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Thrillers #4
Stormchild
This is a dramatic contemporary thriller focussing on the blind passion of an obsessive dream. "Stromchild" is the story of a quest, of a man's search for his missing daughter - and to prove his daughter's innocence from involvement in her mother's murder. And he is no ordinary man - for he is famous as a world-class yachtsman, but the strength of the storms he has to face at sea are nothing compared to the violence of the political campaigners who hold his daughter.
480 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
267 people are currently reading
1191 people want to read
About the author
Bernard Cornwell
537 books19.1k followersCornwell was born in London in 1944. His father was a Canadian airman, and his mother, who was English, a member of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force. He was adopted and brought up in Essex by the Wiggins family, who were members of the Peculiar People, a strict Protestant sect who banned frivolity of all kinds and even medicine. After he left them, he changed his name to his birth mother's maiden name, Cornwell.
Cornwell was sent away to Monkton Combe School, attended the University of London, and after graduating, worked as a teacher. He attempted to enlist in the British armed services at least three times but was rejected on the grounds of myopia.
He then joined BBC's Nationwide and was promoted to become head of current affairs at BBC Northern Ireland. He then joined Thames Television as editor of Thames News. He relocated to the United States in 1980 after marrying an American. Unable to get a green card, he started writing novels, as this did not require a work permit.
As a child, Cornwell loved the novels of C.S. Forester, chronicling the adventures of fictional British naval officer Horatio Hornblower during the Napoleonic Wars, and was surprised to find there were no such novels following Lord Wellington's campaign on land. Motivated by the need to support himself in the U.S. through writing, Cornwell decided to write such a series. He named his chief protagonist Richard Sharpe, a rifleman involved in most major battles of the Peninsular War.
Cornwell wanted to start the series with the Siege of Badajoz but decided instead to start with a couple of "warm-up" novels. These were Sharpe's Eagle and Sharpe's Gold, both published in 1981. Sharpe's Eagle was picked up by a publisher, and Cornwell got a three-book deal. He went on to tell the story of Badajoz in his third Sharpe novel, Sharpe's Company, published in 1982.
Cornwell and wife Judy co-wrote a series of novels, published under the pseudonym "Susannah Kells". These were A Crowning Mercy, published in 1983, Fallen Angels in 1984, and Coat of Arms (aka The Aristocrats) in 1986. (Cornwell's strict Protestant upbringing informed the background of A Crowning Mercy, which took place during the English Civil War.) In 1987, he also published Redcoat, an American Revolutionary War novel set in Philadelphia during its 1777 occupation by the British.
After publishing eight books in his ongoing Sharpe series, Cornwell was approached by a production company interested in adapting them for television. The producers asked him to write a prequel to give them a starting point to the series. They also requested that the story feature a large role for Spanish characters to secure co-funding from Spain. The result was Sharpe’s Rifles, published in 1987, and a series of Sharpe television films staring Sean Bean.
A series of contemporary thrillers with sailing as a background and common themes followed: Wildtrack published in 1988, Sea Lord (aka Killer's Wake) in 1989, Crackdown in 1990, Stormchild in 1991, and Scoundrel, a political thriller, in 1992.
In June 2006, Cornwell was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the Queen's 80th Birthday Honours List.
Cornwell's latest work, Azincourt, was released in the UK in October 2008. The protagonist is an archer who participates in the Battle of Agincourt, another devastating defeat suffered by the French in the Hundred Years War. However, Cornwell has stated that it will not be about Thomas of Hookton from The Grail Quest or any of his relatives.
Cornwell was sent away to Monkton Combe School, attended the University of London, and after graduating, worked as a teacher. He attempted to enlist in the British armed services at least three times but was rejected on the grounds of myopia.
He then joined BBC's Nationwide and was promoted to become head of current affairs at BBC Northern Ireland. He then joined Thames Television as editor of Thames News. He relocated to the United States in 1980 after marrying an American. Unable to get a green card, he started writing novels, as this did not require a work permit.
As a child, Cornwell loved the novels of C.S. Forester, chronicling the adventures of fictional British naval officer Horatio Hornblower during the Napoleonic Wars, and was surprised to find there were no such novels following Lord Wellington's campaign on land. Motivated by the need to support himself in the U.S. through writing, Cornwell decided to write such a series. He named his chief protagonist Richard Sharpe, a rifleman involved in most major battles of the Peninsular War.
Cornwell wanted to start the series with the Siege of Badajoz but decided instead to start with a couple of "warm-up" novels. These were Sharpe's Eagle and Sharpe's Gold, both published in 1981. Sharpe's Eagle was picked up by a publisher, and Cornwell got a three-book deal. He went on to tell the story of Badajoz in his third Sharpe novel, Sharpe's Company, published in 1982.
Cornwell and wife Judy co-wrote a series of novels, published under the pseudonym "Susannah Kells". These were A Crowning Mercy, published in 1983, Fallen Angels in 1984, and Coat of Arms (aka The Aristocrats) in 1986. (Cornwell's strict Protestant upbringing informed the background of A Crowning Mercy, which took place during the English Civil War.) In 1987, he also published Redcoat, an American Revolutionary War novel set in Philadelphia during its 1777 occupation by the British.
After publishing eight books in his ongoing Sharpe series, Cornwell was approached by a production company interested in adapting them for television. The producers asked him to write a prequel to give them a starting point to the series. They also requested that the story feature a large role for Spanish characters to secure co-funding from Spain. The result was Sharpe’s Rifles, published in 1987, and a series of Sharpe television films staring Sean Bean.
A series of contemporary thrillers with sailing as a background and common themes followed: Wildtrack published in 1988, Sea Lord (aka Killer's Wake) in 1989, Crackdown in 1990, Stormchild in 1991, and Scoundrel, a political thriller, in 1992.
In June 2006, Cornwell was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the Queen's 80th Birthday Honours List.
Cornwell's latest work, Azincourt, was released in the UK in October 2008. The protagonist is an archer who participates in the Battle of Agincourt, another devastating defeat suffered by the French in the Hundred Years War. However, Cornwell has stated that it will not be about Thomas of Hookton from The Grail Quest or any of his relatives.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
May 6, 2025
My GR friends know that I have a special shelf reserved for Cornwell’s many novels that explain and enhance the history of England. This is my first venture into his “Sailing Thrillers,” and it will probably be my last.
"She looked immediately contrite. “I talk too much,” she said miserably. “I know I do. My mother always says I do, and so does Molly”…
One of the reasons for my disappointment is that there is too much talking by people who don’t have the personal gravitas found in many of his other books. Another reason is that, as a thriller the action is parceled out. So much so, that the only time on the water that’s described in the first 100 pages takes place “off stage” and without many details. Finally, at the center of this story are a Charles Manson type who leads a band of brainwashed youngsters on a path of eco-terrorism.
Not much is said to clarify the issues of over-fishing, pollution, and climate that make up the group’s ostensible raison d'être.
We follow Tim Blackburn, a “world-class yachtsman,” as he tries to locate his daughter who went off with this group. Tim isn’t methodical in his search and we follow him up a few dead ends before he can get on the group’s trail.
"“So what the hell are you going to do? Just wander away on a boat and grow a beard?” “I’m going to find Nicole, of course,” I said, then held up a hand to stop David from interrupting me. “I believe she’s being held against her will. I can’t prove that, of course, unless I find her, so that’s what I’ll do…. Nicole was being held prisoner by a man who was trying to forge his own insane Utopia. I would find that man’s hiding place and I would free my daughter. It would take money, but I had money, and I would do anything to get my daughter back."
And it takes a full third of the book before we locate the yacht, Stormchild, and get any “on the water” action. "…once their voices had been lost in the night there were only the sounds of the big motor in Stormchild’s belly, the splash of the water at her stem, and the hiss of the wet wind. That wind was southerly, but the forecast promised it would back easterly by dawn, and, if the forecast held good, I could not hope for a better departure wind. It was blowing hard, but the big, heavily laden and steel-hulled Stormchild needed a good wind to shift her ponderous weight. I raised sail at the river’s mouth, killed the engine, and hardened onto a broad reach. The wake foamed white into the blackness astern as the coastal lights winked and faded in the rain that still pattered on the deck and dripped from the rigging. The green and red lights of the river’s buoys vanished astern, and soon the only mark to guide Stormchild was the flickering loom of the far Portland light. I had lost count of how many times I had begun voyages in just this manner; slipping on a fast tide down-channel, making my way southerly to avoid the tidal rips that churn off the great headlands of southern England, then letting my boat tear her way westward toward the open Atlantic, yet however many times I had done it there was always the same excitement."
There’s a lot that could benefit from an editor overriding the author’s storytelling decisions. Shorter might have been better. Less focus on the sexual attractiveness of certain women might have been better. But, in the main, it is that Blackburn, himself, lacks the interesting facets that many of Cornwell’s other characters possess. And, it doesn’t help that most of the excitement is generated from bad decisions that Blackburn makes and that are obvious, to the reader, are bad decisions.
Liam Neeson is the perfect actor for this role. I think it might work better as a movie.
2*
"She looked immediately contrite. “I talk too much,” she said miserably. “I know I do. My mother always says I do, and so does Molly”…
One of the reasons for my disappointment is that there is too much talking by people who don’t have the personal gravitas found in many of his other books. Another reason is that, as a thriller the action is parceled out. So much so, that the only time on the water that’s described in the first 100 pages takes place “off stage” and without many details. Finally, at the center of this story are a Charles Manson type who leads a band of brainwashed youngsters on a path of eco-terrorism.
Not much is said to clarify the issues of over-fishing, pollution, and climate that make up the group’s ostensible raison d'être.
We follow Tim Blackburn, a “world-class yachtsman,” as he tries to locate his daughter who went off with this group. Tim isn’t methodical in his search and we follow him up a few dead ends before he can get on the group’s trail.
"“So what the hell are you going to do? Just wander away on a boat and grow a beard?” “I’m going to find Nicole, of course,” I said, then held up a hand to stop David from interrupting me. “I believe she’s being held against her will. I can’t prove that, of course, unless I find her, so that’s what I’ll do…. Nicole was being held prisoner by a man who was trying to forge his own insane Utopia. I would find that man’s hiding place and I would free my daughter. It would take money, but I had money, and I would do anything to get my daughter back."
And it takes a full third of the book before we locate the yacht, Stormchild, and get any “on the water” action. "…once their voices had been lost in the night there were only the sounds of the big motor in Stormchild’s belly, the splash of the water at her stem, and the hiss of the wet wind. That wind was southerly, but the forecast promised it would back easterly by dawn, and, if the forecast held good, I could not hope for a better departure wind. It was blowing hard, but the big, heavily laden and steel-hulled Stormchild needed a good wind to shift her ponderous weight. I raised sail at the river’s mouth, killed the engine, and hardened onto a broad reach. The wake foamed white into the blackness astern as the coastal lights winked and faded in the rain that still pattered on the deck and dripped from the rigging. The green and red lights of the river’s buoys vanished astern, and soon the only mark to guide Stormchild was the flickering loom of the far Portland light. I had lost count of how many times I had begun voyages in just this manner; slipping on a fast tide down-channel, making my way southerly to avoid the tidal rips that churn off the great headlands of southern England, then letting my boat tear her way westward toward the open Atlantic, yet however many times I had done it there was always the same excitement."
There’s a lot that could benefit from an editor overriding the author’s storytelling decisions. Shorter might have been better. Less focus on the sexual attractiveness of certain women might have been better. But, in the main, it is that Blackburn, himself, lacks the interesting facets that many of Cornwell’s other characters possess. And, it doesn’t help that most of the excitement is generated from bad decisions that Blackburn makes and that are obvious, to the reader, are bad decisions.
Liam Neeson is the perfect actor for this role. I think it might work better as a movie.
2*
August 16, 2009
Bernard Cornwell is better known for his historicals, but he has an excellent smaller series of modern sea-faring thrillers. "Stormchild" is the best of them, following the desperate search of a father for his daughter. Tim is a deep-water sailor and Stormchild is his boat; he has lost his son to an Army accident and his wife to a bomb, and he is determined to find his daughter Nicole, the one member of his family still alive. Nicole has disappeared into a cult-like group of environmental fanatics, and Tim crosses the ocean to find her, acquiring an enterprising female journalist on the way. Tim is a likeable hero, crusty, tough, and appealing, and there is a great deal of comedy in his interactions with the journalist who is a non-smoking non-violent yoga-practicing vegan (based, I understand, on Cornwell's own wife). The book's greatest asset is the unseen Nicole, and the slow revelation that she may not be the victim her father imagines her to be. A read that will have you aching to head out to sea.
June 2, 2015
A story which starts with "The sea was weeping" has captured me already! I couldn't put this book down - one of Bernard Cornwall's best. Only a person who knows the sea intimately could have written this book. Forget the plot, intriguing though it was, read this book for the sheer pleasure of seeing a master wordsmith at work.
July 9, 2011
A witless dad having a mid life crisis ,a deranged daughter ,an eco terrorist group and a young weird vegan female who does not like guns and loves sprouts .Had to struggle to finish this one.Can be avoided.
December 30, 2017
This was a very good story but... Unless you're up to date on all your nautical terms in regards to sloops, catamarans and boats in general you might get lost in a few chapters plus the ending was a bit sappy for me!
August 25, 2013
Over the years I have read a fair number of Cornwell's historical novels and have always enjoyed them but this the first of his stand alone sailing books that I've read so was curious to see how they would compare and on the whole I was reasonably pleased with it.
The story revolves around an aging,reasonably well known (in sailing circles at least)lone sailor Tim Blackburn who after his wife dies in an explosion on a yacht sails off in search of his daughter, another competant sailor, who has disappeared after joining a mysterious environmental group called Genesis. He sails half way around the globe in what he initially believes is a rescue attempt but what he finds is not what he expected.
Like most of Cornwell's books there is not a lot of characterisation but what this is made up for by a fast paced yarn which continually made me want to read more and more. There are plenty of descriptive sections about sailing showing the author's love and knowledge of the subject but he goes not get bogged down in detail as some other similar writers have. You certainly do not have to be a sailor to follow the story and on the whole felt that it added rather than detracted from the overall plot. That said I did feel that the plot was a little thin in places.
Overall I found this a rather enjoyable yarn, in a boy's own sort of way, and a good piece of escapism to take on a beach or a long plane/train journey as it is probably not something that last too long in the memory. And if I'm brutally frank I prefer his historical stuff but then that is my favourite genre anyway. If you enjoy Cornwell's books then you will probably enjoy this but is unlikely to convert you to his other stuff if not.
The story revolves around an aging,reasonably well known (in sailing circles at least)lone sailor Tim Blackburn who after his wife dies in an explosion on a yacht sails off in search of his daughter, another competant sailor, who has disappeared after joining a mysterious environmental group called Genesis. He sails half way around the globe in what he initially believes is a rescue attempt but what he finds is not what he expected.
Like most of Cornwell's books there is not a lot of characterisation but what this is made up for by a fast paced yarn which continually made me want to read more and more. There are plenty of descriptive sections about sailing showing the author's love and knowledge of the subject but he goes not get bogged down in detail as some other similar writers have. You certainly do not have to be a sailor to follow the story and on the whole felt that it added rather than detracted from the overall plot. That said I did feel that the plot was a little thin in places.
Overall I found this a rather enjoyable yarn, in a boy's own sort of way, and a good piece of escapism to take on a beach or a long plane/train journey as it is probably not something that last too long in the memory. And if I'm brutally frank I prefer his historical stuff but then that is my favourite genre anyway. If you enjoy Cornwell's books then you will probably enjoy this but is unlikely to convert you to his other stuff if not.
August 19, 2022
This is vintage - as in 1991 - Bernard Cornwell. One of his first books, its part of a series of sea-going adventures he wrote before he dipped into historical fiction and found his true niche. Since none of my favorite authors have decided to have anything come out this Summer of '22, it seemed like a good time to catch up on this series (there are something like 4 or 5 total, and they all stand alone) - one more to go!
There are characters in books who start out seeming like true fools on a fools errand and you wonder "how did this character ever make it to main character status?" but you know by the end they're going to come out on top. Such is the case with Tim Blackburn, the hero of this novel. However, as the book goes along, you wonder if he's going to come out on top or not, but Cornwell (remember, he was just refining his craft when he wrote this) comes up with enough twists and turns - and one that is truly surprising - to keep the reader engaged and interested.
And, that's the mark of a good writer - they keep you interested up to the end and there's little doubt Cornwell has, since then become not just a good writer, but a great one - one of the best around although his books are consistently ignored by sites such as Goodreads and others when they publish those ridiculous "Coming Soon From Top Writers" (most of whom few outside of their family have heard of) lists. Makes no difference, if you're a Cornwell fan, you've probably read these early works. If not, why not? You're missing some good reading!
There are characters in books who start out seeming like true fools on a fools errand and you wonder "how did this character ever make it to main character status?" but you know by the end they're going to come out on top. Such is the case with Tim Blackburn, the hero of this novel. However, as the book goes along, you wonder if he's going to come out on top or not, but Cornwell (remember, he was just refining his craft when he wrote this) comes up with enough twists and turns - and one that is truly surprising - to keep the reader engaged and interested.
And, that's the mark of a good writer - they keep you interested up to the end and there's little doubt Cornwell has, since then become not just a good writer, but a great one - one of the best around although his books are consistently ignored by sites such as Goodreads and others when they publish those ridiculous "Coming Soon From Top Writers" (most of whom few outside of their family have heard of) lists. Makes no difference, if you're a Cornwell fan, you've probably read these early works. If not, why not? You're missing some good reading!
December 31, 2020
I found this book engaging and became more rapt as the story progressed. That was in spite of finding the plot implausible, the descriptions of the terrorists and their base sad and unrealistic, and the ending illogical. The excellent writing, much of the characterization, the descriptions of sailing around Patagonia, and the Viking-like sea drama at the end were what overcame those misgivings and carried me forward like the titular boat, Stormchild, under full sail. It was a "good read."
March 20, 2022
Probably the best of the Bernard Cornwall sailing series I've read. And I've read them all except for one which seems to be hard to get.
As usual, the writing is easy to get into and follow. And as usual the plot doesn't expect where I expect it would go. Normally it's less involved and shorter, but this time it's longer and fuller.
Spoilers/summary:
Tim Blackburn is the owner of a boatyard in England. He services and sells (a few) sailboats. His daughter is missing and he sails the ends of the Earth to find her.
To be honest the protagonists are usually the same or similar and it's hard for me to remember one from another. But Cornwall usually spends a lot of time building up the character and the support cast - this is what provides most of the enjoyment. Then he does a great job of the setting and in this case the sailboat and sailing parts. There is always a romantic interest or two. What I don't like are the villains, which are usually cliched and predictable. In this book they are not so bad.
The sailing books can be read in any order as they are not connected. Now that I've finished this series I'll be checking out his other ones. Great writer, he has become one of my favorites in a very short time.
As usual, the writing is easy to get into and follow. And as usual the plot doesn't expect where I expect it would go. Normally it's less involved and shorter, but this time it's longer and fuller.
Spoilers/summary:
Tim Blackburn is the owner of a boatyard in England. He services and sells (a few) sailboats. His daughter is missing and he sails the ends of the Earth to find her.
To be honest the protagonists are usually the same or similar and it's hard for me to remember one from another. But Cornwall usually spends a lot of time building up the character and the support cast - this is what provides most of the enjoyment. Then he does a great job of the setting and in this case the sailboat and sailing parts. There is always a romantic interest or two. What I don't like are the villains, which are usually cliched and predictable. In this book they are not so bad.
