The Scent of Corruption

Fighting Sail #7

by Alaric Bond

Summer, 1803: the uneasy peace with France is over, and Britain has once more been plunged into the turmoil of war. After a spell on the beach, Sir Richard Banks is appointed to HMS Prometheus, a seventy-four gun line-of-battleship which an eager Admiralty loses no time in ordering to sea. The ship is fresh from a major re-fit, but Banks has spent the last year with his wife and young will he prove himself worthy of such a powerful vessel, and can he rely on his officers to support him? With excitement both aboard ship and ashore, gripping sea battles, a daring rescue and intense personal intrigue, The Scent of Corruption is a non-stop nautical thriller in the best traditions of the genre. Number seven in the Fighting Sail series.

Genres: Nautical, Historical Fiction

322 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 7, 2015

About the author

Alaric Bond has written for television, radio and the stage but now focuses on historical nautical fiction with twenty published novels, fifteen of which are in his acclaimed ‘Fighting Sail’ series.
Set in ‘Nelson’s Navy’ of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars, these have no central hero but feature characters from all ranks and stations; an innovative approach that gives an exciting and realistic impression of life aboard a warship of the period.
Hellfire Corner is the first in an intended new series and marks a change in emphasis, although future ‘Fighting Sail’ instalments are planned.

Reviews

[Steven Toby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast moving and exciting but derivative

This book is another good read from Mr. Bond. It takes place on a ship of the line between England and Gibraltar and seems authentic although, like many other recent naval novels, it lacks the precise blow by blow narrative such as would be provided by C. S. Forester. It also has another flaw that prompted me to downgrade it to 4 stars: it is derivative, with an episode far too similar to one that appeared in “Lieutenant Hornblower”. This is the prisoners’ revolt that came close to capturing the ship of the line, with the prize crew coming alongside to save the day. I thought that episode was a little shaky in the original and this new version is no better in spite of the poisoning episode that helps explain the success of the revolt.

[Mark S. Uttermark · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honest, I am tired of the authers constant doom and gloom with his books. It gets old and he is constanctly jumping from one Character to another. It's like a chicken dancing on a hot plate. There are other sailing books out there that are more enjoyable reading. As a person who loves a good military historical book, this serie of books just wears on a person soul.

[Chaplain Stanley Chapin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sailing ship action

There was a good amount of sailing ship adventure and action and little family and land activity, as is present in some others.

[09/01 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

Alariac weaves a fascinating tale of life abroad ship in the Royal navy in Napoleonic wars. The characters are well developed and believable. Roll on the next instalment.

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good read from Alaric Bond

I am so very pleased I discovered Mr. Bond's "Fighting Sail" series. Suspenseful and intriguing plot lines full of empathetic characters. Vivid and exciting descriptions of naval combat. I can't put these books down.

[Espen Thiis-Evensen]

Excellent story, love the picturing of the Royal Navy at that exiting time period. The plots in the book are also exiting.