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Longitudes Edge
Book Three of the Nicholas Cruwys Naval Series
This book continues the voyages and career of Nicholas Cruwys begun in Soundings Edge and Latitudes Edge.
Preliminary peace negotiations have begun in Paris in January 1783 to formally end the global contest that began with the American war of independence, with the terms of peace hanging in the balance. Nicholas Cruwys finds himself temporarily outside naval service, commanding the East India Company ship Ganges on a mission that exists in the shadows between commerce and warfare. Ganges must intercept the heavily armed French merchant vessel Espérance, which has sailed from France for the Far East with a mission to disrupt the China trade that helps sustain Britain's eastern empire.
What begins as a straightforward chase evolves into something far more complex as Nicholas encounters allies whose methods challenge his understanding of honourable warfare, and enemies whose ambitions extend beyond simple commercial rivalry. In ports where East meets West and ancient traditions clash with European interests, he must navigate not only coral reefs and monsoon weather, but the moral complexities of service in waters where survival often demands choices that no regular naval service could anticipate.
When circumstances force a decision that will carry Ganges and her crew into the most dangerous waters on earth, Nicholas faces the ultimate test of command. Some voyages change not only the men who make them, but the very understanding of what duty means when honour and necessity collide.
The third volume in the Nicholas Cruwys series combines authentic period detail with the timeless challenges of leadership under extraordinary circumstances. Based on extensive historical research, it brings to life an age when the furthest reaches of empire demanded everything from those bold enough to venture beyond the edge of the known world.
For readers of Patrick O'Brian, C.S. Forester, and Richard Woodman.
This book continues the voyages and career of Nicholas Cruwys begun in Soundings Edge and Latitudes Edge.
Preliminary peace negotiations have begun in Paris in January 1783 to formally end the global contest that began with the American war of independence, with the terms of peace hanging in the balance. Nicholas Cruwys finds himself temporarily outside naval service, commanding the East India Company ship Ganges on a mission that exists in the shadows between commerce and warfare. Ganges must intercept the heavily armed French merchant vessel Espérance, which has sailed from France for the Far East with a mission to disrupt the China trade that helps sustain Britain's eastern empire.
What begins as a straightforward chase evolves into something far more complex as Nicholas encounters allies whose methods challenge his understanding of honourable warfare, and enemies whose ambitions extend beyond simple commercial rivalry. In ports where East meets West and ancient traditions clash with European interests, he must navigate not only coral reefs and monsoon weather, but the moral complexities of service in waters where survival often demands choices that no regular naval service could anticipate.
When circumstances force a decision that will carry Ganges and her crew into the most dangerous waters on earth, Nicholas faces the ultimate test of command. Some voyages change not only the men who make them, but the very understanding of what duty means when honour and necessity collide.
The third volume in the Nicholas Cruwys series combines authentic period detail with the timeless challenges of leadership under extraordinary circumstances. Based on extensive historical research, it brings to life an age when the furthest reaches of empire demanded everything from those bold enough to venture beyond the edge of the known world.
For readers of Patrick O'Brian, C.S. Forester, and Richard Woodman.
430 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 12, 2025
299 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
About the author
Adrian Westbrooke
26 books22 followersAdrian 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.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 4, 2025
Only 2 of these books left!!!!! That is terrible!!!!!
I have not been this eager to read/not finish a series in so long..... This author has made a devoted follower of me. He has a way with words that mesmerises me. I do hope he is an English teacher somewhere. Makes me think of Mrs. Jones in high school.....
I have not been this eager to read/not finish a series in so long..... This author has made a devoted follower of me. He has a way with words that mesmerises me. I do hope he is an English teacher somewhere. Makes me think of Mrs. Jones in high school.....
September 23, 2025
Brilliant
A real pleasure to read this series of novels,that is somewhat different to the normal run of the mill naval novel . They have it all,read the full series and enjoy.
A real pleasure to read this series of novels,that is somewhat different to the normal run of the mill naval novel . They have it all,read the full series and enjoy.
December 21, 2025
The Far Side of the World
We rejoin Commander Cruwys for a voyage to China for the special ops crowd (of course this term didn’t exist in the 1780’s). His mission is to thwart French commercial activities, intercepting a frigate with a specially enhanced East Indiaman that’s armed like a frigate, but larger. He has sponsorship from both the East India Company and the Admiralty. He quickly gets involved in the tangle of players, the Hong, the EIC, and the French Navy and spy service. We get to see some of the decadent, but still powerful, Imperial Chinese Empire, a rival Vietnamese kingdom, and the Portuguese empire remnants represented by his mentor, Capt. Silva. It’s a complex plot with lots of naval action and shore intrigue. Sometimes there’s too much explication of the political currents, but it’s a fast read anyway.
While there’s quite a lot of romance too, I was a little put off by the fact Capt. Crruwys has dalliances with local women even though he has a relationship with Catherine who’s waiting back in England, but of course that’s true to the period and much less objectionable than politically correct relationships that are too modern.
We rejoin Commander Cruwys for a voyage to China for the special ops crowd (of course this term didn’t exist in the 1780’s). His mission is to thwart French commercial activities, intercepting a frigate with a specially enhanced East Indiaman that’s armed like a frigate, but larger. He has sponsorship from both the East India Company and the Admiralty. He quickly gets involved in the tangle of players, the Hong, the EIC, and the French Navy and spy service. We get to see some of the decadent, but still powerful, Imperial Chinese Empire, a rival Vietnamese kingdom, and the Portuguese empire remnants represented by his mentor, Capt. Silva. It’s a complex plot with lots of naval action and shore intrigue. Sometimes there’s too much explication of the political currents, but it’s a fast read anyway.
While there’s quite a lot of romance too, I was a little put off by the fact Capt. Crruwys has dalliances with local women even though he has a relationship with Catherine who’s waiting back in England, but of course that’s true to the period and much less objectionable than politically correct relationships that are too modern.
December 1, 2025
I have a feeling that this book was created by an AI bot versus a flesh and blood author. Why? 1. Per Amazon this author has published 5 novels this year!
2. Within one novel, there are a number of verbatim duplicate, long, descriptive passages.
3. Some of plot constructs are presented a number of times within the same book.
4. There are a number of inconsistencies in nautical word usage: ie; time of day being given common place hour/minutes and other times expressed within the nautically correct framework of watches. Also bearings are alternating expressed as either points or degrees relative to bow or stern. Degrees were not used during the time period of the novels. Still enjoyed the yarns!
2. Within one novel, there are a number of verbatim duplicate, long, descriptive passages.
3. Some of plot constructs are presented a number of times within the same book.
4. There are a number of inconsistencies in nautical word usage: ie; time of day being given common place hour/minutes and other times expressed within the nautically correct framework of watches. Also bearings are alternating expressed as either points or degrees relative to bow or stern. Degrees were not used during the time period of the novels. Still enjoyed the yarns!
January 9, 2026
reality
I have enjoyed the adventures of Nicholas to this point. A few things in the storyline still are not correct in my opinion. Only once was Opium mentioned in regards to the China trade with the East Indies Company only the Tea trade was emphasized. I believe from the many books I have read indicated that the Opium trade with China was the major product even though it was deemed illegal by the Chinese. The Opium was grown mainly in India and sold in China.
I have enjoyed the adventures of Nicholas to this point. A few things in the storyline still are not correct in my opinion. Only once was Opium mentioned in regards to the China trade with the East Indies Company only the Tea trade was emphasized. I believe from the many books I have read indicated that the Opium trade with China was the major product even though it was deemed illegal by the Chinese. The Opium was grown mainly in India and sold in China.
January 3, 2026
A cut above the typical “Age of Sail” adventure.
The characters and plot of this series continues to provide excellent insights into the European nautical world prior to the Napoleonic Era. The expansion of incipient future empires required significant seaborne intervention, civilian as well as official naval ships and crews.
The characters and plot of this series continues to provide excellent insights into the European nautical world prior to the Napoleonic Era. The expansion of incipient future empires required significant seaborne intervention, civilian as well as official naval ships and crews.
February 2, 2026
Longitudes Edge
Wonderful writing and stirring episodes and experiences in the life of Nicholas Cruwys out in the far east and China as we can now expect.
The history of the time I find fascinating with so many countries all vying for the same trade but England remaining at the epicentre. A thoroughly enjoyable read.
Wonderful writing and stirring episodes and experiences in the life of Nicholas Cruwys out in the far east and China as we can now expect.
The history of the time I find fascinating with so many countries all vying for the same trade but England remaining at the epicentre. A thoroughly enjoyable read.
February 21, 2026
westbrooke weaves good tale
I am enjoying this series. There’s action and intrigue and much different than the series that follow a career. My one knock is that it seems sometimes that Westbrook is being paid by the word. Descriptions of this or that background or person, a dress, a beard. It gets tiresome.
I am enjoying this series. There’s action and intrigue and much different than the series that follow a career. My one knock is that it seems sometimes that Westbrook is being paid by the word. Descriptions of this or that background or person, a dress, a beard. It gets tiresome.
April 20, 2026
Book 3 review
Comparable to O'Brien's historical fiction. I learned new words and geography of the Pacific. I visited the Polynesian islands last year on a cruise and can attest to the beauty and culture though Tahiti now is not so pristine. Enjoyed author's style of writing and traits the assigned to Cruwys.
Comparable to O'Brien's historical fiction. I learned new words and geography of the Pacific. I visited the Polynesian islands last year on a cruise and can attest to the beauty and culture though Tahiti now is not so pristine. Enjoyed author's style of writing and traits the assigned to Cruwys.
March 18, 2026
Excellent writer. This series is fantastic. Very difficult to put down. This would br s great Netflix series after i read the complete series.
April 4, 2026
Great read
A very good insight to the world of a sea going trader and naval officer and an interning story of China
A very good insight to the world of a sea going trader and naval officer and an interning story of China
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews