Tempest

The Soldier Chronicles #6

by David Cook

Fishguard, February, 1797: HMS Britannia anchors off the Pembrokeshire coast in the dying days of winter. Two armed companies of soldiers row ashore, led by the charismatic American, Colonel William Tate. They are met by the local Welsh Volunteer regiment who, unlike the suspicious locals, have been expecting them.

But one man has been secretly shadowing a small flotilla bound for the same destination. Major Lorn Mullone, a shrewd Irishman employed by the British government, considers that their arrival is more than fortuitous.

Is this just a mere coincidence or perhaps a ruse de guerre? Mullone has to uncover the truth and, with every step of the way, he must tread carefully if he is to survive.

Genres: Historical Fiction

134 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 5, 2016

About the author

David has been interested in history since his school days, and developed a love for the Napoleonic Wars' era from his father, who painted and amassed a model army of the Battle of Waterloo. From there, David became fascinated with the English Civil Wars, the American Civil War, the Wars of the Roses and English medieval history, particularly the legend of Robin Hood.

David lives outside Winchester on the edge of the South Downs National Park.

Reviews

[Jordan Licata · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Historical Fiction with accurate military details

As with the other books in the series, Cook gives us a great account of the military campaigning in those times..

[Georgene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've had this for a couple of months, but there's nothing like a family reunion in Winterset, Iowa to allow me to catch up on my reading. The reunion was actually GREAT, but my husband & I would retire to our hotel room fairly early because I don't like driving after dark. Since there seemed to be nothing to interest on television, we read.

Thus, I was able to read the 6th in the series of "The Soldier Chronicles" by David Cook.

A great chapter in the on-going exploits of the British army at the very beginning of what was to become the Napoleonic Wars between France and the rest of Europe. In this novella, there is an attempt by the French to land troops in Wales and thus begin an invasion of Britain. Based on an actual event, Mr. Cook has stuck pretty close to the events that happened, adding only a few flourishes of artistic license. Then at the end of the story, he tells the reader just what those flourishes were and what the actual events were. I wish more authors of historical fiction would do that!

[Giselle Marks · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Tempest is a tour de force! David Cook’s beautifully evocative language brings the Georgian Welsh landscape of 1797 vividly to life. He has brilliantly peopled his novella with fascinating well-fleshed characters. He sets his scene carefully, giving all the clues but allowing the reader to figure out what is happening. His hero the courageous Major Lorne Mallone is everything you hope for from an intelligent soldier, brave, charismatic and intuitive. You root for his success as he struggles to convince those around him of their danger. David Cook is an excellent writer, his fast-paced novella “The Tempest” is one of the best pieces of historical fiction I have read in decades. I whole heartedly recommend it to lovers of military historic faction, pick it up and it will keep you reading to the end.