Betrayal

Lady Bethany #2

by Christopher C. Tubbs

Lady Bethany Stockley, codenamed 'Chaton, ' serves the British Secret Service with unflinching loyalty. Her latest mission is to uncover the elusive El Dragon, a ruthless pirate targeting American ships.

But El Dragon was reported dead years ago.

Intent on finding the real villain, Beth sails to Mexico disguised as an American trader.

But she sails straight into a trap.

Captured by Colombian privateers, Beth's crew and her infamous schooner, The Fox, are seized.

Armed with her deadly combat skills and fearless determination, Beth must outwit her enemies. A final battle aboard The Fox will determine her fate and Britain's supremacy across the waves.

Betrayal is an epic tale of swashbuckling adventure, loyalty, and resilience. Perfect for fans of John Drake, Philip McCutchan, David Grann, C.S. Forester, Patrick O'Brian, Griff Hosker and Bernard Cornwell.

Genres: Historical Fiction

295 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 5, 2025

About the author

Biography
I am descendent of a long line of Dorset clay miners and have chased my family tree back to the 16th century in the Isle of Purbeck. I have been a public speaker at conferences for most of my career in the Aerospace and Automotive industries and was one of the founders of a successful games company back in the 1990’s.
Now in my sixties, and living in the Netherlands Antilles, I finally got to write the stories I had going around in my head for many years. Thanks to inspiration from the great sea authors like Alexander Kent, Dewey Lambdin, Patrick O’Brian and Dudley Pope I was finally able to put digit to keyboard and start writing the Dorset Boy series.
I make no apologies that I write for myself. The stories emerge as I write and I am often surprised by the twists and turns that they take.

Reviews

[Ria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lady Bethany Stockley is also known as Chaton, her codename for working for the government.
Her new mission is a swashbuckling adventure trying to uncover a dastardly pirate known as El Dragon.
But rumour has it he died years before.
Determined to find the real culprit she sails straight into a trap when she heads to Mexico and her ship, The Fox is seized.
Armed with her rapier sharp wit and her exceptional fighting skills she has to quickly outwit her dangerous adversaries.
I thoroughly enjoyed this, a tale of derring do on the high seas and a cracking good swashbuckling yarn.
Great read.

[Gillian Cawte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining Adventures in Historical Setting
If you enjoy swashbuckling stories about dare-devil heroines who always win against terrible odds – then buckle your swash and climb aboard this exciting book. Lady Bethany Stockley, codename “Chaton” in the British Secret Service of the early 1800’s, known to friends and family as “Beth”, has a schooner “The Fox” dedicated for her service by the British Navy so she can fight Britain’s enemies. Beth’s crew aboard The Fox all possess deadly combat skills, exceptional technical abilities in navigation and ship handling, and an unshakable loyalty to their skipper – or perhaps not all the crew. Is there just one who will betray his captain and shipmates, lead her into a trap?
The first half of this book is set in steamy South America and spicy ports of the Caribbean while hunting elusive pirates. The Fox is betrayed, Beth taken prisoner. As the action becomes more heated, the pace of the story becomes ever faster, and the characters perform ever more daring and clever deeds. However, it is all very believable, and entertaining, with something exciting to always keep the reader glued to the pages. Inevitably Beth is rescued and The Fox sails safely home out of Kingston Harbour whilst gathering some exotic and lively new crew members along the way.
Having made a large portion of the Globe safe for trade, we are then treated to a number of Beth’s subsequent adventures set in locations closer to home, all of which are fast moving and extremely entertaining. This book is very well researched, giving interesting details about daily living in the early 1800’s and having well known characters appear who are consistent with the time period. I thoroughly recommend reading this absolutely riveting and delightful “007-style” spoof. Be warned, once a reader starts this tale, it is very difficult to put down without continuing for “just one more chapter to find out what happens next!”

[virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fascinating story with Beth as a Secret Service agent who seems to go from one adventure to the next with little rest for the reader.

I had not read the first book in the series, but I felt the first book stood well enough on its own. The characters were well-developed, and the adventures gripping, but there seemed to be too many for one story to hold my interest beyond a few chapters at a time.

I am not sure if reading the first book in the series would have mattered, but I found myself picking up the book, reading for a bit, and then thinking, what adventure will our MC and her cohorts have to deal with next?

Don’t get me wrong – I enjoyed the book – it just wasn’t a fast read – not a beach read – and had to be devoured in more than a few sittings.

Betrayal encouraged me to grab a copy of the first book in the series to see if that would add more dimension to the series.

I gave the book four stars because the writing style and the characters intrigued me. I want to thank Net Galley, the author, and the publisher, for the opportunity to read this tale as a free ARC. This review is voluntary and is mine and mine alone.

[Phil Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is part 2 of the Lady Bethany series. It also reads well as a stand-alone story.
Lady Bethany is an English aristocrat and the daughter of Admiral Marty Stockley.
Beth has friends in high places, George Canning, the English Foreign Secretary is a close family friend, and King George is Beth's Godfather and benefactor!
However, the Lady is not the gentile young lady that Georgian society expects. She is also a trained assassin, a master of weaponry, and a secret agent working for the English government
Her codename is Chaton, and at the start of the tale, she is engaged in a mission to uncover and foil the pirate El Dragon, who is preying on American and English interests in the Carribean.
The story is full of swashbuckling sword and knife fights. Her exploits become a little tongue in cheek as she and her loyal team seek out and deal with the crowns' enemies. Overall, it is a great romp and a very enjoyable light read.

[Debra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley! I was unaware this was book #2 in a series although I believe it stands on its own just fine. Beth is a secret service agent and with her crew she’s sails off on assignment. Very enjoyable but then when her assignment is complete it pivots to the next, and the next, and the next. Some were more entertaining than others. Some were quickly brought to fruition. I think that is where I started to lose appreciation for the story as a whole. Great characters, some fascinating adventures, just too many squeezed into a short book. Still worth the read.

[Alison Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really enjoyable read. The best part for me is the team of Wolves. A fully female team led by Beth. They are fiesty, blood thirsty and always get the job done. As a reader I like to be engaged in what I read. Particularly when it comes to action. This author does that beautifully. I also didn't need to read book 1 to find this book interesting. I started with this so it is also good as a stand alone. Although I enjoyed this so much I will be reading the first one soon

[A.J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast-paced whirlwind of historical adventure. From Caribbean pirates to Russia in winter, never a dull moment. Bethany is a female Bond from an earlier century, with a support team that includes family and friends, all honed to a razor's edge. Believable plot? No, but it's a fun read with interesting characters and intricate historical details.

I received an ARC from the publisher and thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Sven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thrilling, exciting, and realistic, well researched adventures on the high seas is what you get with Betrayal. Beth is an amazing character, and her beau Sebastian is just made for her. This is a very fast-paced book and was pretty memorable in its writing style and storytelling.

A great read. #netgalley #Betrayal

[Loretta Gabriel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very intriguing story of English control of world events.

The author has written a book of how the English secret service was able to effectively control world tensions by quickly dismantling and restoring order in the Caribbean and Eastern Europe. A enjoyable story that will keep you entertained.

[Pastor Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always delivers

I've read almost every work of his, most three or four times as they are a great escape and chance to relax. This one does not disappoint, but it's a great read... keep writing!!!

[Melvyn Homer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Betrayal. Fast paced historical naval story, with great characters, intriguing storyline and plenty of action. A great read.

[Jim Purcell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chaton starts slowly and rather formulaic but gains speed and some swagger by the end.

[jim gosbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

good book

Very readable. Some good plots which includes some really well written chapters, a book that I will most certainly read again.

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

Skulduggery

Family Ties throughout,excellent team building and full of adventure. The plots are mischievous and full of twists and turns leaves you wanting more

[Ken Gordon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Readable

Storyline stretches logic and knowledge but OK in general. I still like the early “Marty” stories and like to see more in that era.

[Maddi Girling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. Life got in the way and took me a bit to get through it but omg each time I opened it up there was something to love.

[Patrick Harrington · Rating 4 out of 5]

lot of stories wrapped up into 1 book!

A non stop action thriller, involving women as the bad asses. Which usallly isn’t the case in stories of this time period.

[Andrew Levine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the way you have continued the original idea for your series. As a historical fiction reader of sea stories I enjoy your pairing fantasy with actual events.

Please take a look at my first book attempt, called Death in the Rain. It’s a murder mystery taking place in Mumbai. I would be interested in your opinion. How do you get people to finish your books and then write an actual review?