Chesapeake Bound: An Annapolis Novel

by Thomas Guay

A story of desperate immigrates looking for adventure, advancement, love, and most of all, a sense of belonging, in the New World.

London, 1763: Gifted musician and medical apprentice Michael Shea is living rough after being blackballed from working as a surgeon's assistant. Not only does Michael lose his gig playing fiddle in a tavern, he also is framed for the murder of a tavern patron visiting from colonial Virginia. Worse, Michael realizes his ladylove wasn't interested in true love. He was just a divertissement.

Heartbroken and out of options, Michael and his friend Danny escape the turmoil by shipping out on the misnamed brig The Delight as lowly indentured servants. On board are forty-eight other desperate souls—everyday people risking their lives to immigrate to the wilds of America, hoping for a better life in the New World where they can break free of a rigid class system, prejudice, and poverty. Michael’s medical skills prove critical as the passengers endure the ravages of the long trans-Atlantic journey from London to killer storms, accidents, sickness, and Barbary raiders. While attending to the sick, Michael realizes that he has not yet escaped the murder for which he was framed—and that the real killer will do anything to keep his identity a secret.

Genres: Historical Fiction

268 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 1, 2025

Reviews

[Sten · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story was just alright, but the writing was quite good

[Andrew Kramer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent debut by Thomas Guay. Chesapeake Bound is the first in a new series called Sailing to Revolution.

The book begins with a motley group of individuals gathered inside a London tavern in 1763. Michael Shea, an Irish immigrant and a physician's assistant (which is similar to a nurse), is interested in the innkeeper's eldest daughter, which causes trouble for him. His rival for Becky's affection teams up to frame Michael for a murder he didn't commit. The only option left for Michael is to escape on a ship headed for America, specifically Annapolis, where a wealthy acquaintance, Charles Carroll, resides. Michael hopes to convince Carroll to take him in as an indentured servant.

The author knows Annapolis inside and out, as well as Maryland generally. However, this book's scope is primarily limited to the sailing ship, misleadingly called The Delight. The ship's journey is extremely challenging, and Guay provides the reader with a great understanding of the struggles faced by pledged indentured servants traveling to the colonies.

The reason this book doesn't quite reach five stars is that I was expecting a bit more of it to take place in Annapolis.

I hope the author follows up with book two of this series.

[Susan Frances · Rating 4 out of 5]

Themes such as exploring the dark side of human nature and the unrelenting desire to hope, the desperation that comes out in people to survive and defend self-preservation at any cost, and the ease in which people fall into duplicity to protect one's self are all elements examined by author Thomas Guay in his novel Chesapeake Bound.

Comparable to historical action adventure reads as David Grann's The Wager, Patrick O'Brian's Master and Commander, Alfred Lansing's Endurance, and Charles Bernard Nordhoff's Mutiny on the Bounty, Guay creates a tale that articulates the human struggle and hardships needed to tackle for survival, the trials and tribulations that life foists on the living, and the paths that lead to a level of comfort and safety.

The tale is set in 1763, approximately ten years prior to the American Revolution, revolving around medical apprentice and after-hours musician Michael Shea. Events enter his life, forcing him to leave the promise of prosperity in London and flee to Annapolis in Maryland where he will need to start a new life for himself. The theme of people escaping an old life and embarking into uncharted terrain has its tentacles in world history, both in fiction and non-fiction alike.

Guay forms an intimacy with the reader, sharing the thoughts, feelings, motivations, intentions, and actions of Shea. He becomes a familiar friend, relatable to the reader and the one most honest and revealing throughout the story. When the reader needs to see through the complications woven into the scenes and hear the truth, one goes to Shea. Guay offers information about history that isn't broached in grade school and likely omitted from college textbooks but the information makes sense and answers vexing questions.

Well-thought out, descriptively versed, and detailed, Guay's tale opens the reader's eyes and minds not only to hanging questions about history but also about questioning conflicts that plague modern day. The story puts a microscope on human nature, offering meaningful insight into the inclination and motivation of human beings.

[Mary Tilghman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Combine some of my favorite things—sailing (although never on a leaky old ship carrying indentured servants across an angry Atlantic), the hammered dulcimer, the Chesapeake Bay and the charming small town of Annapolis— and I knew Chesapeake Bound by Thomas Guay was a book I wanted to read. Not for a single page was I disappointed.

This historical adventure opens in London before the Revolutionary War is inevitable. The main character, Michael Shay, has a number of counts against him. He’s Irish. He’s Catholic. He’s in love with a married woman—though the husband is far from home. When a friend is murdered, he and his hammered-dulcimer-playing friend Danny board a ship headed to the Chesapeake Bay to become indentured servants.

Michael plans to link up with his acquaintance Charlie Carroll once the ship lands in Annapolis. He’s as gifted at medicine as he is at music and so hopes Carroll will save him as Michael once saved him.

Crossing the ocean, everything goes wrong. Pirates. Broken masts. Foul weather. Illness. For most of the book, I could only hold on to a hope the whole thing wouldn’t end in tragedy.

The characters are lovable—unless they’re villains. And yes there are some serious evil-doers.

I won’t spoil the whole story except to say there just better be a sequel in the works because these are characters I’ve grown to love.

I highly recommend this riveting hair-raising, heart-breaking adventure on the high seas.

[Anne Maio · Rating 1 out of 5]

Local author- gift of RMG. Story of London 1783 where work is almost non existent which drives people to sign up for becoming indentured servants for passaage to America. Conditons on the ship are horrendous and the voyage is perilous. The main character Michael Shea is a surgeon's assistant with scant knowledge of medicine and cleanliness. When they arrive in America they are "bought" singly without regard for families. Charles Carroll "buys" Michael.

[Marcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5* Told from the view of an indentured servant from Ireland, it's a different view from most about immigrating to the US before the revolution. The ship is headed to Annapolis, MD, so the local references were fun since I live in the area. The publisher needs to hire a better proof reader. The book is the 1st of a trilogy, so I will probably read the 2nd as I am engaged enough in the characters to wonder who will buy their contracts and how they fare. Plus, I know the author's wife 🙂

[Evie Fowler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was completely absorbed by this story. Michael Shea is such a compelling protagonist, flawed, resilient, and deeply human. His journey from the streets of London to the perilous Atlantic crossing kept me hooked the entire way. The historical detail feels incredibly authentic, and the emotional stakes are high. The immigrant experience is portrayed with honesty and heart. A must-read for fans of historical fiction with substance and soul.

[BOOK LOVER nordberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn’t just a novel about immigration it’s about identity, purpose, and belonging. The author brings the year 1763 to life so well that I felt the cold, smelled the salt air, and feared for every life on that ship. Michael’s struggle to clear his name, heal others, and survive his own heartbreak is beautifully written. The mix of historical realism and mystery is masterful. Five stars without hesitation.

[Judith Frakes · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the grime of London to the dangers of the Atlantic, this novel hooked me from the start. I felt invested in every character on The Delight and the irony of the ship’s name is brilliant. The author doesn’t shy away from hardship, but still manages to infuse the story with hope. It reads like a lost piece of real history full of courage, love, desperation, and the will to survive. I’d recommend this to any reader looking for a powerful and immersive story.

[Maryrita · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gripping historical novel circa 1760s featuring an Irish musician and medical assistant, Michael Shea, who is forced to flee London under suspicious circumstances--a dead body--and signs onto indentured servitude bound for the Maryland Colony. Lots of description of ship lore and fetid conditions in the hold, pirates and battles, and even a little romance. Michael survives the passage and lands in Annapolis...waiting for book 2! A fun read!

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A trip through history aboard a ship filled with action, romance, and new beginnings in the colonial period. Lively characters who come to life in this tale and bring us into the scene aboard ship in a most entertaining way. Follow their adventures from London to Annapolis as they begin anew as indentured servants in the colony of Maryland. I understand from the author this is the first of a trilogy.

[itsybitsybookhoarder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first time I have read a book by this author, Guay. I enjoyed it so much. Being a history person, I loved that it was a historical fiction novel. The plot and story line, along with characters, kept me interested from the beginning. It had history, adventure, and so much more. I am looking forward to reading more from this author. Thank you NetGalley ARC!

[Leilani Morton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book perfectly blends mystery, character, and history. The shipbound journey is tense and vividly written storms, sickness, prejudice, and the harsh realities of life at sea are captured with cinematic clarity. I loved the diverse cast of passengers, each with their own reason for risking everything. Michael’s medical skills and his past make for a gripping narrative. I couldn’t put it down.

[Linda Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

The pacing of this book is fantastic. Every chapter raises the stakes. The framed murder plot adds tension, while the immigrant journey adds emotional depth. I particularly loved the theme of class and how everyday people fight for dignity and hope in the New World. Michael and Danny’s friendship is a highlight. Readers of Diana Gabaldon or Ken Follett will love this.

[Louise Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the story and the writing.