyard and seems to combine characteristics of the caring female who would do anything for her man, with an independent and wise woman who tries hard to keep trouble at bay), interspersed with the Saga of King Guthrum and also, especially at the beginning, with fragments of Eddie’s diary, which help us understand more about the man and about Draca. We also meet Charlotte (Charlie), Jack’s wife, who is a very intriguing character, but her story is not developed in a lot of detail (and we don’t see things from her point of view), not is that of Jack’s mother, who seems to be an old-fashioned housewife and hardly has a voice of her own. We don’t see enough of Tilly, Jack’s sister, for her to play a part in the story (other than being a hindrance at times).
The writing is excellent. There are beautiful descriptions of sailing, not only of the act of sailing but also of the emotions it creates, and as I’ve said already, the psychological experiences of the characters, particularly of Jack are rendered in such a way that we can’t help but feel as if we were there, sharing in his anguish and feelings. There are lyrical passages that made me reread them again, and this is a book that combines an absorbing story that makes you keep turning the pages with a style of writing that demands to be savoured an enjoyed. I’ve highlighted many fragments, but I thought I’d share a couple to give you some idea of what to expect:
When the tide was just on the ebb it sucked at the beach below the cottage, a soft susurration at the limit of hearing. In the pre-dawn darkness it sounded like whispering, so human that he strained to distinguish the words.
Draca was a bit like some men she’d met who were handsome on the outside and dangerous on the inside. In that way, Draca was the opposite of Jack. He was dangerous on the outside but probably dead gentle on the inside, like he was wearing a suit of armour, or a shell, like a crab.
The ending… I think the author has managed to pull quite a trick there, because all the different elements come to a satisfactory ending (no, I’m not saying happy), and I enjoyed it, for sure. And it does not leave us hanging, so people who don’t appreciate cliff-hangers don’t need to worry… much.
The author mentions his sources (people and books) in his acknowledgments, and I was particularly happy to learn about Unbound, the first crowdfunding publisher, which made the book possible. The book also includes a list of supporters and patrons, and I will try to keep track of their future projects.
In brief, a great read, that I’d recommend to people interested in male family relationships, PTSD, and who don’t mind a touch of the paranormal and romance. Fans of sailing stories and those who love Norse mythology and Old Saxon history will enjoy it even more. There are some chilling and eerie moments, but the horror, such as it is, is mostly psychological, so this should not put off people who usually avoid the genre. I won’t forget Draca in a long time, and I’m sure if you read it you won’t, either.
I didn’t know Geoffrey Gudgion before I read this novel, but the description and the cover called me (a bit worrying when I think about it after finishing the book), and my reward was a fantastic read that combines many elements likely to interest a large variety of readers. Draca, the vessel of the title, is a haunting presence throughout the book. Old Eddie, its owner, was fascinated by old Norse mythology and his Viking heritage, and there are fragments from the Saga of King Guthrum (c a AD 875) heading each new chapter and telling a fascinating story of the Vikings’ incursions into Britain and their battles with the Saxons. This mythological background and the story of King Guthrum and his son Jarl Harald moves apace with the adventures of Draca and Jack, Eddie’s grandson and new owner of the sailing cutter. There are adventures that will delight those who love sailing (but also those who don’t. I haven’t done any proper sailing but have a soft spot for books and movies set at sea, and I’m sure I’m not the only one. Let me clarify that although there is ample evidence of knowledge and research on the topic of sailing, no expertise is required to enjoy the novel). The characters, and especially the relationship between the male members of the Ahlquist fmaily, make for fascinating reading, as we have parents and sons of different generations with complex love-hate relationships, and they relive their conflicts on and off the ship.
Other themes are also explored and add to the overall interest of the novel: Jack, the main protagonist of the story, was a decorated Royal Marine who was severely wounded during the war, and now suffers from PTSD and is finding it difficult to adjust to civilian life. His flashbacks and his account of his experiences are realistic and compelling (not surprising when we take into account the author’s background), and it makes him a particularly sympathetic character. We also have romance (although the two characters seemed made for each other from the beginning, and I’m sure most readers will enjoy it, considering the background of both characters it seemed a bit too perfect for me, especially if readers are expecting a standard horror story); a woman with a gift for healing and for sensing things about people; and a paranormal element that I felt worked very well.
I think the description offers more than enough information about the plot, and I want to avoid spoilers. I think this novel cuts across a few genres. There are very realistic elements, in particular those depicting the psychological state of the characters, PTSD and obsession; there are also mythological and fantastical elements; paranormal/horror elements; sailing adventures; family relationships (a family saga, to a point); and a romance (there is some sex, but it is pretty mild and not very explicit, and people who follow my review know I don’t like erotica, so…). If I had to choose, I enjoyed the mythological/fantastical aspects of the story, the sailing adventure, and the realistic aspects, especially the relationship between the men, the most.
I have mentioned some of the characters already. The story is narrated in the third person, each chapter usually following the point of view of one of the main characters (Harry, Old Eddie’s son and Jack’s father, not a particularly likeable character and not somebody who evolves much during the novel, but he is not all bad either; Jack; and George, the main female character, who runs the boatyard and seems to combine characteristics of the caring female who would do anything for her man, with an independent and wise woman who tries hard to keep trouble at bay), interspersed with the Saga of King Guthrum and also, especially at the beginning, with fragments of Eddie’s diary, which help us understand more about the man and about Draca. We also meet Charlotte (Charlie), Jack’s wife, who is a very intriguing character, but her story is not developed in a lot of detail (and we don’t see things from her point of view), not is that of Jack’s mother, who seems to be an old-fashioned housewife and hardly has a voice of her own. We don’t see enough of Tilly, Jack’s sister, for her to play a part in the story (other than being a hindrance at times).
The writing is excellent. There are beautiful descriptions of sailing, not only of the act of sailing but also of the emotions it creates, and as I’ve said already, the psychological experiences of the characters, particularly of Jack are rendered in such a way that we can’t help but feel as if we were there, sharing in his anguish and feelings. There are lyrical passages that made me reread them again, and this is a book that combines an absorbing story that makes you keep turning the pages with a style of writing that demands to be savoured an enjoyed. I’ve highlighted many fragments, but I thought I’d share a couple to give you some idea of what to expect:
When the tide was just on the ebb it sucked at the beach below the cottage, a soft susurration at the limit of hearing. In the pre-dawn darkness it sounded like whispering, so human that he strained to distinguish the words.
Draca was a bit like some men she’d met who were handsome on the outside and dangerous on the inside. In that way, Draca was the opposite of Jack. He was dangerous on the outside but probably dead gentle on the inside, like he was wearing a suit of armour, or a shell, like a crab.
The ending… I think the author has managed to pull quite a trick there, because all the different elements come to a satisfactory ending (no, I’m not saying happy), and I enjoyed it, for sure. And it does not leave us hanging, so people who don’t appreciate cliff-hangers don’t need to worry… much.
The author mentions his sources (people and books) in his acknowledgments, and I was particularly happy to learn about Unbound, the first crowdfunding publisher, which made the book possible. The book also includes a list of supporters and patrons, and I will try to keep track of their future projects.
In brief, a great read, that I’d recommend to people interested in male family relationships, PTSD, and who don’t mind a touch of the paranormal and romance. Fans of sailing stories and those who love Norse mythology and Old Saxon history will enjoy it even more. There are some chilling and eerie moments, but the horror, such as it is, is mostly psychological, so this should not put off people who usually avoid the genre. I won’t forget Draca in a long time, and I’m sure if you read it you won’t, either.
July 29, 2020
Geoffrey Gudgion’s second novel Draca is as excellent as his first novel Saxon’s Bane, which reached No. 1 in Kindle’s ‘Ghost’ category. To quote General Sir Peter Wall, President of Combat Stress, Draca is ‘A really cracking read about a soldier who attacks his battlefield demons through his passion for sailing – and sadly still needs help’.
I love the way the author manages to weave Viking mythology, history, and the paranormal into a thoroughly contemporary story. He’s so good at in-depth characterisation, without ever slowing down the pace and forward momentum of his writing.
The story is told from three viewpoints: the main protagonist PTSD-sufferer Jack, his father Harry with whom Jack has a fractured relationship, and love-interest Georgia (George) Fenton who works at the boatyard and is psychic. Interspersed between these chapters are excerpts from the diary of Jack’s deceased grandfather Edvard Ahlquist (Old Eddie), who has bequeathed his entire estate to his grandson, and excerpts from the 9th Century Viking Saga of King Guthrum. The estate includes Draca, a cutter (circa 1905), whose figurehead is a Viking dragon which George believes is possessed by an evil entity that latterly drove Old Eddie mad, and now means to drive Jack mad.
In places, this story really made my spine tingle, and I was right behind George in wanting to knock sense into Jack before it was too late.
This novel is a highly recommended read that will have you sitting at the edge of your seat. Even if you don’t know much about boats and sailing at the beginning of this novel, you’ll end up learning a great deal about the subject. But one word of advice – if you decide to take it up as a sport, don’t ever be tempted to adorn it with a Viking figurehead!
August 2, 2020
4.5/5 - very well-written, imaginative, multi-layered tale with references to Old Norse mythology ‘saga of King Guthrum’ accompanying each chapter & cleverly interwoven into the main plot. Wonderful characterisation and each personality convincingly came to its own. The story centred around 'Draca' a vintage sailing cutter with a dark past. Trouble started with the finding of an old Viking wooden carving of a dragon which seemed to have an energy & will of its own. Jack the main character, inherited 'Draca' and the wood carving at the time when his life lost direction and purpose. He was recently discharged from the armed forces, suffering from PTSD and adjusting to physical and mental challenges from the experiences encountered during active service. His marriage was unravelling and his relationship with his dysfunctional family was far from supportive of his conditions. Restoring 'Draca' gave Jack a renewed sense of purpose but there was something sinister about its pull. The description of the sea, the walls of waves, the gusty wind, the breakers and all the perils of open ocean was so realistic. For someone who had never sailed, I rode the waves, felt the wind & sea spray, swayed and fought the elements along side Jack. It was exhilarating and hard to put down. There was also a small surprise -a twist at the end, to let us continue to imagine.
May 13, 2020
Old Eddie was fascinated by Viking culture and when he dies of cancer, his grandson, Jack, decides to restore Eddie’s beloved boat, Draca.
Jack is suffering from PTSD after his experiences in Afghanistan that left him damaged physically and psychologically. He is at odds with his father, Harry and his marriage to Charlotte is struggling too. He meets George, at the boatyard and she sees more than people know and has serious worries about Jack and Draca.
Will Jack give Eddie the send off he wanted, or is he on a different path?
This is a story of grief, not only that for lost family but of friends and the past. It deals with the stresses suffered by those in the armed forces, all set against the atmospheric sea and sailing. Beautifully descriptive, full of tension but with an emotional heart. A stunning read.
Thank you to Anne Cater and Random Things Tours for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour, for the promotional materials and my thanks to Geoffrey Gudgion for an eARC of the book. This is my honest, unbiased review.
Jack is suffering from PTSD after his experiences in Afghanistan that left him damaged physically and psychologically. He is at odds with his father, Harry and his marriage to Charlotte is struggling too. He meets George, at the boatyard and she sees more than people know and has serious worries about Jack and Draca.
Will Jack give Eddie the send off he wanted, or is he on a different path?
This is a story of grief, not only that for lost family but of friends and the past. It deals with the stresses suffered by those in the armed forces, all set against the atmospheric sea and sailing. Beautifully descriptive, full of tension but with an emotional heart. A stunning read.
Thank you to Anne Cater and Random Things Tours for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour, for the promotional materials and my thanks to Geoffrey Gudgion for an eARC of the book. This is my honest, unbiased review.
July 31, 2020
It's always a sign of a good book when you don't want to put it down and can't wait to pick it up again! The further I got into Draca, the more I wanted to explore the story.
Like all good authors, Geoffrey Gudgion took us straight into the conflict. One of the ways he did this, and did it very well, was to take the reader by surprise when talking about the main character, jack's dreadful war experiences. That echoed the utter shock that Jack would have felt at the time. I also thought the characterisation of Jack and his father, Harry, was well drawn. However, I didn't think it was as easy to get to know Charlotte and George. For example, as Jack is clearly heterosexual, why did he get together with and marry Charlotte in the first place? I thought the plotting, suspense and balance were well handled throughout.
As someone who has only sailed once, I found it helpful to have the boat's drawing at the beginning, showing the different technical terms. Also - and having experienced an authors' debate about this at the Institute of Historical Research in London - although I don't usually like foot notes in a work of fiction, in this case, it was necessary and worked well.
A good and unusual read.
Pamela Mann
Like all good authors, Geoffrey Gudgion took us straight into the conflict. One of the ways he did this, and did it very well, was to take the reader by surprise when talking about the main character, jack's dreadful war experiences. That echoed the utter shock that Jack would have felt at the time. I also thought the characterisation of Jack and his father, Harry, was well drawn. However, I didn't think it was as easy to get to know Charlotte and George. For example, as Jack is clearly heterosexual, why did he get together with and marry Charlotte in the first place? I thought the plotting, suspense and balance were well handled throughout.
As someone who has only sailed once, I found it helpful to have the boat's drawing at the beginning, showing the different technical terms. Also - and having experienced an authors' debate about this at the Institute of Historical Research in London - although I don't usually like foot notes in a work of fiction, in this case, it was necessary and worked well.
A good and unusual read.
Pamela Mann
August 3, 2020
Although I have no knowledge of sailing and wouldn't normally have chosen this book, I am so pleased that I got the opportunity of reading it with the Pigeonhole.
Jack, an ex Marine suffering from PTSD and whose marriage is on the rocks. He's left a boat Draca by his grandfather Eddie with whom he had a great relationship.
Eddie was keen for Draca to be restored to her former glory and is helped by George who works at the boat yard although she has misgivings about Draca and the weird happenings she experiences on board.
This is a fantastic story of fractured family relationships, Viking folk lore, ghostly appearances and also romance and adventure! In fact it has everything you'll ever need in a book.
I loved it.
Jack, an ex Marine suffering from PTSD and whose marriage is on the rocks. He's left a boat Draca by his grandfather Eddie with whom he had a great relationship.
Eddie was keen for Draca to be restored to her former glory and is helped by George who works at the boat yard although she has misgivings about Draca and the weird happenings she experiences on board.
This is a fantastic story of fractured family relationships, Viking folk lore, ghostly appearances and also romance and adventure! In fact it has everything you'll ever need in a book.
I loved it.
August 4, 2020
Not a book I would normally go for but I read it through the Pigeonhole and I'm so glad I did! Even though I didn't understand most of the sailing terms, it didn't stop me from thoroughly enjoying it. The characters were very well written (the good, the bad and the ugly!) and the story had enough mystery and dramatic scenes that occasionally I forgot to breathe. As I already mentioned, a great book event without any boating knowledge.
August 3, 2020
I read this book via Pigeonhole which released a stave a day for 10 days.
Draca by George Gudgion was a fascinating read, full of ghosts , vikings and sailing boats. The main characters Jack and George were well matched and Jack’s family were appallingly brutal in how they treated Jack.
An enjoyable read.
Draca by George Gudgion was a fascinating read, full of ghosts , vikings and sailing boats. The main characters Jack and George were well matched and Jack’s family were appallingly brutal in how they treated Jack.
An enjoyable read.
August 2, 2020
An excellent read, the author is obviously an avid sailor and despite knowing very little about sailing, the way the sea adventures were written made great reading.
It is a mixture of myth, adventure and romance, very well researched and the slices of family interaction and struggle ground the story.
Will keep recommending particularly as I have quite a few sailing friends, they will probably enjoy it even more.....if that’s possible 😉
It is a mixture of myth, adventure and romance, very well researched and the slices of family interaction and struggle ground the story.
Will keep recommending particularly as I have quite a few sailing friends, they will probably enjoy it even more.....if that’s possible 😉
August 2, 2020
This is a really enjoyable and entertaining story, Incorporating the present day, as well as an old Viking tale.
The action centres around Jack an ex army soldier, and Draca an old boat he inherited from his much loved Grandfather.
Throw in family conflict, romance and ghostly goings on, and you have a gripping page turner.
The action centres around Jack an ex army soldier, and Draca an old boat he inherited from his much loved Grandfather.
Throw in family conflict, romance and ghostly goings on, and you have a gripping page turner.
August 3, 2020
A good read with a spooky story. Some of the characters were unlikeable and in need of a good slap.
Not a book that I would have picked up ordinarily as there were an abundance of nautical terms which meant nothing to me but I stuck with it and was soon hooked.
Not a book that I would have picked up ordinarily as there were an abundance of nautical terms which meant nothing to me but I stuck with it and was soon hooked.
May 14, 2020
Jack is devastated to lose his grandfather, the only father figure he wants to remember, because his own is an abusive small man filled with rage. It was time for Eddie to go though, the pain was made tenfold worse by the nightmares that plagued him. Hallucinations of violent dark malevolent forces trying to seep into his very being and destroy him.
Old Eddie leaves his pride and joy, Draca, to Jack, which is the beginning of his own journey with something he can't quite explain, and it creates the kind of cracks in his family that don't heal.
In my head the Draca looks different than on the cover of the book. A dark, rough, wooden structure imposing, majestic and yet threatening at the same time. Very much reflecting the figurehead of the boat and the insidious threat that simmers just below the surface.
It's a compelling story of a man tortured by his experiences as a soldier, his fractured relationship with his father and the darkness that consumed his grandfather.
Gudgion delivers a gripping and emotional read. His portrayal of a veteran sinking slowly into his own quagmire of nightmares, guilt and feelings of self-loathing are spot on. The scenes where his PTSD rears its ugly head are both heartbreaking and an eye-opener in equal measures. One has to imagine being the observer, as opposed to the person experiencing the flashbacks, and then the scenario becomes something entirely different. Perspective and interpretation are everything in this read. Each character's own frame of reference determines their reactions and actions.
Kudos to Gudgion for giving readers the kind of ending the majority of us encounter. There is no peace after trauma so deep you can see the wounds in the air around the person - there is either a continuation of hell or a tentatively balanced acceptance.
I could talk about this book for ages. It is so nuanced and poignant - an excellent read.
*I received a courtesy copy*
Old Eddie leaves his pride and joy, Draca, to Jack, which is the beginning of his own journey with something he can't quite explain, and it creates the kind of cracks in his family that don't heal.
In my head the Draca looks different than on the cover of the book. A dark, rough, wooden structure imposing, majestic and yet threatening at the same time. Very much reflecting the figurehead of the boat and the insidious threat that simmers just below the surface.
It's a compelling story of a man tortured by his experiences as a soldier, his fractured relationship with his father and the darkness that consumed his grandfather.
Gudgion delivers a gripping and emotional read. His portrayal of a veteran sinking slowly into his own quagmire of nightmares, guilt and feelings of self-loathing are spot on. The scenes where his PTSD rears its ugly head are both heartbreaking and an eye-opener in equal measures. One has to imagine being the observer, as opposed to the person experiencing the flashbacks, and then the scenario becomes something entirely different. Perspective and interpretation are everything in this read. Each character's own frame of reference determines their reactions and actions.
Kudos to Gudgion for giving readers the kind of ending the majority of us encounter. There is no peace after trauma so deep you can see the wounds in the air around the person - there is either a continuation of hell or a tentatively balanced acceptance.
I could talk about this book for ages. It is so nuanced and poignant - an excellent read.
*I received a courtesy copy*
August 2, 2020
Ghost story? Love story? Family story? Don't know, but still a brilliant book.
Gripping story of a marine vet and his ghosts - past and present.
A solid five star read
Gripping story of a marine vet and his ghosts - past and present.
A solid five star read
August 4, 2020
A sensitive adventure
Mixing Bernard Cornwell excitement with a much deeper appreciation of the the human condition and character, this book perfectly reflects a changing world where heroes are not measured as much by medals, as by their moral compass.
Mixing Bernard Cornwell excitement with a much deeper appreciation of the the human condition and character, this book perfectly reflects a changing world where heroes are not measured as much by medals, as by their moral compass.
June 10, 2020
This book is difficult to put down with fast pace, great characters and an 'edge of the seat' plot. The sailing sequences are authentic for the experienced sailor but not confusing for the less experienced. An excellent read.
August 3, 2020
This was the first book I read by Geoffrey Gudgion thanks to Pigeonhole.
I thoroughly enjoyed the intriguing story line which included Romance, Drama and Vikings.
Definitely worth a 5 star rating
I thoroughly enjoyed the intriguing story line which included Romance, Drama and Vikings.
Definitely worth a 5 star rating
January 18, 2021
What a truly excellent book.
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