Winds of Fortune

by E.V. Thompson

Thomasina is determined to make more of her life than just to be a maid. She runs off with her sweetheart and they live for a while as highwaymen until he is caught and hung. Thomasina goes to sea and has further adventures dressed as a boy, until she meets Abel who she knows is the man for her.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical

568 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

aka James Munro (Not this James Munro).

E V Thompson was born in London and spent nine years in the Navy before joining Bristol police. He moved to Hong Kong, then Rhodesia and had over 200 stories published before returning to England to become a full-time award-winning writer.

Reviews

[Frumenty · Rating 5 out of 5]

My wife had consigned this to the charity box, where it will return now that I've read it too ; but having recently mentioned E.V. Thompson in the context of a review of a novel by another Cornwall-obsessed writer, Daphne du Maurier, I felt drawn to read yet another novel by this prolific (40 novels in 35 years!) writer of historical fiction, so I grabbed it. I wasn't disappointed.

This is a great ripping yarn about a a girl from humble beginnings, a gallant highwayman, cross-dressing, adventure on the high seas, a despicable cad, and a young woman's flourishing by dint of her determination, resourcefulness, and independent spirit ; and at last she gets a good man on her own terms. This is swashbuckling romance that fully embraces contemporary sensibilities about the status of women, I think ; I'm sometimes blindsided by opinions I could never have imagined in such matters, but I'm not going to fact-check that statement. Life is too short.

Why do I enjoy Thompson? He has a good grasp of the historical milieu about which he writes, he draws character well, his prose is confident and to the point, and his novels have action and pace (sometimes a book compels one put aside all others till it is finished ; I'm a slow reader, but I finished this over 2 days). There is a short sea-battle in this novel, when the trading ship Melanie Jane is pursued by Barbary pirates, that is worthy of Patrick O'Brian. Well done! But the same scene gives rise to my one petty gripe about the book : when, in her short life, has Thomasina Varcoe had an opportunity to become such a crack shot with a musket? Her familiarity with firearms is a given, dating from time spent with her lover Jeffery, but the uses to which they were put don't seem to demand great marksmanship. I'm stickling. This is a thoroughly well-crafted adventure story.

[Mack · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like everything about E.V Thompson and the setting of the novel in Cornwall in 18th and 19th century. He is a treat to read.

[Eric Bruce · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author is one of my all-time favourites . A combination of Dickens , Du Maurier and Hardy but for the less well educated , his stories have taken me to such exotic locations as Australia , China , South Africa , Scotland and Yorkshire . This one is mostly set in his personal favourite of South West England . It tell the story of Thomasina's rise to fortune , having discarded the drudgery of housemaid to the aristocracy - with its unexpected and unwelcome side benefits - in favour of an exciting life both on land and at sea . Only the prospect of being hung , or killed by French privateers , causes the heroine to settled for a quieter existence in the long term . The writer never disappoints .

[Elizabeth Welsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Books

What a great read I have read all the books I believe that have been written by EV Thompson. The only complaint is that the books end and I have to put it down I want more What a wonderful writer

[Daria]

DNF@20%

I was pretty excited about a story about a lady sailor/pirate, but this is definitely not for me. I'm actually a little impressed with how many tropes I hate this book managed to include in the first 115 pages. It might redeem itself later on, but I'm no longer interested.

[Lynette · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book to read. Very hard to put down as it was entwined with adventure, love, tragedy and a suspense that twitched your nerve endings. Thomasina (Tom) was a very strong willed adventurous young woman whose only future seemed to be that of a housemaid. She wanted more and certainly created a different lifestyle for herself with becoming a 'highwayman' and then dressed as a boy, sailed to many countries. I recommend you put this on your 'to read' list.

[Garry Marlton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first book I have read by E V Thompson and I really enjoyed it. It had everything you could want in a book, adventure, hero's and villians with a little bit of romance. Will definatleynread another by this author.

[Curlyhair · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable read again by the author.

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book but a lame ending