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Richard Bolitho #2
Midshipman Bolitho and the Avenger
This story is set in the winter of 1773, in and around the West Country of England. Midshipman Bolitho's ship, the Gorgon, is laid up for refit, and he with some other 'young gentlemen' is allowed home for Christmas. Bolitho, now seventeen, returns to his family in Falmouth, taking with him his best friend and fellow midshipman, Martyn Dancer. Bolitho soon discovers that all is not well in Cornwall. There are rumours of an increase in smuggling, even of witchcraft, and when a murdered man is found near the Bolitho house, ugly rumour becomes reality. Wrecking, the most savage of all crimes, is a further cause for alarm.
Only a small and agile man-of-war can be of use against such restless enemies. To Falmouth comes one such vessel, the Avenger, and thoughts of a carefree leave are quickly forgotten by Richard Bolitho, especially when he learns the name of the Avenger's commander.
Only a small and agile man-of-war can be of use against such restless enemies. To Falmouth comes one such vessel, the Avenger, and thoughts of a carefree leave are quickly forgotten by Richard Bolitho, especially when he learns the name of the Avenger's commander.
143 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1976
41 people are currently reading
290 people want to read
About the author
Alexander Kent
226 books198 followersA pseudonym used by Douglas Reeman.
Series:
* Richard Bolitho
* Adam Bolitho
Series:
* Richard Bolitho
* Adam Bolitho
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
January 4, 2023
Book Two of Thirty.
It's the end of 1773, and Richard Bolitho and his BFF Martyn Dancer are home on leave while the Gorgon is undergoing a refit. The delicious home cooked meal hasn't even settled in their stomachs before they're abruptly given a temporary assignment to Bolitho's brother Hugh's ship, the Avenger.
Hugh is kind of a condescending jerk. He has a chip on his shoulder the size of Mt. Rushmore. His ship is trying to catch a gang of wreckers off the coast of Cornwall. Wreckers light lanterns at night on the shore to imitate a nice, safe harbor. But in reality, when the ships are enticed into the "harbor" they're torn apart on the rocky coast. The wreckers then kill any survivors and steal the cargo. Despite the way this sounds, most of the killing takes place off-camera, so to speak. Most of the plot deals with trying to identity and apprehend the criminals.
This was pretty good, but I liked the first one more. I'll be reading the next one.
It's the end of 1773, and Richard Bolitho and his BFF Martyn Dancer are home on leave while the Gorgon is undergoing a refit. The delicious home cooked meal hasn't even settled in their stomachs before they're abruptly given a temporary assignment to Bolitho's brother Hugh's ship, the Avenger.
Hugh is kind of a condescending jerk. He has a chip on his shoulder the size of Mt. Rushmore. His ship is trying to catch a gang of wreckers off the coast of Cornwall. Wreckers light lanterns at night on the shore to imitate a nice, safe harbor. But in reality, when the ships are enticed into the "harbor" they're torn apart on the rocky coast. The wreckers then kill any survivors and steal the cargo. Despite the way this sounds, most of the killing takes place off-camera, so to speak. Most of the plot deals with trying to identity and apprehend the criminals.
This was pretty good, but I liked the first one more. I'll be reading the next one.
May 15, 2017
The continuation of Richards Bolitho's career, this booked showed us a different type of naval operation during the days of sailing. I loved the dynamics within this book, the story was really cleaver and full of intrigue that kept you guessing. I can't wait till the next one...
May 29, 2015
Relevant stuff from my review of Midshipman Bolitho, which collects the first two novellas in the series:
This series is more in the style of C. S. Forester's Hornblower than in the style of Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin. Kent is not a fancy writer, but he writes in a straightforward and competent manner and he knows his 18th century British Navy stuff. The reader soon is immersed in the atmosphere of the ship, accompanying 16-year-old Richard Bolitho as he fulfills his midshipman duties. The stories are part description of life aboard and part adventure/war plot.
I have seen other reviewers of this book complaining that Bolitho lacks personality, and I can see where they are coming from. In the crowded conditions of the ship, with no privacy, strict military discipline and almost no spare time, it is difficult for people to express their personality. C. S. Forester dealt with that by giving Hornblower some exaggerated personality tics, which made him seem more distinctive. Kent does not do that, so Bolitho's personality is less remarkable. But that's OK with me. He is an eager midshipman, competent (unlike Hornblower, we meet Bolitho when he already is an experienced midshipman) but still not as confident as he'll probably be when he is more senior. Hopefully as the series goes on we'll get to know him better, particularly as he gains more authority to make decisions.
This is not high literature. You should understand my rating under this light: Kent's only ambition is to tell entertaining navy tales, and what he sets out to do he does well. I had a good time and want to keep reading this series, hence my good rating.
Here, Bolitho is at home, on leave, accompanied by a friend he has invited (a fellow midshipman). His elder brother, a lieutenant, arrives then, commanding the small and underhanded cutter HM Avenger. He has received permission to recruit both midshipmen, so instead of enjoying their leave the boys have to take part in a risky mission to stop smugglers and shipwreckers in the area. Apart from the adventure, the half-fond half-strained relationship between the two brothers is one of the points of interest.
Recommended to anyone who enjoys stories about military sailing ships, in the style of C. S. Forester.
This series is more in the style of C. S. Forester's Hornblower than in the style of Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin. Kent is not a fancy writer, but he writes in a straightforward and competent manner and he knows his 18th century British Navy stuff. The reader soon is immersed in the atmosphere of the ship, accompanying 16-year-old Richard Bolitho as he fulfills his midshipman duties. The stories are part description of life aboard and part adventure/war plot.
I have seen other reviewers of this book complaining that Bolitho lacks personality, and I can see where they are coming from. In the crowded conditions of the ship, with no privacy, strict military discipline and almost no spare time, it is difficult for people to express their personality. C. S. Forester dealt with that by giving Hornblower some exaggerated personality tics, which made him seem more distinctive. Kent does not do that, so Bolitho's personality is less remarkable. But that's OK with me. He is an eager midshipman, competent (unlike Hornblower, we meet Bolitho when he already is an experienced midshipman) but still not as confident as he'll probably be when he is more senior. Hopefully as the series goes on we'll get to know him better, particularly as he gains more authority to make decisions.
This is not high literature. You should understand my rating under this light: Kent's only ambition is to tell entertaining navy tales, and what he sets out to do he does well. I had a good time and want to keep reading this series, hence my good rating.
Here, Bolitho is at home, on leave, accompanied by a friend he has invited (a fellow midshipman). His elder brother, a lieutenant, arrives then, commanding the small and underhanded cutter HM Avenger. He has received permission to recruit both midshipmen, so instead of enjoying their leave the boys have to take part in a risky mission to stop smugglers and shipwreckers in the area. Apart from the adventure, the half-fond half-strained relationship between the two brothers is one of the points of interest.
Recommended to anyone who enjoys stories about military sailing ships, in the style of C. S. Forester.
October 12, 2013
An Improved 4 Stars
Midshipman Bolitho and the Avenger is the second book covering the exploits of the young officer, Richard Bolitho. This is again a slim volume and written is a simple and clear style that could be enjoyed by readers of many ages.
Unlike the first book, this story covered a smaller range of topics. Richard, as the frigate Gorgon is docked, is tasked to a small man of war with orders to investigate some smuggling along the coast. The story become more interesting when he is surprised to learn the identity of his new captain. There are some good action sequences that occur on the sea and some equal well written sequence on land. While the action scenes are short, due to the length of the book, the story flows well is exciting to boot. An excellent second effort.
Midshipman Bolitho and the Avenger is the second book covering the exploits of the young officer, Richard Bolitho. This is again a slim volume and written is a simple and clear style that could be enjoyed by readers of many ages.
Unlike the first book, this story covered a smaller range of topics. Richard, as the frigate Gorgon is docked, is tasked to a small man of war with orders to investigate some smuggling along the coast. The story become more interesting when he is surprised to learn the identity of his new captain. There are some good action sequences that occur on the sea and some equal well written sequence on land. While the action scenes are short, due to the length of the book, the story flows well is exciting to boot. An excellent second effort.
June 22, 2024
Audiobook read by Michael Jayston.
Richard Bolitho, together with his Midshipman friend Dancer, are given leave for Christmas and head for the Bolitho family home in Cornwall. The discovery of a dead Excise Man and the arrival of Bolitho's older brother, Hugh, in his naval cutter Revenge, somewhat scuppers the festivities as Richard and Dancer are conscripted into the Revenge's crew to search for and apprehend a gang of wreckers and smugglers. Though this is told from Richard's point of view it's really his brother Hugh, hot-headed and tempestuous, who is the main mover and shaker in this story. Richard contributes the odd good idea and mostly does as he's told. Unlike the previous book, some of this adventure takes place on land, but the climax is another thrilling sea battle.
Michael Jayston is an excellent reader.
Richard Bolitho, together with his Midshipman friend Dancer, are given leave for Christmas and head for the Bolitho family home in Cornwall. The discovery of a dead Excise Man and the arrival of Bolitho's older brother, Hugh, in his naval cutter Revenge, somewhat scuppers the festivities as Richard and Dancer are conscripted into the Revenge's crew to search for and apprehend a gang of wreckers and smugglers. Though this is told from Richard's point of view it's really his brother Hugh, hot-headed and tempestuous, who is the main mover and shaker in this story. Richard contributes the odd good idea and mostly does as he's told. Unlike the previous book, some of this adventure takes place on land, but the climax is another thrilling sea battle.
Michael Jayston is an excellent reader.
September 21, 2021
I rediscovered Bolitho (RB) after a hiatus of 40 years. I didn't like it then but I enjoy it now.
Spoilers ahead:
This 2nd book is set at at time when his ship the 74 Gorgon is home for a refit. So he and his buddy Martyn Dancer is back at the Bolitho home in Cornwall for what they think is a leisurely vacation with good food and being waited on hand and foot. His brother Hugh is appointed to command a sloop to look for smugglers and wreckers and Shanghais RB and his buddy to help. Wreckers are people who shine fake lights to lure innocent ships on to local reefs and shoals. They then go and salvage goods from the wrecks and kill anyone left alive.
I'm not a big fan of this book because of the content. I just didn't find it exciting. Hugh is a big part of this book and apparently has a lot of hangups. He's short tempered, full of self importance, lacks self confidence or maybe has too much and is very worried about his own chances of promotion.
Anyway the book is about catching wreckers and smugglers and we are introduced a bit about Bolitho's home life. Now on to the next book and I hope it's more action.
Spoilers ahead:
This 2nd book is set at at time when his ship the 74 Gorgon is home for a refit. So he and his buddy Martyn Dancer is back at the Bolitho home in Cornwall for what they think is a leisurely vacation with good food and being waited on hand and foot. His brother Hugh is appointed to command a sloop to look for smugglers and wreckers and Shanghais RB and his buddy to help. Wreckers are people who shine fake lights to lure innocent ships on to local reefs and shoals. They then go and salvage goods from the wrecks and kill anyone left alive.
I'm not a big fan of this book because of the content. I just didn't find it exciting. Hugh is a big part of this book and apparently has a lot of hangups. He's short tempered, full of self importance, lacks self confidence or maybe has too much and is very worried about his own chances of promotion.
Anyway the book is about catching wreckers and smugglers and we are introduced a bit about Bolitho's home life. Now on to the next book and I hope it's more action.
July 23, 2019
'Alexander Kent' is a fine storyteller. This is an anthology of three novellas featuring Richard Bolitho as a Midshipman. Each of the episodes is a gem: they stand individually, but there is a coherence between them. The third (Band of Brothers) was written more than 25 years after the others. It fills a logical gap in Bolitho's naval career, but is the least satisfactory of the three. Given that it is peacetime, there is a truly amazing amount of violence, both on land and at sea and the plot is somewhat melodramatic. That aside, the characters of even minor actors are well drawn and there is an ebb-and-flow between them. But for the last full chapter, where the narrative seemed to run into the sand, I would have given this 5 stars.
January 22, 2024
'Midshipman Bolitho and the Avenger' finds our protagonist home on Christmas leave. Well, home on leave for the moment. Soon, he's deeply involved in sussing out shipwrecks, smugglers, and other ne'er-do-wells when he's assigned to Avenger, a cutter commanded by older brother Hugh.
I found this Bolitho novel entertaining enough, but it lacked the propulsive energy of the last. I sussed out the villain very early, I felt the beats coming ahead of time, and I kinda wanted to get back out on the high seas, where the real action is.
That said, this is a perfectly acceptable adventure novel, perfect for light reading before bed or on a flight. I'm willing to give the series another go with the next Bolitho adventure.
I found this Bolitho novel entertaining enough, but it lacked the propulsive energy of the last. I sussed out the villain very early, I felt the beats coming ahead of time, and I kinda wanted to get back out on the high seas, where the real action is.
That said, this is a perfectly acceptable adventure novel, perfect for light reading before bed or on a flight. I'm willing to give the series another go with the next Bolitho adventure.
September 13, 2021
The second in the Bolitho series. Home on a short leave, Bolitho is suddenly called back to serve on a small ship where his brother happens to be Captain. You would expect rivalry between the two brothers but that doesn't happen. This seems to break away from what usually happens in these kind of stories. This is the only surprise as the story falls into the type that I have seen a dozen times, a routine story with a lack of imagination.
May 19, 2018
A good nautical yarn describing the early navy career of Richard Bolitho; but you can read all that in the book's description. However, what you don't get told is this version (ebook) is in fact Books 1, 2 and 3. Therefore, I've now read Book 1 twice, and have purchased Book 3 (Band of Brothers) when I needn't have bothered.
March 24, 2024
Midshipman Bolitho & the Avenger.
Superbly written with a great storyline. Enjoyed every page. Will recommend this book to anyone with a taste of the sea in their veins and adventure in their souls. Quite different to Hornblower but of the same era. Our lads back in those days were quite something, by their actions they made the world respect us English.
Superbly written with a great storyline. Enjoyed every page. Will recommend this book to anyone with a taste of the sea in their veins and adventure in their souls. Quite different to Hornblower but of the same era. Our lads back in those days were quite something, by their actions they made the world respect us English.
February 16, 2018
Beginnings
If you like Hornblower you will like the Bolitho books. These novellas are just an introduction to the series, and don't have the depth of a full-length novel, but have the flavour of the many that follow.
If you like Hornblower you will like the Bolitho books. These novellas are just an introduction to the series, and don't have the depth of a full-length novel, but have the flavour of the many that follow.
October 27, 2020
I’m another repeat reader of the Bolitho series only this time will try and read them all in the correct order.
I gave this 4 stars as I found it a little slow but I know that they will get better as I recall I was loath to put the books down
I gave this 4 stars as I found it a little slow but I know that they will get better as I recall I was loath to put the books down
July 19, 2021
Authentic
This man knows sailing he also knows history that is a huge help.it makes the reader believe I confess I believed. I could taste the salt and smell the sea. A really good read in what is a favourite genre of mine.
This man knows sailing he also knows history that is a huge help.it makes the reader believe I confess I believed. I could taste the salt and smell the sea. A really good read in what is a favourite genre of mine.
December 2, 2023
This book is a tiny bit better than Richard Bolitho, Midshipman, but it's still poorly written and full of flat characters with the barest plot. Only for Bolitho completists. I wonder now if the middle books were actually good?
October 27, 2024
This was the second in the series. I liked it, it was okay. It as not as exciting as the first one, but it was a quick read to help knock out my 2024 Read Harder Challenge. The story seemed a bit contrived and nothing really stood out. If you are a fan, you will like it
June 11, 2017
Another great Bolitho story
July 5, 2017
British Navy vs Cornish smugglers, with a predictable twist. Short and fun, but still not as good as Hornblower.
June 27, 2018
Summer re-read, well worth it.
December 14, 2018
3 stars out of 5 - An easy couple of evening read.
August 14, 2020
Such a fun adventure story
October 7, 2020
Good little read. A lot more time spent onshore than the last book. The Cornish stormy weather was captured very well!
October 13, 2021
Great Story
Unusual story in as much as it takes place on land much of the time but none the worse for that
Unusual story in as much as it takes place on land much of the time but none the worse for that
April 30, 2022
It was okay.
March 7, 2024
In this second Midshipman Bolitho adventure, he and his brother face down wreckers in their home area in Cornwall. Another good adventure read.
May 1, 2024
Two very exciting stories set during young Richard Bolitho's early Royal Navy days. Each story was gripping with wonderful climatic endings.
May 27, 2025
Interesting novella. The villain was kind of obvious.
June 10, 2025
Considering this is a novella, I found this rather dull, slow paced and with little characterisation.
June 8, 2008
December, 1773 and 17 year old Midshipman Richard Bolitho has just returned from sea on the GORGON and is on leave for possibly a month as the ship under goes repairs. He returns home with fellow shipmate and close friend Martyn Dancer. Soon after arriving in Cornwall, he becomes involved with the death of a Revenue Service officer and then he and Martyn are temporily assigned to duty on the cutter AVENGER under the command of Richard's older brother to deal with ship wreckers and smugglers along the Cornish coast. The action then focuses upon the efforts to deal with the wreckers and smugglers.
This is the second in the Richard Bolitho series which is similar to the Horatio Hornblower series. A bit short, 144 pages, and on the lighter side regarding plot and life in the British navy, but good reading.
This is the second in the Richard Bolitho series which is similar to the Horatio Hornblower series. A bit short, 144 pages, and on the lighter side regarding plot and life in the British navy, but good reading.
May 19, 2009
I'd always heard about the Bolitho books from my father and my aunt, who swear by them. This is my first foray, having found the book in the "free" pile after a book sale.
Just a wee book, it's only about 135 pages (none too dense, either). Really, you're looking at a novella. That said, it's done in a flash, and it has some good, crunchy sea adventure in there. In an unusual twist, it's a bit of a mystery. It involves some "wreckers" on the coast of Cornwall, who put fake dock lights out on dangerous points and lure ships to their doom, then steal the cargo.
Fun stuff. Really only takes a few hours to read, and doesn't carry any low-value cargo. Recommended for anyone who loves the "great days of sail" books, like C.S. Forester's Horblower. I'll be reading more Bolitho stories.
Just a wee book, it's only about 135 pages (none too dense, either). Really, you're looking at a novella. That said, it's done in a flash, and it has some good, crunchy sea adventure in there. In an unusual twist, it's a bit of a mystery. It involves some "wreckers" on the coast of Cornwall, who put fake dock lights out on dangerous points and lure ships to their doom, then steal the cargo.
Fun stuff. Really only takes a few hours to read, and doesn't carry any low-value cargo. Recommended for anyone who loves the "great days of sail" books, like C.S. Forester's Horblower. I'll be reading more Bolitho stories.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews