Fletcher's Fortune

Fletcher #1

by J.C. Edwards, John Drake

Young Jacob Fletcher, whilst unsure of his parentage, did know that as an apprentice he couldn't legally be seized by the press gang.

But this particular gang couldn't actually read the rules. And didn't care anyway.
Which was how he found himself risking life, limb and sea sickness on board His Majesty's frigate Phiandra, about to do battle with what looked like half the French fleet.

Meanwhile at Coignwood Hall, the late Sir Henry lay face-down in his soup as his beautiful but evil widow, Lady Sarah, along with their two loathsome sons, ransacked his papers for the will that would disclose to their horror that the entire family fortune has been left to a previously unknown illegitimate son.

Who would now have to be tracked down and disposed of as a matter of some urgency... What will become of Fletcher's Fortune?

Fletcher's Fortune is the first in a rollicking series of memoirs that bring the 18th Century back to life in its tawdry glory. Note: It was previously published under the pen name J.C. Edwards.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Adventure, Fiction, Historical, Nautical, Ebooks, British Literature

271 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

J.C. Edwards is the pen name of John Drake, author of the Fletcher series, rollicking memoirs that bring the 18th Century back to life in its tawdry glory.

Reviews

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is 1783 and as per usual Britain is at war with France. Jacob Fletcher, uncertain of his parentage, is an apprentice to a local magistrate and mayor in the Cornish sea port of Polmouth. Being an apprentice should exempt young Fletcher from being 'pressed' but the Navy is short of men and the pressgang have been directed to grab him in particular. Fletcher soon finds himself on his majesty's frigate Phiandra, about to set sail to take on the French Navy.

Meanwhile at Coignwood Hall, the late Sir Henry, one of the richest men in Britain, lies face down in his soup whilst his beautiful but evil widow, along with their two unscrupulous sons search though his personal papers, where they learn to their horror that virtually the entire family fortune has been left to a previously unidentified illegitimate son.

The story is told with alternate chapters following the machinations of the loathsome step-family ashore and events aboard ship. The shipboard chapters are written in the first person by the likeable if not always credible ex-apprentice and its refreshing to see the Royal Navy viewed from its lower decks.

The story certainly doesn't lack action and generally I felt that Drake handled his onboard elements, the sailing, ship-board rivalries and gunnery, reasonably well. However, Drake does ask his readers to stretch their credulity to near breaking point to believe that within a few weeks of boarding a ship for the first time in his life our ex-apprentice is able not only master the seaman’s craft enough to for all intensive purposes take command of a frigate, but also to become the strongest, toughest and bravest hand on aboard.

Similarly I felt that the author rather over-egged hid on-land machinations a little more than was strictly necessary. However, I’m a sucker for an engaging historical yarn, and even if the ending requires one final leap of faith, Drake has produced one here. I found myself thoroughly engaged as I raced through it and will certainly be on the look out for the next book in the series.

[James Field · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fletcher’s Fortune is a rollicking sea adventure filled with sex, blood, and gore, with plenty of adventure for all. Edward Fletcher is a naïve young sailor who gets drawn into the world of piracy and murder. Bloodthirsty Frenchmen, lusty wenches, and heartless adversaries await him on this perilous voyage. He finds himself in some pretty sticky situations which he solves with his intelligence, herculean physic, and perseverance.

Well written, but all a bit too much for me. I shan’t be reading the rest of this series. Three stars.

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Been searching for another nautical series of this era (1750 – 1850, preferably Napoleonic) for a while after running out of steam (nee enthusiasm) for Paddy O’Brien’s series which promised much early doors but became harder to read before I eventually bailed at book 9.

Hornblower was on the short list of old (but already seen the TV series) as was the Richard Bolitho series by Alexander Kent where copies of the early series books proved hard to get hold of through either a) the library system or b) reasonable priced second hand.

And doing a new search up came this series…..

And I have to say it’s a lively start, likeable (rogue) characters aplenty in the early chapters before a young Fletcher is press-ganged & the story changes to a sea faring one. There is also a POV following an aristocratic family whose middle name is debauchery & even that is an understatement. The relationship between Fletcher & said family becomes obvious soon enough & is the background/drive to the plot.

With regard to the Fletcher storyline…… Fletcher being an apprentice has immunity from being pressganged, however….. it’s not his lucky (?) day & he soon finds himself aboard the frigate HMS Phiandra as part of a gun crew mess learning his new trade. The story evolves with Fletcher finding his feet amongst his mess crew, you get to know them all along with the officers of the ship, whose to be feared, avoided & trusted along the way. Within the nautical extract expect descriptions of the ship’s daily routine, mess habits & lore, visits to home port & all that entails, action at sea be it at gunnery range or close quarters, weaponry of the day. It’s superb in every aspect.

Whilst ashore we have the skullduggery of the aristocrats & their machinations with regard to Fletcher & his well being (or not!) as well as that of the local magistrate/solicitor, the two stories working in tandem.

An excellent story which combines lively narrative, likeable & detestable characters, flowing plot, authentic dialogue which is easily readable (ie not overdone as some have been of this period esp so with dialect)

Fantastic opening to a series, clear 5 stars for me

[J. Griff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fletcher's Fortune is a wonderful story of what life was like in the British Navy during the 17th century & John Drake does a superb job in the authenticity of his telling. The characters are clever & we see a fast development in Jacob Fletcher (our protagonist). The web of intrigue around Fletcher is intricate as his "stepmother" & "half-brothers" are seeking to be rid of him. Unfortunately the quality of this audiobook is garbage, it has nothing to do with the narrator himself (Joseph Lindoe). Endeavor Media did a crap job in the editing of the audiobook & you can tell where the breaks are as the narrator reads, as you'll here several lines of prose be read 2 or even 3 times before the story continues. This can be a bit distracting & confusing.

I don't want to take away from the quality of Drake's writing or Lindoe's narration because both a solid, but Endeavor Media should actually review their books quality before making them available for purchase.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun sea tale!

[Ed · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jacob Fletcher is a great protagonist but unfortunately, he's no Harry Flashman!

[Christopher Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first in a short series of sea novels set in the late 1700s in the war with France. I was able to pick it up as an e-book on Amazon for 99 cents as a recommendation from Goodreads, something authors might want to consider for their series: it got me reading the author.

Jacob Fletcher is an apprentice to a magistrate who recently has been elected mayor, but despite that and the law which protects apprentices from impressment by the Navy, he's grabbed and put on a miserable ship. In fact, things keep being awful for Jacob, beyond what any pressed sailor might reasonably expect, and someone seems to be trying to kill him. Why?

Meanwhile woven through the story is a tale of a truly despicable and grotesque corrupt family who are working to get their inheritance, and the battles behind the scenes between them any anyone who would keep them from the huge fortune. How is this connected to Fletcher and how will he survive?

This book reads like party Flashman series by George MacDonald Fraser and Horatio Hornblower by C. S. Forester, and is filled with thrilling and tense moments of sea battles and struggles at home. Its part of a four-book series and was good enough to make me want to read the rest, and as a sea novel, it is quite different and interesting.

[Charles van Buren · Rating 5 out of 5]

A rousing naval yarn, May 28, 2016

This review is from: Fletcher's Fortune (Fletcher Series Book 1) (Kindle Edition)

A very interesting seafaring tale of the British navy in the French wars. Unlike most such tales, FLETCHER'S FORTUNE is told from the point of view of the lower decks rather than the quarterdeck. Beginning with the illegal impressment of Fletcher, a young apprentice, and following him as he develops into a sailor. The tale is enlivened by a conspiracy against Fletcher by a family he does not know that he has. One of England largest fortunes is at stake so his enemies will risk all in a deadly game played amidst the dangerous environs of a frigate at war.

Mr. Drake is both a fine writer and story teller. The action at sea is believable and exciting as are the politics of the era. Drake has his place along with Julian Stockwin, Alexander Kent and the other masters of the sea story.

[C. Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Drake’s ear for dialogue and historical research believably transports the reader. The pace of the story kept picking up speed until the satisfying conclusion. If you enjoy Cornwell’s Richard Sharpe series, then I think you will find the Fletcher stories similarly entertaining. Highly recommended!

[Bob Cantrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The British Navy Still sails

When I started this book it seemed to start like Dewey Lambdin's Alan Lawrie story. A young man Shanghaied into the Royal Navy so others can get money that he was to inherit. But there are differences between the two Lawrie is a midshipman where Fletcher is a common seaman. What I liked most about this book covered several things. The first was the narrative style that has two storylines; the efforts to get Fletcher his fortune and how Fletcher becomes a part of a ship's company. The light style of the story. Finally the sea battle as seen by someone, who has never been to sea. Fletcher is an amusing story to join the ranks of the stories of the Age of Sail.

[R.P. Dahlke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous! If you like Wilbur Smith or Patrick Obrien, you'll LOVE these books! Unputdownable until the very end. I read the first and then the 2nd, 3rd until I'd finished the entire series.
Witty, smart, great characters!

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

It`s been to long since we had a adventure from John Drake,but Fletcher`s Fortune was well worth the wait.Based on the memoirs of the notorious Jacob Fletcher (1775-1875 togather with several boxes of letters,paper,prints,newspapers articles and memorabilia.John Drake has produced a cracking tale of the high seas with characters that would not look out of place in a Flashman adventure,as this all action tale unfolds at pace and by the end leaves you wanting much more of Jacob Fletcher.The Long John Silver novels were a joy and very much in the same vain as Jacob Fletcher,so if this is your first taste of John Drake,then you still have some great treats to come.

[Kevin Gardner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a reread, and I had forgotten just what a tip roaring adventure this was. This was a quick fun read and John Drake captures the time period magnificently. As well as reading the Fletcher books I would olso recommend this authors Flint and Silver books, all are very very highly recommended

[Chaplain Stanley Chapin]

A decent swashbuckling adventure

It seemed to take a while in getting into the sea activities, so I will read the next in the series.

[Cody Engdahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fletcher’s Fortune has a fascinating premise, which I could not wait to see how it would play out. It’s as much of a mystery as it is an action-adventure story. 

It starts with an introduction in which the author claims to have won in an auction the memoirs of the “notorious” Jacob Fletcher, the main character of the series. He then claims he used these plus boxes full of letters, articles, and other things to flesh out the novels in this series. I’m pretty sure this setup is also part of the fiction.

The story runs in two tracks: Fletcher’s account in his own words and the story of a seemingly unconnected aristocratic family written in third person, assumedly from the boxes of letters and articles. 

The story starts with an angry father in a drunken rage, threatening to exclude his wife and two boys from the family fortune. Then theirs Fletcher’s story: A street-smart orphan picked up by a press gang and forced into the Royal Navy at the onset of the French Revolutionary Wars. The mystery lies in how these two stories are related. At some point, Fletcher not only has to worry about the French but an unknown enemy aboard his ship, who the reader can try to guess from the clues.

The narrative voice of Fletcher is fantastic for the time, place, and class. More than any other writer, I can hear the salty maritime English accent in every word. The author also gives in-story notes, as if adding context to Fletcher’s words from the 21st century, thus playing up the “found memoir” trope.

This book was a lot of fun. So often, I read authors who really want to tell you how awful everything was. I’ve always felt that being pressed into the Royal Navy was akin to going to prison or being sold into slavery. Certainly, the main character despairs at his fate but there’s a lot of joy as well as he makes friends and grows as a seaman and eventually even takes pleasure and excitement in it. 

There is a fine-line balance between maintaining historical realism, with creating escapist entertainment. Author John Drake walks it expertly. He also has a profound understanding of the ships, technology, history, and culture of the Age of Sail but never gets so lost in the details that it goes over the head of a neophyte like me.

I really enjoyed Fletcher’s Fortune. I bought the box set of the first seven novels of the series. I’m looking forward to reading through it. Drake has recently put out an eighth Fletcher novel and is planning two more at the time of writing.

So, if you want a long series of historical adventure on the high seas, Fletcher’s Fortune is a good place to start.

[Chandler · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book features many good qualities as far as its relation to historical fiction is concerned. One of the best examples would be the writing style. It is written in the language of someone writing in the period, in this case, the 1800’s. This is something that I have found can be difficult to emulate, and can be disastrous if you get it wrong, but Edwards does it well. I also liked the descriptions of life aboard sailing ships and the general historical period. If you are a history nut, then you are going to love this, as we get detailed descriptions of different workings of a ship, exploration of how empressment worked for sailors, and everything in between. All this can mean that when you read this book, you dive headfirst into the period, and you swim deep into the depths of the language and historical nuance of the time. An admirable feat to be sure.

But then there is the negatives of the book, which for me are not exactly glaring, but can detract from the book overall.

One is the characterization. I love a book with strong characters, such as the Harry Potter and Infernal Devices series. Sadly, this book just doesn’t have them. Maybe it is because of the fact that it is more about military life, but, in my opinion, the characters here are not as strong as they could be. In fact, many of Fletcher’s mess mates are just nameless people to me. This means that when they stand up with him in battle, on or off the ship, I just feel nothing. Not a good sign at all.

Then there is the writing style. I know I just praised it not two paragraphs ago, but here’s the thing: most of the time when I read a book, I want it to be for fun. I want to sit back and relax and dive into a world. This book was one that felt like a chore to read most of the time. Now, in all fairness, it is most likely a case of it being a ‘me’ problem, but still, this is not a light and easy book series. Fellow readers should take note.

So, this leads me to my rating. I would say that I’ll still read this series, but to be completely honest, it is only because I bought it as an omnibus collection. If I were you, I might only borrow it out of curiosity. I give this book a two out of five.

[Venetia Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Britain and France are shooting it out on the high seas, just warming up to the Napoleonic Wars proper, and young Jacob Fletcher is press-ganged into the Royal Navy. Fletcher is an orphan, a clerk's apprentice, and a lad who fancies himself a cut above the ordinary. It turns out he's right - he's the bastard heir to an English fortune, and his half-brothers are out to murderously alter that fact.

This is a tale with two intertwined threads of suspense keeping it well afloat - that of Fletcher's naval adventures, and that of the more personal threats to his life. Drake's evocation of navy life in the late eighteenth century is thoroughly convincing - quite graphically so, at times. The first person narration from Fletcher's point-of-view is wonderful - overflowing with colourful language, hilarity, great dialogue and pace. I wasn't so keen, however, on the shorter chapters illuminating the activities of his evil stepmother and half-brothers. As Fletcher himself puts it when he discovers he is not entirely without family:

I learned that I had a stepmother and another half-brother ashore who sounded like characters from a story-book in their wickedness.

Too true, and no doubt asserted here tongue-in-cheek. Problem was, it gave an otherwise wonderfully-researched and vivid tale a overtone of farce and unreality. If not for these three villains, I would happily have awarded Fletcher's Fortune 5 stars - not because it's deep and subtle literature, but because it's a truly rollicking good read.

[Steven Toby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Horatio Hornblower meets Treasure Island

In this compulsive, entertaining read, the author mines lots of familiar material from earlier Napoleonic naval literature. The heir who goes to sea expecting nothing from his family and then finding himself in charge of an estate happens in “Peter Simple,” or maybe “Mildmay,” anyway, one of the 19th century originals. The engagements of the frigate with the French and the cutting out expedition is something C. S. Forester would write, although he would always take the officer’s point of view while in this book the hero is a pressed man on the lower deck. And of course the mutiny on the French prize resembles Jim Hawkins’s struggle to recapture the Hispaniola in “Treasure Island.” These traditional elements blend well in a stew (might be lobscouse?) that stays at a rolling boil from knightheads to taffrail.
There are a few exaggerated characters that are more cartoon villains than real people but the seamanship details are right and defects in those are what stops me from enjoying many recent books of the genre. Seems like I’ve found another nautical author worth his salt.

[Jacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Young Jacob Fletcher, as an apprentice, should be safe from the press gangs. Unfortunately this particular press gang isn't bothered about the rules and Fletcher finds himself the lowest of the low His Majesty's frigate Phiandra, pitted against the French. Meanwhile at Coignwood Hall the late Sir Henry is still warm while his not-so-grieving widow and her two sons frantically search for his will, which unfortunately leaves everything to a previously unknown bastard son. So the bastard must die. Fletcher, unaware of the reason, is very aware that someone has it in for him. This is a rollicking adventure with a lot of seafaring detail which seemed to be accurately portrayed. The cover says 'part Flashman and part Hornblower,' that's not too far from accurate. The Fletcher sections area lot more gripping than the Coignwood sections and I must admit I skimmed some of those, but by and large this is an excellent read.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my usual genre, but an absolute blast of a read.

First off, kudos to the author for writing the entire narrative in a vernacular form that must have been very difficult to keep consistent.

Jacob Fletcher, the main character, is a bit of a conniving tool who is not above some auspicious re-allocation of resources. That being said, the events that unfold around him and his remarkable adventures at sea after being wrongfully 'pressed' into the Royal Navy make for a rather thrilling and sometimes humorous page-turner. There are dual threads to the story that are masterfully interwoven, with a Ma Baker-type stepmother and her evil sons, one of which happens to serve aboard the same ship as Jacob. Cleverly, because of a paternal/maternal name issue, the writer keeps us guessing as to who this person is.

I'm definitely going to be keeping my eye on this writer.

[John Walker · Rating 3 out of 5]

The cover of this book proclaims ..'part Flashman and part Hornblower...' I realized that authors don't pick the covers or the hook to purchase this book, I didn't much of either in this book.
What I did see was a young lad with a promising future press-gaged into the Royal Navy. Who by sheer dumb luck and good friends seems to win out over the French navy and a hateful family who attempts to kill mr. Fletcher at every turn to deny him the inheritance he deserves, even if he is a bastard son of the wealthy Henry Coignwood.

There is more to this series and I might try the next one, given time because there just enough there to give it a try.

[DonLallier · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good yarn. Fletcher has a lot going for it.

I enjoyed this book very much. The author keeps you on your toes from the start.
The action and sea part of the story is super but the mystery mixes with the rest of the story in a superior effect.
If you like mysteries and action with hero's and villains this book is for you.
Read it and you will see that I am correct.I enjoy good sea stories and I have read hundreds in the last few years and this is one of the best. I can only hope the rest of this. Series will be as good of not better?
So read on good fellow and set sail to adventure...

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really held my interest. Soon after it begins three young men are pressed into the British navy. This is against the law because they are apprentices, a class that is not to be forced into the navy. Two get free, but one can't get out of his impressment. Why this is the case and what happens to him in the navy is the gist of the story. Also involved are the family of a wealthy trader who find that they have been written out of his will and for very good reasons. I wasn't happy with some fairly explicit sex, but those who aren't as prudish as I am will probably have no problem with that.

[Cassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely engaging high seas adventure, brilliant narration, however the audiobook were horribly unbalanced. The narrator's spectacular work and the atomospheric build of scene and ship environment were completely done wrong by this editing/engineering I am most sorry say. I sincerely hope that the person who performed that task was new to the job and truly wish them a wonderful career as we all make mistakes. But half of the introductions in a chapter or high action/tension scenes excessively loud as other sections were so low, you had to adjust to them or risk loosing out on some of the story.

[Wytzia Raspe · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Fletcher's Fortune" - a navy story with a detective aspect
At the end of the 18th century an orphaned bastard is set to inherit a fortune without knowing it. His half brothers and their mother want him dead. He ends up presses into the navy but it seems his enemies still know how to reach him.
Good story but the ending is unbelievable.

http://dutchysbookreviews.blogspot.nl/2017/09/review-fletchers-fortune-navy-story.html

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story line about a young man who is about to inherit a fortune he knows nothing of and gets pressed into the British navy. There are those who want him dead, namely his step mother and step brothers. This is an exciting sea story about all the things he encounters along the way. Does his enemies, whom he does not know about succeed in separating him from his fortune? Read it and find out.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read. The story follows an educated young man, an orphan, who is an apprentice merchant and pressed into the British Navy at the end of the 19th century. I think the story is credible and well done. Rollicking is not a term I would use in describing the story. I began reading Fletcher Series Book 2 and even gave #3 a once over, but I could not finish #2 or start #3 because the hero's story seems to be moving toward a Flashman like persona and I am not a fan of the Flashman Papers.

[Jamie Sale · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's rare I give five stars to a book. It has plenty of buckling swashes, fighting with the snail-eatin' French and ship mates, mystery, a conniving femme fatale (and I mean fatale), heroes, brutes, hull to hull combat, cutting-out expeditions and good buddies. There are colorful characters all along with laughs throughout. Our hero, Fletcher is different than other sailing heroes. He reminds me of Alan Lewrie and Errol Flynn without the booze and bawds. Get the book

[Michael A. Hobart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good first book for series

A good first book in a series. A couple things left unresolved, probably for later in the series, namely, what was the resolution of the vast fortune he was due to inherit? Why had Kate refused to go along with him and what was her fate?. I enjoyed it, but would not rank it up with Forester's Hornblower (of course it was a much shorter first book in a series.)

[Calzean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite enjoyed this knowing it was not going to be a great literary triumph. Jacob Fletcher is press ganged into the Royal Navy where he finds he is being pursued by a mad murderer wanting to rid Fletcher to gain an inheritance. Life in the Navy for a untrained man is well described and Fletcher has numerous adventures. He seems to get promoted fast, learnt quickly, grew strong and tall fast and had a lot of luck but it is that type of story.