All the competence, courage, and ingenuity of a Hornblower along with a bit more polish. . . . C.S. Forester would have approved of Delancey.
Description
Ranked as a lieutenant despite his undistinguished naval career, Richard Delancey lands a special secret mission, thanks to his command of French. To his chagrin, the mission goes awry. But casting about for fresh opportunity, Delancey becomes involved in customs collection on the Isle of Wight and thwarting the high-stakes activities of smugglers.
Pages284
Released2001
LanguageEnglish
PublisherGlobe Pequot Publishing
ISBN9781590136096
SellerSimon & Schuster
Reviews
If you enjoy salty tales told by the man who knows the sea, British history, as well as words, winches and wimbrels, Devil to Pay will see you through a fine evening handily.
Portland (Maine) Sunday Telegram
A historical novelist in the best traditions of C.S. Forester and Alexander Kent.
Most fictional heroes of the Napoleonic Wars at sea are as wooden as their ships, a generalisation from which Patrick O'Brian's Jack Aubrey and Professor Parkinson's Richard Delancey can be exempted.
[Parkinson's] knowledge of the naval world of the Napoleonic era was encyclopaedic; his understanding of ships and seamen, of politics, strategy and trade almost unrivalled.
David Powell, Twentieth-Century Romance and Historical Writers
Authentic naval adventure . . . full of action.
The sharp tang of powder and tar and salty sea along with the boom of the cannon and shouts of men in battle.
