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Nathan Peake #7
The Sea of Silence: Nathan Peake, Book 7
With Europe temporarily at peace, Napoleon Bonaparte has dispatched his victorious army with a vast fleet to the Caribbean. Its aim is to re-impose French authority in the region but first they must reconquer Saint-Domingue.
Captain Nathan Peake is sent from England with a small squadron, tasked with disrupting French supply lines at sea and running guns to the rebel forces. But if the men are caught, they will be disowned by the British and US governments and very likely hanged by the French as pirates.
This adventure will lead Nathan into a running battle with the French Navy in the troubled waters off Saint-Domingue, an increasingly desperate involvement in one of the most brutal colonial conflicts in history, a dangerous liaison with Pauline Bonaparte, and a battle of ideas and ideologies that persists to the present day.
Captain Nathan Peake is sent from England with a small squadron, tasked with disrupting French supply lines at sea and running guns to the rebel forces. But if the men are caught, they will be disowned by the British and US governments and very likely hanged by the French as pirates.
This adventure will lead Nathan into a running battle with the French Navy in the troubled waters off Saint-Domingue, an increasingly desperate involvement in one of the most brutal colonial conflicts in history, a dangerous liaison with Pauline Bonaparte, and a battle of ideas and ideologies that persists to the present day.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
Audible Audio
Published January 1, 2025
17 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
About the author
Seth Hunter
12 books28 followersA pseudonym used by Paul Bryers
Seth Hunter is the pseudonym of the author of a number of highly acclaimed and prize-winning adult and children's novels. He has written and directed many historical dramas for television, radio and the theatre and adapted and directed films by playwrights such as Arthur Miller and Michael Bulgakov. He is a member of The Writers Guild of Great Britain, the Director's Guild and PEN. THE TIME OF TERROR is the first novel in a trilogy of historical naval adventures. He lives in London.
Seth Hunter is the pseudonym of the author of a number of highly acclaimed and prize-winning adult and children's novels. He has written and directed many historical dramas for television, radio and the theatre and adapted and directed films by playwrights such as Arthur Miller and Michael Bulgakov. He is a member of The Writers Guild of Great Britain, the Director's Guild and PEN. THE TIME OF TERROR is the first novel in a trilogy of historical naval adventures. He lives in London.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 18, 2021
I was given this book as a gift and, since I'm researching a similar period, I found it fascinating. It is the seventh book in the series of Nathan Peake books but you don't need to have read the six previous books to enjoy this one- although, of course, you might want to. A seafaring novel, it’s a must for anyone interested in naval history. The sea battles are utterly convincing and the descriptions of life at sea, completely credible; I really felt as though I was on board ship. The Sea of Silence is a work of fiction based around real events peppered with real-life characters like Gilbert Imlay and Nelson. The plot sails along brilliantly. The protagonist doesn't take himself too seriously and the twisty plot keeps you guessing. Paul Bryers is an excellent story-teller. I highly recommend.
August 1, 2021
I have to confess that nautical historical fiction has never appealed to me. But after reading Seth Hunter's Sea of Silence, I'm hooked! Nathan Peake is such a believable character, the plot gripped my imagination from page to page and the writing is excellent. Hunter's detailed research into life at sea in the early 1800s is evident and makes for a convincing story. I live in Cornwall, UK, and I enjoyed the local references. Now I know why Wolf Rock is so called! I'm already looking forward to the next Nathan Peake adventure.
February 27, 2022
Politics and the Seas
A very intriguing plot line which makes for a very good read. I couldn’t put this book down. Hard to keep track of Mr. Imlay and his nefarious doings. Is he a patriot, traitor, unscrupulous business man or something else? Just enough romance to keep Captain Peale in fine fettle. A high concern for many about ending slavery in the US and the Caribbean. Would highly recommend this as a good read.
A very intriguing plot line which makes for a very good read. I couldn’t put this book down. Hard to keep track of Mr. Imlay and his nefarious doings. Is he a patriot, traitor, unscrupulous business man or something else? Just enough romance to keep Captain Peale in fine fettle. A high concern for many about ending slavery in the US and the Caribbean. Would highly recommend this as a good read.
November 9, 2021
I’ve read all of the Nathan Peake series by Seth Hunter and enjoyed them immensely. I am a fan of Forester and Patrick O’Brian. Though Hunter’s novels are a bit different, with more of an element of clandestine intrigue and a little less of the nautical, I highly recommend them.
December 15, 2021
Nathan Peake novels.
I have followed this series, a very engrossing story well composed and historically correct. A great read. I would recommend these to any readers who enjoy this genre.
I have followed this series, a very engrossing story well composed and historically correct. A great read. I would recommend these to any readers who enjoy this genre.
July 23, 2023
they’re getting better!
It really feels as if the books are getting better, and this one seemed to have a lot more nautical detail, which makes sense if he wrote this during lockdown, as he says he did in the notes at the end. Lots more time to study!
It really feels as if the books are getting better, and this one seemed to have a lot more nautical detail, which makes sense if he wrote this during lockdown, as he says he did in the notes at the end. Lots more time to study!
August 21, 2021
Twice before the man facing Nathan Peake has tried to kill him, yet now he offers what Nathan craves – command of a ship in time of peace. Even so, experience has taught him not to trust Gilbert Imlay, especially since what he reveals is often only a portion of what is necessary to know. His plan may seem to advance the interests of the Americans and the British, but their previous encounters have taught Nathan that, in reality, it promotes Imlay’s own. Trusting a spy is rarely a good thing. Imlay has the support of the First Lord of the Admiralty and Admiral Lord Nelson, who brings the two together. Instinct warns Nathan to refuse, but out of courtesy to his former commander, he listens to Imlay.
The current cessation of hostilities between England and France after many years of fighting is merely an interlude. Napoleon Bonaparte still rules, which means he has plans to expand his domain. Since the Royal Navy no longer enforces its blockade of the French coast, a French fleet of eighty ships carrying 20,000 troops has sailed for the West Indies. They intend to put down the slave rebellion on Saint-Domingue, using whatever means are necessary. Once peace is restored the island will be the staging grounds to launch an invasion on Louisiana, where Napoleon intends to establish a second empire. Imlay proposes, with Nathan’s help, to throw a wrench in those plans by running guns to Toussaint Louverture, the rebel leader. The longer he and his men can delay French forces, the less likely Napoleon’s grand scheme will come to fruition.
Rather than refuse outright, Nathan agrees to view the captured French corvette. She’s relatively new and well-manned. The sea calls and Nathan is torn. Better to think things through overnight. As he places greater distance between him and the vessel, Nathan resolves to decline the invitation . . . until a trusted friend visits him with news. One of their acquaintances has been arrested – an unforeseen complication with a resolution that alters Nathan’s decision to work with Imlay. What could possibly go wrong?
This is the seventh novel in the Nathan Peake series, but can be read as a stand-alone novel. It takes place early in the first decade of the nineteenth century and combines intrigue with smuggling, a sea chase and sea battle, mass murder, and treachery. It features two of Napoleon’s siblings, as well as General Charles Victor-Emmanuel Leclerc and Touissant Louverture. Several other historical personages make cameo appearances. Fans of Peake will enjoy this addition to the series. Several scenes involve thrilling action or unbelievable horrors, while the tidbits about the past may entice new readers to discover the earlier titles of Nathan Peake’s adventures.
The current cessation of hostilities between England and France after many years of fighting is merely an interlude. Napoleon Bonaparte still rules, which means he has plans to expand his domain. Since the Royal Navy no longer enforces its blockade of the French coast, a French fleet of eighty ships carrying 20,000 troops has sailed for the West Indies. They intend to put down the slave rebellion on Saint-Domingue, using whatever means are necessary. Once peace is restored the island will be the staging grounds to launch an invasion on Louisiana, where Napoleon intends to establish a second empire. Imlay proposes, with Nathan’s help, to throw a wrench in those plans by running guns to Toussaint Louverture, the rebel leader. The longer he and his men can delay French forces, the less likely Napoleon’s grand scheme will come to fruition.
Rather than refuse outright, Nathan agrees to view the captured French corvette. She’s relatively new and well-manned. The sea calls and Nathan is torn. Better to think things through overnight. As he places greater distance between him and the vessel, Nathan resolves to decline the invitation . . . until a trusted friend visits him with news. One of their acquaintances has been arrested – an unforeseen complication with a resolution that alters Nathan’s decision to work with Imlay. What could possibly go wrong?
This is the seventh novel in the Nathan Peake series, but can be read as a stand-alone novel. It takes place early in the first decade of the nineteenth century and combines intrigue with smuggling, a sea chase and sea battle, mass murder, and treachery. It features two of Napoleon’s siblings, as well as General Charles Victor-Emmanuel Leclerc and Touissant Louverture. Several other historical personages make cameo appearances. Fans of Peake will enjoy this addition to the series. Several scenes involve thrilling action or unbelievable horrors, while the tidbits about the past may entice new readers to discover the earlier titles of Nathan Peake’s adventures.
January 30, 2023
Seventh in the Nathan Peake series has Nathan now discharged from the Royal Navy, the story follows Peake as he attempts to frustrate Napoleon Bonaparte's efforts to establish a new empire in North America. Peake accepts a commission from Thomas Jefferson to harass the French navy of the coast of Saint-Dominque (now Haiti), thus providing support to the rebel slaves led by Toussaint L'Ouverture.
I am not normally a great fan of nautical fiction but make exceptions for Patrick O'Brian and Seth Hunter. Nathan Peake is a great character and all the novels in the series have strong women characters. Highly recommended.
I am not normally a great fan of nautical fiction but make exceptions for Patrick O'Brian and Seth Hunter. Nathan Peake is a great character and all the novels in the series have strong women characters. Highly recommended.
August 28, 2021
I didn't realize this was book 7 in this series when I started it. Not sure if I missed anything since I never read the others. But I did enjoy this historical fiction story. This sea story was great and set in the 1800's. I loved learning more about their life and I do need to go back and read the other 6 stories.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews