Convoy North

John Mason Kemp #2

by Philip McCutchan

World War Two, North Cape.

Commodore John Mason Kemp, faces one of the greatest challenges of his war as he battles German air and sea attacks in the waters of Norway's North Cape.

Aboard his ship, the Hardrow Falls, are brave men from all over the country. It is not long before the crew, Captain Theakston, Sub-Lieutenant Thomas B. Cutler, and Chief Officer Amory, hear the first action alarm.

The Luftwaffe has been spotted.

At risk, because they are carrying the Commodore, they are set on a specific mission to rendezvous with another British ship on the coast of Murmansk.

To pick up a German.

He should be the enemy, but he and Kemp seem to know each other already…

Kemp’s mission is to get his captive and friend, van Hagen, to talk. If not, he is to hand him over to the Russians.

When van Hagen warns him of planned attacks on the convoy, Kemp starts to realise that his information is invaluable and vows to do the best for his friend.

With constant attacks on his own and comrade’s ships, impending illnesses and life-threatening torpedoes heading for the ship, Kemp’s own trust and the trust of his crew are put to the test.

Can Kemp keep control of his crew, follow orders and still save his friend?

'Convoy North' is the next thrilling installment in the John Mason Kemp series.

Praise for Philip McCutchan:

"A nautical war buffs feast...[McCutchan] keeps an authoritative hand on the wheel and his descriptions of battles at sea ring with laconic truth." —The New York Times Book Review

Philip McCutchan served at sea in the Royal Navy throughout World War II. From destroyers on Atlantic and Mediterranean escort duties, to a battle-cruiser, a battleship and an ocean boarding vessel, he ended his war service in an aircraft-carrier. His interests include naval and military affairs prior to 1946. He is the author ‘Convoy of War’, ‘Dangerous Waters’ and ‘Deed of Glory’.

Endeavour Press is the UK's leading independent publisher of digital books.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction

216 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

aka Robert Conington Galway, Duncan MacNeil

Philip McCutchan (1920-1996) grew up in the naval atmosphere of Portsmouth Dockyard and developed a lifetime's interest in the sea. Military history was an early interest resulting in several fiction books, from amongst his large output, about the British Army and its campaigns, especially in the last 150 years.

Reviews

[KOMET · Rating 5 out of 5]

"CONVOY NORTH" chronicles the experiences of the SS Hardraw Falls, which is the flagship of one of the earliest Arctic convoys sent by Britain in late 1941 to the Soviet Union to supply it with the vital materiel and foodstuffs it needed to keep the latter country afloat in its life and death struggle against Nazi Germany.

The overall commander of the convoy aboard the SS Hardraw Falls, is Commodore Jason Kemp of the Royal Naval Reserve (RNR). In addition to the main job he has been entrusted with, Kemp is also charged with carrying out a top secret operation once the convoy has reached the waters of the North Cape. It's an operation fraught with risk that puts the SS Hardraw Falls at the mercy of German naval units and the Luftwaffe.

"CONVOY NORTH" shows Philip McCutchan's skill at conveying to the reader the hazards and daily struggles faced by the officers and seamen who bravely risked exposure on the seas above the Arctic Circle --- in addition to attacks from U-boats, German warships, and the Luftwaffe --- in the convoys to Archangel and Murmansk. I felt a distinct chill in reading this novel.

[Edwin David · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second book in the series about commodore Kemp. This one finds him in charge of a convoy to Murmansk. Part of this problem is that Alistair MacClean covered all of the basis of this story in HMS Ullyses, but the other one is that a bit of cloak and dagger distracts from the naval story. It's ok, but not as good as the first one in the series and I called it a day at this one.

[Mr Michael R Stevens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better & Better

Really good story lines, well written, keep the story moving a a good pace and the characters with the research give the stories an authentic feel.
I'm already looking forward to number four.

[John Pearse · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good story,interesting mix of RN and MN life onboard a ship during WW2. The threat of a mutiny seemed to fizzle out though!

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Been a while since I finished this. It was a godd read though.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a tale of danger and human conflicts set in wartime England and the Arctic Ocean. It centers on the men and ships that made the perilous journey to Russia with supplies and their families back home.

[Chinto Karateka · Rating 3 out of 5]

good read, but slow in a few places. but wel worth the price