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The Privateer
A brand new Age of Sail adventure begins! For fans of Dewey Lambdin, Patrick O’Brian, Nicholas Monsarrat, C. S. Forester and Max Hennessy.
All that glitters is not gold…
New York, 1707
While the world is at war and the bold seek their fortunes, Gideon Locke’s reputation is in tatters, leaving him destitute and stranded in New York City.
Rather than waste years aboard a merchant ship, he shucks oysters for a living, trying in vain to convince one of the sailors whose prizes fill the wharves to take him on.
His fortune changes when Captain Tanner, a charismatic privateer, recruits him aboard his ship, the Priscilla.
Their mission appears deliver a pair of wealthy passengers, Charles Hamilton and his wife Lady Sara, to Jamaica.
But Gideon soon realises Captain Tanner is hiding a dark secret.
As a murky link to the notorious French corsair, Captain Baudelaire, emerges, Gideon’s fortune looks to be on a downward spiral.
And when he is set up as a traitor, it seems his very life could be at stake.
Can Gideon escape his disastrous sea adventure? Can he rebuild his reputation?
Or will his latest foray into privateering be his last…?
THE PRIVATEER is the first book in the Gideon Locke Naval Adventures action-packed, authentic Age of Sail historical adventures set in the 18th century.
THE GIDEON LOCKE NAVAL ADVENTURES
Book The Privateer
All that glitters is not gold…
New York, 1707
While the world is at war and the bold seek their fortunes, Gideon Locke’s reputation is in tatters, leaving him destitute and stranded in New York City.
Rather than waste years aboard a merchant ship, he shucks oysters for a living, trying in vain to convince one of the sailors whose prizes fill the wharves to take him on.
His fortune changes when Captain Tanner, a charismatic privateer, recruits him aboard his ship, the Priscilla.
Their mission appears deliver a pair of wealthy passengers, Charles Hamilton and his wife Lady Sara, to Jamaica.
But Gideon soon realises Captain Tanner is hiding a dark secret.
As a murky link to the notorious French corsair, Captain Baudelaire, emerges, Gideon’s fortune looks to be on a downward spiral.
And when he is set up as a traitor, it seems his very life could be at stake.
Can Gideon escape his disastrous sea adventure? Can he rebuild his reputation?
Or will his latest foray into privateering be his last…?
THE PRIVATEER is the first book in the Gideon Locke Naval Adventures action-packed, authentic Age of Sail historical adventures set in the 18th century.
THE GIDEON LOCKE NAVAL ADVENTURES
Book The Privateer
262 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 24, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 28, 2026
This is a must read for historical fiction lovers. Meticulously researched, it brings to life the nautical lifestyle and maritime conflicts of the early 1700s, pivotal to shaping the Americas as we know them today. I liked the complexity in the characters, with each having their own shades of gray morality. It was easy to root for the protagonist, Gideon, from his first introduction as a disgruntled oyster shucker on the grimy decks of historical New York. This was a great first book to set up what will no doubt be a seafaring series with longevity and depth. Looking forward to the second book.
July 31, 2026
Fans of Patrick O'Brian and C.S. Forester will feel right at home in Don Donato's "The Privateer." Donato clearly knows the genre inside and out, and he delivers everything that makes Age of Sail fiction so addictive: creaking timbers, the bite of salt spray, and the constant tension of cutlass and pistol at close quarters.
At the center of it all is Gideon Locke, a protagonist worth following. He's surrounded by a well-drawn supporting cast with the kind of characters who keep you guessing right up until the moment you find out whether they're friend or foe. That uncertainty gives the book real narrative tension; you're never quite sure who to trust, which makes every alliance and betrayal land harder.
Donato's greatest strength is atmosphere. He puts you right on the deck. You can practically feel the roll of the ship and smell the sea air. The action sequences are fast and satisfying without losing the sense of place that grounds the best nautical fiction. If you're a fan of Age of Sail adventure, this is an absolute must-read. By the end, I was already impatient for the next installment. I want to see where Locke's adventures take him next.
Rating: 5/5
At the center of it all is Gideon Locke, a protagonist worth following. He's surrounded by a well-drawn supporting cast with the kind of characters who keep you guessing right up until the moment you find out whether they're friend or foe. That uncertainty gives the book real narrative tension; you're never quite sure who to trust, which makes every alliance and betrayal land harder.
Donato's greatest strength is atmosphere. He puts you right on the deck. You can practically feel the roll of the ship and smell the sea air. The action sequences are fast and satisfying without losing the sense of place that grounds the best nautical fiction. If you're a fan of Age of Sail adventure, this is an absolute must-read. By the end, I was already impatient for the next installment. I want to see where Locke's adventures take him next.
Rating: 5/5
July 31, 2026
A page turner!!
Captivating from the first paragraph to the last. The author does more than just keep you engaged. You begin to root for Locke as if he was your brother. Nearly always on the edge of your seat, your emotions seesaw from fear, angst, concern and worry to relief, hopefulness and triumph. You won't be disappointed. Can't wait for the next release!!
Captivating from the first paragraph to the last. The author does more than just keep you engaged. You begin to root for Locke as if he was your brother. Nearly always on the edge of your seat, your emotions seesaw from fear, angst, concern and worry to relief, hopefulness and triumph. You won't be disappointed. Can't wait for the next release!!
July 27, 2026
Fantastic read. A great historical fiction adventure with deep and relatable characters that is an absolute blast to read. The setting is fun and the story is paced well and engaging. A book like this hasn't come out in a long time.
You'll like this if you like reading.
You'll like this if you like reading.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews