- Hardcover: 322 pages
- Publisher: Macmillan (10 Oct 1991)
- ISBN-10: 033356958X
- ISBN-13: 978-0333569580
- Product Dimensions: 23.6 x 15.4 x 2.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,362,733 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Product Description
At the height of the Napoleonic Wars, a battle rages on board naval vessel the "Magnanime", as ex-Captain-come-Privateer, Harry Ludlow, seeks to prove his brother innocent of murder amidst storm and battle.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I cannot believe that I am the first person to write areview of the excellent David Donachie's books. This series (the privateersman Mysteries)take a two tried and trusted genres (naval and detective) and combines them in a novel way. The writing is fast and exciting and the fact that the novels are not just "updated Hornblower" is a pleasant change.
David Donanchie's other works featuring John Pearce ( a Shot Rolling Ship etc) are if anything even better, and I have just started his Nelson and Emma Trilogy which while more traditional Naval fare are equally well written and worth the effort to seek out.
Without the slightly "prissy" feel of the O'Brien novels (no wondering in these novels why nothing has happened in the first hundred pages as I did with my first O'Brien), I would highly recommend Mr Donachie to anyone who enjoys a well told yarn.
David Donanchie's other works featuring John Pearce ( a Shot Rolling Ship etc) are if anything even better, and I have just started his Nelson and Emma Trilogy which while more traditional Naval fare are equally well written and worth the effort to seek out.
Without the slightly "prissy" feel of the O'Brien novels (no wondering in these novels why nothing has happened in the first hundred pages as I did with my first O'Brien), I would highly recommend Mr Donachie to anyone who enjoys a well told yarn.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
What a great idea,turn the hero of a salty seadog novel into a detective.We finish up with a swashbuckling story rivaling Bernard Cornwell and Peter Robinson,a must read.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I heartily agree with the previous reviewer - it is a terrible shame that this writer is not better known!
Although, in my opinion, Patrick O'Brien is unmatched in his masterly evocation of the Napoleonic era, there is nothing anachronistic, that I can detect, in David Donachie's writing. It is also certainly true that Mr. Donachie shows a greater grasp of pace and narrative than is displayed in the early Aubrey/Maturin novels.
Considered as naval fiction, this was thoroughly enjoyable; however, I found the detective mystery component something of a disappointment. Half of the answer was blatently signposted, but went unnoticed by the main protagonist -though, to be fair, he was under great stress at the time! - whilst the other part was unpredictable due to the underdrawn nature of the minor characters. I would have liked to have seen here more characterisation of the other officers, and the only 'lower rank' with any noticeable personality is the servant, 'Pious' Pendle. It is obvious from the start which 'middie' is going to matter, forexample. This may seem a minor quibble, but is particularly a flaw in a murder mystery. Making the comparison with O'Brien again, this compares unfavourably with the verbal vignettes the latter draws of every character he introduces; no one there is evidently 'more important' than another.
Despite my slight criticisms, I am definitely going to seek out the further adventures of Harry Ludlow!
Although, in my opinion, Patrick O'Brien is unmatched in his masterly evocation of the Napoleonic era, there is nothing anachronistic, that I can detect, in David Donachie's writing. It is also certainly true that Mr. Donachie shows a greater grasp of pace and narrative than is displayed in the early Aubrey/Maturin novels.
Considered as naval fiction, this was thoroughly enjoyable; however, I found the detective mystery component something of a disappointment. Half of the answer was blatently signposted, but went unnoticed by the main protagonist -though, to be fair, he was under great stress at the time! - whilst the other part was unpredictable due to the underdrawn nature of the minor characters. I would have liked to have seen here more characterisation of the other officers, and the only 'lower rank' with any noticeable personality is the servant, 'Pious' Pendle. It is obvious from the start which 'middie' is going to matter, forexample. This may seem a minor quibble, but is particularly a flaw in a murder mystery. Making the comparison with O'Brien again, this compares unfavourably with the verbal vignettes the latter draws of every character he introduces; no one there is evidently 'more important' than another.
Despite my slight criticisms, I am definitely going to seek out the further adventures of Harry Ludlow!
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