Helpful Score: 1
Ranked a lieutenant despite his undistinguished naval career, Richard Delancey lands a special secret mission, thanks to his command of French. The mission goes awry. But Delancey becomes involved in customs collection on the Isle of Wight and thwarting the high-stakes activities of smugglers. Good series of naval novels. Not quite as good as the Hornblower series but an informative and adventurous read.
Thomas F. (hardtack) -
Yet another good naval tale from Parkinson. In the first book we left the hero at about the age of 22. In this book, the hero is now 34. Unfortunately, he is now a minor officer on a permanently-moored receiving ship---stationed there since he testified at a senior captain's court martial, which effectively ruined our hero's career.
Parkinson does a very good job, throughout these books, letting us know that who your relatives and friends are has as much to do with your success in the service as your abilities.
But Delancey just happens to be in the right place at the right time with the necessary skills, and he is offered a chance to redeem himself. So he sets off on one adventure, which leads to another, and another, and another..... Meanwhile, the reader is also carried away on these adventures.
Parkinson does a very good job, throughout these books, letting us know that who your relatives and friends are has as much to do with your success in the service as your abilities.
But Delancey just happens to be in the right place at the right time with the necessary skills, and he is offered a chance to redeem himself. So he sets off on one adventure, which leads to another, and another, and another..... Meanwhile, the reader is also carried away on these adventures.
