Cut and Thrust

Fox #9

by Adam Hardy

FOX’S BITTER VICTORYAs usual, Fox was on his own. Now he was Commander of His Britannic Majesty’s Sloop, Minion. He had commanded before, but now he was a real captain. Short-handed and unseaworthy though his brig might be, Minion was his. His. And it was up to Fox to see that she did the work for which the gun-boat had been designed.Fox had had enough good times in France to hold no grudge against the Frogs, but this was war. His target was the Petit Mallou, a shallow island connected to the mainland that dominated a tricky right-angled bend. Once past the Petit Mallou battery, French shipping would be at the mercy of the British. And an assault on the Petit Mallou would clear the way for the Minion’s return. If there was a return ...Fox was a man who liked things to go his way. That they very often did not had never prevented him from trying. His eyes icy, his lips drawn back in the grimace that was his smile, Fox gave the order to move ahead.FOX IS NOT THE NOBLE HERO OF TRADITIONAL FICTION. FOX IS A FIGHTING MAN WHO TRANSCENDS HEROISM — HE DOESN’T CARE HOW HE WINS AS LONG AS HE WINS. HE’S MEAN, CUNNING AND MOST VICIOUS WHEN TRAPPED. THERE’S NO WAY TO OUTFOX FOX!Adam Hardy was a pen name used by Kenneth Bulmer (1921-2005). A prolific writer, Bulmer wrote over 160 novels and many short stories, both under his real name and various pen names. He is best known for science fiction, including his long-running Dray Prescot series of planetary romances, but he wrote in many genres.

128 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 1974

About the author

Adam Hardy is a pseudonym used by Kenneth Bulmer (1921-2005).

Reviews

[John Martin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Fox the bastard

I don't think I like Fox the person. He needs to be more concerned about his crew than his white trash family, who at their ages should be working and supporting themselves. I am going to try 1 more book in the series if Fox doesn't get more likeable, I am donone with this author.

[Christopher Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't find these books in order, which is a bit of a shame, but in the end it doesn't matter what order you read them in. George Abercrombie Fox spends 8 books as a Lieutenant, overlooked, bypassed, and treated like the gutter trash he was as a child until finally in this book he gets his step. Personally I like that, too often these sea novels they get rammed up the ladder so fast its implausible.

Without the "interest" it takes to get promoted, and serving often under captains who take credit for his skill and ingenunity, Fox languishes as a looey until finally just after the Peace of Amiens in this novel. Its interesting watching him develop slowly as well, by this book he's finally learned a bit of restraint in his language and actions, and has gained some political courtier skills.

An overall fun, fast read, I recommend this series highly to any sea novel lover, particularly those only familiar with the high status, nobility side of the equasion: Fox is a commoner from a dirt poor family without personal looks or status to help him along so its a different sort of approach.

[Steven Vaughan-Nichols · Rating 4 out of 5]

More fun Napoleonic naval adventure. There's not a lot to these books, but they're well-written and enjoyable.