Fletcher and the Mutineers

Fletcher #3

by John Drake

The year is 1795 and Jacob Fletcher has reached the shores of Jamaica.

Having been driven out of England by his cruel stepmother, Lady Sarah Coignwood, he has finally reached a land where he might be able to make his fortune.

But this haven might not be as safe as he once thought …

The Maroon peoples are being wiped up into a frenzy by the one of the most dangerous men Fletcher has ever met, Vernon Hughes. It’s seems that it will only be a matter of time before the island erupts into violence.

To make matters worse, Lady Coignwood has heard that Fletcher is not dead but alive and well in Jamaica. She will stop at nothing to destroy her troublesome stepson.

Will Jacob Fletcher ever be allowed to pursue a life in trade as he so wishes?

Or will his past continue to cast a shadow over his future?

Fletcher and the Mutineers is the third in a rollicking series of memoirs that bring the 18th Century back to life in its tawdry glory as Fletcher evades the dangers of Maroons, mutineers and his stepmother.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Adventure

333 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 14, 2015

About the author

Just in case anyone's interested ... my latest Fletcher (Flying Machine) is up and running and selling well. Happy days.

I have just finished the third of my Londinium books (that's Roman London AD 100) and it should be out later this year: 'Gods in Londium'. My usual mixture of bloodstained savagery, plus authentic period detail.

Moving further on ...

'The Fletcher Companion' (all you need to know about Fletcher and his world), will also be available some time this year.

Beyond that, the next Fletcher for March 2023 (if the Lord spares me) will be 'Fletcher and the Constitution'. That's the US Constitution, and it's in deadly peril.

Mind how you go.

John Drake

Reviews

[Charles van Buren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fletcher's adventures are incredible

This review is from: Fletcher and the Mutineers (Fletcher Series Book 3) (Kindle Edition)

This volume may be even better than the first in the series, FLETCHER'S FORTUNE. In this one volume Fletcher escapes Britain and a probable hanging; makes a fortune in Jamaica; befriends the inventor of an undersea salvage craft; fights against the Maroon uprising in Jamaica; loses the fortune fleeing Jamaica but can't flee the entangling plots of Lady Sarah; returns to Boston and another half book of adventures.

Just as with the first two volumes in this series the writing, plotting and character development are superb. The excitement and sense of peril are addictive. Overall, Fletcher is a good fellow who happens to have people trying to kill him. Despite desiring to settle down to a peaceful and prosperous life in trade, he just can't seem to avoid getting caught up in life (and trade) threatening adventures. Highly recommended.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was slow going. I still found it entertaining overall. Some parts of the story are growing stale.

I will read the next in the series. I'm going to take a break from Fletcher for a bit.

[Bob Cantrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fletcher comes out smelling like a rose

This my third review of the Jacob Fletcher stories. This one was just as fun to read as he first two were. Jacob Fletcher can't seem to catch a break his wicked stepmother still wants him read and goes out of her way to do so. Then there is the problem with the Maroon Uprising in Jamaica to add to his problems and the mutiny on a British warship. It seems every time Fletcher gets started in a business venture something comes along to mess it up for him. By the end of this story Fletcher has several of his personal problems solved by the British Navy. Overall the pacing of this story moves at a fair clip. Now some may find at first the way the author weaves the subplots in a bit confusing it all makes sense as the story progresses and is nearly tied together by the end. Some of the writing is a bit jarring at times, but I realized that this was just the way the characters were speaking. Also be warned there is sex in this story. If you are looking for a rollicking adventure story then this is one.

[Cody Engdahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fletcher comes full circle.

This is Book III of the Fletcher Series, of which there are currently eight. It picks up where the last one ended and wraps up several threads from from the series so far. Fletcher and the Mutineers is almost like two novellas in one book. The first half takes place in Jamaica, where Fletcher is trying to build his fortune while hiding from the Royal Navy on the eve of the Second Maroon War. The second part takes place in Boston, where a standoff between the British, the French, and a ship full of mutineers in the harbor threatens to pull the US and Britain into war again.

Like the first two books, there are plenty of action sequences and intrigue, including naval battles and even a submarine. The book follows the same “found manuscript” trope, in which the writer claims to have won Jacob Fletcher’s memoir in an auction and then fills in the blanks with information from articles and other sources from Fletcher’s life. What we get is a story that shifts between the first-person narrative of Fletcher and a third-person narrative from his adversary’s point of view. This happens from chapter to chapter.

Fletcher’s voice is convincing and delightful, in which you can hear the old sea dog in him. His old enemy is back and more willful than ever. There are plenty of “oh sh%t” moments when I truly didn’t know how Fletcher was going to get out of a tight spot. It’s a fun and thrilling read and a great addition to the Fletcher Naval Adventures series.

[Kevin Gardner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional.

This was another excellent addition to the Fletcher series, I have been a fan of the author John Drakes work ever since I read his amazing Flint and Silver series, (Treasure Island being my favourite book) and the Fletcher series certainly doesn't disappoint, it follows young Fletcher in his many adventures serving aboard a ship during the late seventeen hundreds. What follows is a full on adventure written with humour and good historical knowledge. Very highly recommended.

[Ivor Armistead · Rating 3 out of 5]

Incredible.

[Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very good story. My main reason for not giving it 5 stars is the poor quality of the conversion to kindle. In my opinion there is almost a typographical error or words that are missing on almost every page. Maybe an exaggeration but so many typos detract from the enjoyment of the book as one finds oneself mentally putting in words whenever a sentence fails to make sense. I can only assume that some sort of spellcheck or computerised proofreader has been allowed to run riot as this has to be the worst book I have ever read with regard to printed errors. It is a shame that the author’s publisher has let the author down so badly as I really like his books. I will probably give the next adventure in the series a go as I think the author is excellent with a style representative of a much earlier age.

[John Martin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fletcher is not a smart man. A smart man would have gotten rid of Lady S, especially with so many options.

Actually the admiralty had no authority to make Fletcher sign away his inheritance. Just another example of British arrogance, the same arrogance they portray around the world during their plundering. It's too bad the French never got to bring their guillotine to England, for there were thousands 's of English Aristos who could have done with a head chopping.

[david henry jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buckle your swash.

This is turning into an enjoyable series of books,s cross between flashman and sharpe,always dropping themselves into it but coming out smelling of roses.
Easy reading ,understandable descriptions from ships to slavery and all things inbetween.you know he will get into trouble but look to how he,'ll get out of it.
Mr.drake long may the ink run from your nib

[Nigel Copeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Round the world trip

Another great story by this author hence 5 stars. Ships which one is safe. With different countries to try to make your fortune or did he. You will have to read the book

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

My heavens he lucks out. Getting involved with submarining was cool. I like the way he describes te country, the culture of the time, the people of the time As my sister says “IVE ALWAYS BEEN DIFFERENT”. Us Americans.

[Colin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story finds Fletcher in all parts of the Atlantic, moving between various British and American ports while a state of war technically exists between the two. A good plot continuing from the previous two novels was well worth the read.

[Chris Shockey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great adventure

A bit slow to start, but once it got going I couldn't put it down! Well written and well researched for historical accuracy

[P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very long and complicated read with a 'you'll just have to wait to find out happens next!' ending. Fletcher's a great character and the story drags without him front and center.

[john simpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice read

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[Chris Vanderveer]

great book!

[Phillip Mclaughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fletcher steps and gets into muck

After the most recent release I had to return to this installment. Every reading leaves me laughing, excited, and entertained.
Highly recommend

[Ron Hendler · Rating 5 out of 5]

great series of books

Well written, exciting never know how things are going to turn out. Suspense and history as well as fantastic characters. Well done.

[Monroe Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent seafaring tale. Enjoyed every word, although, some that I didn’t understand without the help of Google.

[Bill LaPointe · Rating 4 out of 5]

it is a page turner!

Constantly changing events among different people keeps your attention.
Plus the connections to historical figures and events. I have to read the sequel.

[Calzean · Rating 2 out of 5]

There is quite a lot going on in this book - the slave rebellion in Jamaica, dabbling with early submarines and mines, the 1795 war with Britain, mutineers, trading and losing all his money and a meeting with Admiral Howe that puts Fletcher back in the RN. Of course there is the beautiful Lady Sarah. Unfortunately she is becoming a bore with predictable storylines. Which didn't help my reading as there is a lot of stuff in this book, some of it quite unnecessary.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to get a review copy of this for free, which naturally inclines my favour towards it...

This is the third book in John Drake's swashbuckling adventures of Jacob Fletcher. I've missed the first two, but I don't think it matters as the previous events are conveniently summarised whenever you need a reminder. They purport to fill the gaps in the historical records with Fletcher's faithfully recorded memoirs which is always fun, happily mixing fact into fiction.

It begins with the first ever submarine strike on a vessel in 1776 which I'd never heard of and instantly grabbed my attention. The story then switches to our hulking hero Fletcher arriving in Jamaica (fleeing from his crazy and homicidal step-mother, the law and the navy) where he seeks to improve his fortune through trade and business rather than cracking skulls. He does plenty of both before his step-mother, rebellion and the navy catch up with him again.

I very much enjoyed the book, it bounds along with pace and mischief. Fletcher is an engaging rogue and most of the tale is told by him. I like his wheeling and dealing across Jamaica and his attempts to avoid being just another thug. He's not entirely successful... he also gets mixed up in the maroon revolt and a host of dangerous characters.

It's a slightly jarring switch to the third person accounts of his wicked stepmother, Lady Sarah. That oddness is offset by her being utterly crazy - from acquiring shaggable slaves, wrapping everyone around her finger, using her stout enforcer to remove her enemies and then pursuing Fletcher to Jamaica to destroy him.

Fletcher bounds through naval warfare, slavery, brawling, promiscuity and politics. It's a hell of a ride, but my favourite part is the character of Lady Sarah who is truly demented and dangerous, I'm looking forwards to reading more about her.

[Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jacob Fletcher is the bastard son of Sir Henry, a wealthy merchant in England at the tail of the 18th century. He returns following the second book where he was battling to survive first in a battle against his old ship the HMS Phiandra amongst other challenges.

Jacob ends up in the West Indies and starts to carve out a successful career as a businessman servicing equipment for plantation owners. He meets some lonely plantation owners wives (two sisters)and services them as well. Unfortunately for Jacob these two young ladies are friends with Lady Coignwood (his nemesis) and decide to let her know of his whereabouts.

Lady Coignwood is mad with a desire for revenge and embarks immediately to the Windies. She fails to capture and torture Jacob but the struggle leaves Jacob in bother as Ms Coignwood continues to distort the truth.

There are submarine adventures, battles with rebelling slaves and uncomfortable journeys leading back to Boston. Here Jacob is pressed back into service for his majesty and must play a crucial role in protecting England's interest against France in the USA in a hair trigger situation of international diplomacy.

The stories are supposed to be based on some memoirs that John Drake obtained along with accompanying letters and other information. I really hope this is the case. Even if it is not I think I will hold to this belief as it added to my enjoyment of the book.

I was given a copy by the publishers as I gave some of John Drake's previous books positive reviews. I'm damn glad that I did as I really enjoyed the story. It is kind of like reading Patrick O'Brian meets Henry Fielding (author of Tom Jones - the foundling).

Racy, enthralling, adventurous and thrilling - I look forward to the next book.

[Seren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This seems to be part of a series and I've come into the middle of it. An entertaining story about a deserted naval officer now hiding and trading in Jamaica, and his pitfalls along the way. A set of random events take him elsewhere with a surprising enemy to avoid along the way. I will have to find the previous stories.

[Jerry Mercer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Good Read

This third book in the series was well-written and captured the period and action of the fictional characters. While it is fiction, the author's imagination and writing skills brought it to life.

[neal mirin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wild tail

Of shops and man of the sea and one very special man how lost more then he deserves but gained a.life

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok , dragged on a bit though .