The sailing books can be read in any order as they are not connected. Now that I've finished this series I'll be checking out his other ones. Great writer, he has become one of my favorites in a very short time.
August 16, 2022
I am a long standing fan of Bernard Cornwell and have read all of his historic fiction series (except Sharpe). I only recently discovered these older sea thrillers and read Crackdown which I enjoyed very much. This is the second of that series I read.
Overall, again an enjoyable read that I wanted to continue reading and enjoyed picking up to continue reading. Cornwell is a master story teller, so you cannot really go wrong.
Having said that, I thought that - compared to Crackdown - this book has some weakness in two aspects. First, despite a massive event happening early on in the book, the story does meander on a bit until arriving at about 70% of the book after which the action does not stop until the very last page. Second, by contrast the ending feels very sudden, almost rushed.
Overall, again an enjoyable read that I wanted to continue reading and enjoyed picking up to continue reading. Cornwell is a master story teller, so you cannot really go wrong.
Having said that, I thought that - compared to Crackdown - this book has some weakness in two aspects. First, despite a massive event happening early on in the book, the story does meander on a bit until arriving at about 70% of the book after which the action does not stop until the very last page. Second, by contrast the ending feels very sudden, almost rushed.
January 1, 2022
I know nothing of sailing. I don't know what a jib or a backstay is or what a binnacle looks like or what a scupper does, (the dictionary on the kindle doesn't always work on books you find knocking around the Internet), but the wonderful thing about Bernard Cornwell's writing is that I don't need to know these things in order to follow what's going on . Alright, I may not have a picture of what's happening with the boat, sorry, 'yacht', but this didn't detract at all from the story.
On reading the blurb, I didn't think I'd have any interest in this but I found it difficult to put down - I have the bloodshot eyes to prove it.
On reading the blurb, I didn't think I'd have any interest in this but I found it difficult to put down - I have the bloodshot eyes to prove it.
April 12, 2021
In this story, we follow a man's adventures as he tries to locate his daughter who has taken up with an extreme conservation group. It was informative because we get details as to how extreme sects work and how they might take control of their members. Also, some of the action takes place in Patagonia which caused me to look it up as to where it was. The adventures they go through when trying to locate the missing daughter, and the detail of the locations, made for a gripping and informative read.
September 20, 2015
Easy reading action and adventure. Some nice imagery and authentic sailing scenes which help to give it substance. Don't expect too much from this book, but if you're nautically inclined and looking for some entertainment, this would fit the bill.
September 6, 2016
Poor
Not up to cornwells usual standard by a long chalk. The hero's motivations unbelievable even for a macho MCP doing all his thinking with what's between his legs instead of what's between his ears.
Not up to cornwells usual standard by a long chalk. The hero's motivations unbelievable even for a macho MCP doing all his thinking with what's between his legs instead of what's between his ears.
February 11, 2009
Great author!
Kind of like Dick Francis only in the boating/sailing arena. Intense excitement.
Kind of like Dick Francis only in the boating/sailing arena. Intense excitement.
July 20, 2017
STORMCHILD by Bernard Cornwell…..
I apologize to Bernard before I get cranking. I’ve read everything he’s written and love most of it. Then there’s STORMCHILD. And here’s where I need truth to trump loyalty.
The idea of a British sailing expert going off on a waterborne adventure appealed to me. I know what it takes to sail a well equipped sloop. I know Bernard Cornwell is a passionate sailor who qualifies as an expert. But I took exception at the amount of technical terms he used in the narrative of this book. I can imagine non-sailors getting lost in the over use of nautical terms.
This book was published in 1991. The style was different then; but even though more descriptive language was in vogue at the time, I wished that he didn’t go on for paragraph after paragraph with descriptive details interspersed within the action that I wanted resolved or at least gotten back to. After a reasonable description was given, some of the visions of the scenery or weather or conditions on the water or the boat could have been left to my imagination. The book was 358 pages. I believe trimming it down 100 pages would produce a more enjoyable and brisker read. Don’t get me wrong; I’m all for relaxing and taking time to smell the printer’s ink, but this went overboard. No seamanship pun intended.
While I'm bitching, I would rather see smaller paragraphs and much shorter chapters, too.
Then there was Tim Blackburn, former ocean sailor and world record holder turned gentleman boatyard owner. Tim’s daughter takes up with a charismatic leader of a group of environmentalists who turn into eco-terrorists. Tim believes she’s been brainwashed and wants to find her and offer her the opportunity to come home. But Tim’s wife dies in a suspicious boating accident. He and the police blame the eco-terrorists, but can prove nothing.
So, Tim sets off to find out just where in the world this group, known as Genesis, might be. Along the way he meets a fledgling American journalist who helps him track down some possible areas where he might find his daughter.
And the story goes into the realm of improbability from there. Not that Tim couldn’t navigate a [relatively] small boat from England to Patagonia, but that a self-reliant ocean sailor and man with abilities beyond the average guy, and survival skills to match, would make such a complete ass of himself time and time again.
We all know that a protagonist can’t be perfect. He/she has to have flaws. He/she has to put themselves in jeopardy at least once in a book to keep the reader interested and, at times, gritting their teeth with tension or anticipation and concern for the hero’s safety. But Old Tim makes so many miserable decisions, so many foolish choices, takes so many asinine chances, that we might infer that he may not be able to safely paddle a canoe across a small Scottish loch much less circumnavigate the globe.
I wasn’t looking for a documentary. I didn’t need something with absolute reality. But I would have liked to see something at least remotely plausible.
2.5 stars.
I apologize to Bernard before I get cranking. I’ve read everything he’s written and love most of it. Then there’s STORMCHILD. And here’s where I need truth to trump loyalty.
The idea of a British sailing expert going off on a waterborne adventure appealed to me. I know what it takes to sail a well equipped sloop. I know Bernard Cornwell is a passionate sailor who qualifies as an expert. But I took exception at the amount of technical terms he used in the narrative of this book. I can imagine non-sailors getting lost in the over use of nautical terms.
This book was published in 1991. The style was different then; but even though more descriptive language was in vogue at the time, I wished that he didn’t go on for paragraph after paragraph with descriptive details interspersed within the action that I wanted resolved or at least gotten back to. After a reasonable description was given, some of the visions of the scenery or weather or conditions on the water or the boat could have been left to my imagination. The book was 358 pages. I believe trimming it down 100 pages would produce a more enjoyable and brisker read. Don’t get me wrong; I’m all for relaxing and taking time to smell the printer’s ink, but this went overboard. No seamanship pun intended.
While I'm bitching, I would rather see smaller paragraphs and much shorter chapters, too.
Then there was Tim Blackburn, former ocean sailor and world record holder turned gentleman boatyard owner. Tim’s daughter takes up with a charismatic leader of a group of environmentalists who turn into eco-terrorists. Tim believes she’s been brainwashed and wants to find her and offer her the opportunity to come home. But Tim’s wife dies in a suspicious boating accident. He and the police blame the eco-terrorists, but can prove nothing.
So, Tim sets off to find out just where in the world this group, known as Genesis, might be. Along the way he meets a fledgling American journalist who helps him track down some possible areas where he might find his daughter.
And the story goes into the realm of improbability from there. Not that Tim couldn’t navigate a [relatively] small boat from England to Patagonia, but that a self-reliant ocean sailor and man with abilities beyond the average guy, and survival skills to match, would make such a complete ass of himself time and time again.
We all know that a protagonist can’t be perfect. He/she has to have flaws. He/she has to put themselves in jeopardy at least once in a book to keep the reader interested and, at times, gritting their teeth with tension or anticipation and concern for the hero’s safety. But Old Tim makes so many miserable decisions, so many foolish choices, takes so many asinine chances, that we might infer that he may not be able to safely paddle a canoe across a small Scottish loch much less circumnavigate the globe.
I wasn’t looking for a documentary. I didn’t need something with absolute reality. But I would have liked to see something at least remotely plausible.
2.5 stars.
July 2, 2020
The moral complications of ecoterrorism; killing people for a higher cause; cults and charismatic leaders who impose rigid, punishing hierarchies and slavery; vulnerability of the idealist young who want to give their lives for a meaningful cause; media, headlines and sales that render moderate voices and measured action invisible; death, loss, grief and love, including May-September romances; a lesson in sailing and the wild coast of Patagonia; parent child relations and the heartbreaking divide that separates as children become adults; it is all here in a thrilling tale.
Cornwell's fourth seagoing adventure ( Wildtrack ) features boatyard owner and solo globe-circler Tim Blackburn, devastated when his wife is killed by an explosion in the English Channel. Tim has already lost his son, who was murdered by IRA terrorists, and his daughter, Nicole, has joined a band of eco-activists led by charismatic, slightly sinister Caspar von Rellsteb. Tim is convinced that von Rellsteb plans to have a brainwashed Nicole hand over her inheritance to his group, Genesis, and, after a period of mourning, he tracks von Rellsteb to Florida, where Genesis is disrupting a environmentalist convention. Tim meets Jackie Potten, a mousy young American reporter certain that Genesis is a fascistic group and a big story. Eventually Tim and Jackie team up to sail the steel-hulled sloop Stormchild to von Rellsteb's island base off the fierce Patagonian coast of Chile. Cornwell unleashes danger and violence, from both man and nature, and terrible revelations before a lethal confrontation off Cape Horn. Lots of sailing action--which may confuse some landlubbers--and a nice, quirky love story round out this page-turner.
Cornwell's fourth seagoing adventure ( Wildtrack ) features boatyard owner and solo globe-circler Tim Blackburn, devastated when his wife is killed by an explosion in the English Channel. Tim has already lost his son, who was murdered by IRA terrorists, and his daughter, Nicole, has joined a band of eco-activists led by charismatic, slightly sinister Caspar von Rellsteb. Tim is convinced that von Rellsteb plans to have a brainwashed Nicole hand over her inheritance to his group, Genesis, and, after a period of mourning, he tracks von Rellsteb to Florida, where Genesis is disrupting a environmentalist convention. Tim meets Jackie Potten, a mousy young American reporter certain that Genesis is a fascistic group and a big story. Eventually Tim and Jackie team up to sail the steel-hulled sloop Stormchild to von Rellsteb's island base off the fierce Patagonian coast of Chile. Cornwell unleashes danger and violence, from both man and nature, and terrible revelations before a lethal confrontation off Cape Horn. Lots of sailing action--which may confuse some landlubbers--and a nice, quirky love story round out this page-turner.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 31, 2018
I became a fan of Cornwell after reading the Sharpe series, as well as The Fort. I was in Halfprice Books yesterday, checked out what they had by him and picked up a like new edition of Stormchild for 3.50. Originally published in 1991 the book I bought was printed in 2011. The book started off ok, kept me interested and even though I don't sail, I like reading about it. I was a big fan of C.S. Forrester and Patrick O'brien growing up. Anyway, as I was saying, the book started off ok but then, and I hate it when this happens, a character was introduced whom I found to be very annoying and appears will be prominent for the remainder of the story. I got through that part and to the point to where Blackburn had purchased Stormchild, refitted and provisioned her, was pulling away from the dock for his voyage to find his daughter when something happened that made me chuckle, close the book, and be thankful I paid less than four bucks for it. I may or may not pick it up again....
October 19, 2025
As an author, Bernard Cornwell is probably better known for writing historical fiction: the Sharpe series (set during the Napoleonic Wars), say, or the Uhtred of Bebbanburg series (in and around the time of Alfred the Great).
What is not so well, known, however, are his more contemporaneous 'Sailing thrillers'.
Of which there are currently five (Wildtrack, Sea Lord, Crackdown, Stormchild and Scoundrel)
with this being the fourth published in that, totally unconnected to each other, series and also coincidentally the fourth I read (I've yet to read Crackdown).
In this one, published during the early 1990s, Cornwell's hero of the novel is a man who, following the death of his wife in an explosion at sea (itself following the death of his son in a bombing in Northern Ireland) is trying to track down his long-lost daughter, who was last seen sailing away from him to join a cult of what-proves-to-be extremist environmentalist.
Bold choice.
Making the environmentalists the baddies.
To be clear, they're portrayed here - or, at least, the (fictional) cult that she has joined - more as extremists than environmentalists.
Like I suspect many others, I found this to be an enjoyable enough read but not up to the standards of his Cornwell's usual historical fiction works. Which the man himself acknowledges on his own website: "I enjoyed writing the thrillers, but suspect I am happier writing historical novels ..."
What is not so well, known, however, are his more contemporaneous 'Sailing thrillers'.
Of which there are currently five (Wildtrack, Sea Lord, Crackdown, Stormchild and Scoundrel)
with this being the fourth published in that, totally unconnected to each other, series and also coincidentally the fourth I read (I've yet to read Crackdown).
In this one, published during the early 1990s, Cornwell's hero of the novel is a man who, following the death of his wife in an explosion at sea (itself following the death of his son in a bombing in Northern Ireland) is trying to track down his long-lost daughter, who was last seen sailing away from him to join a cult of what-proves-to-be extremist environmentalist.
Bold choice.
Making the environmentalists the baddies.
To be clear, they're portrayed here - or, at least, the (fictional) cult that she has joined - more as extremists than environmentalists.
Like I suspect many others, I found this to be an enjoyable enough read but not up to the standards of his Cornwell's usual historical fiction works. Which the man himself acknowledges on his own website: "I enjoyed writing the thrillers, but suspect I am happier writing historical novels ..."
May 15, 2018
Enjoyed this thriller very much. It's quite a departure from the authors normal historical fiction which I enjoy so much. But I'm certain it takes much less research to write this than a book based on English history. I found Tim the Dad, not quite believable. He certainly went to great lengths to save a daughter who murdered her own mother. Then there's the people from Kalamazoo. Seems a strange place to have two characters from. Maybe it is in response to the Yes, there is a Kalamazoo campaign or maybe it's that victims of brainwashing can come from anywhere. All in all a good stand alone book. I'm so weary of book 1 of 5, I refuse to read books in a series anymore. Congrats Mr. CORNWELL.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 3, 2024
I do enjoy Bernard Cornwells writing so I may be bias in my review!
I picked this up on name alone from a local charity shop and having no background knowledge on sailing or maritime fares I thought I'd struggle however at its heart, this is a fast paced tale of a man trying to uncover a few mysteries which takes him around the world.
Considering this book was written over 30 years ago, it still held up in a way to the world today which was surprising to see in a way.
Is the story a bit far fetched? Yes
Is the main character arc believable? Not particularly
However this is a very enjoyable read which didn't require much thinking power and I was invested up until the ending which did let it down quite a bit
I picked this up on name alone from a local charity shop and having no background knowledge on sailing or maritime fares I thought I'd struggle however at its heart, this is a fast paced tale of a man trying to uncover a few mysteries which takes him around the world.
Considering this book was written over 30 years ago, it still held up in a way to the world today which was surprising to see in a way.
Is the story a bit far fetched? Yes
Is the main character arc believable? Not particularly
However this is a very enjoyable read which didn't require much thinking power and I was invested up until the ending which did let it down quite a bit
February 13, 2022
Rather disappointing from my favourite author. I think the intention was to write a 'ripping yarn', John Buchan is referenced a couple of times in the narrative. The adventure is OK, and the descriptions of life at sea are exciting and entertaining. The problem is I didn't care less about the rather stereotypical characters and the plotting was a little too tidy and cliché ridden. It was written in 1991 so before he really got into his stride. I did like it, but it felt like a letdown because I expect such high standards of the author. Thankfully he has written so much better in the ensuing years.
August 21, 2024
Old-fashioned adventure story - quite good.
Here we have an adventure novel in which the narrator embarks on a voyage to fins his daughter and bring her home. There's a fair amount of violence and death as he encounters a few dangerous characters. The book involves a lot of information (not always needed in my opinion) on sailing and the weather and conditions in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Take these out and the novel would be a lot shorter. The narrator talks about John Buchan and it is this type of novel that would fit into that genre. It's a reasonable read but I have no wish to read anything else that involves the mechanics of sailing!
Here we have an adventure novel in which the narrator embarks on a voyage to fins his daughter and bring her home. There's a fair amount of violence and death as he encounters a few dangerous characters. The book involves a lot of information (not always needed in my opinion) on sailing and the weather and conditions in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Take these out and the novel would be a lot shorter. The narrator talks about John Buchan and it is this type of novel that would fit into that genre. It's a reasonable read but I have no wish to read anything else that involves the mechanics of sailing!
April 21, 2019
Cornwell before Uhtred of Bebbanburg. A modern day (or relatively modern day) British family is torn apart by tragedy. A father and daughter are all that remains of a sailing family. Father is our hero and daughter needs to be saved. An environmental cult with a David Koresh type situation. I thought that was pretty creative and this book reads fast. Like all of Cornwell's novels. Just a cut below some of his others, but still recommended.
Read
December 17, 2022I prefer the Reader's Digest Condensed Version because the unneccessary swear words are omitted, as well as the less-applicable detail. Stormchild's opening pages are exquisite, gripping character-sketching. The last chapter or two are failures, and better left unread in their gory violence. I accept that the story should end with the demise of the villians, and that the violence of a daughter who killed her own mother asks for the violence with which daughter meets her end.
October 3, 2024
I know nothing of sailing, and I found the reasons for his voyage to Chile and Cape Horn a little unlikely. That said, if you withhold judgement and go along for the ride, it's an enjoyable book. It was exciting and entertaining. I wasn't bored and I wanted to find out what happened, especially to our main character. It's an action packed entertainment, not great fiction. No deep thinking required. Just what I was in the mood for.
September 10, 2025
decent story let down by a ridiculous main character
I know next to nothing about boats and quite enjoyed all the technical aspect. The story was decent albeit the love story a tad cliched but almost believable. The actions of the father left me seething at many points, how many times do you mess up through stupidity, hubris and for me total unrealistic emotions. He wants to save a child who cold bloodedly murdered his wife and her mother. No way.
I know next to nothing about boats and quite enjoyed all the technical aspect. The story was decent albeit the love story a tad cliched but almost believable. The actions of the father left me seething at many points, how many times do you mess up through stupidity, hubris and for me total unrealistic emotions. He wants to save a child who cold bloodedly murdered his wife and her mother. No way.
May 1, 2018
This is a splendid book. Cornwell's description of sailing will take your breath away. The book is somewhat dated, having been written in 1998 (I believe) but it's a real page turner, and anyone who has an interest in sailing would very likely enjoy the vivid descriptions of the various sights, sounds, glories and perils of sailing the high seas.
September 7, 2019
Having read Sea Lord, I thought “omg there’s more”. There isn’t. This was not a good book. Sailing, sure, loads of that. Reasonable human drives and choices, good luck. I will say that the large type was a plus, except that it allowed me to easily read a disappointing novel from an author who has produced far better works.
March 6, 2020
It dragged, really dragged.
Almost 500 pages long, but it felt as if it easily could have been 100-150 pages shorter. Many of the descriptions seemed unnecessary or perhaps just relevant to those who understand the sailing lingo.
Although I liked the narrative in the way that there were no outlandish twists/surprises, I wasn't a fan of the ending. It felt underwhelming at best.
Almost 500 pages long, but it felt as if it easily could have been 100-150 pages shorter. Many of the descriptions seemed unnecessary or perhaps just relevant to those who understand the sailing lingo.
Although I liked the narrative in the way that there were no outlandish twists/surprises, I wasn't a fan of the ending. It felt underwhelming at best.
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