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Leopard: Book 5 in the Wharton series
In 1804, Captain John Wharton RN takes command of HMS Leopard, his first as captain as the war with France continues for yet another year. A 38-gun frigate, Leopard is the newest ship in the Royal Navy, straight off the slipway at Woolwich.
His first mission is to the Mediterranean where he is given a very challenging task, followed by action at the blockade of Toulon, leading to a career changing situation at the Admiralty and a mission to the Baltic.
In between times, he renews his friendship with Lord Paignton and his daughter Penelope at their Silcombe Park estate near Exmoor.
Leopard is Book Five in the Wharton series of historical naval novels.
His first mission is to the Mediterranean where he is given a very challenging task, followed by action at the blockade of Toulon, leading to a career changing situation at the Admiralty and a mission to the Baltic.
In between times, he renews his friendship with Lord Paignton and his daughter Penelope at their Silcombe Park estate near Exmoor.
Leopard is Book Five in the Wharton series of historical naval novels.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
166 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 7, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 14, 2024
Excuses
While I enjoyed this book I found several things that concerned me. The frigate was said to be a 38 gun vessel but in several instances stated that it had 28 18 pound great guns and 12 32 pound carronades. Since carronades do not count when stating her armament she would therefore be a 28 gun Jackass Frigate. The other thing which concerned me greatly was the encounter with the French 40 gun Frigate Tigre. When engaged in battle with an enemy ship you keep firing until the enemy’s flag is dropped. The excuse was that he didn’t have enough people to board and take their surrender. He didn’t need to board, all he needed to do was position his ship on their stern or bow and fire until they surrendered. You did not negotiate with the enemy during battle. He also said he didn’t want to sink the ship with 300 people on board. It is not possible that no one on the Tigre had been killed during the battle. Also he had only a few guns still able to fire. It only take one 18 pounder to sink that ship. Tiger Wharton should been stripped of his rank and possibility shot for his actions that day. Get real guys!
While I enjoyed this book I found several things that concerned me. The frigate was said to be a 38 gun vessel but in several instances stated that it had 28 18 pound great guns and 12 32 pound carronades. Since carronades do not count when stating her armament she would therefore be a 28 gun Jackass Frigate. The other thing which concerned me greatly was the encounter with the French 40 gun Frigate Tigre. When engaged in battle with an enemy ship you keep firing until the enemy’s flag is dropped. The excuse was that he didn’t have enough people to board and take their surrender. He didn’t need to board, all he needed to do was position his ship on their stern or bow and fire until they surrendered. You did not negotiate with the enemy during battle. He also said he didn’t want to sink the ship with 300 people on board. It is not possible that no one on the Tigre had been killed during the battle. Also he had only a few guns still able to fire. It only take one 18 pounder to sink that ship. Tiger Wharton should been stripped of his rank and possibility shot for his actions that day. Get real guys!
February 27, 2025
So... our hero who was promoted to Captain from Lieutenant after 3 years experience is given a primo, new frigate to sail as his first ship. Not even NELSON was treated like this, with his massive interest and incredible ability.
Thankfully, captain Wharton stumbles and fumbles a bit. He insists on going ashore when everyone on board advises him not to (this isn't Star Trek, the captain stays on the ship and sends others for that kind of thing). He has to be nudged and given tips on what to do in some circumstances, which is good. He's not just green, he's really ignorant of his job.
And here's where the spoilers come in. Wharton fights a French frigate, with the assistance of a sloop, and beats the tar out of the ship while suffering significant damage. Then, the author wants us to believe that between the two ships, they don't have enough people to board and take the French ship. Which is absolutely ludicrous, without possible reality (they all are certain one more broadside would sink the ship), and the French officer refuses to surrender.
So Wharton... get this... allows the French ship to stumble and cripple its way into a French harbor because he cannot bring himself to sink the ship. Which is a direct violation of two specific and exact rules both bearing up to the death penalty for a captain.
So he goes to Gibraltair where Jarvis, Lord St Vincent, infamous disciplinarian who has no patience with any captain who will not do his utmost... is mildly upset and sends him to England to face an inquiry. There, he is put before a Court Martial, and... he's found guilty, but only censured because he's such a compassionate captain!
Its... ludicrous. The narrative and characters are just not interesting enough to keep reading this and that annoys me because it had promise, at first. I am certain that he'll end up an admiral by the end of this series, despite a censure being basically the death knell for promotion or hope of getting a good ship, ever again.
Thankfully, captain Wharton stumbles and fumbles a bit. He insists on going ashore when everyone on board advises him not to (this isn't Star Trek, the captain stays on the ship and sends others for that kind of thing). He has to be nudged and given tips on what to do in some circumstances, which is good. He's not just green, he's really ignorant of his job.
And here's where the spoilers come in. Wharton fights a French frigate, with the assistance of a sloop, and beats the tar out of the ship while suffering significant damage. Then, the author wants us to believe that between the two ships, they don't have enough people to board and take the French ship. Which is absolutely ludicrous, without possible reality (they all are certain one more broadside would sink the ship), and the French officer refuses to surrender.
So Wharton... get this... allows the French ship to stumble and cripple its way into a French harbor because he cannot bring himself to sink the ship. Which is a direct violation of two specific and exact rules both bearing up to the death penalty for a captain.
So he goes to Gibraltair where Jarvis, Lord St Vincent, infamous disciplinarian who has no patience with any captain who will not do his utmost... is mildly upset and sends him to England to face an inquiry. There, he is put before a Court Martial, and... he's found guilty, but only censured because he's such a compassionate captain!
Its... ludicrous. The narrative and characters are just not interesting enough to keep reading this and that annoys me because it had promise, at first. I am certain that he'll end up an admiral by the end of this series, despite a censure being basically the death knell for promotion or hope of getting a good ship, ever again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 3, 2026
No good deed goes unpunished
Waste has achieved the ram of captain and has his own ship. While I was reading this book a thought came to me of putting all these books stories on a map of the world. Not just these stories but all of the books dealing with this time frame. That is just a thought. In this book Wharton is faced with serious charges by the Admirably for his action in battle with the French. After that he is sent to Denmark to do a little spying Can't wait to see what is crossing for Wharton.
Waste has achieved the ram of captain and has his own ship. While I was reading this book a thought came to me of putting all these books stories on a map of the world. Not just these stories but all of the books dealing with this time frame. That is just a thought. In this book Wharton is faced with serious charges by the Admirably for his action in battle with the French. After that he is sent to Denmark to do a little spying Can't wait to see what is crossing for Wharton.
October 19, 2025
I believe that the author has improved in his story telling with each book. Continues to grow the community of active characters and develop their interactions. I have warmed to this series with time. If you are fan of historical novels set in the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic wars worth a trial reading of the first novel in the series. Reading out of sequence will leave you scratching your head over a certain character or event from an earlier volume which is only mentioned in passing
March 1, 2025
An excellent series.
George Westropp's Wharton series are among the best historical fiction written in the last 20 years. Westropp does an excellent job of pacing, characters, plot and action. I have enjoyed every book. My only criticism is that they are so good I read them too fast.
George Westropp's Wharton series are among the best historical fiction written in the last 20 years. Westropp does an excellent job of pacing, characters, plot and action. I have enjoyed every book. My only criticism is that they are so good I read them too fast.
December 9, 2025
A fine tale of the Royal Navy...
This novel was a good mix of professional naval officer and personal growth by the young Wharton. He experienced the thrill of command of his first ship, the agony of a courts martial, and the joy of finding his future wife. I'm really looking forward to the next volume.
This novel was a good mix of professional naval officer and personal growth by the young Wharton. He experienced the thrill of command of his first ship, the agony of a courts martial, and the joy of finding his future wife. I'm really looking forward to the next volume.
May 20, 2024
Enjoyable romp through Napoleonic navel history
Dreadfully short (but maybe that’s a sign of a good read), strong characters, with a few interweaving storylines. Looking forward to. Book 6.
Dreadfully short (but maybe that’s a sign of a good read), strong characters, with a few interweaving storylines. Looking forward to. Book 6.
April 13, 2024
Great series, read it in a few days,,,,
Picked up the first book, read through them all in a couple of days. Love the series, want more to read
Picked up the first book, read through them all in a couple of days. Love the series, want more to read
May 7, 2024
great sea story.
Great books! He provides a lot of detail re: sailing ships of this era. Great action sequences also. Try it!
Great books! He provides a lot of detail re: sailing ships of this era. Great action sequences also. Try it!
September 6, 2024
Continues to be a great series
Enjoyed the historical time period and Naval action of the times. Look forward to the upcoming finale and more of the same in the future
Enjoyed the historical time period and Naval action of the times. Look forward to the upcoming finale and more of the same in the future
August 10, 2025
Looking forward to the next episode
Johnnie gets a brand new frigate and is off to find the Spanish treasure fleet. A brutal battle occurs with a French frigate, and he makes a decision that will create problems for him in the future. Meanwhile, his slow pursuit of a lovely lady seems to be working well. A good entry in this quite active series. Captain Wharton grows quickly into his first command role and soon makes Leopard into a crack frigate. Success there creates the opportunity for a new role.
Johnnie gets a brand new frigate and is off to find the Spanish treasure fleet. A brutal battle occurs with a French frigate, and he makes a decision that will create problems for him in the future. Meanwhile, his slow pursuit of a lovely lady seems to be working well. A good entry in this quite active series. Captain Wharton grows quickly into his first command role and soon makes Leopard into a crack frigate. Success there creates the opportunity for a new role.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews