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The Modern Naval Fiction Library

by Douglas Reeman, Antoaneta Ralian (Translator)

With his own boat, the motor yacht Sea Fox, former naval officer Philip Vivian had hoped to earn a living free from the petty restrictions of everyday life, close to the sea he loved. Now, however, his dream is threatened by financial difficulties. So when a profitable, if legally dubious, proposition is put to him by an old naval comrade in arms, Vivian is willing to listen. But what starts out as a harmless adventure soon turns into something altogether more sinister. And Vivian finds himself trapped in a treacherous web of violence and crime, dangerously torn between his stubborn sense of past loyalties and his duty to a society he has always despised.

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Adventure, Historical Fiction

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1974

About the author

AKA Alexander Kent.
Douglas Edward Reeman was a British author who has written many historical fiction books on the Royal Navy, mainly set during either World War II or the Napoleonic Wars.

Reeman joined the Royal Navy in 1940, at the age of 16, and served during World War II and the Korean War. He eventually rose to the rank of lieutenant. In addition to being an author, Reeman has also taught the art of navigation for yachting and served as a technical advisor for films. Douglas married author Kimberley Jordan Reeman in 1985.

Reeman's debut novel, A Prayer for the Ship was published in 1958. His pseudonym Alexander Kent was the name of a friend and naval officer who died during the Second World War. Reeman is most famous for his series of Napoleonic naval stories, whose central character is Richard Bolitho, and, later, his nephew, Adam. He also wrote a series of novels about several generations of the Blackwood family who served in the Royal Marines from the 1850s to the 1970s, and a non-fiction account of his World War II experiences, D-Day : A Personal Reminiscence (1984).

Series:
* Blackwood Family

Reviews

[Peter · Rating 2 out of 5]

'High Water' was Douglas Reeman's second novel, and it's unlike anything else of his I've read of his to date. While most of his books are set during World War II (or, if writing as Alexander Kent, during the Napoleonic wars), this one doesn't involve war at all.

Protagonist Philip Vivian, a World War II gunboat captain, who during those desperate wartime patrols across the Channel kept up his spirits by dreaming of owning his own boat. Now peacetime has brought his fresh troubles. He runs a charter business out of Torquay harbour on his motor yacht Seafox but he has had a bad season and can't pay his bills. He might lose his boat.

Disheartened Vivian chances across his old commander Felix Lang who offers him a questionable job across to France. Vivian takes the job because he trusts his old naval buddy and the pay-out will keep him solvent. But, of course, it can't be that simple.

The book quickly turns into a thriller involving counterfeit money, drug smuggling, treachery, deceit, police chasing the wrong guy, kidnapping, murder and of course a lovely young lady. Vivian proves to be a capable hero who takes a great deal of punishment and just keeps on coming. He might even be able to extricate himself from the situation without too much damage to himself, his boat or his reputation.

There plenty of action but, there is little in the way of character development and the romance, which is based on a "love at first sight" spark never really felt credible. I fully expected Karen to turn out to be a part of the evil plan, because that seemed the most reasonable explanation for her sudden and inexplicable passion for poor Vivian but no that wasn't the case, meaning that the real villain was so well telegraphed that it came as no surprise at all. It soon becomes obvious that Reeman isn't really a thriller writer. The plot seemed to rely far too heavily on happenstance to drive it along and the book comes to an end with villain coming to a sticky end more by accident rather than by design. It's that sort of book.

[Ron Wroblewski · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the few Douglas Reeman books where war is not going on. This takes place after WWII, and involves counterfeit money and drugs changing hands. Starts off well, but in the middle too many pages given to the captivity. In the end it picks up again.

[KOMET · Rating 4 out of 5]

This tale is a departure from the usual fare of derring-do, perils and thrills on the high seas in wartime that is the hallmark of Douglas Reeman's novels. It is centered around Philip Vivian, a World War II veteran of the Royal Navy whose love and affinity for the sea has made it difficult for him to wholly adjust to living under the strictures of life in late 1950s postwar Britain. As a way of making a living, he had been taking tourists on seasonal trips along the shore and out at sea in his motor yacht, the Seafox. But this in itself is not enough to stave off the looming prospect of having to sell his beloved Seafox and face bankruptcy. Vivian leaves Torquay (where Seafox is moored) and goes to the R.N.V.R. Club in London --- of which he is a paying member --- and chances upon an old wartime comrade, Felix Lang, whom Fortune has clearly smiled upon. He puts to Vivian "a profitable --- if legally dubious --- proposition" to carry out a series of smuggling jobs (involving the shipment of foreign currency from the travel agency in which Lang has a major interest) across the Channel to France. Just a couple of smuggling jobs and Vivian's debts would be paid in full. A merry adventure, no less. Or so it seemed at face value. For there is much more to Felix Lang and his associates at the travel agency for which he has worked for many years than meets the eye. Consequently, Vivian "finds himself trapped in a treacherous web of violence and crime, dangerously torn between his stubborn sense of past loyalties and his duty to a society he has always despised."

For any reader in search of a understated thriller that packs a punch, "High Water" fits the bill handsomely.

[Leigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

An Adequate read but not near any of my Favourites by Reeman. Started off well but floundered in the middle and the end pushed it to three stars!

[Nooilforpacifists · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second book Reeman wrote is quite a departure from his usual war on the high seas. Rather, it's a plain thriller, in the Alistair MacLean genre: a post-WWIi Wavy-Navy officer's attempt to return to civilian life, when complications (and thugs) arrive. Reeman had much to learn about writing, but this book most resembles Cornwell's Scoundrel.

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

With his own boat, the motor yacht Sea Fox, former naval officer Philip Vivian had hoped to earn a living free from the petty restrictions of everyday life, close to the sea he loved. Now, however, his dream is threatened by financial difficulties. So when a profitable, if legally dubious, proposition is put to him by an old naval comrade in arms, Vivian is willing to listen. But what starts out as a harmless adventure soon turns into something altogether more sinister. And Vivian finds himself trapped in a treacherous web of violence and crime, dangerously torn between his stubborn sense of past loyalties and his duty to a society he has always despised.

From the Inside Flap

With his own boat, the motor yacht Sea Fox, former naval officer Philip Vivian had hoped to earn a living free from the petty restrictions of everyday life, close to the sea he loved. Now, however, his dream is threatened by financial difficulties. So when a profitable, if legally dubious, proposition is put to him by an old naval comrade in arms, Vivian is willing to listen. But what starts out as a harmless adventure soon turns into something altogether more sinister. And Vivian finds himself trapped in a treacherous web of violence and crime, dangerously torn between his stubborn sense of past loyalties and his duty to a society he has always despised.

About the Author

Douglas Reeman did convoy duty in the navy in the Atlantic, the Arctic, and the North Sea. He has written over thirty novels under his own name and more than twenty best-selling historical novels featuring Richard Bolitho under the pseudonym Alexander Kent.

[Jim Standridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reeman's second book. It is a diversion from is typical writing. More a mystery/adventure than anything military. It is an excellent adventure, pretty well written. This time, while still concerning ships and sea, the story concerns an ex-naval officer and his yacht, the Sea Fox. A fortunate charter at just the right time leads to some unfortunate intrigue and trouble. Fairly fast-paced, keeps you looking for what happens next. Not bad for a beginning novelist. I liked it.

[Marcus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh my... "High Water" is the second book published by the writer clearly still looking for his own distinct style. What's more, it's been written around 1958 and it does show - the characters are rather difficult to relate to and their actions are often equally peculiar as they are annoying. There is also a lot of swooning and chivalric acts toward georgous damsels in distress - perhaps an expected element in books like this one in ninteen-fifties, but most certainly out of fashion in 'modern world'.

The funny thing is though, that all those flaws were exactly what this book a somewhat different and surprisingly enjoyable read. "High Water" isn't very complicated, but it has a solid plot and I did especially enjoy the marine angle, which is where Reeman really shines.

[Hannah Belyea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Philip is hoping to save up for his own boat, but when he decides to go in with an old friend from the Navy, he finds himself falling for the daughter of a smuggler that ends up drawing him into a series of lies and death. Reeman will excite fans of suspense and action with this enjoyably cheesy and quick read. How will Philip be able to get himself out of this, mess, and can he save his loved one before she gets dragged down too deep?

[David Lowther · Rating 3 out of 5]

High Water is very much a minor Douglas Reeman. It’s set post war and involves a large yacht involved in a smuggling racket out of Torquay, Ramsgate and London. The characters are fine but the plot’s a bit ropy.

David Lowther. Author of The Blue Pencil, Liberating Belsen, Two Families at War and The Summer of ‘39, all published by Sacristy Press.

[gosho seksa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I give it 3 stars cause it was pretty average. I think I'd like to explore more works by the author, since people say this is not one of his best. The start was going off well, I liked the main character and then just things went a little downhill. The ending was ok.

[Zia · Rating 1 out of 5]

Probably the weakest book by the author.

[Adam Khan · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s more of a 2.5 star one, but it was hard to get into. Just a bit boring and uninteresting. Bad words for an action/adventure book to be attached to.

[Ed · Rating 2 out of 5]

Six-word Review: Reeman's second book, and it shows.

I gave it 2 stars instead of one because I like his other books and the Alexander Kent (Bolitho) Series. I've read more than a dozen of his books and enjoyed them all. It's a good thing I didn't read this one first, or I most likely would have read no more.

More later.

[Nigel · Rating 3 out of 5]

** Minor Spoilers **

Very different from Reemans’s usually fare of WWII naval combat stories. This one is more crime thriller with ties to the sea. It all starts when Phillip Vivian is short of money to repay the mortgage on his small motor yacht Sea Fox. He heads to London to meet with his creditors hoping to sort something out and bumps to into an old naval comrade from the war who is able to offer him a job. Just a little run of to France and back with one passenger. No assuming Vivian is not a complete idiot this job should have rung all sorts of alarm bells as he was being offered 700 pounds (all in cash) by a travel agency ostensibly to take money over to pay their agents in France. It’s just more than the tight money regulations post war allow to be moved. The novel is set in the early 1950s when 700 pounds would have been a very large sum in deed and one would think Vivian might well suspect that the whole venture is criminal. He asked a few questions and believes all he is told.
Not surprisingly the venture is extremely criminal and he is drawn further and further into a serious criminal smuggling operation. The tension builds as Reeman steers the reader through one red herring after another. The ‘surprise’ identity of the man in overall charge is heavily trailed and is easily picked up by the reader, there is just a nagging doubt that the steer is too obvious it might be the final red herring …
The ending was disappointing as it leaves one or two of the plot lines unfinished, particularly those around police action being taken against Vivian, first for a crime the reader knows he hasn’t done and then for escaping police custody. Still overall a good easy read.

[Jleslie48 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty disappointing.
I like to read an author in the order that they wrote the books and after reading DR's first book I was excited to start this one. While the story line was fine, the characters get themselves into just plain ridiculous situations, too hard to believe. I'm hoping the third book is better.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

DR's second book, not his 'trademark' naval war story, but well worth reading

[Joseph Halsted · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of his best

Notwithstanding it's one of his earliest it is a cracking good tale to keep you guessing to the last page.