The Devil Upon the Wave

The Journals of Matthew Quinton #8

by J.D. Davies

Broadsides, divided loyalties and revenge on the high seas

1671: Matthew Quinton is on a mission into the heart of enemy waters, bent on revenge for England's crushing defeat of 1667. The Dutch not only destroyed English ships and slaughtered their men, but stole the jewel of the fleet, the flagship Royal Charles.

As the mission starts to unravel, Quinton is faced with a dilemma. He may need to sail into battle not with his men, but on an enemy man-of-war, against his own side…

Fans of Julian Stockwin and John Drake will love The Devil Upon the Wave, book eight in the Matthew Quinton Journals.

‘Finely shaded characters, excellent plotting, gut-clenching action and immaculate attention to period naval detail… these are superb books’ Angus Donald, author of The Outlaw Chronicles

‘A splendid addition to nautical adventure, and a grand story, to boot!’ Dewey Lambdin, author of the Alan Lewrie series.

The Matthew Quinton Journals

1. Gentleman Captain
2. The Mountain of Gold
3. The Blast that Tears the Skies
4. The Lion of Midnight
5. The Battle of the Ages
6. The Rage of Fortune
7. Death's Bright Angel
8. The Devil Upon the Wave

Genres: Historical Fiction, 17th Century

206 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 7, 2018

About the author

Author of 'The Journals of Matthew Quinton', a series of naval historical fiction set in the Restoration period, and of non-fiction books including 'Pepys's Navy' and 'Blood of Kings'. Currently living in Bedfordshire, UK, but originally from Llanelli in West Wales.

Reviews

[Michael Bully · Rating 4 out of 5]

Superb novel. Quality writing. This author has researched the 17th century so thoroughly which is always a bonus. And what is also appealing is the dialogue between characters is convincing, reflecting views that were probably held at the time. A welcome contrast to so many historical novels. The sorry state of the Royal Navy in 1667 , and the humiliation due to the Dutch Raid on the Medway, is conveyed well. The sense that the English couldn't accept how vulnerable their fleet was, especially when the chain across the river, was breached by the Dutch.
The fact that English sailors were so hideously in arrears with their wages to the extent that a few defected to the Dutch and assisted the Raid , is also stressed.
The novel also draws on poetry such as Andrew Marvell's ' Last Instructions to a Painter' , also quotes from work by John Milton and Rudyard Kipling.
And I have to admit that I do like the Sir Matthew Quinton storyline, the fact that he has a Dutch wife and encounters his brother in law, even though the stronger historical aspects dominate this book. It's also great to have Samuel Pepys and most importantly Dutch admiral Michiel de Ruyter making appearances.
My only criticisms is that the purely fictional clash with the Dutch navy that is tagged on to the 'Raid on the Medway' account somehow seems disjointed and doesn't quite flow. But that's only a minor niggle.

[Chaplain Stanley Chapin · Rating 3 out of 5]

More politics than seafaring

Family members, their various relationships along with political stances seemed the main agenda. Very little sea action, the battle close to the end was what I wanted in the book.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable story in this series of takes of the restoration Navy.

[Andrew Sharp · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sad day.


A gripping retelling of historical events, I wanted history to be rewire for Sir Quintons glory. I felt his pain.

[John H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

history

Good read. Fascinating history that never made it to any reading I have ever perused. I liked it. I really like the historical perspective at close of novel