Knife Edge

Blackwood Family #5

by Douglas Reeman

January 1970, and the final chapter in the Blackwood history appears to have closed with the murder in Cyprus of Lieutenant-Colonel Mike Blackwood, and the subsequent sale of the ancestral home. Disillusioned and grieving for his distinguished father, Lieutenant Ross Blackwood believes there is no future for him in the Corps. The Royal Marines have been reduced in strength, and their role in a modern world, after so splendid a tradition, diminished to policing and paperwork.

But Ross remains a Blackwood and a Royal Marine, and the loyalty and dedication of a Blackwood to the Corps sustain him from vicious guerilla warfare in Malaysia through the moral and political minefields of Northern Ireland, where one man's terrorist is another's patriot, to the South Atlantic, and a conflict as bloody as it is unpredictable.

And he learns, as every Blackwood has before him, that jungle or moor, insurrection or invasion, mere courage is not enough. Survival and victory balance on the knife edge of destiny.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Military Fiction, War, Thriller

337 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

AKA Alexander Kent.
Douglas Edward Reeman was a British author who has written many historical fiction books on the Royal Navy, mainly set during either World War II or the Napoleonic Wars.

Reeman joined the Royal Navy in 1940, at the age of 16, and served during World War II and the Korean War. He eventually rose to the rank of lieutenant. In addition to being an author, Reeman has also taught the art of navigation for yachting and served as a technical advisor for films. Douglas married author Kimberley Jordan Reeman in 1985.

Reeman's debut novel, A Prayer for the Ship was published in 1958. His pseudonym Alexander Kent was the name of a friend and naval officer who died during the Second World War. Reeman is most famous for his series of Napoleonic naval stories, whose central character is Richard Bolitho, and, later, his nephew, Adam. He also wrote a series of novels about several generations of the Blackwood family who served in the Royal Marines from the 1850s to the 1970s, and a non-fiction account of his World War II experiences, D-Day : A Personal Reminiscence (1984).

Series:
* Blackwood Family

Reviews

[Colin Mitchell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ross Blackwood seems to be the last of his line in the Royal Marines. The story follows his exploits in the Far East, Ireland and ends with his involvement in landings on South Georgia during the Falklands War. The usual gung-ho stuff but the accounts lack a good flow and seemed disjointed to me. They were also peppered with various romantic interludes that came across more as military operations than was perhaps intended. I am pleased this series has reached the end. 2 stars.

[Don · Rating 2 out of 5]

For me this book ,and infact the "Blackwood series" as a whole , lacked the usual excitement and 'edge of your seat allure' that I've come to expect from Douglas Reeman .
The story lines were very predictable rather than the usual twists and turns and so felt almost bland -like a good meal that's lacking salt to give it some oomph.
The general idea of the "Blackwood's" was good, but for me would have been better suited to 3 books rather than 5 as at times the storylines felt very similar and like an attempt to simply fill pages rather than captivate or enthral the reader .

[Nick Brett · Rating 1 out of 5]

A very disappointing end to the author’s Royal Marine saga, featuring a number of generations of the Blackwood family. Really feels like Douglas Reeman just ran out of steam with a series that has been quite good, but finishes with the dull thud of a damp squib.
We see Ross Blackwood through three different conflicts amid much tedious falling in love with every female he meets. Even the action scenes are oddly told, sections needing re-reading to ensure understanding while wincing at some really clunky dialogue.

One to avoid.

[Nigel · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was by far my least favourite Reeman story I've read. To be honest I was concerned y the 'blurb' as I couldn't see how the concluding story of the Blackwood Royal Marine saga being set in peace time was going to work. I struggled through approximately one third of the book before giving up owing in the main to the fact that almost nothing had happened.
Hopefully this is just a blip within Reeman catalogue which is usually so good.

[Gerold Whittaker · Rating 2 out of 5]

Though I've read many of Reeman Douglas's books, I usually enjoy them. I could not get to grips with the writing style of this one however. Something significant would happen & the reader would be left to piece it all togeter over the succeeding pages - or chapters. As an example, a chapter ends with:
"The sun had gone. And he was falling. Like a tunnel, darker and darker. Then nothing."
Then in the next chapter there are phrases such as:
"Other memories. White jackets, patient and sometimes anxious voices. More pain. Then sliding away. Like swimming underwater. Or dying."
And further still:
"An ambulance. Another hospital. More pain. Somehow trying to hold on. Keep a grip. It will take time".
From this the reader is left to conclude that something catastrophic happened causing the character to be transported to hospital to undergo extensive medical treatment. Exactly what occurred though is never fully discussed but left to the reader to piece together from fragments and vague memories of the character.
Not my favourite Reeman book to date.

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

After the murder of his father, Lieutenant-Colonel Mike Blackwood, Ross Blackwood finds himself assigned to the Far East, taking on rebels and illegal-arms dealers in Hong Kong and Malaysia. Along the way he meets another Blackwood, his cousin Steve, who has made a life for himself in the Corp, as an explosives expert. The two Blackwoods uphold the honor of their family and their chosen profession while negotiating the fallout of Britain's post-colonial politics.

Review

"What makes Reeman's books a cut above the rest is his sensitivity to relationships . . . " -- Sunday Mercury

About the Author

Douglas Edward Reeman, who also writes under the name Alexander Kent, joined the British Navy at 16, serving on destroyers and small craft during World War II, eventually rising to the rank of lieutenant. He has taught navigation to yachtsmen and has served as a script adviser for television and films. As Alexander Kent, Reeman is the author of the best-selling Richard Bolitho Novels. His books have been translated into nearly two dozen languages.

[Trevor Thomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

My view might be considered a little biased as I actually served in the Royal Marines during most of the period covered by his novel . I would have loved to give this novel a full 5 stars but there were many historical inaccuracies and whilst this is a work of fiction they were not necessary and simply a lack of knowledge by the Author portrayed as an expert in the field . I enjoyed the story despite my comments and it held my attention enough for me to finish it . One of the most basic errors was the author use of staff cars in a conflict zone and not only that but identifying the user that was unforgivable and stretch creditability too far hence my rating

[Tim Corke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read, not much too it. Probably best not to look at it too deeply and take it for what it is but saying that is a typical Reeman novel. Perfect for a rainy afternoon.

[Richard E.]

Latest part of the Blackwood saga - A little slower and more introspective.