Audacity

Commander Cochrane Smith #5

by Alan Evans

Spring 1918

Bolshevik Russia has withdrawn from the war and now stands isolated, ineffectually hostile to both Germany and the Allied Forces.

The Russian fleet at Kronstadt remains highly vulnerable, and the British government fears that a German offensive to ‘liberate’ the Kronstadt naval force could swing the balance of seapower against the Royal Navy and lead to defeat.

Commander David Cochrane Smith is captain of Audacity, a Q ship, no more than a lightly armed disguised tramp steamer.

He is ordered to deliver a fortune in gold and a mysterious female passenger to a group of Russian plotters who are prepared to sink the fleet and block German access to the harbour. The only way through is to penetrate the defences of the Baltic—minefields and patrolling destroyers—then steam the length of it.

Smith’s one protection is Audacity’s disguise as a neutral ship: if that is stripped away his orders are to scuttle her because the Admiralty believes escape to be impossible.

Once again he faces the loneliness of isolated command, in a hostile and dangerous sea…with a loyal crew who can never know the true extent of their captain’s secret orders.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Military Fiction, Fiction

240 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 1985

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Alan Evans was born in 1930 in Sunderland. He is an enthralling writer of First and Second World War adventure thrillers, mainly based on naval battles. Carefully researched, and with his own experience of active service, he skilfully evokes the tension and terror of war. Many of the figures and events are based on real-life models. His best-known character is Commander David Cochrane Smith, a maverick First World War sea captain. The protagonist of six of Evans' novels, he has to battle against the highly sceptical Admiralty as well as seemingly impossible odds in order to triumph. Evans' style is pacey and gripping, and in addition to his popular books for adults, he counts three adventure novels for children amongst his credits.

Reviews

[Anthony Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have now read 5 books in this series. Having criticised the first book, mainly for the grammatical, typo errors and the need to re-read sentences and paragraphs to due to poor editing, to understand their meaning. I had suggested the urgent need to use a good editor for the following books.

I am delighted to say from book 2 this must have happened as I have no major problems when reading this series. All the books have now been evaluated as 4 star reads instead of the 2/3 stars for the first one.

The stories have all been set in different locations around the First World War. These include the channel between Dover and France; Turkey in and around the Med;the Adriatic and the Scandinavian countries up to Russia. Commander Smith has serviced on a different type of vessel in each story. From old destroyers; a light cruiser; to a Q ship.

All exciting taking you to new dimensions of the war. Though every story has a love interest, this is a weak element of the stories and not well developed until the end of book 5. I must admit I am enjoying all the books to date.

[Tony Hisgett · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book starts with Commander Smith in command of a Q-ship on a secret mission to Russia. The reasons behind the mission are highly dubious and are really quite illogical. Also I am beginning to find the constant references to Smith’s record being ”far from unblemished” a bit annoying. He has achieved far more than could have been expected of him. He has probably sunk more enemy warships than any other commander in the rest of the navy.

The story was a bit convoluted at times, but there was a decent amount of action and Smith finally gets a small amount of recognition for his exemplary service. Overall not a bad story, although the author shouldn’t try to include women in his books, as he is really poor at writing believable romantic relationships.

[Jim Ramseier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good finale to the series.

I thoroughly enjoyed the plot, action, and pacing of the book.

One of the things I found interesting in the series is the unusual missions used in the plots. They are not the big battles like Jutland. They are more isolated and clever. I found this to be far more interesting and I would pull up a map to see the locations.

I also liked how the author described the tactics and thinking in a lower technology era. The situations and solutions were well thought out and kept my attention.

[Elle Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

WWI sea saga

In 1917 a freighter converted into a Q ship, bait for German U boats and raiders starts on a perilous journey through the Baltic Sea on a special secret mission. Deliver a fortune in gold to some White Russian partisans to pay for keeping the Russian Battle Fleet from the Germans. What starts as an undercover semi diplomatic efforts unwinds into a series of sea battles with much more heavily armed Ships. Using guile, clever tactics and a seaplane Captain Smith faces certain danger.

[John Long · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yet another unusual mission, but exciting

Allen Evans assigns unusual missions to Commander Smith, it it's always an enjoyable ride. Each mission takes us to a different theater of the World War 1 conflict, so there's always some new historical context to learn about. I have to say that I like that aspect. Other common threads include
- some impossible feats
- a woman
- a climactic battle at the end against a superior force

All I can say is keep them coming. I can only hope that Smith's longevity will extend into the 21st century and space travel.

[Calvin Vork · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read

Another great read leaving you wanting more. Fortunately the ending leads into the next book in series Glad the next one is already published.i always have it downloaded and ready, almost like just the next chapter.

[Mr Michael R Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

End Of World War One

This book, the fifth in the series, brings Smith to the end of WWI. It is a great read, possibly the best so far, great research, plausible storyline and good characters make for a good story that moves at a decent pace.

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoy the Cochrane Smith series and while this one had all the elements that appeal to me, somehow the tale just didn't catch fire. The action sequences in previous books made me feel as if I am there, but in Audacity I felt like an onlooker on the outside looking in.

[Prp · Rating 3 out of 5]

The action is fine, but the characters are terrible
SPOILER ALERT









The love affair is absolutely unbelievable and really badly written.

[Uncle Dave Avis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series ! Thoroughly enjoyable. Exciting action. I highly recommend this one !

[M H Burges · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent, WW 1 naval story. A believable account of action on the high seas. Keeps one attention throughout.

[Nick Brough · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually enjoyed this rather unbelievable story set in the WW1 (April 1918) Baltic Sea. Its an imaginative exciting read in a quite boys own style with a degree of adultness that keeps it interesting.

After finishing it, I realised that what actually makes the difference between an author like Evans and say Alastair MacLean best seller with movie adaptions is that too much happens to quickly which moves the story from a reasonable, but fantastical story setting into an unbelievable fantasy.

[Mitch Fountain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disguised tramp steamer goes behind enemy lines to deliver a fortune in gold and a femme fatale to Russia. Crackles with suspense and continues the David Cochrane Smith storyline. If you liked the Bolitho books (Kent) you will like these.

[Nooilforpacifists · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last of the WWI part of the series--somehow, had missed it before.