Decoy

The Decoy Ships #4

by Christopher C. Tubbs

1941. Europe.

The Nazis have taken northern Europe, borders are sealed, until one heavily disguised trawler, a decoy ship, finds a way in.

Tommy Keelson was a smuggler long before MI6 recruited him for the war effort.

Now he commands The Sarah — a German-built trawler refitted with hidden guns and covert equipment. It's a lethal decoy built to slip through occupied waters and fool the enemy.

From Saint-Nazaire to Honfleur, Tommy's missions grow deadlier by the week. But his next mission will be his most dangerous yet.

He must rescue a captured MI6 agent who's trapped deep in occupied France.

Tommy and three Free French commandos slip into Paris, strike the Gestapo's headquarters and pull her out.

But their escape erupts into a firefight along the Seine - ending in an explosion that sends Tommy overboard, presumed dead.

Now wounded and trapped behind enemy lines, Tommy must fight his way to safety and back to England where Germans forces are closing in on all sides.

267 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 27, 2026

About the author

Biography
I am descendent of a long line of Dorset clay miners and have chased my family tree back to the 16th century in the Isle of Purbeck. I have been a public speaker at conferences for most of my career in the Aerospace and Automotive industries and was one of the founders of a successful games company back in the 1990’s.
Now in my sixties, and living in the Netherlands Antilles, I finally got to write the stories I had going around in my head for many years. Thanks to inspiration from the great sea authors like Alexander Kent, Dewey Lambdin, Patrick O’Brian and Dudley Pope I was finally able to put digit to keyboard and start writing the Dorset Boy series.
I make no apologies that I write for myself. The stories emerge as I write and I am often surprised by the twists and turns that they take.

Reviews

[Faye Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decoy by Christopher C. Tubbs
🌟🌟🌟🌟
This is the 4th book in a historical 1940s thriller
Not a genre I would choose, but so glad I did. Based in Hull, Tommy is a merchant seaman who ends up in jail, then offered a choice to either stay locked up or serve the King - adventures begin!
Tommy is asked to rescue an MI6 agent in France

The book is well written, so descriptive of the ships and sea. Tommy is such a lovable character

I would recommend this book - makes me wish I'd listened to my grandads stories more now! He served in the merchant navy too - not sure he had the same adventure!!

[Peter Fleming · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tommy is in the merchant navy and ‘a bit of a lad’, with a nice little sideline in smuggling on his trips across Europe. Life was fine for him until the inevitable catches up with him, a Customs and Excise bust along with a hefty prison sentence. He is a man with a dismal future ahead and with few options, that is until he is presented with what could be a golden opportunity. This transpires to be one of the work for us and your sentence will be quashed variety. Tommy is not going to be one of a Dirty Dozen, but rather a spook to help the war effort.

A convicted smuggler joining the security services may seem rather unlikely today, but WWII was a time when inventive, free-thinking men were given the opportunity to hatch outlandish plans. As more government records are released the scale of the intelligence gathering and deception plans are becoming apparent, great lengths were taken to fool the enemy. The idea of a smuggler who has detailed knowledge and experience of the ports, landing points and secret coves of Europe becoming a MI6 asset makes sense. Presumably Tommy is an everyday amalgam of many such men because he has quite a war.

The story arc is Tommy’s war, which is incident packed and includes peripheral action on many of the major events of the European theatre, in France, Norway and Italy. We do discover a bit of Tommy’s nature, but this is very much an action driven story. Those readers who were brought up with Commando comic during its heyday of 1960s and 1970s will enjoy its direct style. Certainly, any shortfall in literary prowess is more than compensated by enthusiasm. The author says that he primarily writes for himself, and I think that comes through, it has that labour of love feel about it, he is clearly passionate about the subject. As a tribute to the men whose exploits and raw courage are incorporated into Tommy’s story the author has done a great job.

The action scenes are well written and plentiful, in short sharp narratives. The descriptions of the ships and weaponry feel convincing without taking over the storyline or detracting from the purpose of the various actions. It is the thinking behind what Tommy and his crew are asked to do that is the most fascinating. Vitally important work which has been overlooked.

There is a flavour of life on the home front, but what is so well captured is the prevailing sense of immediacy of life and death. A situation where the prospect of death encourages a live for today attitude, to take what opportunities present themselves. Carpe diem, seize the day, as never been truer than during war. Where behaviour which in normal times could be considered reckless or promiscuous is merely an indication of the shortage of time. For Tommy the rules of courtship are concertinaed, but he still manages to find happiness.

[Sandra Vdplaats · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first, I wasn't entirely sure whether this book would be for me. The cover suggested it would be about a sea adventure/naval battle, and I wasn't entirely sure beforehand whether I would enjoy that. If there is one book that has surprised me, it is this novel. I spent evenings reading it because I could completely empathise with Tommy Keelson and his missions and perilous adventures. What a brilliant, action-packed adventure novel!!!

The author himself states in the foreword that it is merely a "jolly good story". He says that any reference to this world-famous author can only have sprung from the reader's imagination. But I cannot shake the impression that this is indeed the case.

I am a huge fan of these kinds of stories. Not only have I been a big fan of Eric Ambler's work since my childhood – his novels have also been very successfully adapted for film as well, – but I also grew up with stories about the war. My grandmother distributed illegal ration cards, while my grandfather hid in an ice cellar because he refused to work for the labour corps in Germany.
My grandfather's house was a hiding place for people during the war. My aunt ended up marrying one of them, my paternal grandfather was also wanted and had to go into hiding. Our family name appears on a number of resistance monuments. After secondary school, I went on to study German, and I have always been interested in the background of the Second World War.

This novel incorporates fictionalised versions of real-life secret operations during WWII, Tommy and his crew are sent on all kinds of life-threatening missions around the world;
The novel reads like a fictionalised biography of the creator of the world’s most famous spy, - who was an important figure in British naval intelligence during the war himself. His work laid the foundation for his creations, as well as for the conception and development of special missions.
At the back, there is a glossary with descriptions of the weapons, boats, and currency that may be relevant to the story. Perhaps a map showing the most important missions would have been useful.

I finished the book over the course of a few evenings — I couldn't put it aside! In fact, I bought the earlier books in the series too. I will miss Tommy dearly, but I am glad that he made it through unscathed. The world was enough in the end, and he is now enjoying a well-deserved rest with his family.

High-octane action, secret ops, blending espionage, love, and danger together in this highly recommended adventure!!! 5 + stars.

Thank you Joffe Books for this advanced reader copy. 🌷

[Alis Page · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decoy by Christopher C. Tubbs is a historical naval thriller set in the 1940s and is the fourth book in the Decoy series. Although it forms part of a wider collection, it can comfortably be read as a standalone, which makes it accessible to new readers as well as returning fans.
Told in the third person, the story offers a detailed look at life aboard a decoy ship. There is a strong focus on the ship itself and its purpose, and readers with an interest in naval history will appreciate the insight into what decoy ships were and the role they played during the war. The missions are described thoroughly and clearly, grounding the story firmly in its historical setting.
That said, while the operations were explained in detail, I didn’t always feel the tension or immediate sense of danger that these men must have experienced. At times, the writing felt a little more like a statement of events than a fully immersive narrative, which slightly dulled the emotional impact for me.
However, the book does a commendable job of highlighting the bravery, risks, and sacrifices made during wartime. It’s an easy and fairly quick read that sheds light on real events and situations, even though the story itself is fictional. I particularly enjoyed the main character, Tommy, and found him engaging, though I would have liked a bit more character development to really get under his skin and understand him more deeply. Some elements didn’t quite ring true for me, but I’ll happily leave you to make up your own minds on that.
Overall, Decoy offered an informative and approachable glimpse into an aspect of naval warfare I was unaware of. While I personally would have welcomed more tension and deeper character building, it’s an interesting read that will likely appeal to those who enjoy wartime stories with a strong historical focus with a lot of facts.

[Gillian Cawte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable Swashbuckling Yarn; Hard To Put Down.

Decoy by Christopher C. Tubbs is one of those books that, once you start reading it, is hard to put down. Tommy Keelson is a fisherman and smuggler and a convicted criminal, but at heart he is a patriot and a swashbuckler. MI6 recruit him out of his jail cell for the war effort in 1938, give him the code name “Edwin” and a heavily armed and disguised fishing trawler to use in missions against the German enemy. Now Tommy finds himself in the situation his lifestyle and his devious mindset are completely suited to. As the war progresses Tommy’s missions get more deadly, he does not manage to dodge all the bullets fired at him, nor does he come home every time with all his men – but this is what makes the story plausible and real and just plain exciting!
I was very much entertained in following Tommy’s adventures taking him throughout the theatre of war from Norway to Italy to Russia, each mission very different and more deadly than the previous one. I enjoyed that he morphed from jailbird to a respected Commander in the Royal Navy in the space of 6 years. I was happy he found his soulmate and wife without any distractions from the main story line.
This book was written in the spirit of a swashbuckling yarn, and is a thoroughly enjoyable story. However, the circumstances and events of WWII have been well researched and this reader also enjoyed learning some lesser-known facts about the events of that period. I recommend “Decoy”, it is very readable and deserves every one of five stars.

[Phil Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book four in the Decoy series. Easily read as a stand alone

Another ripping good yarn of naval warfare. This tale is set during the dark days of WWII
Tommy Keelson is a merchant seaman based in the north of England port of Hull. He
speaks fluent French learned from his French mother and a smattering of Italian picked
up from his sideline as a smuggler. He also has contacts amongst the darker fringes of
many a European port. He uses his seamanship skills to thwart the customs man until
his luck runs out and he is caught red handed. In court he is found guilty and harshly
sentenced to 15 years! The world is at war and England needs the skills and cunning of
men like Tommy. He receives a visitor and given a choice, rot in jail or serve the King.
Tommy’s response is “when do I start” After some intense training he is given the code
name Edwin and soon finds himself commanding a small crew of loyal and fierce
fighters. The book is a series of daring escapades with plenty of hints at real events and
real names from history. The characters come alive and are a tribute to the sacrifice and
bravery of the men and women involved in secret missions deep behind German and
Italian lines.

[Donna Morfett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite the cover showing obvious subject of the book being about ships, its about so much more.
Set deep into World War 2, the story follows the missions and stories of the time through Tommy's eyes.
Each expedition is fraught with danger, but they get more terrifying until he is tasked with rescuing an MI6 agent.
There is a lot of information about naval ships and war, but its not excessive. It feels vital to the story. I mean I dont know the first thing about them, so if the author doesnt give some detail I wouldn't stand a chance.
I dont think it slows the story or tension down any. This is one of those books that took me by surprise. Although im fascinated by the war is tend to watch films rather than read, but i feel i may have to rethink this.
I note Christopher has read many many more books and will add them to my immense tbr.

[Pauline Render · Rating 4 out of 5]

Given the choice between prison and enlisting, Tommy Keelson soon finds himself, and his crew in the thick of battle, running covert missions to aid the war effort. This was an action packed read and at times I could feel the sense of tension coming off the pages as Tommy’s missions become ever more dangerous. And although he rises up the ranks, I loved the way how a lot of the time, he was just one of the lads, no pulling rank with his crew.
This was a pulse pounding read and although the book is fiction, the detail shows just how much research the author did, bringing Tommy’s wartime career vividly to life.

[Lisa reads alot Hamer · Rating 5 out of 5]

As it says in the preface about this book being, ‘a jolly good yarn’ is exactly what it is.
Tommy may not be James Bond but he is determined, a risk taker and a really engaging character.
I was hooked on this read right from the start, full of action and suspense this was a fast paced read that really hits the action thriller spot perfectly.
It was first read from this series but I will definitely be adding it to my series list to read the others.
The setting was so well described you could feel the pressures and urgency of the war effort and the cost of those lives lost.
Poignant at times but a cracking action read.

Thank you @zooloosbooktours for having me on this tour

[Steve Lumby · Rating 3 out of 5]

A helper-smelter of a read where our hero Tommy appears to be winning WW2 on his own all around the world…….with walk-on roles for Churchill and Philby and Fleming and goodness knows who else and then ends up post-war in East Berlin, battling spies. Good grief! So much action told at a breath-taking pace, recounted in a vert flat tone and with so little emotional involvement. Not the best read!

[J Davies · Rating 4 out of 5]

A World War Two story full of daring do.
An historical drama was an interesting departure from the range of books I usually read. I'd not read anything by Christopher C. Tubbs before, so all I had to go on was the publishers description. It lived up to that description. I smacks so much of realism that it could almost be a real life biography.
There's a lot of killing and some gratuitous violence, but that is to be expected given the wartime setting, it was after all a brutal war.
The author cleverly blends in known historical facts, events,  and even people with his characters and settings, which gives it all a sense of realism.
There is a hint at the end that there is more to come in the story of Tommy, and I hope that is so.

[Melvyn Homer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Decoy. A story of the war from the perspective of a smuggler turned MI 6 operative, involved in surveillance and deception during the second world war. A mix of fiction based in fact, thoroughly enthralling tale. A worthwhile read.