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The Call of the Sea #13
Saturn Rising
Bloody Nick returns from the Mediterranean tired – he has done too much, seen too much, and needs rest at home. His ship, HBMS Hawke, needs time in the yard.
A year of half-pay leaves Nick rested and anxious to get back to sea. He is close to the top of the Captain’s List and automatic promotion to Rear Admiral must be due in two to four years – the actual date varying at the Admiralty’s convenience. Captains sitting at home without a command are more likely to be yellowed, made without squadron, and never employed again.
Nick has his baronetcy – which he values greatly – but knows a successful command as an admiral may turn that into an Irish peerage. He cannot realistically hope for more than that, a title without a seat in the House of Lords, but would dearly love to become Lord Turnhouse. He begs the First Lord for a ship and is given Saturn, an unusual razee, to take out to the Mediterranean… provided he can man her.
His first task in the Mediterranean is to attempt to tidy up a problem in the Aegean where the French are taking bases on some of the islands, the Ottomans are losing control of others to rebel Turks and unruly Greeks, and the British are enemies to some, friends to others and allies to none. As Commodore with a small squadron, Nick has a free hand to create peace – quite possibly the peace of the grave.
A year of half-pay leaves Nick rested and anxious to get back to sea. He is close to the top of the Captain’s List and automatic promotion to Rear Admiral must be due in two to four years – the actual date varying at the Admiralty’s convenience. Captains sitting at home without a command are more likely to be yellowed, made without squadron, and never employed again.
Nick has his baronetcy – which he values greatly – but knows a successful command as an admiral may turn that into an Irish peerage. He cannot realistically hope for more than that, a title without a seat in the House of Lords, but would dearly love to become Lord Turnhouse. He begs the First Lord for a ship and is given Saturn, an unusual razee, to take out to the Mediterranean… provided he can man her.
His first task in the Mediterranean is to attempt to tidy up a problem in the Aegean where the French are taking bases on some of the islands, the Ottomans are losing control of others to rebel Turks and unruly Greeks, and the British are enemies to some, friends to others and allies to none. As Commodore with a small squadron, Nick has a free hand to create peace – quite possibly the peace of the grave.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
288 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 19, 2024
224 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
February 3, 2025
This series went on a bit longer than Wareham really had ideas for, I think. I mean, he had a goal of getting Turnhouse to Admiral, but not anything for him to actually do. Having safely dodged all the major events of the sea war against the French despite being on ship through the entire very long conflict, there's not a lot to put him up against that he hasn't already faced twenty times before.
Making things tougher is the fact that uneducated and ignorant Turnhouse now is a font of wisdom and knowledge, pontificating on things like the quality of Wellsley as a general despite having only glimpsed the man at a distance once and being at sea to never get a single word about the man.
As another reviewer noted, the series kind of wore out its welcome with the previous book but still is fairly entertaining and it does pick up about halfway through the book.
Oddly, this is the last book in the series so far, leaving Turnhouse floating in the Mediterranean but it was published December of 2024, so another may be on the way. I see at least 2 more books in this series.
Making things tougher is the fact that uneducated and ignorant Turnhouse now is a font of wisdom and knowledge, pontificating on things like the quality of Wellsley as a general despite having only glimpsed the man at a distance once and being at sea to never get a single word about the man.
As another reviewer noted, the series kind of wore out its welcome with the previous book but still is fairly entertaining and it does pick up about halfway through the book.
Oddly, this is the last book in the series so far, leaving Turnhouse floating in the Mediterranean but it was published December of 2024, so another may be on the way. I see at least 2 more books in this series.
May 1, 2025
Action in the Mediterranean
After a year of receiving half-pay while at home, Bloddy Nick returns to sea on a new ship. With the French presence in the Mediterranean, his mission is to harass and destroy any French vessels, thereby minimizing their influence in the region.
Now in a senior naval position, Nick Turnhouse must provide effective leadership for his command while meeting the demands of the British Foreign Office. This series has been excellent throughout; however, the slower pace of the later installments suggests that an ending may be forthcoming if the author is willing to conclude the story.
After a year of receiving half-pay while at home, Bloddy Nick returns to sea on a new ship. With the French presence in the Mediterranean, his mission is to harass and destroy any French vessels, thereby minimizing their influence in the region.
Now in a senior naval position, Nick Turnhouse must provide effective leadership for his command while meeting the demands of the British Foreign Office. This series has been excellent throughout; however, the slower pace of the later installments suggests that an ending may be forthcoming if the author is willing to conclude the story.
December 21, 2024
Christmas came early
Once again, another great chapter in the story. I enjoy all of the author’s books, am particularly fond of this series. Well known characters continue to grow and new characters emerge. Sadly for Nick I hope the Napoleonic Wars continue for another 10 years or other duties can be found for him. Perhaps Nick can encounter Billy Bacon along the way . Thanks Mr. Wareham for an early Christmas present. Happiest of holidays to you and your family.
Once again, another great chapter in the story. I enjoy all of the author’s books, am particularly fond of this series. Well known characters continue to grow and new characters emerge. Sadly for Nick I hope the Napoleonic Wars continue for another 10 years or other duties can be found for him. Perhaps Nick can encounter Billy Bacon along the way . Thanks Mr. Wareham for an early Christmas present. Happiest of holidays to you and your family.
January 26, 2025
Saturn Rising
Bloody excellent read. Have to say Andrew Wareham is an excellent author able to ensure the reader is never bored and manages to find excitement on a regular basis.
This is the type of book that lingers in the memory and you simply cannot stop yourself from waking at 3am and finding the book and carrying on reading as it’s a must to find out what’s going on. I’m totally hooked and must set off to find out from the next book as to what our Nick is up to next!
Bloody excellent read. Have to say Andrew Wareham is an excellent author able to ensure the reader is never bored and manages to find excitement on a regular basis.
This is the type of book that lingers in the memory and you simply cannot stop yourself from waking at 3am and finding the book and carrying on reading as it’s a must to find out what’s going on. I’m totally hooked and must set off to find out from the next book as to what our Nick is up to next!
January 31, 2025
This one is an improvement over the preceding one in the series, although Wareham remains reliant on a lot of dialogue between characters to carry the story along. As usual heavy on social commentary, British politics, and naval structure in the Napoleonic wars era, and light on action. Bloody Nick is on the cusp of flag rank, indeed he's an acting commodore here and it's interesting to see how far the farm boy from Bere has risen. All in all a fairly entertaining read.
December 30, 2024
another excellent Bloody Nick, this time in the Eastern Mediterranean.
What a wonderful series by Andrew Wareham. This installment finds Nick home for a year to relax and then off to the Med for a special operation to clean out small French bases and deal with a small Local
Lord run amok siding with the French against his rulers in Istanbul.
A good deal of shenanigans follow.
What a wonderful series by Andrew Wareham. This installment finds Nick home for a year to relax and then off to the Med for a special operation to clean out small French bases and deal with a small Local
Lord run amok siding with the French against his rulers in Istanbul.
A good deal of shenanigans follow.
January 3, 2025
Another hit in Wareham's lineup
As ever, Mr. Wareham's writing is excellent. Entertaining reading that keeps the reader interested. The storyline seems to be well researched, reasonably accurate to the customs and societal practices of the day. I will look forward to the next book of 'Bloody Nick's' exploits.
As ever, Mr. Wareham's writing is excellent. Entertaining reading that keeps the reader interested. The storyline seems to be well researched, reasonably accurate to the customs and societal practices of the day. I will look forward to the next book of 'Bloody Nick's' exploits.
March 23, 2025
When Britain Was Great
I would recommend this book and the entire Call of the Sea series to anyone who loves historical fiction at its best. What fascinated me was the depth of the research Mr. Wareham has done in the language used by all the characters making his works a great learning experience.
I would recommend this book and the entire Call of the Sea series to anyone who loves historical fiction at its best. What fascinated me was the depth of the research Mr. Wareham has done in the language used by all the characters making his works a great learning experience.
December 26, 2024
consistent
Having read all 12 books in this series I was surprised that book #13 arrived on Christmas Day. It was a very welcome surprise and I was able to follow Bloody Nick on his further adventures. I enjoyed this truly great book and look forward to many more.
Having read all 12 books in this series I was surprised that book #13 arrived on Christmas Day. It was a very welcome surprise and I was able to follow Bloody Nick on his further adventures. I enjoyed this truly great book and look forward to many more.
January 1, 2025
Buzz ah Door Bloody Nick!
The only criticism I could possibly make of Andrew Wareham's work is that if each book were a quarter-million words apiece, they'd be too short! How fortunate for us that Mr Wareham is El prolific and has so many other excellent books to read. Great work!
The only criticism I could possibly make of Andrew Wareham's work is that if each book were a quarter-million words apiece, they'd be too short! How fortunate for us that Mr Wareham is El prolific and has so many other excellent books to read. Great work!
January 7, 2025
Another excellent naval novel of early 1800's !
As always very well written. The feel of ship combat and salt water in your face invigorates. I look forward to more about "Bloody Nick" !
As always very well written. The feel of ship combat and salt water in your face invigorates. I look forward to more about "Bloody Nick" !
January 12, 2025
Still enjoying this series
After 13 books looking forward to the next. Keep them coming. Can't wait to see admiral Nick! As the crew gets their drinking and drowning night done I'm sure the story will continue to be strong!
After 13 books looking forward to the next. Keep them coming. Can't wait to see admiral Nick! As the crew gets their drinking and drowning night done I'm sure the story will continue to be strong!
January 19, 2025
Yet another brilliant book
I've read all the series so far. Good structure and great mix of fact and fiction. Already looking forward to the next game hoping I can follow our hero into retirement (in about ten books time).
I've read all the series so far. Good structure and great mix of fact and fiction. Already looking forward to the next game hoping I can follow our hero into retirement (in about ten books time).
March 9, 2025
Another cracking yarn.
Bloody Nick sets sail again, for waters new. Turks, Albanians and a few French as well. A different ship, and a small step up the ladder. Another cracking yarn.
Bloody Nick sets sail again, for waters new. Turks, Albanians and a few French as well. A different ship, and a small step up the ladder. Another cracking yarn.
March 31, 2025
Absolutely love this series.
A very different perspective about the British navy. I never thought I would like reading this topic. Mr. Wareham has a way of writing that is totally enjoyable. I hope there will be more of Bloody Nick to read!
A very different perspective about the British navy. I never thought I would like reading this topic. Mr. Wareham has a way of writing that is totally enjoyable. I hope there will be more of Bloody Nick to read!
December 11, 2025
Very accomplished author. Writes an excellent story, keeps you turning the pages. Doesn't over[populate his story with too many characters and is sparing on the action segments, but does them well anyway.
Pity the subject character eventually (later book) leaves us all ashore.
Pity the subject character eventually (later book) leaves us all ashore.
December 22, 2024
great job!!!!
Great read! Loved it. Need more like this one now for sure. Thanks again for sharing your work with us.
Great read! Loved it. Need more like this one now for sure. Thanks again for sharing your work with us.
December 23, 2024
Bloody Nick Again!
Always a good read, Mr. Wareham's version of the Napoleonic Wars lends a new slant to an old story. Albanians! Who'd have thunk it!
Always a good read, Mr. Wareham's version of the Napoleonic Wars lends a new slant to an old story. Albanians! Who'd have thunk it!
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December 26, 2024A great series
I always look forward to the next book in any of his current series they are always historically accurate about the times they are based in.
I always look forward to the next book in any of his current series they are always historically accurate about the times they are based in.
December 29, 2024
I greatly enjoyed this book, it is the 13th in this series by Andrew Wareham and every one of the books have been great. I like the characters and the continuing storyline.
April 15, 2025
Top notch
Once again Andrew brings bloody nick to life causing havoc where ever he goes a cracking yarn again onwards to the next
Once again Andrew brings bloody nick to life causing havoc where ever he goes a cracking yarn again onwards to the next
January 9, 2025
Wareham’s books continue to please as lively, informative tales of Britain’s Age of Fighting Sail
Another history niche is nicely explored in Bloody Nick’s latest foray at sea. Off to the far end of the Middle Sea, he mixes and mingles with Turks, Greeks, and even some Albanians. Smiting the French, freeing slaves, and capturing many prizes in his forceful but well-practiced manner following a year ashore to increase his family and sort out his various landholdings and other investments. Wareham’s skills at sharing these interesting times keep this series viable and in continuing good form.
Another history niche is nicely explored in Bloody Nick’s latest foray at sea. Off to the far end of the Middle Sea, he mixes and mingles with Turks, Greeks, and even some Albanians. Smiting the French, freeing slaves, and capturing many prizes in his forceful but well-practiced manner following a year ashore to increase his family and sort out his various landholdings and other investments. Wareham’s skills at sharing these interesting times keep this series viable and in continuing good form.
December 28, 2024
Saturn setting
Wareham's series have a habit of outlasting their welcome. This was a great series at the beginning but by the 13th book the themes are repetitive and there is little meat on the bones of the story. In fact it is 50% into the book before Nick sets sail on his latest voyage. There is also very little character development and instead just a continuation of various types cycling through Nick's orbit. It is all pleasant enough but one feels that it is all a little pointless as well.
Wareham's series have a habit of outlasting their welcome. This was a great series at the beginning but by the 13th book the themes are repetitive and there is little meat on the bones of the story. In fact it is 50% into the book before Nick sets sail on his latest voyage. There is also very little character development and instead just a continuation of various types cycling through Nick's orbit. It is all pleasant enough but one feels that it is all a little pointless as well.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews