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Chinese Poison: A Royal Navy military thriller
The first book in a thrilling British Royal Navy series! Perfect for fans of Dewey Lambdin, Patrick O’Brian, John Winton, and Douglas Reeman.
A Royal Navy recruit enters service in Chinese waters…
China Station, 1920s
The ‘M’ class destroyers had little or nothing to commend them. Possessing such a low freeboard that they constantly rolled or pitched, they had one redeeming feature — any seaman who survived a term without dying of seasickness, being swept overboard, or going mad, could survive anything in the Royal Navy.
Paul Dexter, sent to Chinese waters as First Lieutenant of HMS Mistletoe, finds he has more than just the ‘M’ class destroyer to contend with…
Thrown in at the deep end on a mission to intercept gun-running pirates, Dexter gets the chance to prove himself while gaining the loyalty of the crew.
But he also earns his ship a dangerous reputation that could put them all at risk…
CHINESE POISON is the first book in the Paul Dexter action-packed historical naval adventures.
PAUL DEXTER
BOOK 1: Chinese Poison
BOOK 2: All Stations to Malta
BOOK 3: An Explosive Situation
BOOK 4: Shadow of the Rock
BOOK 5: Second-in-Command
BOOK 6: Redoubtable Dexter
BOOK 7: Dexter at War
A Royal Navy recruit enters service in Chinese waters…
China Station, 1920s
The ‘M’ class destroyers had little or nothing to commend them. Possessing such a low freeboard that they constantly rolled or pitched, they had one redeeming feature — any seaman who survived a term without dying of seasickness, being swept overboard, or going mad, could survive anything in the Royal Navy.
Paul Dexter, sent to Chinese waters as First Lieutenant of HMS Mistletoe, finds he has more than just the ‘M’ class destroyer to contend with…
Thrown in at the deep end on a mission to intercept gun-running pirates, Dexter gets the chance to prove himself while gaining the loyalty of the crew.
But he also earns his ship a dangerous reputation that could put them all at risk…
CHINESE POISON is the first book in the Paul Dexter action-packed historical naval adventures.
PAUL DEXTER
BOOK 1: Chinese Poison
BOOK 2: All Stations to Malta
BOOK 3: An Explosive Situation
BOOK 4: Shadow of the Rock
BOOK 5: Second-in-Command
BOOK 6: Redoubtable Dexter
BOOK 7: Dexter at War
289 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 29, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 5, 2026
This book is an excellent read and I have already bought the next in the series. The tale of a young British naval officer commanding a run down destroyer off the China coast in the 1920s is full of intrigue, atmosphere and a true knowledge and understanding of life in the Royal Navy between the world wars. The characters are well drawn, the story line is totally believable (especially if you have experience of that part of the world) and it is well-paced. This is the first in a series which will stand comfortably with those other great books on seafaring and naval tradition like the Hornblower novels and even Alistair MacLean's naval books.
February 17, 2026
A young Royal Navy officer is sent to 1920s China and given command of a destroyer. He then spends the rest of the novel in spy/anti-criminal adventures failing upwards.
It appears to have been written for teens, but for all that is pretty good. The author liked using parenthesis within dialog.
The main issue is the MC is a little too stupid. He is dumber than at least half of the other characters.
It appears to have been written for teens, but for all that is pretty good. The author liked using parenthesis within dialog.
The main issue is the MC is a little too stupid. He is dumber than at least half of the other characters.
June 13, 2026
Well written naval tale .
Well written, never a dull moment on China Station. Full of intrigue and decidedly unexpected twists and turns. I whole heartedly recommend this exciting naval adventure.
Well written, never a dull moment on China Station. Full of intrigue and decidedly unexpected twists and turns. I whole heartedly recommend this exciting naval adventure.
October 23, 2025
Paul dexter
A great book looking forward to getting the rest of the series and hope that they are as good as the first
A great book looking forward to getting the rest of the series and hope that they are as good as the first
March 15, 2026
Very good.
This should be made unto a movie, or maybe a series like Downton Abbey. I think it that good. Read it.
This should be made unto a movie, or maybe a series like Downton Abbey. I think it that good. Read it.
March 24, 2026
Best book in the series and the one that got me hooked on this series
Hoping for more like this one
Hoping for more like this one
April 17, 2026
Chins Sea
A fair read but not very thrilling.Main chapter seems to have most everything going his way.Must have been carrying a rabbits foot.
A fair read but not very thrilling.Main chapter seems to have most everything going his way.Must have been carrying a rabbits foot.
April 25, 2026
Very good
What a great read ,Paul Dexter has grown well into the role as a hero with a great crew to back him up
What a great read ,Paul Dexter has grown well into the role as a hero with a great crew to back him up
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews