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The Dorset Boy #3
Agent Provocateur
The third of the series. Doing jobs that an officer and a gentlemen wouldn't be caught dead doing has earned Marty the rank of Lieutenant at an early age. He is young, he comes from peasant stock, he is dispensable. but more than all of that, he is willing. That makes him very useful to British Security lead by William Wickham the spymaster of Britain and Admiral Hood (retired) who is secretly running the Navy's dirty jobs branch, The Special Operations Flotilla. Add to that the love of his life Lady Caroline Candor and Marty leads an exciting, deadly and passionate life. Treachery in the Batavian Republic leads to an undercover operation deep in French territory with unexpected results. Back home an unexpected development see's Marty and Caroline's relationship take a big step forward and things develop on the home front. Until Marty is sent to South Africa to take care of a French sponsored pirate threat to the British East India Company. That leads him to India and a link up with Arthur Wellesley. It's explosive, passionate and exciting. What a life!
231 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 18, 2019
389 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
About the author
Christopher C. Tubbs
35 books110 followersBiography
I am descendent of a long line of Dorset clay miners and have chased my family tree back to the 16th century in the Isle of Purbeck. I have been a public speaker at conferences for most of my career in the Aerospace and Automotive industries and was one of the founders of a successful games company back in the 1990’s.
Now in my sixties, and living in the Netherlands Antilles, I finally got to write the stories I had going around in my head for many years. Thanks to inspiration from the great sea authors like Alexander Kent, Dewey Lambdin, Patrick O’Brian and Dudley Pope I was finally able to put digit to keyboard and start writing the Dorset Boy series.
I make no apologies that I write for myself. The stories emerge as I write and I am often surprised by the twists and turns that they take.
I am descendent of a long line of Dorset clay miners and have chased my family tree back to the 16th century in the Isle of Purbeck. I have been a public speaker at conferences for most of my career in the Aerospace and Automotive industries and was one of the founders of a successful games company back in the 1990’s.
Now in my sixties, and living in the Netherlands Antilles, I finally got to write the stories I had going around in my head for many years. Thanks to inspiration from the great sea authors like Alexander Kent, Dewey Lambdin, Patrick O’Brian and Dudley Pope I was finally able to put digit to keyboard and start writing the Dorset Boy series.
I make no apologies that I write for myself. The stories emerge as I write and I am often surprised by the twists and turns that they take.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
January 25, 2019
Still Moving Along
The story line still pushes the margins of improbability but that's to be expected in sea tales. I enjoy the level of action and the pace the novel maintains. Marty continues to impress people of importance. If he is not hobnobbing with the great and powerful already the groundwork has been laid. The problem will be how to exploit all the connections plausibly when Marty is still only a 20 year old lieutenant from the lower class.
TO CHRIS STUBBS: the manuscript needs further editing. I am not reading to catch errors but some bring my reading to a dead stop. I would be surprised if the errors I found in the first two volumes have been corrected.
The story line still pushes the margins of improbability but that's to be expected in sea tales. I enjoy the level of action and the pace the novel maintains. Marty continues to impress people of importance. If he is not hobnobbing with the great and powerful already the groundwork has been laid. The problem will be how to exploit all the connections plausibly when Marty is still only a 20 year old lieutenant from the lower class.
TO CHRIS STUBBS: the manuscript needs further editing. I am not reading to catch errors but some bring my reading to a dead stop. I would be surprised if the errors I found in the first two volumes have been corrected.
December 8, 2021
A fun read, but…
This was a fun read. However, the plot and some of the activities are a bit hard to believe. And the proof reading is quite lacking — errors and typos are frequent. I am glad that I read it, but I will choose other books to read before I get to the fourth of the series.
This was a fun read. However, the plot and some of the activities are a bit hard to believe. And the proof reading is quite lacking — errors and typos are frequent. I am glad that I read it, but I will choose other books to read before I get to the fourth of the series.
December 19, 2019
Bond meets Richard Bolitho
Just got the book, again a very fun tale.
The miner becomes a peer of the realm? How fun!
But the battles seem well done.
Godspeed
Just got the book, again a very fun tale.
The miner becomes a peer of the realm? How fun!
But the battles seem well done.
Godspeed
March 26, 2025
Meh. Gets more preposterous with every chapter
I like historical novels. This series drew me in because of the initial descriptions of the 1700's British Royal Navy and its ships. But by the end of the 3rd book, our hero has grown 2 feet, becomes an invincible warrior, captains a ship or two, won wars or naval battles on 3 continents, speaks fluently in seventy-lblin languages, become wealthy, married with child, hobnobbed with the rich and famous, and perhaps most unbelievable of all, especially in class-conscious 18th century Britain, born a coal miner's son to advance into the aristocracy.
Come'on, now. You're just being silly. I only read book 3 because I enjoy watching train wrecks. An I can't go any further. This is obviously written for Brit school boys who would rather be reading graphic novels. And that's 6 hours of my life wasted.
I like historical novels. This series drew me in because of the initial descriptions of the 1700's British Royal Navy and its ships. But by the end of the 3rd book, our hero has grown 2 feet, becomes an invincible warrior, captains a ship or two, won wars or naval battles on 3 continents, speaks fluently in seventy-lblin languages, become wealthy, married with child, hobnobbed with the rich and famous, and perhaps most unbelievable of all, especially in class-conscious 18th century Britain, born a coal miner's son to advance into the aristocracy.
Come'on, now. You're just being silly. I only read book 3 because I enjoy watching train wrecks. An I can't go any further. This is obviously written for Brit school boys who would rather be reading graphic novels. And that's 6 hours of my life wasted.
September 11, 2024
Before you read this one, please realize it is a continuation of a series: you will need to read the series in order or the characters / plot may not make much sense to you. This isn't your typical historical fiction novel as it focuses in on the continued life and travails of a young man. There is good interplay between the characters and the author certainly knows how to tell a story. You will also get a taste of old-fashioned ship battles as well as a little bit of a history lesson. I am reading each of these in order, going to the next one immediately and can’t seem to put them down. I picked this up for “free” with my Kindle Unlimited subscription vs. the regular price of $3.99 – I certainly received more than $3.99 of entertainment value and I am sure you will, also.
January 16, 2020
Entertaining series pleasant protagonists & good plots
A very enjoyable read, addictive in fact. The mixture of naval and intell evolves eventually into an ad hoc mixed special forces for clandestine missions during the French revolutionary wars.
Settings vary , so far, from tasks in the western Mediterranean, smuggling runs across channel to the mainland to pirates east of South Africa & India. Lots of intrigue, a bit of humor and realistic (one supposes) combat, but spares readers gratuitous gore.
Not depressing.
A very enjoyable read, addictive in fact. The mixture of naval and intell evolves eventually into an ad hoc mixed special forces for clandestine missions during the French revolutionary wars.
Settings vary , so far, from tasks in the western Mediterranean, smuggling runs across channel to the mainland to pirates east of South Africa & India. Lots of intrigue, a bit of humor and realistic (one supposes) combat, but spares readers gratuitous gore.
Not depressing.
May 19, 2022
VERY GOOD READING SERIES
This is a very action packed series. I usually get started in a series and start losing interest, but this series is so good, I am very much looking forward to the next book. I'm still not convinced I could get thru this entire series, but will let everyone know as I progress. The story is one of the best I have ever read, always interesting. Give it a try, it's worth it.
This is a very action packed series. I usually get started in a series and start losing interest, but this series is so good, I am very much looking forward to the next book. I'm still not convinced I could get thru this entire series, but will let everyone know as I progress. The story is one of the best I have ever read, always interesting. Give it a try, it's worth it.
November 25, 2020
Needs Work
The plots in this series are interesting, but the presentation needs a lot of work. The spelling is terrible. In fact it is atrocious. One example is "synched" rather than "cinched", as in "cinched around his waist".
Grammar is equally bad,with misplaced or missing commas, sentences with no ending etc.
I tried to overlook these issues but finally gave up.
The plots in this series are interesting, but the presentation needs a lot of work. The spelling is terrible. In fact it is atrocious. One example is "synched" rather than "cinched", as in "cinched around his waist".
Grammar is equally bad,with misplaced or missing commas, sentences with no ending etc.
I tried to overlook these issues but finally gave up.
February 7, 2019
Good Series
My previous critiques noted the failure to root out simple errors, such as spelling and incorrect usage. Nevertheless, the books in the series were well-written and interesting.
My previous critiques noted the failure to root out simple errors, such as spelling and incorrect usage. Nevertheless, the books in the series were well-written and interesting.
February 17, 2019
Settled in
While this book should have been proof read,it's still a great story.It has action,but also has parts one can relate to in everyday events.I like the way the story is presented.
While this book should have been proof read,it's still a great story.It has action,but also has parts one can relate to in everyday events.I like the way the story is presented.
March 10, 2019
I will probably continue to read the series of novels
They are light reading that I read every once in a while, between more intricate and detailed novels that have a more believable story line.
They are light reading that I read every once in a while, between more intricate and detailed novels that have a more believable story line.
August 26, 2019
grAmmar Confused
Three stars because of the constant bad grammar and spelling mistakes. His use of same sounding words i.e. breach for breech, broach for brooch and the constant misspelling of names, as in SIHNG for SINGH is beyond my understanding!
Three stars because of the constant bad grammar and spelling mistakes. His use of same sounding words i.e. breach for breech, broach for brooch and the constant misspelling of names, as in SIHNG for SINGH is beyond my understanding!
October 1, 2019
Congeneal
Very easy reading of life in a navy that was always in some sort of adventure .makes you smile while you are reading it.Nelson was a captain at 20 so Marty being a captain as young as he was is no durprise
Very easy reading of life in a navy that was always in some sort of adventure .makes you smile while you are reading it.Nelson was a captain at 20 so Marty being a captain as young as he was is no durprise
November 27, 2021
A good read with a great storyline
Nice storyline with some good twists and turns. This is a different approach to the era which works well but still mixes enough fact with fiction for you to be able to place events in the timeline. Will continue with the series
Nice storyline with some good twists and turns. This is a different approach to the era which works well but still mixes enough fact with fiction for you to be able to place events in the timeline. Will continue with the series
January 11, 2022
Another gripping book in the series. Great story lines and excellent transition from plot to plot. Like the variation of unpredictable seagoing and landward tales. Looking forward the next in the series...
June 2, 2025
Enjoyed the read and it's no big deal but some of the expressions I read were recent ones and doubt they would have been said in the eighteenth century. One I think of was "let's do this". there were many more.
April 1, 2019
Again a great read, please watch for the odd spelling mistake. This does not distract from the quality of the book,but seems a shame when the rest is perfect.
June 21, 2020
Marvellous series
Have read a lot of series of books but these take the biscuit. Could be turned into a top class tv show
Have read a lot of series of books but these take the biscuit. Could be turned into a top class tv show
January 1, 2022
Good yarn, which is great for light reading . Very much enjoyed book 3!
August 9, 2022
Hornblower on steroids
I loved the Hornblower series, even when he was fighting on land.
This has more action and less prose.
The series hasn’t gotten stale yet.
I loved the Hornblower series, even when he was fighting on land.
This has more action and less prose.
The series hasn’t gotten stale yet.
October 10, 2022
Roaring good story
Still formulaic. Still doest detract in the least from how good it is. I'm continuing to thoroughly enjoy the books.
Still formulaic. Still doest detract in the least from how good it is. I'm continuing to thoroughly enjoy the books.
April 30, 2024
wow x 3
Can’t wait for wow 4. - knows where against whoever is in the way. His Majesty’s Royal Navy moves on.
Can’t wait for wow 4. - knows where against whoever is in the way. His Majesty’s Royal Navy moves on.
July 25, 2025
This series by Tubbs is short, action-packed, and fun to read
April 16, 2023
Yet another adventure, much more action and…..
You won’t be able to put this book down, so be forewarned❗️This series of books chronicles an exciting time in history and lends itself not only to sea battles but also land battles as well. A ‘special’ unit of the British Navy has been formed with the main character as its head and the unit has become the ‘go to’ troubleshooters who use unorthodox means and methods to achieve their many mission goals. No job on land or sea is too difficult for this bunch of seemingly rogue warriors of many talents and skills. Perhaps this is the first Special Forces Unit ever !
You won’t be able to put this book down, so be forewarned❗️This series of books chronicles an exciting time in history and lends itself not only to sea battles but also land battles as well. A ‘special’ unit of the British Navy has been formed with the main character as its head and the unit has become the ‘go to’ troubleshooters who use unorthodox means and methods to achieve their many mission goals. No job on land or sea is too difficult for this bunch of seemingly rogue warriors of many talents and skills. Perhaps this is the first Special Forces Unit ever !
August 15, 2025
Marty, who could be designated 001, now a lieutenant and wealthy from his prize money, is sent on a special mission to France. His purpose is to sow discord among the various factions of the Revolution. At sea, he must face three French Corvettes that have set a trap for them. His carronades or "smashers" do their job well and the trappers are sunk or captured.
Attempting to rescue a fellow co-spy, he is captured but turns the tables and escapes after administering a quick death to his horribly wounded colleague. They suitably address their mission with a very loud solution and escape to find that Napoleon's successful coup d'etat has put him in charge. Still not very realistic, but then neither is our current deluge of superheroes.
Attempting to rescue a fellow co-spy, he is captured but turns the tables and escapes after administering a quick death to his horribly wounded colleague. They suitably address their mission with a very loud solution and escape to find that Napoleon's successful coup d'etat has put him in charge. Still not very realistic, but then neither is our current deluge of superheroes.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews