Customer Reviews

The Captain's Vengeance - An Alan Lewrie Naval Adventure

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4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Lambdin's 12th Captain Alan Lewrie adventure begins in 1799 with the sadistic marooning of a small group of sailors on a desolate island in the Dry Tortugas, 70 miles off Key West. The pirates responsible for abandoning the sailors and stealing their boat - a rich prize captured from the French by Capt. Lewrie, Royal Navy - are four young French Creoles from New Orleans. Depraved, idle, rich and spoiled, these two brothers, their beautiful sister and a fourth man, determined to win the girl by proving his bloodlust, have taken up the cause of ousting the Spanish and returning New Orleans to its rightful French masters.

Lewrie, who would very much like to catch these pirates, finds himself down the Mississippi without a boat of his own. He has been ordered on a covert mission to scout out the political landscape and work out the feasibility of a British invasion to take over New Orleans. Posing as a security detail for a wealthy merchant shipper, he soon makes the steamy acquaintance of Charité, the ravishing and wanton female pirate, as well as her brothers and would-be lover, and an American contingent clearly up to the same invasion scouting as Lewrie.

There's a cartoony element to the swashbuckling - lots of "gawping" and "japing" - and the evil characters are particularly, but colorfully, one-dimensional. And the sex scenes are lustily over-the-top. But there's humor too and the historical setting is rich, deep and fascinating. Patrick O'Brian fans may not be satisfied, but those who would just as soon leave the social byplay out of their naval adventure should enjoy it.

Portsmouth Herald

The series continues with Alan hunting some pirates in New Orleans. It's great stuff if you've been reading the series you wont be disappointed. I even liked it better than the last one. If your new to this series or looking for some tall ship nautical adventure, I recommend starting from the beginning.
Other naval recommendations - James L Nelson; Biddlecomb series "By Force of Arms"

I should start by saying I'm a fan of this series, however I've found this novel to be the least entertaining that I've read in this story line. If you have found that you are enjoying the series, and you want to continue the saga, then this is a must read. If however you are sampling one of the books to see how you like the Lewrie novels... don't start here.

Lambdin has good ideas and plotting but he writes in such turgid prose, I had trouble getting through the novel.

I wish Mr. Lambdin would can the dialect. I'm sure he is transcribing an accurate version of an Irish brogue or a pirates patois, but have some pity on the poor reader.

Dialect is good in a film or play perhaps, but not in an adventure novel. After going through this latest Alan Lewrie adventure, I have a new appreciation for Patrick O'Brian's elegant prose.

I have read the previous eleven installments of the Alan Lewrie saga.The time has come to bring the series to a close or discipline the writing.

Captain Alan Lewrie of HMS Proteus has been hunting a hijacked prize ship all around the Caribbean unsuccessfully. He returns to port expecting the same old censorious, useless complaints from his superiors, but instead finds someone a little more nice in charge. This turns out to be a mixed blessing since more spy-work is involved. His missing prize is likely in the hands of pirates working out of New Orleans and Lewrie is sent to that town, already fabled as a den of iniquity, to smoke them out. Will Lewrie, who has been trying to be on best behavior in order to not further antagonize his wife, be able to resist the charms of a ruthless but beautiful young female pirate? Don't bet on it.

This 12th book in the series contains even more light-hearted adventure than usual, with its doings of pirates and undercover-missions and treasure. But it's definitely a lot of fun, and we do get to explore a bit of the times and the society of a new area with the irrepressible Lewrie. I continue to enjoy myself immensely with this series and can't wait to read the next book.

Like all of Lambdin's previous stories in this series it is full of acurate historic detail. Superbly interwoven with actual historic characters and events. A realy good read! Lambdin"s Hero Alan Lewrie is an utterly believable character despite His all too Human failings. With a well written supporting cast portrayed against an authentic background that realy makes the story come alive! As an avid reader, amateaur Historian, collector and black powder enthusiast, Who lives in Florida, near the Ocean. Lambdin's books have been one of My favorite reads to date!

If you have not read any of the "Lewrie" stories you are in for a treat. Start with the first one "The Kings Coat" and the then follow this young officer's career. While some of the stories are better than others, as a collection they are superb. The characters are well developed and most of the stories move along nicely. May be addictive. Well researched in Naval history and architecture. Thanks Dewey!

I have read the entire series and was very disappointed with this one. If you like the series, one must read it but it's not one that I would relish keeping on my shelf. I'd recommend reading a library copy.

if you like lambdin's style, this book is pretty good, though gets away from the actual naval battles. i also suggest the Thomas Kydd adventures by Julian Stockwell

I love the Alan Lewrie series. I would say it has been as much fun and in the same tradition as the Patrick O'Brian's Jack Aubrey books and ALexander Kent's Richard Bilitho. These books are a bit spicier but no less well written.