What do you think?
Rate this book
Alan Lewrie #25
Much Ado About Lewrie
The twenty-fifth novel in Dewey Lambdin's beloved series of historical naval adventure
Lewrie loses his ship and his command when he receives news that Vigilance must return to England to be decommissioned and turned over to the dockyards for a complete refit. Lewrie is grounded, put on half-pay, and his crew disperses to look for new positions.
It's late Autumn, and being ashore is heavenly, after a time. Lewrie spends time with his wife Jessica, helps his son Hugh find a new ship, and happily marries off Charlotte. Life onshore is quiet until Lewrie finds himself once again in the headlines of the city papers after discovering a dognapping gang and uncovering stolen Bisquits and Rembrants. The headlines should be positive, but soon the tides turn against Lewrie once again. There's never a dull moment for Lewrie.
Dewey Lambdin is the reigning master of maritime fiction, celebrated as the heir to Patrick O'Brian and C.S. Forester. For over twenty years, his devoted fans have followed the adventures of Alan Lewrie, Royal Navy, from his days as a midshipmen to captain of his own ship and, though on somewhat dubious grounds, a baronetcy.
321 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2019
176 people are currently reading
128 people want to read
About the author
Dewey Lambdin
73 books279 followersDewey Lambdin (1945-2021 ) was an American nautical historical novelist. He was best known for his Alan Lewrie naval adventure series, set during the Napoleonic Wars. Besides the Alan Lewrie series, he was also the author of What Lies Buried: a novel of Old Cape Fear.
A self-proclaimed "Navy Brat," Lambdin spent a good deal of his early days on both coasts of the U.S.A., and overseas duty stations, with his father. His father enlisted as a Seaman Recruit in 1930, was "mustanged" from the lower deck (from Yeoman chief Petty Officer) at Notre Dame in '42, and was career Navy until May of 1954, when he was killed at sea aboard the USS Bennington CVA-20 (see below), on which he served as Administrative Officer, 5th in line-of-command (posthumous Lieutenant Commander).
Lambdin himself attended Castle Heights Military Academy, graduated in 1962, and was destined to be the family's first "ring-knocker" from the U.S. Naval Academy, "... until he realised that physics, calculus, and counting higher than ten were bigger than he was."[1] He studied at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, majoring in Liberal arts and Theatre, where he was published in The Theme Vault in 1963, also reprinted in a national textbook, which whetted his appetite for writing. However, he failed his degree. He finally graduated with a degree in Film & TV Production from Montana State University, Bozeman, in 1969. This was considered at the time to be the McHale's Navy of the academic set, so the nautical influence was still at work. He has worked for a network affiliate TV station as a producer/director for twelve years, an independent station as production manager and senior director/writer/ producer for three years, all in Memphis, and as a writer/producer with a Nashville advertising/production facility, or in free-lance camera, lighting and writing.
He has been a sailor since 1976 and spends his free time working and sailing on his beloved sloop Wind Dancer, with a special taste for cruising the Gulf of Mexico. Mr. Lambdin has thus far resisted the temptation to trade his beloved typewriter for a computer. He lived in Nashville, Tennessee.
He was a member of the U.S. Naval Institute, a Friend of the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, England; Cousteau Society; the former American Film Institute; and the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
-Wikipedia
Mr Lambdin passed away on July 26, 2021 at the age of 76.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/deweyl...
A self-proclaimed "Navy Brat," Lambdin spent a good deal of his early days on both coasts of the U.S.A., and overseas duty stations, with his father. His father enlisted as a Seaman Recruit in 1930, was "mustanged" from the lower deck (from Yeoman chief Petty Officer) at Notre Dame in '42, and was career Navy until May of 1954, when he was killed at sea aboard the USS Bennington CVA-20 (see below), on which he served as Administrative Officer, 5th in line-of-command (posthumous Lieutenant Commander).
Lambdin himself attended Castle Heights Military Academy, graduated in 1962, and was destined to be the family's first "ring-knocker" from the U.S. Naval Academy, "... until he realised that physics, calculus, and counting higher than ten were bigger than he was."[1] He studied at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, majoring in Liberal arts and Theatre, where he was published in The Theme Vault in 1963, also reprinted in a national textbook, which whetted his appetite for writing. However, he failed his degree. He finally graduated with a degree in Film & TV Production from Montana State University, Bozeman, in 1969. This was considered at the time to be the McHale's Navy of the academic set, so the nautical influence was still at work. He has worked for a network affiliate TV station as a producer/director for twelve years, an independent station as production manager and senior director/writer/ producer for three years, all in Memphis, and as a writer/producer with a Nashville advertising/production facility, or in free-lance camera, lighting and writing.
He has been a sailor since 1976 and spends his free time working and sailing on his beloved sloop Wind Dancer, with a special taste for cruising the Gulf of Mexico. Mr. Lambdin has thus far resisted the temptation to trade his beloved typewriter for a computer. He lived in Nashville, Tennessee.
He was a member of the U.S. Naval Institute, a Friend of the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, England; Cousteau Society; the former American Film Institute; and the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
-Wikipedia
Mr Lambdin passed away on July 26, 2021 at the age of 76.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/deweyl...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
April 9, 2022
For nine months I’ve been listening to the 25 book series about Royal Navy Captain, Sir Alan Lewrie, Baronet. He wasn’t always an MBE or baronet. In fact, in book one he was Shanghai’d by his own father into the navy as a midshipman so that his father could make claim to Alan’s inheritance by getting him out of the way. This was a great and interesting start to the series but, at some point, the author decided to make Lewrie’s father into a good guy and a main character who appears in many of the books. I’ve rated these books *** and **** but overall I have to say that it is a ***** star series superbly read by John Lee. I’m not sure how I’m going to get along without them. I may just start over. Book 25 is quite different from the others in that it mostly takes place in London after Lewrie has been put ashore at half pay, with unseen enemies pushing him out. Fortunately, for Lewrie he has his lovely young wife to keep him company and his entourage from his crew consisting of his coxswain Desmond, his cook Joville, and his cabin servants Devers and Dasher and Turnbow. They now assume roles in the household. On the voyage back from the Mediterranean Lewrie loses his little cat Chalky who makes his way through an open door and apparently falls into the sea while trying to capture a bird. I wonder if author Lambdin’s health was failing as he wrote this last one. It doesn’t read as if he felt death was pending. The book doesn’t feel like it’s moving to a conclusion. In fact, it seems almost like Lambdin is vamping. It becomes a borderline comic novel. Dame Lewrie (Jessica’s) dog gets dognapped while walking in the park. Lewrie’s dog Biscuit, as well. Jessica is punched in the head and threatened with a knife. Lewrie, of course, is outraged and enlists his contacts in the Secret Branch to help him locate the dog buffers. Dog napping was a real thing in the 19th Century. There is the famous story of poet Elizabeth Barrett and how her dog was napped and held for ransom several times. Lewrie and his crew storm the redoubt of the thieves, shoot and beat them and rescue the dogs. Lewrie is now feted by the Society Against Cruelty to Animals which ultimately causes him great embarrassment when their tracts suggest that he is against horse racing, etc. There are some very comic moments involving the dog napping incident. Not to be outdone by dog nappers, Lewrie and his old friends from school expose a group of art forgers. The main culprit of the bunch is a French woman artist who is Jessica’s mentor and who has been living off the meager largess of Jessica’s clerical father. The forgers are exposed but we don’t really know what happens to them. SPOILERS: We end the series with Lewrie’s obnoxious daughter Charlotte pregnant but unwed. As Lewrie gets organized to head down to Anglesgreen to confront the army officer who has impregnated his daughter, Jessica informs Sir Alan that she is pregnant as well. And, thus, the series ends with Lewrie hoping for orders to sea to avoid the early years of a crying babe. Lambdin clearly planned for book 26 which may or may not ever be published. Still, the series has been extremely entertaining. We follow the life of a nineteenth century man from age 18 to 48. He progresses through the ranks and proves to be a fighting captain and a fair and excellent manager and leader of men. His weak spot is horniness and we have lover after lover often described in graphic detail. Lewrie is knighted and somewhat famous for his exploits at sea and for the freeing of several Caribbean slaves. He has fathered three children with his first wife, has a bastard son with an Indian princess who becomes an American naval officer, and another bastard with a Greek paramour who successfully ruins his marriage with poison pen letters. An we end with the prospect of another child who will be at least twenty five years younger than his oldest. Great series!!
July 18, 2022
It's a sad thing to reach the end of the Lewrie series. His career in the Navy was barely half over, the Napoleonic Wars had another 5 years to run, and the War of 1812 hadn't even started yet. Moreover, Lambdin had plans to keep writing the series, plans that were cut short by his somewhat untimely death.
So what can we say about the Lewrie books? Having read all of them twice now, perhaps we should keep it short and sweet : they're pulp, not high literature (such as, say, the Aubrey-Maturin series), but they're damn good pulp. They're thrilling, evocative, realistic, well-written, and fun. Lambdin only had two real weaknesses - first, he sometimes made anachronistic references and jokes that tended to pull the reader out of the era, and second, once he found a phrase, practice, or way of thinking that seemed authentic, he'd treat it as a universal law. How many times did he use the phrase "Welsh comb", or talk about the idea that first-born sons NEVER go to sea unless driven by poverty?
That aside, it's a wonderful series, and if it had to end, Much Ado About Lewrie is as good a place for it as any. It's a somewhat strange book, given that it takes place almost entirely on land and deals with Lewrie's domestic life, but I find something almost comforting about that. It's not the first book in the series to avoid the sea, but the others tended to focus on big issues, like Lewrie's trial. This is more a slice of life story, the kind that only a very confident author would tell, and the kind that's always followed by a return to the norm. Even though the next Lewrie book will never be written, Much Ado About Lewrie implies one so strongly that it almost feels real. That makes me happy.
So what can we say about the Lewrie books? Having read all of them twice now, perhaps we should keep it short and sweet : they're pulp, not high literature (such as, say, the Aubrey-Maturin series), but they're damn good pulp. They're thrilling, evocative, realistic, well-written, and fun. Lambdin only had two real weaknesses - first, he sometimes made anachronistic references and jokes that tended to pull the reader out of the era, and second, once he found a phrase, practice, or way of thinking that seemed authentic, he'd treat it as a universal law. How many times did he use the phrase "Welsh comb", or talk about the idea that first-born sons NEVER go to sea unless driven by poverty?
That aside, it's a wonderful series, and if it had to end, Much Ado About Lewrie is as good a place for it as any. It's a somewhat strange book, given that it takes place almost entirely on land and deals with Lewrie's domestic life, but I find something almost comforting about that. It's not the first book in the series to avoid the sea, but the others tended to focus on big issues, like Lewrie's trial. This is more a slice of life story, the kind that only a very confident author would tell, and the kind that's always followed by a return to the norm. Even though the next Lewrie book will never be written, Much Ado About Lewrie implies one so strongly that it almost feels real. That makes me happy.
October 13, 2019
I didn't finish it. It was too similar to others in the series, not much action. I have read most of the Lewrie series, but this was the first one that I did not complete
March 10, 2022
This the 25th Alan Lewrie story was somwhat different from the usual stories. Alan Lewrie is home from the sea and not too happy with it. But he is managing to keep himself busy. To start he is happy to see his wife and family again. Even his father is a welcome sight as is Alan's son, Hugh. After a brief time in London Lewrie and his family take a trip to the country. There Alan has to deal with his daughter, Charlotte and her mother's family. who don't like Lewrie at all, but he manages to take it all in stride. If only Charlotte would get married. Once back in London Jessica Lewrie and her maid are out walking the family pets when the are attacked by dognappers, who injure Jessica and make off with the pets. Now Lewrie has some action to take in tracking down these men and see that they are punished for their actions of hurting his wife. How he carries this off is interesting to say the least.
Then the Lewrie luck strikes again as he is made a hero of a group of animal lovers. This does not go as planned with hilarious results for Lewrie. Then there is a wedding celebration that kind of gets out of hand. The announcement of two pregnancies. A possible shotgun wedding is in the future for Lewrie.
All of this made for a very enjoyable read. I have found in the past when the story involves a lot of time on shore instead of at sea it gets a bit boring. But that was not the case in this story there is something going on all the time. Lewrie just can;t seem to stay out of trouble when he is ashore. So for a good time in Merry Old England you should read Much Ado About Lewrie. Then you can wonder like me how he manages to keep out of jail.
Then the Lewrie luck strikes again as he is made a hero of a group of animal lovers. This does not go as planned with hilarious results for Lewrie. Then there is a wedding celebration that kind of gets out of hand. The announcement of two pregnancies. A possible shotgun wedding is in the future for Lewrie.
All of this made for a very enjoyable read. I have found in the past when the story involves a lot of time on shore instead of at sea it gets a bit boring. But that was not the case in this story there is something going on all the time. Lewrie just can;t seem to stay out of trouble when he is ashore. So for a good time in Merry Old England you should read Much Ado About Lewrie. Then you can wonder like me how he manages to keep out of jail.
June 5, 2019
Nothing damages an action series more than domestic bliss, but that’s what Dewey Lambdin serves up in his latest Alan Lewrie novel, written in the manner of Henry Fielding meets Jane Austen. The warning is right there in its title: Much Ado About . . . Nothing. And that’s what the author serves up.
It’s not that Sir Alan hasn’t been stuck in England between commissions before. Truth be told, some of those earlier books have been tedious too, though enlivened in one case by a trial for stealing slaves and the pursuit of a new bride in another.
This time around? Lewrie deals with cooks, helps with wedding preparations, and chases thieves (of various sorts). There’s no arc to the story, just episodes. Turns out that the craft Lambdin brings to describing military matters is less engaging when applied to vegetables and desserts.
Why four stars then? Because Lambdin writes so darn well. And there’s a logic to this comic tale. Lewrie is no longer young, he has responsibilities to home and family, and most of the French fleet is bottled up by British blockades. What’s a fellow to do?
Plenty, it would seem, to judge from Lambdin’s Afterword.
It’s not that Sir Alan hasn’t been stuck in England between commissions before. Truth be told, some of those earlier books have been tedious too, though enlivened in one case by a trial for stealing slaves and the pursuit of a new bride in another.
This time around? Lewrie deals with cooks, helps with wedding preparations, and chases thieves (of various sorts). There’s no arc to the story, just episodes. Turns out that the craft Lambdin brings to describing military matters is less engaging when applied to vegetables and desserts.
Why four stars then? Because Lambdin writes so darn well. And there’s a logic to this comic tale. Lewrie is no longer young, he has responsibilities to home and family, and most of the French fleet is bottled up by British blockades. What’s a fellow to do?
Plenty, it would seem, to judge from Lambdin’s Afterword.
August 17, 2019
I am a Lewrie fan right from the first novel and I did enjoy this latest book to a certain degree. The author's descriptions of historical events, people and places is well done and enduring but Lewrie has become dull and boring and this book is not for those who expect a seafaring tale with lots of action.
It is fine for the author to tie various strings from the past together 'on shore' but he seems to have forgotten that Lewrie books are expected to be sea going stories with adventure and bravado and for the first time since becoming an avid reader of the series I might be reluctant to buy the next book.
It is fine for the author to tie various strings from the past together 'on shore' but he seems to have forgotten that Lewrie books are expected to be sea going stories with adventure and bravado and for the first time since becoming an avid reader of the series I might be reluctant to buy the next book.
September 29, 2022
a different twist
This volume differ significantly from the usual plot lines. Captain Lewrie spends no time at sea. Ashore on half pay Lewrie’s life embraces his family, his old school friends and sailors he has sailed with. The plot line is a little shallow. Even the author seems to recognize its weaknesses.
All that aside it an enjoyable read. Sadly it is Lambdin’s last complete work..
This volume differ significantly from the usual plot lines. Captain Lewrie spends no time at sea. Ashore on half pay Lewrie’s life embraces his family, his old school friends and sailors he has sailed with. The plot line is a little shallow. Even the author seems to recognize its weaknesses.
All that aside it an enjoyable read. Sadly it is Lambdin’s last complete work..
March 1, 2024
Bittersweet. There's so much more that needs to still happen and you can tell that Mr. Lambdin had plans. I just hope that someone might come in and continue the stories. This has been such a great series, made even better by the narrator, John Lee. If Mr. Lambdin's agent reads this, please continue the series.
September 12, 2025
The Worst
I felt the last five, or so, books of the series were repetitive of previous books and padded out with dreary, excessively detailed descriptions that added nothing to the narrative (unless the author is paid by the word). This books puts the previous several to shame. It has no plot, no thought, and LOTS of unnecessary words. $$$?
I felt the last five, or so, books of the series were repetitive of previous books and padded out with dreary, excessively detailed descriptions that added nothing to the narrative (unless the author is paid by the word). This books puts the previous several to shame. It has no plot, no thought, and LOTS of unnecessary words. $$$?
June 29, 2019
Dewey has jumped the shark.
This book is a real let down and should not be considered a sea going novel. Lewrie has turned into a slightly henpecked husband and lost all semblance of a commander. Pity.
This book is a real let down and should not be considered a sea going novel. Lewrie has turned into a slightly henpecked husband and lost all semblance of a commander. Pity.
June 29, 2019
One of the better Lewrie books in several years. The last few have had the feeling of 'Have to give the commons something to swill on.'. Not this one. Well written with a mature Lewrie. Hopefully the next is as good quality.
May 4, 2020
Much ado about nothing
Starts out with action against the French only to be recalled back to England because his ship is to be decommissioned. The rest of the book deals with Lewrie spending time with his wife in domestic bliss.
Starts out with action against the French only to be recalled back to England because his ship is to be decommissioned. The rest of the book deals with Lewrie spending time with his wife in domestic bliss.
March 29, 2021
Probably 3.5 really as I actually quite enjoyed it, but I do like my tall-ship historical fiction to have tall-ships in them.
The author explains this book in the afterword and I can understand why Lewrie was mostly on-shore, but I don’t have to be happy about it.
The author explains this book in the afterword and I can understand why Lewrie was mostly on-shore, but I don’t have to be happy about it.
January 31, 2022
I really enjoyed the writing of Lambdin. It's a great historical piece about Captain Lewrie battling Napolean's forces in Sicily. The book reads easily and follows Lewrie back home to his wife. I look forward to the sequel.
November 22, 2023
What a thoroughly fantastic series! Thank you Alan Lewrie … and my sincere thanks for the enjoyment go to Author Dewey Lambdin. My sincere condolences to your family. Mr. Lambdin RIP 😞- you, and your books, will be sorely missed!
May 28, 2025
Not a dash of seafaring
Disappointed for the first time in this excellent series. This effort seems to be an exercise in note taking for amusing background scenes that take place between active and exciting duty at sea. Unfulfilling, uninspired and just not up to snuff.
Disappointed for the first time in this excellent series. This effort seems to be an exercise in note taking for amusing background scenes that take place between active and exciting duty at sea. Unfulfilling, uninspired and just not up to snuff.
June 4, 2019
Well...
It is Lewrie, but the shore-bound domestic Lewrie ain't near as entertaining as Ram Cat the sailor. Dewey, get busy. We need to fix this!
It is Lewrie, but the shore-bound domestic Lewrie ain't near as entertaining as Ram Cat the sailor. Dewey, get busy. We need to fix this!
June 29, 2019
Hardly anytime at sea . Most of the novel centers around his new wife and home, his sons and daughter, his enemies in the Royal Navy and much more amphibious operations.
July 11, 2019
Interesting true life nautical happenings in early 1800s British naval novel with much land-time devoted in this episode...
February 17, 2020
Ties up loose ends but also gives an insightful glimpse into life in Merry Old England
January 3, 2021
I have read every book, all excellent except this, his last one.
3/4 of the book is just meanderings around London, with none of the skill and excitement found in the other books
3/4 of the book is just meanderings around London, with none of the skill and excitement found in the other books
January 5, 2021
Kindle customer
Great series. It's winter in Montana, I'm going to miss having these books to read. Sure looking forward to the next book.
Great series. It's winter in Montana, I'm going to miss having these books to read. Sure looking forward to the next book.
January 13, 2022
Not as good as previous books in the series. Sad that this should be the last book he wrote.
April 6, 2022
Good ending can't wait for the next book.
January 11, 2025
Opens a lot of opportunities for someone to take on the future of Captain Lewrie, with Lambdin death so soon after publishing book #25.
February 4, 2026
Great
A period piece. This is an interesting book. What was London like in the 1800”s. A somewhat rich family. A little slow to start but it gets much better.
A period piece. This is an interesting book. What was London like in the 1800”s. A somewhat rich family. A little slow to start but it gets much better.
February 5, 2021
Have now read entire series. Lambdin writes the characters as human, they are not cardboard heroes. Alan is a womanizer, wants to be true to wife but can't help himself. Not a modern man in the 18th century, hope there will be more to come of this series. I've had to wait a long time for all of these to come to kindle. I re-read series and don't have room to store fiction. What little room there is is for non-fiction.
March 18, 2023
Thoroughly enjoyed this series. Sadly, the author passed away before completing. Would love to know what happened next, but it actually ends in an okay manner.
Read
May 30, 2019The twenty-fifth Alan Lewrie adventure has our hero, once again triumphing in his combined attacks in Italy against the French and their allies. Things looking up for Lewrie and the men of the Vigilance til his enemies in the Admiralty pull him and the Vigilance back to England for a refit, then the shock. Lewrie himself put on half-pay and the Vigilance is given to another captain..
Home to his wife Jessica with some of his faithful servants, Jessica's brother Charles and a happy surprise his son Hugh, who is also looking for a ship. Interesting times on shore, which can only means how much trouble can Lewrie get himself into. There's his daughter Charlotte, who is just as stuck up as ever (looking or a husband) , his in-laws the Chiswick's-his late wife's Caroline's family, his new in-laws the Chenery's.
Theres more when Alan and Jessica's dogs are dognapped and held for ransom, Alan steps in to save the day. His heroics gets him in trouble with the same people who lauded him.
However with all this we get to see old favorite characters like: Clotworthy Chute, James Peel and Peter Rushton, just to name a few from Alan's adventures from books in the early part of this series.
Hugh gets his ship along with Charles, while Alan still remains onshore, but I feel that's about to change when the war of 1812 beings with those pesky Yankee Doodles.
This is a grand series which is informative of the Royal Navy and delightful to read. Have been with Alan Lewrie from the beginning (1989) and as always wait for the next book with anticipation.
Home to his wife Jessica with some of his faithful servants, Jessica's brother Charles and a happy surprise his son Hugh, who is also looking for a ship. Interesting times on shore, which can only means how much trouble can Lewrie get himself into. There's his daughter Charlotte, who is just as stuck up as ever (looking or a husband) , his in-laws the Chiswick's-his late wife's Caroline's family, his new in-laws the Chenery's.
Theres more when Alan and Jessica's dogs are dognapped and held for ransom, Alan steps in to save the day. His heroics gets him in trouble with the same people who lauded him.
However with all this we get to see old favorite characters like: Clotworthy Chute, James Peel and Peter Rushton, just to name a few from Alan's adventures from books in the early part of this series.
Hugh gets his ship along with Charles, while Alan still remains onshore, but I feel that's about to change when the war of 1812 beings with those pesky Yankee Doodles.
This is a grand series which is informative of the Royal Navy and delightful to read. Have been with Alan Lewrie from the beginning (1989) and as always wait for the next book with anticipation.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews