Enemies at Every Turn

John Pearce #8

by David Donachie

Free from jail, John Pearce is not free from the smugglers whose boat he stole – they want bloody revenge and are prepared to chase him to the ends of the earth to get it.

The court martial papers that threaten to also damn Pearce are at risk due to the calculating schemes of Ralph Barclay. But the danger is only just beginning, for Pearce must undertake a dangerous mission in support of a massive revolt in the Vendee region of France. As high rebellious ambition turns to bloody disaster, Pearce faces real peril, climaxing in one of the greatest battles of the Revolutionary the Battle of the Glorious First of June.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Military Fiction, Fiction

352 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2012

About the author

aka Tom Connery, Johnny 'Two Combs' Howard, Jack Ludlow, Jack Cole.

David Donachie was born in Edinburgh in 1944. He has had a variety of jobs, including selling everything from business machines to soap. He has always had an abiding interest in the naval history of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, which he drew upon for the many novels he has set in that period. The author of a number of bestselling books, he lived in Deal with his wife, fellow A&B author Sarah Grazebrook.

Reviews

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is book eight of the John Pearce series. In the last book Pearce was caught up in smugglers’ ring and smugglers are after him in this book. In this book Pearce is given a command by Pitt and sets off on a mission to contact the leaders of the rebellion in the Vendee. The situation is complicated by the discovery of his ex-mistress among the rebels. The rebellion is a disaster and Pierce must retreat, ex-mistress in tow and the smugglers still chasing him. The ending leaves the reader hanging until the next book comes out.

I do not like it when they change the narrator in the middle of a series. Peter Wickham was doing a great job narrating the series. Then they substituted Michael Tabor Barnes as the narrator. It is unfair to the new narrated as no matter how great they maybe they are not the original voice that the reader is use to. I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible.

[Douglas Bridger · Rating 3 out of 5]

The 8th book in the long running John Pearce saga. A rip roaring read and good fun as he gets into a deeper tangle with the main characters that follow through the whole series. I think I need a short pause with a different type of read before continuing.

[Neil Challis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Poor imitation of Cornwell's Sharpe

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly recommend

[Vivyenne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like Donachie's writing: descriptive, occasionally humerous, and very picturesque. However, Barclay the constant bogey is getting tiresome, our gallant Mr Pearce seems to hector Emily into a relationship rather against her will, and her only apparent notable - and repeated ad nauseum - characteristic is her beauty, as what little personality she possesses is shrewish and spoiled. Although I would love more sailing - Pearce is a self admitted rubbish sailor hence the frequently land-based exploits - but Donachie does a great job of weaving intrigue, betrayel, and adventure.