Pasha: Thomas Kydd 15

This very exciting sea-faring story by Julian Stockwin is the 15th volume of the wonderful Thomas Kydd series.As ever the book is again full with the authentic language of the great seas which makes this whole series so unique and original.At the same time the author has the great ability in making his characters, whether real or fictional, come vividly to life within this story.This story begins, I think in my humble opinion, in the year AD 1807, when Thomas Kydd is feted by his King and country because of his Caribbean exploits, but not before after having giving evidence against his one-time commander, Commodore Popham.After that experience he is sent with his crew and their ship L'Aurore on a secret mission to Constantinople and to a new sphere of interest, the Dardanelles, and these Dardanelles connect the route from the Mediterranean Sea to the Black Sea and thus providing a route to India.The only big problem is that the French has long coveted this route and they will stop at nothing to halt the British from conquering this important route, for they will even go as far as by taking Renzi their prisoner.And so Thomas Kydd will once again show his superb seamanship and cunning to save Renzi, who in the meantime has become Thomas's brother-in-law and also obtained the title of Lord Farndon, and thus to bring victory to the British in this fight with the French.Very much recommended, for this is a Seafaring tale at it's very best!

Excellent as ever. My only sadness is how quickly it was read and how long I will need to wait for the next one! The entire series is one of the best historical sea saga currently being written and although it is good to start with the fist one 'Kydd' it is still a complete read on its own without the constant reiteration of what occurred in previous books. Julian Stockwin wins again.

Julian Stockwin has raised his bar even higher. This book is taut and action packed from cover to cover, and set as it is in a little known area of naval operations and international politics, enhances my knowledge of that period of history, adding colour to what little I knew in outline sketch. I am going to find it very difficult to wait for the next instalment.

Stockwin never lets you down with his story lines, the historical content of fact and fiction are always spot on. Having read all of the series so far, you get a yarn mixed in with historic fact all the way through, and the bond of friendship from the two main characters is super.Long may Julian keep us enthralled.

I have read every book in the series, and this one was top notch and meticulously researched as usual. Also, I have been to Constantinople, so it was fun to read about the locations. Perhaps more importantly, this is the first novel in the nautical fiction genre that I have read that tells of this event in the Royal Navy's history, so it is educational as well.