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Fletcher #4
Fletcher and the Great Raid
1795. Inventor James Watt is accused of stealing a patent for a steam engine by the McCloud brothers. Furious with their boss, they take their technology to France, where Napoleon Bonaparte promises great things to come. The French and the English are at war, and a steam engine would be very valuable, allowing either side to leap the channel.
Jacob Fletcher is a career navy man. Whether he wanted to be or not is open for debate. He is serving on the Serpant , under the inept Captain Cuthbert Percival-Clive, whose mother is Prime Minister William Pitt’s sister. Captain Percival-Clive has no interest in anything to do with his ship, and spends as much time as possible lounging in hotels, leaving all the work to Fletcher.
During a test to see if Fletcher is fit for promotion, a civilian named Rowland sits in. But the mysterious Rowland has more in store for Fletcher than a test. Fletcher is tasked to find and destroy anything he finds at sea regarding the steam engine, before the French can build one.
A deal is struck, but when Rowland says he must also kill the McCloud brothers, the English-Scots who betrayed their country, Fletcher is not sure how far he is willing to go. Promoted to captain and given his own ship, the adventure that lies before Jacob Fletcher will challenge his resolve.
Before the story is over, Fletcher will be tempted by the Devil, garroted, and nearly blown up – all on the same night!
Told through the diary dictated to his reluctant clerk, and intended for his nephews, the life of Admiral Sir Jacob Fletcher is a rollicking adventure, and a great look into life on the high sea.
Jacob Fletcher is a career navy man. Whether he wanted to be or not is open for debate. He is serving on the Serpant , under the inept Captain Cuthbert Percival-Clive, whose mother is Prime Minister William Pitt’s sister. Captain Percival-Clive has no interest in anything to do with his ship, and spends as much time as possible lounging in hotels, leaving all the work to Fletcher.
During a test to see if Fletcher is fit for promotion, a civilian named Rowland sits in. But the mysterious Rowland has more in store for Fletcher than a test. Fletcher is tasked to find and destroy anything he finds at sea regarding the steam engine, before the French can build one.
A deal is struck, but when Rowland says he must also kill the McCloud brothers, the English-Scots who betrayed their country, Fletcher is not sure how far he is willing to go. Promoted to captain and given his own ship, the adventure that lies before Jacob Fletcher will challenge his resolve.
Before the story is over, Fletcher will be tempted by the Devil, garroted, and nearly blown up – all on the same night!
Told through the diary dictated to his reluctant clerk, and intended for his nephews, the life of Admiral Sir Jacob Fletcher is a rollicking adventure, and a great look into life on the high sea.
318 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2016
217 people are currently reading
98 people want to read
About the author
John Drake
21 books162 followersJust 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
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
June 13, 2023
Reluctant naval hero delivers
Fletcher and the Great Raid is a great read. In this volume of the Fletcher memoirs, Fletcher becomes embroiled with spies, espionage and what today we would call special operations. He is not happy about it. He is less sure about his level of unhappiness at being forced anew into the Royal Navy, this time as a midshipman. He sits for his lieutenant's exam, planning to fail it and get thrown out of the navy but he can't bring himself to do it. Besides, the fix is in by powerful and unscrupulous people who have taken an interest in Fletcher. No more spoilers. Fletcher is off on exciting and important adventures involving the survival of England during the Napoleonic Wars.
Drake is a fine author who should have a larger following.
Fletcher and the Great Raid is a great read. In this volume of the Fletcher memoirs, Fletcher becomes embroiled with spies, espionage and what today we would call special operations. He is not happy about it. He is less sure about his level of unhappiness at being forced anew into the Royal Navy, this time as a midshipman. He sits for his lieutenant's exam, planning to fail it and get thrown out of the navy but he can't bring himself to do it. Besides, the fix is in by powerful and unscrupulous people who have taken an interest in Fletcher. No more spoilers. Fletcher is off on exciting and important adventures involving the survival of England during the Napoleonic Wars.
Drake is a fine author who should have a larger following.
May 21, 2017
Now this was naval action
The first three books in this series were good stories, but they just seemed to lack the naval action found in other books about the Age of Sail. This one makes up for that in a big way, Fletcher has made it to the position of Post Captain in the British Navy at an accelerated rate, which was unusual however not unheard of. This time Fletcher is involved in an operation to stop the French from developing steam power to aid their invasion of England. Big spoiler here they stop the French plan of invasion in its tracks. How they do this can only be told by reading the book. If you like stories set during the Napoleonic wars then pick up a copy and read a great action story in this book.
The first three books in this series were good stories, but they just seemed to lack the naval action found in other books about the Age of Sail. This one makes up for that in a big way, Fletcher has made it to the position of Post Captain in the British Navy at an accelerated rate, which was unusual however not unheard of. This time Fletcher is involved in an operation to stop the French from developing steam power to aid their invasion of England. Big spoiler here they stop the French plan of invasion in its tracks. How they do this can only be told by reading the book. If you like stories set during the Napoleonic wars then pick up a copy and read a great action story in this book.
February 12, 2017
Fletcher and the Great Raid is a great read. In this volume of the Fletcher memoirs, Fletcher becomes embroiled with spies, espionage and what today we would call special operations. He is not happy about it. He is less sure about his level of unhappiness at being forced anew into the Royal Navy, this time as a midshipman. He sits for his lieutenant's exam, planning to fail it and get thrown out of the navy but he can't bring himself to do it. Besides, the fix is in by powerful and unscrupulous people who have taken an interest in Fletcher. No more spoilers. Fletcher is off on exciting and important adventures involving the survival of England in the Napoleonic Wars.
June 1, 2022
Thoroughly enjoyable book
This book was a little bit different from your average swashbuckler. It involved a naval officer who is very well thought of but wanted more than anything else take it out of the Navy. The story is exciting and very interesting. It was one of those books that I was sorry when it was over
This book was a little bit different from your average swashbuckler. It involved a naval officer who is very well thought of but wanted more than anything else take it out of the Navy. The story is exciting and very interesting. It was one of those books that I was sorry when it was over
March 20, 2023
This series is interesting and very different from the usual sea novel type. There's plenty of the sea stuff, but with a Flashman-like hero (although less of a coward and cad) who keeps encountering unique technology and advancements each story its fresh and interesting.
This book has Fletcher involved with espionage and early steam power, and things don't go very well for anyone.
This book has Fletcher involved with espionage and early steam power, and things don't go very well for anyone.
February 10, 2022
A rollicking good yarn
Never a dull moment stimulated by an author with a humorous mischievous mind. A little more use of his learnings from the long limbed dark lady in a previous book, would have added a bit of spice to the proceedings.
Never a dull moment stimulated by an author with a humorous mischievous mind. A little more use of his learnings from the long limbed dark lady in a previous book, would have added a bit of spice to the proceedings.
April 29, 2022
A pretty good novel of Fletcher’s success in helping to thwart Napoleon’s plans. Some interesting characters with assorted legal issues mixed in. I think you’ll like it.
August 24, 2022
Three and a half stars would be better. A Jacob Fletcher adventure without Lady Sarah Coignwood is an improvement, but a hearty suspension of disbelief is, nevertheless, required.
April 15, 2020
Improbable but Entertaining
Jacob Fletcher, the hero of this series, launches into another wild adventure, protesting the whole time that he really wants to be a merchant and not a naval officer. He finds a sponsor who is a spymaster and gets him promoted for a daring attack on French soil in the time when Napoleon is just getting ready to roll through Italy. The action is superbly integrated with actual history with a few characters, like Lord Howe, who really commanded a British fleet that won a stunning victory over the French and it really was on June 1. But many ships’ names are clearly made up, such as the 3 frigates named after the banks of oars on a trireme. While it’s true that early steam engineers tried to develop a steam carriage this was somewhat later and it wasn’t successful compared to an engine on rails, so I am skeptical that the Scottish traitors who tried to introduce steam power into revolutionary France could have a basis in fact.
I was a little disappointed that Lady Coignwood, a superb villain in the previous books of the series, does not appear at all. Can it be that mr Drake is going to let her usurp Fletcher’s inheritance? While characterization of the hero motivates him to not want the fortune, still I hoped he would deprive Lady Sarah of it somehow.
But despite these problems the book is shockingly addictive with plots within plots. The background is right for Napoleonic times and the action is nonstop on land and sea. The way the author tells the story is first person as an old man nearing his 100th birthday, dictating it to a scholarly assistant whose initials we get to know well as, writing shortly after Fletchers death, he inserts both snide and helpful comments in square brackets. This gives the tale a certain Victorian feel which is appropriate somehow. But when reading the first book it’s possible to imagine the story was fact based, it’s clear from subsequent books that Jacob Fletcher is a fictional character and somewhat less believable than Horatio Hornblower. It doesn’t matter. The story is a delight for anyone at all interested in the period.
Jacob Fletcher, the hero of this series, launches into another wild adventure, protesting the whole time that he really wants to be a merchant and not a naval officer. He finds a sponsor who is a spymaster and gets him promoted for a daring attack on French soil in the time when Napoleon is just getting ready to roll through Italy. The action is superbly integrated with actual history with a few characters, like Lord Howe, who really commanded a British fleet that won a stunning victory over the French and it really was on June 1. But many ships’ names are clearly made up, such as the 3 frigates named after the banks of oars on a trireme. While it’s true that early steam engineers tried to develop a steam carriage this was somewhat later and it wasn’t successful compared to an engine on rails, so I am skeptical that the Scottish traitors who tried to introduce steam power into revolutionary France could have a basis in fact.
I was a little disappointed that Lady Coignwood, a superb villain in the previous books of the series, does not appear at all. Can it be that mr Drake is going to let her usurp Fletcher’s inheritance? While characterization of the hero motivates him to not want the fortune, still I hoped he would deprive Lady Sarah of it somehow.
But despite these problems the book is shockingly addictive with plots within plots. The background is right for Napoleonic times and the action is nonstop on land and sea. The way the author tells the story is first person as an old man nearing his 100th birthday, dictating it to a scholarly assistant whose initials we get to know well as, writing shortly after Fletchers death, he inserts both snide and helpful comments in square brackets. This gives the tale a certain Victorian feel which is appropriate somehow. But when reading the first book it’s possible to imagine the story was fact based, it’s clear from subsequent books that Jacob Fletcher is a fictional character and somewhat less believable than Horatio Hornblower. It doesn’t matter. The story is a delight for anyone at all interested in the period.
October 20, 2025
Perhaps the best yet! This is the fourth in the series.
The French and a team of British traitors are building a new technology that will lay Britain’s shores open to invasion. Jacob Fletcher joins in a daring expedition, deep in enemy territory to destroy this monstrous machinery before it’s too late.
Author John Drake has a profound understanding of sailing as well as the ships, weapons, and tactics of the time. All of this is explained by Jacob Fletcher, the first person narrator in his Age of Sail, Cornwall dialect, but still in a way that even the most helpless landlubber can understand. This is part of the allure of the series for me as I am as much attracted to learning about the history, technology, and ways of the era as I am to a good, action-packed story. Fletcher’s voice is authentic and inviting, referring to us readers as “my jolly boys” and to himself as “your Uncle Jacob.” I feel like I’m sitting with an old sea dog as he regales me with his salty yarns of an era gone by.
Jacob Fletcher is an exciting character who shares my own curiosity with the world around him. The story is great fun with multiple exhilarating climaxes that pay off everything in the end. Pay attention because nothing written is in vain as the story builds. All threads are neatly tied off.
The Fletcher Series uses the “found manuscript” trope. Drake claims he won Fletcher’s memoir in an auction and then filled in the antagonists’ parts of the story in third person from letters and news paper clippings. He even makes a character of the scribe who allegedly took the oral dictation from the aging Fletcher under the threat of physical violence if he omits or alters the way Fletcher describes events. This man, allegedly returned to the manuscript after Fletcher’s death and added notes usually mocking Fletcher or calling out his hypocrisy.
This is a great series for anyone who’s a fan of Jack Aubrey, Horatio Hornblower, or even Richard Sharpe. I’m looking forward to reading the next installment!
The French and a team of British traitors are building a new technology that will lay Britain’s shores open to invasion. Jacob Fletcher joins in a daring expedition, deep in enemy territory to destroy this monstrous machinery before it’s too late.
Author John Drake has a profound understanding of sailing as well as the ships, weapons, and tactics of the time. All of this is explained by Jacob Fletcher, the first person narrator in his Age of Sail, Cornwall dialect, but still in a way that even the most helpless landlubber can understand. This is part of the allure of the series for me as I am as much attracted to learning about the history, technology, and ways of the era as I am to a good, action-packed story. Fletcher’s voice is authentic and inviting, referring to us readers as “my jolly boys” and to himself as “your Uncle Jacob.” I feel like I’m sitting with an old sea dog as he regales me with his salty yarns of an era gone by.
Jacob Fletcher is an exciting character who shares my own curiosity with the world around him. The story is great fun with multiple exhilarating climaxes that pay off everything in the end. Pay attention because nothing written is in vain as the story builds. All threads are neatly tied off.
The Fletcher Series uses the “found manuscript” trope. Drake claims he won Fletcher’s memoir in an auction and then filled in the antagonists’ parts of the story in third person from letters and news paper clippings. He even makes a character of the scribe who allegedly took the oral dictation from the aging Fletcher under the threat of physical violence if he omits or alters the way Fletcher describes events. This man, allegedly returned to the manuscript after Fletcher’s death and added notes usually mocking Fletcher or calling out his hypocrisy.
This is a great series for anyone who’s a fan of Jack Aubrey, Horatio Hornblower, or even Richard Sharpe. I’m looking forward to reading the next installment!
April 26, 2019
The perils and adventures Jacob Fletcher.
In my youth I read the Hornblower, Bolitho and Ramage books Fletcher can be read on a par. Fletcher is a veritable giant of a man who suffers from a continuous back story of a wicked stepmother who with her sons is always plotting to kill him. She is evil in carnate and has a sexual power over more than most men.
Along side is his reluctant carrieer in the Navy with thrilling tales of battles with the enemy ( mostly French ) and people placed on board who wish to carry out his stepmother’s wishes.
The fierce sea battles are well described with attention to skills and power of the gunners. Clearly I regard these upto book 4 as a really good and page turners to the best order.
In my youth I read the Hornblower, Bolitho and Ramage books Fletcher can be read on a par. Fletcher is a veritable giant of a man who suffers from a continuous back story of a wicked stepmother who with her sons is always plotting to kill him. She is evil in carnate and has a sexual power over more than most men.
Along side is his reluctant carrieer in the Navy with thrilling tales of battles with the enemy ( mostly French ) and people placed on board who wish to carry out his stepmother’s wishes.
The fierce sea battles are well described with attention to skills and power of the gunners. Clearly I regard these upto book 4 as a really good and page turners to the best order.
November 14, 2024
A Great Read.
I first stumbled across John Drakes books when I casually picked up the first of his Flint novels, this was a fantastic read and I quickly read the rest of that series and then grabbed the first of the Fletcher series and have been a fan ever since. The Fletcher series has definate Flashman vibes so if you are a fan of Flashman(I love them) you will enjoy these. You are guaranteed to have a good time with Fletcher and his maritime adventures and I will wholeheartedly recommend them too anybody who loves Flashman, Navel adventures or you just want a fun read. Very highly recommended.
I first stumbled across John Drakes books when I casually picked up the first of his Flint novels, this was a fantastic read and I quickly read the rest of that series and then grabbed the first of the Fletcher series and have been a fan ever since. The Fletcher series has definate Flashman vibes so if you are a fan of Flashman(I love them) you will enjoy these. You are guaranteed to have a good time with Fletcher and his maritime adventures and I will wholeheartedly recommend them too anybody who loves Flashman, Navel adventures or you just want a fun read. Very highly recommended.
September 5, 2020
Great Adventure Story
Equivalent to Cornwall last Kingdom and Master & commander series. Easily plausible story told in a rollicking humorous tone set amongst real historical events with the hero overcoming all difficulties with strength fortitude and quick thinking along with extraordinary luck.
Equivalent to Cornwall last Kingdom and Master & commander series. Easily plausible story told in a rollicking humorous tone set amongst real historical events with the hero overcoming all difficulties with strength fortitude and quick thinking along with extraordinary luck.
October 30, 2018
A Complete Novel
Excellently written saga of the sea and town plus the advent of the steam engine.
Read it and enjoy the further adventures of the intrepid Captain Fletcher .
Steam ahoy!
Excellently written saga of the sea and town plus the advent of the steam engine.
Read it and enjoy the further adventures of the intrepid Captain Fletcher .
Steam ahoy!
June 26, 2020
Spies's can be dangerous
Another great story by this author hence 5 stars. Who is friend or foe they all seem the same. You may think they are friends until your use is not needed will you survive you will have to read the book to find out
Another great story by this author hence 5 stars. Who is friend or foe they all seem the same. You may think they are friends until your use is not needed will you survive you will have to read the book to find out
August 30, 2023
Great Romp
I could quibble about a few things such as a Captain leaving his ship to go on a dangerous mission, but what's the point? They did it in Star Trek on almost every mission and many other ships of sea, air, and space. It makes it fun an is a great romp!
I could quibble about a few things such as a Captain leaving his ship to go on a dangerous mission, but what's the point? They did it in Star Trek on almost every mission and many other ships of sea, air, and space. It makes it fun an is a great romp!
October 1, 2023
Book 4 Great Raid is a great adventure
If you want a book that completely captures your interest, then read book 4.
Fletcher has become a "Jack Reacher" character, that is big, strong, and powerful to anyone that dares to oppose his mission.
If you want a book that completely captures your interest, then read book 4.
Fletcher has become a "Jack Reacher" character, that is big, strong, and powerful to anyone that dares to oppose his mission.
October 4, 2017
Another good one
I have enjoyed each of his previous work's and certainly plan on read all the rest. I am an eighty + swashbuckler.
I have enjoyed each of his previous work's and certainly plan on read all the rest. I am an eighty + swashbuckler.
November 20, 2017
Great books
Fletcher is an awesome character and hero. Mr drake produces a superb story with superior history. I can't wait for the next book.
Fletcher is an awesome character and hero. Mr drake produces a superb story with superior history. I can't wait for the next book.
January 23, 2019
Another in the far-Fletched series, and just as enjoyable as the other never quite believable adventures of Jacob Fletcher.
May 17, 2019
Good stand alone read
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February 6, 2020
Enjoyable reading in the genre of Hornblower,
but updated
but updated
June 13, 2020
The best one yet
Absolutely loved this book. Great mixture of gallantry and action. It could have really happened!!!
I can't wait to read the next one
Absolutely loved this book. Great mixture of gallantry and action. It could have really happened!!!
I can't wait to read the next one
June 29, 2022
Good stuff
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October 25, 2023
An ongoing adventure that reads well.
May 26, 2025
If you’ve gotten this far in the series, you know what to expect. I think I will pause this series here for now, as the stories have become a bit too repetitive for serial reading.
December 31, 2020
Great stuff
On with the tale of the Navy and other ways of Fletchers adventures a rollicking story of espionage and treacherous companions
On with the tale of the Navy and other ways of Fletchers adventures a rollicking story of espionage and treacherous companions
April 8, 2025
Alternate history, well told and engaging. A lively and inventive "Age of Sail" tale. Steam is coming to the HMN, but not until they deal with Napoleon and his armies.
July 9, 2025
Really really boring waffle about steam, engines. Reads like a Jane Austen novel at times. Just droned on and on and on but eventually finished it, I did. Wish it was a pure naval adventure of the time but it is not, more on land than sea. Not remotely intriguing or engaging , The 'Great' raid ? Nothing great about it, just boring boring drivel -pure waste of time.
January 16, 2025
A much better book than the last one as Lady Sarah is nowhere to be seen.
The story revolves around the French attracting some disgruntled Scots to come and build a series of steam engines that will be used to tow the barges across the English Channel as part of Napoleon's plan to invade England.
Fletcher is Fletcher. He has women, luck and leadership which sees him breaking some rules/laws to get what has to be get.
The story revolves around the French attracting some disgruntled Scots to come and build a series of steam engines that will be used to tow the barges across the English Channel as part of Napoleon's plan to invade England.
Fletcher is Fletcher. He has women, luck and leadership which sees him breaking some rules/laws to get what has to be get.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews