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For Those in Peril #1
The Custom of the Trade
Richard Miller is the second-in-command of the submarine D2. His captain, Lieutenant Johnson, has previously withheld a recommendation for command – Richard is too ill at ease with his men and too fond of his Bible. Just as Johnson changes his opinion, the submarine is involved in a tragic accident and sinks, leaving Johnson dead and the survivors trapped on the seabed with a diminishing air supply. It’s a race against time for Richard to save his men.
In March 1912, Richard’s cousin, Elizabeth Miller, is an activist in the Women’s Social and Political Union, standing alongside the Pankhursts to gain the vote for women. When Elizabeth faces arrest and is later imprisoned, Richard comes to her aid and the two become engaged, to the disapproval of his mother. War is brewing, and no one knows what the future brings.
After her father dies and her brother goes off to fight, Elizabeth is left to run Miller’s Shipyard, building submarines and ships for the Navy, whilst Richard takes command of a submarine and heads off to war. The fight for women’s equality takes a backseat to the war effort, but Elizabeth knows where women can do the most good – in her shipyard.
Set in the dying days of the Edwardian era, and the violence and heartache of World War I, The Custom of the Trade is filled with rich, historical details of the hazards of life in early submarines, the successful submarine campaign in the Dardanelles and women’s own battles against prejudice to gain the vote.
In March 1912, Richard’s cousin, Elizabeth Miller, is an activist in the Women’s Social and Political Union, standing alongside the Pankhursts to gain the vote for women. When Elizabeth faces arrest and is later imprisoned, Richard comes to her aid and the two become engaged, to the disapproval of his mother. War is brewing, and no one knows what the future brings.
After her father dies and her brother goes off to fight, Elizabeth is left to run Miller’s Shipyard, building submarines and ships for the Navy, whilst Richard takes command of a submarine and heads off to war. The fight for women’s equality takes a backseat to the war effort, but Elizabeth knows where women can do the most good – in her shipyard.
Set in the dying days of the Edwardian era, and the violence and heartache of World War I, The Custom of the Trade is filled with rich, historical details of the hazards of life in early submarines, the successful submarine campaign in the Dardanelles and women’s own battles against prejudice to gain the vote.
242 pages, Paperback
First published September 28, 2017
281 people are currently reading
175 people want to read
About the author
Shaun Lewis
17 books2 followersI was very fortunate to be inspired to love history by two excellent masters at my old school. However, it was only late in my career in the Royal Navy that I became interested in naval and military history. Sadly, our naval history lessons at Dartmouth were good opportunities to catch up on some much needed sleep.
I spent twenty years in the Royal Navy, serving in a variety of ships and submarines, in naval intelligence and as a Mandarin Chinese interpreter. I came to writing late in life. I began to find true stories of heroic deeds more fascinating than fiction and one day I suddenly thought, 'More people should know about this.' From that point I began to evolve a series of plots to honour some very courageous people.
My novels are not history books, but both are based on real events and, generally, historically accurate. It is the author's privilege to twist facts or rearrange them to fit the story for the purposes of entertainment. However, I hope they will inspire you to read the actual history of the events portrayed.
The Custom of the Trade includes the very successful submarine campaign in the Dardanelles. Now the Darkness Gathers is a tale of the early days of the formation of Britain's Secret Service and a plot by the Germans to call a Jihad against the British rule in the Near East and India. Although all three of my novels are stand-alone stories, it would help the reader to have read one of these two books before reading my third book, The Wings of the Wind, about the development of naval aviation and the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS). It includes, too, something of the RNAS's armoured car division and the Royal Naval Division.
The fourth tale in my WW1 series, Where the Baltic Ice is Thin, features the tragic tale of the Royal Navy's submarine flotilla in Russia during the Russian Revolution.
Finally, as a temporary change of period, I have written my first WW2 novel. They Have No Graves as Yet, is based on the true stories of several modest and brave British, Australian and American men who defuzed German parachute mines in Britain.
I spent twenty years in the Royal Navy, serving in a variety of ships and submarines, in naval intelligence and as a Mandarin Chinese interpreter. I came to writing late in life. I began to find true stories of heroic deeds more fascinating than fiction and one day I suddenly thought, 'More people should know about this.' From that point I began to evolve a series of plots to honour some very courageous people.
My novels are not history books, but both are based on real events and, generally, historically accurate. It is the author's privilege to twist facts or rearrange them to fit the story for the purposes of entertainment. However, I hope they will inspire you to read the actual history of the events portrayed.
The Custom of the Trade includes the very successful submarine campaign in the Dardanelles. Now the Darkness Gathers is a tale of the early days of the formation of Britain's Secret Service and a plot by the Germans to call a Jihad against the British rule in the Near East and India. Although all three of my novels are stand-alone stories, it would help the reader to have read one of these two books before reading my third book, The Wings of the Wind, about the development of naval aviation and the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS). It includes, too, something of the RNAS's armoured car division and the Royal Naval Division.
The fourth tale in my WW1 series, Where the Baltic Ice is Thin, features the tragic tale of the Royal Navy's submarine flotilla in Russia during the Russian Revolution.
Finally, as a temporary change of period, I have written my first WW2 novel. They Have No Graves as Yet, is based on the true stories of several modest and brave British, Australian and American men who defuzed German parachute mines in Britain.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
May 4, 2021
I really enjoyed this story
This book is very well written and edited. I highly recommend it. Good story telling without having to resort to foul language, gratuitous sex scenes, or political correctness. Bravo, good job and thank you.
Character development is good and for the most part likeable. The pace is very good and keeps your attention and gets very exciting at times. I would read other books by this author.
This book is very well written and edited. I highly recommend it. Good story telling without having to resort to foul language, gratuitous sex scenes, or political correctness. Bravo, good job and thank you.
Character development is good and for the most part likeable. The pace is very good and keeps your attention and gets very exciting at times. I would read other books by this author.
April 17, 2019
Well written
A really enjoyable and well written naval novel which any “bubble head” will appreciate. I hope this author will continue to produce masterpieces of Naval tradition.
A really enjoyable and well written naval novel which any “bubble head” will appreciate. I hope this author will continue to produce masterpieces of Naval tradition.
April 14, 2019
A story of the development of submarine warfare in WWI, counterpointed with the struggles of the women's suffrage movement.
It's a decent enough story although the pacing feels rather off. In some places it fairly rattles along while in others it seems to drag. There are also scenes where it builds up tension only to let it drain away with a seemingly too easy resolution.
It's a decent enough story although the pacing feels rather off. In some places it fairly rattles along while in others it seems to drag. There are also scenes where it builds up tension only to let it drain away with a seemingly too easy resolution.
November 12, 2017
Fraught with interest
A fast-paced and engaging military adventure, that unfolds against the background of early twentieth-century social change. Every chapter is an eventful episode, pacily written and never predictable, which makes The Custom of the Trade quite a page-turner. The wealth of technical detail and distinctive terminology of submarine warfare in the WW1 period makes for an authentic, if occasionally claustrophobic reading experience. Vivid gritty adventure with well-drawn characters, it's an absorbing read that had me looking forward to each evening's return to the book.
A fast-paced and engaging military adventure, that unfolds against the background of early twentieth-century social change. Every chapter is an eventful episode, pacily written and never predictable, which makes The Custom of the Trade quite a page-turner. The wealth of technical detail and distinctive terminology of submarine warfare in the WW1 period makes for an authentic, if occasionally claustrophobic reading experience. Vivid gritty adventure with well-drawn characters, it's an absorbing read that had me looking forward to each evening's return to the book.
October 19, 2017
The Custom of the Trade”, I can’t recommend it enough. It’s captivating, educational, but most of all entertaining! This is story writing at its best! Sit back relax and lose yourself in a face paced tale that brings to life the all too forgotten struggles of past. Based on true events Shaun Lewis’ writing style really brings the characters to life whilst masterly portraying issues faced by the suffragettes and firing one’s imagination about the life on board an early twentieth century submarine.
Not just a story, but a well-researched and a fascinating insight into the WW1 Naval Operations of ‘The Trade’.
Not just a story, but a well-researched and a fascinating insight into the WW1 Naval Operations of ‘The Trade’.
January 31, 2018
An interesting read
This book covers a period and theatre of the great war which h is little heard of. The early days of submarine warfare is also a not often seen subject so made a pleasant change, with it also covering early divers and rescue work. It is obviously a well researched novel. My only criticisms would be it needs a little more ed zest to keep the story moving and a little less repetition around "periscope drills". But still a decent read and I look forward to any sequels or prequels.
This book covers a period and theatre of the great war which h is little heard of. The early days of submarine warfare is also a not often seen subject so made a pleasant change, with it also covering early divers and rescue work. It is obviously a well researched novel. My only criticisms would be it needs a little more ed zest to keep the story moving and a little less repetition around "periscope drills". But still a decent read and I look forward to any sequels or prequels.
November 4, 2017
A gripping story set in the years of World War I. Highly recommended!
November 5, 2018
Well written
Nice to read a novel about submarines in world war 1. Clever interweaving of romance heroism and action.Well worth a read
Nice to read a novel about submarines in world war 1. Clever interweaving of romance heroism and action.Well worth a read
March 25, 2021
Trade
I will not trade my standards for a story. This one is fraught with profane and vulgar language I'm not willing to swim through.
I will not trade my standards for a story. This one is fraught with profane and vulgar language I'm not willing to swim through.
May 30, 2019
The exploits of British submariners in both World Wars is often overshadowed by their German counterparts. A failure which Shaun Lewis helps to address in ‘Customs Of The Trade’, the first in his ‘For Those In Peril’ series.
The book follows the exploits of Richard Miller, a stoic Royal Naval officer in the submarine service; from the pioneering days before the First World War to the deadly cat and mouse actions in the Sea of Marmara and Dardanelles Strait, during the Gallipoli Campaign in 1915. This is a classic action adventure story that contains many interesting vinyets on the history and technical aspects of submarine warfare.
I visited the Royal Navy Submarine Museum in Portsmouth recently and seeing the submarines there makes you realise just how claustrophobic they were, even without the crew and noise. A former rating showing me around HMS Alliance said these subs weren’t for the ‘faint hearted’ and that was one made over 25 years after the submarines depicted in this novel. It’s unimaginable to think what it must have been like to be trapped in one of them underwater; but Lewis’s novel really helped bring it home.
This is definitely one for fans of Alexander Fullerton and Douglas Reeman.
The book follows the exploits of Richard Miller, a stoic Royal Naval officer in the submarine service; from the pioneering days before the First World War to the deadly cat and mouse actions in the Sea of Marmara and Dardanelles Strait, during the Gallipoli Campaign in 1915. This is a classic action adventure story that contains many interesting vinyets on the history and technical aspects of submarine warfare.
I visited the Royal Navy Submarine Museum in Portsmouth recently and seeing the submarines there makes you realise just how claustrophobic they were, even without the crew and noise. A former rating showing me around HMS Alliance said these subs weren’t for the ‘faint hearted’ and that was one made over 25 years after the submarines depicted in this novel. It’s unimaginable to think what it must have been like to be trapped in one of them underwater; but Lewis’s novel really helped bring it home.
This is definitely one for fans of Alexander Fullerton and Douglas Reeman.
August 6, 2023
Subs and Feminists— Britain in WWI
England in the early 20th Century was just beginning to come out of the strict Victorian era, with its rigid social castes and restrictive roles for women. Suffragettes— women fighting for the right to vote— were frequently imprisoned, whereupon they would go on hunger strikes. The government responded brutally, forcing tubes down their throats into their stomachs and force feeding them.
Meanwhile, Europe was entering into war, with the Ottoman Empire and Germany on the one side and Britain drawn in when Germany overran Belgium to attack France. New technology brought submarines into the war for the first time.
This is the story of young naval submarine officer and the feminist he comes to love, and it’s worth reading, particularly by anyone interested in subs or World War I.
England in the early 20th Century was just beginning to come out of the strict Victorian era, with its rigid social castes and restrictive roles for women. Suffragettes— women fighting for the right to vote— were frequently imprisoned, whereupon they would go on hunger strikes. The government responded brutally, forcing tubes down their throats into their stomachs and force feeding them.
Meanwhile, Europe was entering into war, with the Ottoman Empire and Germany on the one side and Britain drawn in when Germany overran Belgium to attack France. New technology brought submarines into the war for the first time.
This is the story of young naval submarine officer and the feminist he comes to love, and it’s worth reading, particularly by anyone interested in subs or World War I.
April 10, 2021
Excellent writing and and WW1 British Submarine Service
I discovered this author while reading the works of Phillip McCutchen . His work about the much ignored services of the WW2 convoy ships moving supplies and troops were not only hazardous but dead!y. As most of us know the British were fighting long before the US entered either conflict. Reading of the early years 1912 to1918 of submarine service and the very fist use of these boats and the brave human men was a fascinating experience. The authors knowledge of the WW1 subs is extensive,exciting, a d worth every minute you spend in these pages.
I discovered this author while reading the works of Phillip McCutchen . His work about the much ignored services of the WW2 convoy ships moving supplies and troops were not only hazardous but dead!y. As most of us know the British were fighting long before the US entered either conflict. Reading of the early years 1912 to1918 of submarine service and the very fist use of these boats and the brave human men was a fascinating experience. The authors knowledge of the WW1 subs is extensive,exciting, a d worth every minute you spend in these pages.
May 17, 2022
sub exploits in WW1 thru rosy glasses
Well, the plot turns out far too well to be believable in the end. I kept hoping for more of the true British Navy traditions (rum, sodomy and the lash…). I liked best Richard’s first sub captain, an alcoholic Scot, who is merciless, capricious, and mean, and those are his virtues…. Elizabeth is the perfect Suffragette who in the end loves her man. Steele was promising and does steal several scenes—but nowhere near hated enough at the end. Lots of medals and nobody good winds up dead: real wars don’t work like that; nor great sea stories.
Well, the plot turns out far too well to be believable in the end. I kept hoping for more of the true British Navy traditions (rum, sodomy and the lash…). I liked best Richard’s first sub captain, an alcoholic Scot, who is merciless, capricious, and mean, and those are his virtues…. Elizabeth is the perfect Suffragette who in the end loves her man. Steele was promising and does steal several scenes—but nowhere near hated enough at the end. Lots of medals and nobody good winds up dead: real wars don’t work like that; nor great sea stories.
March 30, 2021
This is a challenging book for me to review. There were many parts of the book, especially the submarine battle pieces that were really good and then there were other pieces such as much of the women suffragettes that did not seem to be very well done. It is not that I found anything wrong with writing about suffragettes it just didn't seem to fit in well. There was also some religious content that was unnecessary. I think the author has a lot of talent and look forward to reading another of his books.
April 4, 2021
Great Characters and a gripping adventure
I have read so many good historical fiction books that have filled in the blanks that my courses in school left out. I actually pulled up a map of the area in Turkey where the battles happened. The characterizations were so interesting, too. Lt. Miller seemed very human and likable when the reader could read his thoughts and see how he changed as the result of his interactions with his crew. I highly recommend book .
I have read so many good historical fiction books that have filled in the blanks that my courses in school left out. I actually pulled up a map of the area in Turkey where the battles happened. The characterizations were so interesting, too. Lt. Miller seemed very human and likable when the reader could read his thoughts and see how he changed as the result of his interactions with his crew. I highly recommend book .
April 6, 2021
a well written book about the beginning of submarine warfare. it was well written and pretty well paced. I have had the last 3 books that I have not finished and this one I stayed up and finished it. This was the fist one of this author that I read so i do not know if the woman's movement was a continuation of one of the prior series but it seemed to come up out of nowhere and go nowhere. If it was just introduced in this series it could have been put in a bit more smooth.
April 23, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed the submarine aspects of this novel. I can understand some of the comments about why the suffragettes seemed like an awkward part of the story. The female characters didn’t hold the same level of attention as the submariners.
I think there was an opportunity to explore the increase in and impact of women workers at Lizzy’s shipyard.
However, the plot held my interest throughout and I was disappointed when I got to the end of the book. I was ready for more.
I think there was an opportunity to explore the increase in and impact of women workers at Lizzy’s shipyard.
However, the plot held my interest throughout and I was disappointed when I got to the end of the book. I was ready for more.
October 19, 2017
Good first world war story of battle at sea
This is one of those books that you can't put down and want you to read more like it. It makes you want to ask questions of how things were done on those first submarines. I already tried to call my son to ask him questions. He was a sonar tech on the USS Narwhal (fast attack nuclear sub)
This is one of those books that you can't put down and want you to read more like it. It makes you want to ask questions of how things were done on those first submarines. I already tried to call my son to ask him questions. He was a sonar tech on the USS Narwhal (fast attack nuclear sub)
September 29, 2021
Shaun Lewis
This is a rattling good tale which draws you into the story with details of the plot and let’s you live the the story line that the author writes about. Keeps close to historical facts and does not hid the details of the possibility of war and the likelihood of war injuries.
This is a rattling good tale which draws you into the story with details of the plot and let’s you live the the story line that the author writes about. Keeps close to historical facts and does not hid the details of the possibility of war and the likelihood of war injuries.
December 20, 2022
Thoroughly enjoyed this sea tale
Nicely done early tale of life in British submarines before and during the First World War. The plot is engaging and the characters are well drawn. There is also an interesting side story about the suffragette movement during these years. Look forward to the sequel.
Nicely done early tale of life in British submarines before and during the First World War. The plot is engaging and the characters are well drawn. There is also an interesting side story about the suffragette movement during these years. Look forward to the sequel.
March 26, 2021
Follows two personal sagas
Suffrage struggles and naval challenges. The historical inaccuracies kinda ruined this for me. Tales were engrossing but limited character development afforded no buy in.
Suffrage struggles and naval challenges. The historical inaccuracies kinda ruined this for me. Tales were engrossing but limited character development afforded no buy in.
April 6, 2021
The Custom of Trade
This is a boring book! At the 45% mark there have been a few interesting segments but most of it is very slow. At this point I just don't care what happens. I'm done and I don't recommend it.
This is a boring book! At the 45% mark there have been a few interesting segments but most of it is very slow. At this point I just don't care what happens. I'm done and I don't recommend it.
April 11, 2021
Entertaining and educational
I really enjoyed this. As an account of how submarines operated in the war, and the risks men took in taking out battleships and other enemy vessels, it is fascinating. Well told, too, as one adventure follows another. Highly recommended.
I really enjoyed this. As an account of how submarines operated in the war, and the risks men took in taking out battleships and other enemy vessels, it is fascinating. Well told, too, as one adventure follows another. Highly recommended.
June 11, 2021
A good story poorly told.
The author seems to drift in his narrative, the characters never seem clear in the motivation, the more dramatic moments of the story come across blasse.
The author seems to drift in his narrative, the characters never seem clear in the motivation, the more dramatic moments of the story come across blasse.
April 30, 2024
Everything that description claims
A truly wonderful and exciting book. It's unusual for the land side of this type of book to be almost as exciting and interesting as the shipboard side. Definitely an exciting book to read. I hope there are sequels.
A truly wonderful and exciting book. It's unusual for the land side of this type of book to be almost as exciting and interesting as the shipboard side. Definitely an exciting book to read. I hope there are sequels.
January 28, 2025
Good Read
I did not expect anything from this book. Instead, I found a wealth of pleasure and excitement from this book about submarines and warfare during WWI. The English methods of carrying out their solutions was especially good. From JAG and Tom Clancy, I considered myself rather well read on the subject of submarines. How foolish I was.
Thank you for the read.
I did not expect anything from this book. Instead, I found a wealth of pleasure and excitement from this book about submarines and warfare during WWI. The English methods of carrying out their solutions was especially good. From JAG and Tom Clancy, I considered myself rather well read on the subject of submarines. How foolish I was.
Thank you for the read.
January 26, 2019
I enjoyed this story it was very informative about the submarine service in the first world War. Very Good Read
April 9, 2021
Hard to put down
Seldom find a story of the British WWI submarine service, and particularly one focused on time in the Turkish campaign.
A very good read.
Seldom find a story of the British WWI submarine service, and particularly one focused on time in the Turkish campaign.
A very good read.
April 11, 2021
When I first started reading this book I thought it was about women's voting rights. Turns out it is mostly a story about submarines. Gave it a 4 but the book was interesting.
April 18, 2021
Slow start but great read. Another perspective of WWI through those who served in a submarine and added a bit on the womens suffrage movement prior to WWI.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews