David Donachie ist bekannt für seine fesselnden historischen Romane, insbesondere für jene, die während der Seekriege des achtzehnten und neunzehnten Jahrhunderts angesiedelt sind. Seine umfassende Recherche dieser Epoche liefert Erzählungen, die reich an authentischen Details und maritimer Atmosphäre sind. Mit seiner vielfältigen Karriere bringt Donachie eine einzigartige Perspektive in sein Geschichtenerzählen ein und schafft fesselnde Erzählungen, die bei den Lesern Anklang finden. Er ist ein gefeierter Autor, dessen historische Schauplätze ebenso sehr eine Figur darstellen wie die Menschen darin.
1794: Nachdem Kaptitän Ludlow während seiner letzten Reise nur knapp dem Tod entronnen ist, erwarten er und sein Bruder, in England eiune vergleichsweise ungefährlcihe Ruhepause einlegen zu können. Doch schon im Ärmelkanal finden sich die beiden plötzlich in die Machtkämpfe zwischen rivalisierenden Schmugglerbanden verwickelt. In ihrer Not versuchen sie mit ihrer Fregatte den Hafen von Deal anzulaufen und landen in einer Gesellschaft, in der Verrat niemals vergeben oder vergessen wird.
Freibeuter-Kapitän Harry Ludlow und sein Bruder James sind im Jahre 1793 unfreiwillig Gast an Bord eines englischen Kriegsschiffes. Als der 1. Offizier ermordet und James verdächtigt wird, setzt Harry alles daran, dessen Unschuld zu beweisen.
Genua, 1794: Die Brüder Ludlow werden mit der Aufklärung des Mordes an einem englischen Kapitän beauftragt. Vor Ort stossen Harry und James auf ein Netz voller Intrigen, Heuchelei und Geldgier.
1794: Stuck in the Mediterranean, headstrong lieutenant John Pearce must repair his battle-damaged ship, face a court-martial, and survive a battle against a bloodthirsty and piratical Turk.
1796: John Pearce is stuck with a difficult mission, a raw crew of Quota Men forced to enlist in the Royal Navy, four brand new midshipmen as well as Samuel Oliphant, companion cum spy, whom he finds a constant irritant. In his favour he commands HMS Hazard, a sound and speedy warship, a pair of competent officers and, of course, his trusty old friends the Pelicans.Their primary mission is to head for the Mediterranean Fleet and warn Admiral Sir John Jervis of impending danger he will face, fighting a combined French/Spanish fleet. But there is a serious distraction, the imminent arrival of a Spanish vessel from South America carrying silver, for which they Spaniards are waiting before declaring war. Stop that and they will lack the funds to truly engage as an enemy of Britannia, but it is a distraction from his main task and specific orders. Can John Pearce resist the lure of such a valuable capture and risk his ship in a dangerous battle to gain it, or will his duty come first?
Having evacuated the King and Queen of Naples ahead of Napoleon's advancing army, Nelson must now await developments in Sicily. In the meantime, he and Emma savor their passionate affair, and when Nelson travels back to Britain with the Hamiltons, he finds he is the toast of Europe. Finally he is given the chance he's been waiting for: off a little-known Spanish cape, called Trafalgar, he will show the world what he is made of!
It's 1784 and Nelson is sent to the Caribbean to enforce the hated Navigation Acts. While there, he marries Fanny Nisbet. Ordered next to the Mediterranean, he engages in a string of spectacular naval battles: Cape St Vincent, Tenerife, and the Nile. The ravages of war take their physical toll on Nelson, even as he gains the fame and honor he desperately craves.
1787: Captain Edward Brazier is wounded and in desperate need of medical attention, but those from whom he could seek help have no idea where he is--although neither do his enemies. With his beloved Betsey currently imprisoned by her brother Henry, who is considering committing her to an asylum to take her off his hands, time is running out for Brazier to rescue her and end the tyranny of the local smuggling ring of Deal once and for all.