Sea of Treason

Thomas Kydd #26

by Julian Stockwin

Following his recovery after a savage wounding in America, Kydd returns to England to re-assume command of his ship-of-the-line, Thunderer, which is sent to the remote station of Bermuda.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Nautical

384 pages, Hardcover

Published January 9, 2024

About the author

Julian Stockwin was sent at the age of fourteen to Indefatigable, a tough sea-training school. He joined the Royal Navy at fifteen. He now lives in Devon with his wife Kathy. Julian has written 24 books to date in the Kydd series of historical adventure fiction, the story of one man's journey from pressed man to admiral in the age of fighting sail, and a non-fiction book, 'Stockwin's Maritime Miscellany.' His latest Kydd series title is THUNDERER. And, he's also published two historical standalone novels, THE SILK TREE, set in the time of Emperor Justinian and THE POWDER OF DEATH, about the quest for the secret of gunpowder.

Series:
* Thomas Kydd

Reviews

[Clemens Schoonderwoert · Rating 3 out of 5]

**Read 3.5 STARS!**

This enjoyable seafaring story is the 26th volume of the brilliant "Thomas Kydd" series.

At the beginning of the book you'll find a short phrase by William Shakespeare about Bermuda, followed by several well-drawn maps of the USA and Bermuda on the one hand, and on the other hand one of the Low Countries and Scandinavia, and not to forget a Dramatis Personae.

At the back of the book you'll notice an excellent explained Glossary, and a superbly documented Author's Note.

Storytelling is very good, the story is filled with authentic sea-language, the characters are very believable in their dealings with life in general, the actions that are taking place are wonderfully pictured, but what I personally and sorely miss is one or a few real sea-battles, that's why my rating of 3.5 stars.

The story sets off in the year 1813, and in my opinion will end in the year 1814, and at first Sir Thomas Kydd and his ship-of-the-line called "Thunderer" is set for Bermuda, to keep an eye on proceedings concerning Spanish Florida and the Americans lurking there.

From Bermuda, he's called back to sail to the Low Countries and help the Army to take control of Antwerp, a mission that will turn in a total disaster, until Sir Thomas Kydd is finally called to join the North Sea Squadron and take station near Gothenburg, Sweden, to keep an eye on proceedings there between Sweden and Denmark/Norway, that will eventually end in a very acceptable outcome for the Norwegians.

What is to follow is an informative historical nautical novel, with only some skirmishes at sea and land but without any spectacular sea-battle I'm afraid, instead of that it has become more of a story about politics and independence, but nevertheless this book is still an enjoyable read.

Really recommended, for this is a worthwhile addition to this otherwise excellent series, and that's why I like to call this latest episode: "An Engaging Treacherous Waters"!

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tales of iron men and wooden ships. I continue to follow Julian Stockwin and his Captain Kydd. Stockwin announced that he has signed a contract for four more books. The saga will continue and I'm sure Kydd will eventually make Admiral.

"Sea of Treason" takes the reader to Bermuda, the Netherlands and north to Norway and Sweden. The former to anxious times with the English and America. The latter two back to the Napoleonic wars. Little known snips of history involving the Brits and their adversaries. The plot for Sweden to annex Norway was unknown to me.

There are some slow spots as Stockwin has to explain historical situations.

[Bob Dean · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit sub par.

As a long term reader and follower of the Kydd series, I was a bit disappointed with this episode.
Indeed, it crossed my mind that the first half of the book could have been written by Chat GPT! The book gained a bit more momentum as I progressed but unlike the vast majority of the Kydd series, it didn't seem to flow with the ease and credibility of the other novels. No spoilers but some of the situations could be seen from a mile off! I will eagerly look forward to the next book and hope to see a return to form for Kydd.

[Tom Humphries · Rating 3 out of 5]

More like some.short stories

I wait patiently for each book and have been a big fan of the series, however this is not to say bad but by far the worst book to date. It like some others have mentioned more like a few short stories. I feel like there was an idea, then another and another and not one was really developed. I understand its 26 books now but still thus was just not enjoyable, usually i can't put these books down but I had to.force myself over the last hurdle. I do have faith that Stockwin will return with a better book or that will be it for me.

[Simon Fry · Rating 2 out of 5]

Its not like the typical Kydd stories that I have known to love. It feels like a few short stories that the author had scribbled down that have been dusted off and loosely tied together. As a consequence, it doesn't really come together as a whole plot and feels disjointed.

As an avid Julian Stockwin reader, I was massively looking forward for the next Kydd installment and was left "all adrift" with this one. Fingers crossed that this was just a blip.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are time when the series becomes a drag, because the who reason for the series is to follow the life and times of seaman Thomas Kydd. From Pressgang as a young man to the Captain of long standing of his own ship. We follow the long ardous routine of war and peace time in Kydd's novels.

This installment covers the early years of Norway being a country unto itself and not shackeled unwillingly to another country and being controlled against its will. Politics played a big part in some of the issues that Sweden, Norway and Denmark struggled through while Napoleon continued to try and dominate Europe.

The plus is that while this is the current installment, there are four more Kydd books coming provided Julian Stockwin is able to continue to write Kydd's story.

[Ian Pruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy reading the Kydd stories and the way they are woven into history. The research into little known parts of our past is intriguing and often provides a little nugget which makes sense of a long past query or misunderstanding I'd forgotten about.
Sea of treason is a good example of weaving a good story to link many events.
So pleased to see that there will be another four novels in the series.

[Bob Cantrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just enjoyed this book. There is so much going on this time. Kydd has to deal with rebel Spaniards, American spies, an invasion of Spanish Florida, the invasion of Antwerp and the founding of the Nation of Norway. So much to take in, but oh what fun I had reading of Kydd's various exploits. Then the surprise at the end in the author's notes was a great joy.

[Jim Purcell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This Kydd episode was more of a tour of the author's recent travels than a coherently plotted tale, and it was difficult for me to sustain my interest. Hopefully, his recently signed contract for four new installments will find him returning to his former well-told-tale modus operandi.

[Glenn Walp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captain Sir Thomas Kydd is once again in the forefront of historic events doing his best to thwart Napoleon Bonaparte. He is ever mindful of honor, duty and the binding legalities of a senior British naval officer.

[Robotic_Squirrels · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very disappointing after being very impressed by an earlier book in the series.

This felt like something churned out to meet a publishing schedule - a series of pastiches, with the last episode being based on arcane politics that I couldn't be bothered to get my head around.

[Jeremy Kriewaldt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series continues unabated. I begin to find several of the characters other than Tom Kydd more interesting as the series develops.

[Nick Holt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, a brilliantly written book that transports you back in time to meet your favourite characters. A thoroughly enjoyable read that is hard to put down

[John Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

26 books

26 books into the kydd adventures and I can't wait to read the next one. These are fun and manly tales of men doing man stuff.

[Jon Crawfurd · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not his best

Not his best. A series of semi-related srories with an inconstitent narative. I've always enjoyed Stockwin, but this was not his best.

[David Slater · Rating 5 out of 5]

A joy to read, as always

[Jerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the beginning, sort of slowed down a bit when focus was moved from the Bahamas to Europe and then Norway. But another enjoyable Kydd adventure.

[Oismiffy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok. Certainly readable, but sort of made up from three short stories, so the it never really gets going as a novel.

[David Kidd · Rating 3 out of 5]

not as action packed as other novel. a joy to read cheers