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A Charlie Raven Adventure #1
The Devil's Luck
Charlie Raven is intent on a life at sea.
But when he joins his uncle Captain Hector Maxwell, a man who despises him, he is in for a stormier ride than he could have imagined.
Maxwell is the 'owner' of the Pointer, a small, fast sloop which he insists is a frigate, and he has filled her with more officers than justified by her size.
He blames these men – and bad luck - for all his misfortunes, and is desperate for the success and glory he feels is his right.
His stock in trade is to take on impossible missions.
When Charlie Raven joins him, he is about to embark on a treacherous expedition that seems sure to end in death.
As well as the outwitting French, they will be forced into bloody battle with the natives of the Scilly Isles. And ‘craven’ Raven, as his uncle calls him, will have to prove he is not a hopeless coward.
Very soon, Charlie will need 'The Devil's Luck' to make it back to shore alive.
'The Devil's Luck' is a thrilling naval adventure that will appeal to fans of Bernard Cornwell and Alexander Kent.
Jan Needle has had more than forty books published, including the best-selling 'Death Order'.
Praise for Jan Needle:
'Brilliant. I found myself being drawn back into that twilight world again, despite myself. I was grossly entertained and thrilled... [Jan Needle] is a rare talent.' Jimmy Boyle
'A thundering great novel. What's really amazing is how much he seems to know about so many different things...what more could you want from a thriller? A cracking good read.' Tony Parker, New Statesman & Society
'So topical...[Needle] develops a complex, ingenious plot at breakneck speed and has a sharp underdog's eye.' John McVicar, Time Out
'Compelling, vivid, racy...describes with unnerving prescience just what is going on...it will appeal equally to conspiracy and cock-up theorists.' Guardian
'Recalls the golden age of British investigative reporting: hard-hitting, crusading, alarming prescience.' The Times
But when he joins his uncle Captain Hector Maxwell, a man who despises him, he is in for a stormier ride than he could have imagined.
Maxwell is the 'owner' of the Pointer, a small, fast sloop which he insists is a frigate, and he has filled her with more officers than justified by her size.
He blames these men – and bad luck - for all his misfortunes, and is desperate for the success and glory he feels is his right.
His stock in trade is to take on impossible missions.
When Charlie Raven joins him, he is about to embark on a treacherous expedition that seems sure to end in death.
As well as the outwitting French, they will be forced into bloody battle with the natives of the Scilly Isles. And ‘craven’ Raven, as his uncle calls him, will have to prove he is not a hopeless coward.
Very soon, Charlie will need 'The Devil's Luck' to make it back to shore alive.
'The Devil's Luck' is a thrilling naval adventure that will appeal to fans of Bernard Cornwell and Alexander Kent.
Jan Needle has had more than forty books published, including the best-selling 'Death Order'.
Praise for Jan Needle:
'Brilliant. I found myself being drawn back into that twilight world again, despite myself. I was grossly entertained and thrilled... [Jan Needle] is a rare talent.' Jimmy Boyle
'A thundering great novel. What's really amazing is how much he seems to know about so many different things...what more could you want from a thriller? A cracking good read.' Tony Parker, New Statesman & Society
'So topical...[Needle] develops a complex, ingenious plot at breakneck speed and has a sharp underdog's eye.' John McVicar, Time Out
'Compelling, vivid, racy...describes with unnerving prescience just what is going on...it will appeal equally to conspiracy and cock-up theorists.' Guardian
'Recalls the golden age of British investigative reporting: hard-hitting, crusading, alarming prescience.' The Times
143 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 12, 2013
15 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
About the author
Jan Needle
73 books33 followersJan Needle has written more than forty books, including novels for adults and children and literary criticism. He also writes plays for stage, TV and radio, including serials and series like Grange Hill, The Bill and Brookside. His first novel, Wild Wood, is a retelling of The Wind in the Willows with Toad, Rat, Mole and Co as the ‘villains’ - a sort of undeserving rural squirearchy – and the stoats and weasels as heroes. A new version was brought out recently by Golden Duck, with the original wonderful illustrations by the late Willie Rushton.
Although he is currently working on a film of perhaps his most celebrated children’s book, My Mate Shofiq, Jan has recently been concentrating on historical novels about his first and most enduring love, the sea, and a series of extremely gritty thrillers. His aim has always been to transcend standard genre writing, which has sometimes brought him disapproval. The ‘hero’ of his first naval fiction, A Fine Boy for Killing, is a borderline sadist, and life on the frigate Welfare undermines almost every heroic myth popularized by earlier writers. Loved or hated, his novels refuse to be ignored.
His thrillers are also firmly in the ‘noir’ spectrum. The most recent is The Bonus Boys, which features a hard-as-nails investigator called Andrew Forbes and his Scottish lover Rosanna ‘the Mouse’ Nixon, who first appeared in Kicking Off, a chilling warning about the fissile state of Britain’s crumbling prisons. More are in the pipeline, as are additions to a series of novellas about crime, the 18th century navy, and the secret world of spies and spying. Even the possibility that Napoleon escaped from his exile on St Helena is examined. Like many ‘mere conspiracy theories’ it uncovers some extraordinary possibilities.
Jan also attempts, in conjunction with Walker Books, to widen the readership for certain classic novels. They include so far Moby Dick, Dracula, the Hunchback of Notre Dame, and The Woman in White, all aimed at a young adult audience . In his spare time, he sails boats and plays a variety of musical instruments.
Although he is currently working on a film of perhaps his most celebrated children’s book, My Mate Shofiq, Jan has recently been concentrating on historical novels about his first and most enduring love, the sea, and a series of extremely gritty thrillers. His aim has always been to transcend standard genre writing, which has sometimes brought him disapproval. The ‘hero’ of his first naval fiction, A Fine Boy for Killing, is a borderline sadist, and life on the frigate Welfare undermines almost every heroic myth popularized by earlier writers. Loved or hated, his novels refuse to be ignored.
His thrillers are also firmly in the ‘noir’ spectrum. The most recent is The Bonus Boys, which features a hard-as-nails investigator called Andrew Forbes and his Scottish lover Rosanna ‘the Mouse’ Nixon, who first appeared in Kicking Off, a chilling warning about the fissile state of Britain’s crumbling prisons. More are in the pipeline, as are additions to a series of novellas about crime, the 18th century navy, and the secret world of spies and spying. Even the possibility that Napoleon escaped from his exile on St Helena is examined. Like many ‘mere conspiracy theories’ it uncovers some extraordinary possibilities.
Jan also attempts, in conjunction with Walker Books, to widen the readership for certain classic novels. They include so far Moby Dick, Dracula, the Hunchback of Notre Dame, and The Woman in White, all aimed at a young adult audience . In his spare time, he sails boats and plays a variety of musical instruments.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
July 4, 2015
This book harks back to the old Naval novels of a bygone age. This time set at some point in the 18th Century. There is bullying from a curmudgeonly Captain, mainly directed at his own Nephew, a lowly Midshipman. The ship's crew are not spared from the Captain's wrath either. He is the Captain of The Pointer, and at sea his word is law.
Acting on intelligence, The Pointer is tasked with either the capture, or destruction, of two French ships hidden away in a bay. All is well while the wind blows, but when they are becalmed the Captain's irritation starts to show.
A well told tale about the harsh life under the sail of one of His Majesty's ships. Slightly disappointed with the length of the book, but it was a good introduction to another new author for me.
Acting on intelligence, The Pointer is tasked with either the capture, or destruction, of two French ships hidden away in a bay. All is well while the wind blows, but when they are becalmed the Captain's irritation starts to show.
A well told tale about the harsh life under the sail of one of His Majesty's ships. Slightly disappointed with the length of the book, but it was a good introduction to another new author for me.
November 9, 2016
2.5 stars
I had a hard time following the story in places. Some parts are like-able. Ending is a huge cliffhanger.
I had a hard time following the story in places. Some parts are like-able. Ending is a huge cliffhanger.
March 27, 2015
The Devil's Luck by Jan Needle is a very good seafaring adventure in the 18th century English navy. The book will grab your attention and keep you reading.
The author developed a tale that was not as grand as most English naval adventures but it was a lot more realistic and true to life. The story was full of adventure and left little time for day dreaming. It is an easy to read book that I enjoyed reading and getting into.
I liked Jan Needle's characters. The main characters and the crew were well developed and easy to like. The author did an excellent job of making them very believable and real, especially for that historical period.
I enjoyed reading The Devil's Luck by Jan Needle and recommend this book to all readers.
The author developed a tale that was not as grand as most English naval adventures but it was a lot more realistic and true to life. The story was full of adventure and left little time for day dreaming. It is an easy to read book that I enjoyed reading and getting into.
I liked Jan Needle's characters. The main characters and the crew were well developed and easy to like. The author did an excellent job of making them very believable and real, especially for that historical period.
I enjoyed reading The Devil's Luck by Jan Needle and recommend this book to all readers.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews