Soundings Edge: Book 1 of the Nicholas Cruwys Naval Series

by Adrian Westbrooke

Book One of the Nicholas Cruwys Naval Series

In the spring of 1774, fourteen-year-old Nicholas Cruwys leaves behind the stone halls of Exeter and the ancestral pride of a faded Devonshire line to join His Majesty's Navy. Quiet, observant, and untested, he enters a world where the rigid structures of Georgian society meet the harsh meritocracy of wooden ships and iron discipline.

As a young gentleman at sea, Nicholas must navigate not only wind and tide but the intricate social currents of a naval service where worth is measured in equal parts by birth, connection, and ability. The ship becomes his academy, the quarterdeck his testing ground, and the diverse company of officers and men his most demanding instructors.

When Nicholas is posted to HMS Resolution under Captain James Cook, he joins an expedition to the far reaches of the Pacific—a voyage of scientific inquiry and imperial ambition. Among the islands of the South Seas, he encounters societies that challenge everything he has been taught about rank, propriety, and human connection. As he moves between the ordered world of the naval vessel and the complex social fabric of Tahiti and the surrounding archipelagos, Nicholas finds himself questioning the certainties of his upbringing and the nature of civilization itself.

Soundings Edge weaves together the precision of maritime detail with the delicate threads of human sentiment and societal constraint. It is a portrait of an age in transition, where Enlightenment ideals clash with ancient traditions, and where a young man's understanding of himself—and his place in an expanding world—evolves with each new horizon. More than a tale of naval adventure, it is an exploration of the heart's uncharted territories and the quiet revolutions of the mind that shape a life's course.

433 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 17, 2025

About the author

Adrian Westbrooke has long been a student of the sea, its history, and the men and ships who contended upon it. His fascination with the great age of sail was first kindled by an early immersion in naval history and has since been deepened by years of wide and exacting reading from the voyages of discovery to the wars that set the Royal Navy against the fleets of France, Spain, Holland and others. An experienced offshore and cruising sailor, he brings to his work not only that lifetime of reading but also a sailor’s own feel for wind, weather, and the rhythms of life under canvas. His writing is grounded in a close attention to the detail of period seamanship, gunnery, and society ashore, while always aiming to draw the reader into the lived experience of that world. His Nicholas Cruwys Naval Series reflects this enduring passion, ranging across the maritime powers of the age from the Royal Navy to its adversaries and allies, and to the global reach of the East India Company. He continues to develop the series, exploring the shifting fortunes of war, trade, and empire across the oceans of the late eighteenth century.

Reviews

[Dr Robert Freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

This was a surprisingly good book. I started unintended days before the release of another from a series I have following. Put the other on hold now. The characters came alive quickly as the storylines developed - so many twists and turns. Definitely not annick you could read and then put down for a while. Into the next one now which is probably the best recommendation

[Timothy J Wicker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A New O'Brien

Based on the first book in the series, the author rises far above the norm for this genre with characters, plot lines and descriptive prose like no other seen for many years. The quality of writing is exceptional and I cannot recommend it too highly for those with an interest in 18th century/Napoleanic naval fiction.

[William Rowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful cocktail of British naval, social, and political threads: Jane Austen meets Chris Durbin.

The author blends the Polynesian culture, 18th century Royal Navy, and British social and political considerations into a story with believable and likable people.

[kevin sosinsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

a naval historical book with depth

After many series written at a grammar school level Mr Westbrook gives us a story based on history with an engrossing story line. I'm looking forward to book 2

[NS Legg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read

This novel stands out in the genre because the main protagonist is given a deeper perspective and an intelligence to understand his unique voyage in the 18th century world.

[Ron Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maturely conceived and gratifying well written. A joy to read though not as swashbuckling as the best of the genre. I mention the latter not as a criticism. Perhaps a bit hyperbole in the characters of the characters.

[Charles Affel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Rich descriptions and characters amid a worthwhile understanding of naval history and affairs. A good read to the end
Looking for more.

[Steven Toby · Rating 4 out of 5]

A New Naval Hero

This is another entry in the crowded field of Age of Sail novels, following in the wake of Forester, Marryat, and O’Brian. The author has taken pains to differentiate himself from those well known genre names. The story opens with Midshipman Cruwys joining Capt. Cook’s ship on a voyage of exploration in peacetime. He visits Tahiti where we see echoes of Nordhoff & Hall, then is shipwrecked and has to make his way across half the world to return to duty. This first third of the book is as good as anything in print, but after that the tale becomes somewhat too tedious and psychological. Too much character development gets in the way of the plot, which is the main thing in this genre.
There’s also a politically correct flirtation with feminism that is in my view unwelcome. It’s escapist fiction and I prefer that it be true to the period. However, I consider this book a worthwhile read and would like to continue with the series and see how the author handles the challenge.

[KathyStroh · Rating 4 out of 5]

So close to being a fantastic historical novel

I loved reading about all of Nicholas' adventures and the details about the different cultures he encountered. Also all the political considerations. But this story needs more conflicts and flawed characters. Too many references to our hero's thoughtfulness, and everyone is so reasonable, and so ready to recognizehis worth. I will still at least start the next book in the series, maybe the characters will be more well-rounded.

[Pamela Bartlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Profoundly entertaining

This work, so well written, clearly chronicles the growth of a teen to a man and the turning of the empire into something else. The action excites, the life at sea enthralled as it always has. But more than that, the interplay of the different cultures and the slow broadening of the view of the world by the British still dyed in the wool of their accustomed ways opens 21rst century American eyes.

[Jim Purcell · Rating 4 out of 5]

The initial episode of this very promising series has Nicholas Cruwys off on his midshipman cruise with Captain Cook. His separation while charting an island in Polynesia sets him on quite a different adventure for several years. He emerges well-trained and qualified for service with the HMS, but unattached. His return to service is varied, interesting, and the focus of this well-told tale.

[John Sapienza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fighting Sail Navigator

This is far more than I expected. The tale of a midshipman working his way to lieutenant has been told many times But this one is less about fighting than about professional advancement through extraordinary events. Readers who admired the Novels of Patrick O’Brian for the personalities and social situations will probably like this author.

[Daniel Greenin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved Soundings Edge - the story telling was
Just amazing - I could not put the book down
As I wanted to find out more - very well done
Adrian - would like to know more about the
Author !
Looking forward to reading Latitudes Edge

[Dianne P. Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

So well written it is an addiction

I'm so intertwined with this book that i dream of it.
The sentence composition is beyond admirable. This book transmits every
Emotion desired. And i feel them...each and everyone.

[david hulsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Worth the read

The age of sail, sometimes referred to as the age of discovery is my favorite theme for a good storyline. This one has a little too much of the romance novel for me but worth the read

[Dennis Schneider · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cerebral Sea Story

Interesting book. Almost literature and close to Patrick O'Brian. Cerebral attempts to get inside the people in the story. Sea fights well done. Looking forward to reading more volumes.

[bruce stratton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book immensely. well written and vivid characters.

[Conor Gilligan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

A great insight into the world of sailing ships in much earlier times. Also the harsh reality of life in difficult situations and in a time where luxury was scarce

[Rick Larkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A soon to be classic

I haven't felt the strong desire to get the next book in the series since I first stumbled onto this genre years ago with Foresters Hornblower saga.

[Gary Leduc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable history.

Great historical detail with multifaceted characters woven around the events that make it hard to put down. Very well written!

[John J · Rating 4 out of 5]

what detail

This must have been the product of exhaustive research into the RN, the times and places. It could have moved a bit faster. I’m looking forward to book 2