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Alexander Clay #7
In Northern Seas
In Northern Seas
342 pages, Paperback
Published November 25, 2019
About the author
Philip K. Allan
20 books410 followersI am from the UK where I live with my wife and daughters. My writing combines my passion for ships and the sea, with intelligent writing and pacey plots.
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I don't pay for book reviews so what you see here is genuine reader feedback.
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I don't pay for book reviews so what you see here is genuine reader feedback.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 8, 2020
Another superb tale in this excellent series.
Mr Allen is unique is his ability to weave a tale ,drawing threads from history , seamanship, characters before and aft the mast and descriptive prose into a brilliant tapestry of 19th century maritime history.
Mr Allen is unique is his ability to weave a tale ,drawing threads from history , seamanship, characters before and aft the mast and descriptive prose into a brilliant tapestry of 19th century maritime history.
December 17, 2019
Another good imitation of a Hornblower book
This book, part of a series of which I haven’t read the previous one, starts with the captain being court martialled for the loss of his previous ship. There were extenuating circumstances and an ally, a powerful civilian bureaucrat, shows up in the audience. The captain is acquitted and given a new 38 gun frigate with orders for the Baltic with the civilian, mr. Vansitart (?) on board as a passenger on a diplomatic mission to break up a cartel the French are forming to reduce British access to naval stores.
The author weaves this motivation into a background of intrigue including the assassination of the Tsar and the Battle of Copenhagen. While it includes both historical fact and fiction the story is seamless, tightly plotted, and fast moving. A good read!
This book, part of a series of which I haven’t read the previous one, starts with the captain being court martialled for the loss of his previous ship. There were extenuating circumstances and an ally, a powerful civilian bureaucrat, shows up in the audience. The captain is acquitted and given a new 38 gun frigate with orders for the Baltic with the civilian, mr. Vansitart (?) on board as a passenger on a diplomatic mission to break up a cartel the French are forming to reduce British access to naval stores.
The author weaves this motivation into a background of intrigue including the assassination of the Tsar and the Battle of Copenhagen. While it includes both historical fact and fiction the story is seamless, tightly plotted, and fast moving. A good read!
April 28, 2023
I got a chance to read this book for free on kindle so I grabbed it, as I have heard good things about the series. In the pantheon of sea novels, its somewhere around the Hornblower books, leaning a bit toward Bolitho.
This is a sea novel set in the Napoleonic wars. The story is of a ship sent to the Baltic waters to attempt to break up an attempt by the French to cut off British supplies to wood, tar, etc to repair and build ships. The captain Alexander Clay is given a ship to deal with the Swedes, Norwegians, Danish, Russians, etc either by the ambassador he has been provided, or the cannons he carries.
Also on board is the ambassador's suspiciously surly and lethal-seeming "valet" and there are ongoing subplots with several of the sailors aboard ship.
As literary sea captains go, Clay doesn't seem quite as super competent as some, relying on others for tricky navigation and other tasks. He's capable enough and seems to make decent judgments, but does not particularly stand out as well as others in the genre.
The book starts out with a Court Martial as Clay has lost (and burned) his ship at the end of the previous novel, and then is given a new ship and extraordinary latitude and fine treatment for someone without his level of interest and connections. The end battle is interesting and has a unique feel, and most of the events are roughly based on actual ones with Our Heroes being involved in ficticious ways.
Overall, I'm interested in reading more of the series, particularly earlier books which is I suppose the best compliment.
This is a sea novel set in the Napoleonic wars. The story is of a ship sent to the Baltic waters to attempt to break up an attempt by the French to cut off British supplies to wood, tar, etc to repair and build ships. The captain Alexander Clay is given a ship to deal with the Swedes, Norwegians, Danish, Russians, etc either by the ambassador he has been provided, or the cannons he carries.
Also on board is the ambassador's suspiciously surly and lethal-seeming "valet" and there are ongoing subplots with several of the sailors aboard ship.
As literary sea captains go, Clay doesn't seem quite as super competent as some, relying on others for tricky navigation and other tasks. He's capable enough and seems to make decent judgments, but does not particularly stand out as well as others in the genre.
The book starts out with a Court Martial as Clay has lost (and burned) his ship at the end of the previous novel, and then is given a new ship and extraordinary latitude and fine treatment for someone without his level of interest and connections. The end battle is interesting and has a unique feel, and most of the events are roughly based on actual ones with Our Heroes being involved in ficticious ways.
Overall, I'm interested in reading more of the series, particularly earlier books which is I suppose the best compliment.
April 21, 2020
Napoleon is frustrated. He conquers all in his path except one particular thorn; the British navy thwarts him no matter how he attempts to invade England. One of his ministers suggests an alternative method. Rather than mount a direct attack, France will strike where the English are most vulnerable – the canvas, hemp, and tar that their warships need. If French agents can persuade the Baltic countries to cease selling these supplies to the English, diplomacy and misinformation will prove a far better weapon to achieving his dream.
The loss of a ship, regardless of whether he did all that he could or not, necessitates a court martial. Captain Alexander Clay stands so accused. What puzzles him more than the outcome is the civilian with the silver-topped cane who attends the proceedings. Glances between that gentleman and the presiding admiral, followed by gentle persuading that a question asked need not be answered strikes Clay as odd. When the same gentleman appears unannounced at his home and wonders whether he might be interested in a new frigate, Clay is further nonplused. The answer, of course, is yes; after all, he is a captain in the Royal Navy and the country is at war with France.
The gentleman with the cane proves to be Nicholas Vansittart, a lawyer and influential member of Parliament. He is also a diplomat who requires Clay’s assistance in his current mission – to stop French interference in the Baltic trade. He admires Clay’s ability to get the job done, oftentimes using unexpected methods, and the manner in which he has advanced through the ranks on his own merit. With Clay at the helm of a fast ship, HMS Griffin, the hope is that together they can resolve the current difficulties through diplomacy. If not, Clay will already be on station to assist Sir Hyde Parker, Lord Horatio Nelson, and the Baltic Fleet in demonstrating just how far the British will go to protect their supply chain against Mad Tsar Paul’s League of Armed Neutrality.
Like a ship navigates the swells and troughs of the sea, this seventh book in the Alexander Clay series keeps readers traversing wave after wave of action and adventure. Whether in Paris, London, Copenhagen, or St. Petersburg, intrigue abounds. Clay and much of his old crew, as well as a few new ones, find themselves in the thick of things. One new character, Vansittart’s valet, has ties to two of them, neither of whom are particularly pleased to renew his acquaintance. To further spice up this nautical tale, Allan interweaves humor, romance, bigotry, assassination, murder, and theft with coming to terms with a disability, narrow escapes, and an enemy ship stalking the Griffin. The denouement is a riveting account of the action during April 1801’s Battle of Copenhagen. It is rife with closer-quarter fighting, ships of the line, and Nelson’s famous turning of a blind eye. Readers will find themselves sitting on the edge of their seats, holding their breath as the story carries them back in time to revisit old friends and experience unexpected hazards.
The loss of a ship, regardless of whether he did all that he could or not, necessitates a court martial. Captain Alexander Clay stands so accused. What puzzles him more than the outcome is the civilian with the silver-topped cane who attends the proceedings. Glances between that gentleman and the presiding admiral, followed by gentle persuading that a question asked need not be answered strikes Clay as odd. When the same gentleman appears unannounced at his home and wonders whether he might be interested in a new frigate, Clay is further nonplused. The answer, of course, is yes; after all, he is a captain in the Royal Navy and the country is at war with France.
The gentleman with the cane proves to be Nicholas Vansittart, a lawyer and influential member of Parliament. He is also a diplomat who requires Clay’s assistance in his current mission – to stop French interference in the Baltic trade. He admires Clay’s ability to get the job done, oftentimes using unexpected methods, and the manner in which he has advanced through the ranks on his own merit. With Clay at the helm of a fast ship, HMS Griffin, the hope is that together they can resolve the current difficulties through diplomacy. If not, Clay will already be on station to assist Sir Hyde Parker, Lord Horatio Nelson, and the Baltic Fleet in demonstrating just how far the British will go to protect their supply chain against Mad Tsar Paul’s League of Armed Neutrality.
Like a ship navigates the swells and troughs of the sea, this seventh book in the Alexander Clay series keeps readers traversing wave after wave of action and adventure. Whether in Paris, London, Copenhagen, or St. Petersburg, intrigue abounds. Clay and much of his old crew, as well as a few new ones, find themselves in the thick of things. One new character, Vansittart’s valet, has ties to two of them, neither of whom are particularly pleased to renew his acquaintance. To further spice up this nautical tale, Allan interweaves humor, romance, bigotry, assassination, murder, and theft with coming to terms with a disability, narrow escapes, and an enemy ship stalking the Griffin. The denouement is a riveting account of the action during April 1801’s Battle of Copenhagen. It is rife with closer-quarter fighting, ships of the line, and Nelson’s famous turning of a blind eye. Readers will find themselves sitting on the edge of their seats, holding their breath as the story carries them back in time to revisit old friends and experience unexpected hazards.
September 19, 2020
Clay vs Lewrie
I am strangely addicted to historical fiction set in this era and, looking back through my Kindle library, I have reams of books that superficially look identical. They all involve a dashing British captain foiling the willy French on account of being far more clever and using the odd subtle ruse.
The list includes the amazing Patrick O'Brian, Chris Durbin, Bernard Cornwell (with his more terrestrial Richard Sharpe) and now Philip Allan.
I have enjoyed the work of all these authors, but to be brutally honest, I have to say Philip Allan is pretty low down the list. I can’t help but to compare Dewey Lambdin and the adventures of his protagonist with Philip Allen. Two main characters:Captain Clay and Captain Alan Lewrie and almost identical adventures woven into actual historical events.
Captain Clay is so upright and moral that he does tend to come across as a little one dimensional whilst Alan Lewrie is almost totally amoral and all the more believable for it. Both characters are “happily” married, but Lewrie cheated and behaved terribly toward his wife whilst Clay is so virtuous it makes you want to gag. Interestingly both men met with Lady Hamilton and I believe I am right in saying that Lewrie didn’t hesitate to take advantage of her supposedly insatiable sexual appetite, whilst Captain Clay politely declined her advances.
Both series are well constructed with great action sequences, but Lambdin edges his way into the lead with truly well rounded characters even though there were some unbelievable episodes in those novels, especially Lewrie’s flight across France with his wife. Really?? A villain who slowly has pieces shot off him or carved out by our hero, but always manages to come back. Hmmmm.
The reason I gave In Northern Seas 4 stars was the description of the Battle of Copenhagen- the account of Clay’s fictional participation edged out Lewrie’s with some thrilling hand to hand combat which was totally made up (there was no attempt at boarding any British ship). But a great read.
It is also amusing to see the two authors pushing their characters into the plot to kill Tzar Paul. Both fell short on the believability scale.
No doubt I will complete the series staring Captain Alexander Clay and both authors have given me hours of innocent pleasure, but I honestly can’t wait to read the next instalment of Dewey Lambdin’s adventures of Alan Lewrie.
I am strangely addicted to historical fiction set in this era and, looking back through my Kindle library, I have reams of books that superficially look identical. They all involve a dashing British captain foiling the willy French on account of being far more clever and using the odd subtle ruse.
The list includes the amazing Patrick O'Brian, Chris Durbin, Bernard Cornwell (with his more terrestrial Richard Sharpe) and now Philip Allan.
I have enjoyed the work of all these authors, but to be brutally honest, I have to say Philip Allan is pretty low down the list. I can’t help but to compare Dewey Lambdin and the adventures of his protagonist with Philip Allen. Two main characters:Captain Clay and Captain Alan Lewrie and almost identical adventures woven into actual historical events.
Captain Clay is so upright and moral that he does tend to come across as a little one dimensional whilst Alan Lewrie is almost totally amoral and all the more believable for it. Both characters are “happily” married, but Lewrie cheated and behaved terribly toward his wife whilst Clay is so virtuous it makes you want to gag. Interestingly both men met with Lady Hamilton and I believe I am right in saying that Lewrie didn’t hesitate to take advantage of her supposedly insatiable sexual appetite, whilst Captain Clay politely declined her advances.
Both series are well constructed with great action sequences, but Lambdin edges his way into the lead with truly well rounded characters even though there were some unbelievable episodes in those novels, especially Lewrie’s flight across France with his wife. Really?? A villain who slowly has pieces shot off him or carved out by our hero, but always manages to come back. Hmmmm.
The reason I gave In Northern Seas 4 stars was the description of the Battle of Copenhagen- the account of Clay’s fictional participation edged out Lewrie’s with some thrilling hand to hand combat which was totally made up (there was no attempt at boarding any British ship). But a great read.
It is also amusing to see the two authors pushing their characters into the plot to kill Tzar Paul. Both fell short on the believability scale.
No doubt I will complete the series staring Captain Alexander Clay and both authors have given me hours of innocent pleasure, but I honestly can’t wait to read the next instalment of Dewey Lambdin’s adventures of Alan Lewrie.
February 24, 2020
Alexander Clay is the Captain of the frigate Griffin and, having been honourably acquitted of a court martial is assigned to convey an English MP to Copenhagen on a mission to try and persuade Denmark to leave a disastrous (for England) trade deal with Russia, Prussia and Sweden. But the MP, Nicholas Vansittart, is a little more than the humble diplomat he claims to be. And it soon becomes clear that his valet has a few secrets of his own.
The voyage does, of course, not go smoothly. They are rebuffed at Copenhagen and have to sail to St Petersburg to negotiate with the weak and unpopular Tsar Paul.
In all this, captain and crew encounter ice-bound seas, a French privateer, Russian conspirators and even a blossoming love affair. All this culminates in the impressively detailed Battle of Copenhagen in which Admiral Nelson famously remarked that he 'saw no such signal'.
There is a way to write a series such as this and Mr Allen has mastered that art. To those who have read previous volumes, the characters are as familiar as old friends; those who are new will soon warm to them. The villains of the piece are easily spotted and justice is usually meted out. Another aspect is the ability to mix fact and fiction (Vansittart, for example, was a real person). Thorough research is imperative and here the author's is impeccable. Descriptions of the various voyages in different weather and conditions are excellent and characterisations fully believable.
I do have to say, however, that I found a dozen or so typos and the spacing between sections in a chapter was inconsistent - this latter should have been corrected by the publisher at the formatting stage. Neither of these, however, marred the overall impression and enjoyment of the story.
Fans of the great nautical writers - Forester, O'Brien and Kent - will relate to and revel in a new hero of the Napoleonic wars at sea.
Reviewed for Discovering Diamonds
The voyage does, of course, not go smoothly. They are rebuffed at Copenhagen and have to sail to St Petersburg to negotiate with the weak and unpopular Tsar Paul.
In all this, captain and crew encounter ice-bound seas, a French privateer, Russian conspirators and even a blossoming love affair. All this culminates in the impressively detailed Battle of Copenhagen in which Admiral Nelson famously remarked that he 'saw no such signal'.
There is a way to write a series such as this and Mr Allen has mastered that art. To those who have read previous volumes, the characters are as familiar as old friends; those who are new will soon warm to them. The villains of the piece are easily spotted and justice is usually meted out. Another aspect is the ability to mix fact and fiction (Vansittart, for example, was a real person). Thorough research is imperative and here the author's is impeccable. Descriptions of the various voyages in different weather and conditions are excellent and characterisations fully believable.
I do have to say, however, that I found a dozen or so typos and the spacing between sections in a chapter was inconsistent - this latter should have been corrected by the publisher at the formatting stage. Neither of these, however, marred the overall impression and enjoyment of the story.
Fans of the great nautical writers - Forester, O'Brien and Kent - will relate to and revel in a new hero of the Napoleonic wars at sea.
Reviewed for Discovering Diamonds
March 15, 2020
Another adventurous sailing tale...
Book 7 is another in the long list of stories of Alexander Clay. This one is not lacking in fun and adventure. I noticed that book 6...and now book 7...there were instances where events could (or should) have been completely played out. In book 7, I found that twice the readers were robbed of scenes in which there should have been some further storytelling...but simply shifted to a future date. It makes one think that the author is saving time and passing through these areas. If there’s a book 8 planned...I would wish that the author wouldn’t take any shortcuts past certain key events.
Book 7 is another in the long list of stories of Alexander Clay. This one is not lacking in fun and adventure. I noticed that book 6...and now book 7...there were instances where events could (or should) have been completely played out. In book 7, I found that twice the readers were robbed of scenes in which there should have been some further storytelling...but simply shifted to a future date. It makes one think that the author is saving time and passing through these areas. If there’s a book 8 planned...I would wish that the author wouldn’t take any shortcuts past certain key events.
February 13, 2020
A page turning tale
In this episode Alexander Clay carries a diplomat first to Copenhagen and then onwards to St Petersburg in order to prevent the coalition of armed being brought into force thereby denying Gt Britain access to vital naval stores. Clay and his new ship Griffin are witnesses to underhand dealings and skulkduggery that do not sit comfortably. Again the author has a wide range of characters to carry his story forward and managed to skilfully weave historical fact and his fiction which makes for an excellent tale
In this episode Alexander Clay carries a diplomat first to Copenhagen and then onwards to St Petersburg in order to prevent the coalition of armed being brought into force thereby denying Gt Britain access to vital naval stores. Clay and his new ship Griffin are witnesses to underhand dealings and skulkduggery that do not sit comfortably. Again the author has a wide range of characters to carry his story forward and managed to skilfully weave historical fact and his fiction which makes for an excellent tale
August 19, 2022
I'm pretty committed to the characters and the series, but even then this is probably the most mediocre of the various Alexander Clay novels. It's challenging to express why this is the case without spoilers, but there's no major arc plotlines that are started or ended, and the character development does not feel like it'll have resounding impact in the future. That said, the events of 1801 (non-spoiler since everyone is aware it's about Northern Seas and the 8th year of war with France) are an enjoyable setting and so earns its 4th star.
February 23, 2020
The Alexander Clay Series to Book 7
To get the best out of this series you need to read from book 1 . The series shows the growth of the characters in the series and unlike some other books shows mistakes the person's made which made the story seem real . The only downside was that after the first book I had to read the others causing me to have some very late nights . Very well written and I wish Philip could write them as fast as I can read them .
To get the best out of this series you need to read from book 1 . The series shows the growth of the characters in the series and unlike some other books shows mistakes the person's made which made the story seem real . The only downside was that after the first book I had to read the others causing me to have some very late nights . Very well written and I wish Philip could write them as fast as I can read them .
April 28, 2021
Another great offering in the Alexander Clay series. Philip K Allan delivers an entertaining, well researched novel that skilfully blends fiction against the backdrop of historical events, often with a little twist. Here our hero ventures North into the Baltic and finds himself up to his neck in the plotting against Czar Paul and entangled in Nelson’s victory in the first battle of Copenhagen.
Whilst Allen takes some licence with the sequencing of events, the account of the naval engagements are sound and atmospheric.
Great entertainment and easy reading.
Whilst Allen takes some licence with the sequencing of events, the account of the naval engagements are sound and atmospheric.
Great entertainment and easy reading.
June 7, 2023
diplomacy?
Mr. Allen has produced another plausible and engaging book. We’ll written following an interesting plot line. Believable character development. Even manages to work in a new love story for lieutenant Preston
Mr. Allen has produced another plausible and engaging book. We’ll written following an interesting plot line. Believable character development. Even manages to work in a new love story for lieutenant Preston
February 25, 2020
Great series
Will written. You feel like you are apart of the battles. Seemed more real than may authors of that period
Will written. You feel like you are apart of the battles. Seemed more real than may authors of that period
November 18, 2020
A Fantastic story
Mr Allan has done it again. Book 7 in this series has improved upon this series 10 fold. The action was superb and I love the character Preston. Nice job Mr Allan
Mr Allan has done it again. Book 7 in this series has improved upon this series 10 fold. The action was superb and I love the character Preston. Nice job Mr Allan
November 16, 2023
action packed
This particular title was full of action! The battles were so vivid you could smell the powder and blood! I shall continue with this author
This particular title was full of action! The battles were so vivid you could smell the powder and blood! I shall continue with this author
March 4, 2024
Yet another great story from Philip Allan.
March 22, 2024
Another great adventure and educational read in this excellent series!
January 15, 2023
2nd last in the serious. The Griffin and crew take a beating from the frogs.
November 8, 2023
Sea action !
By now having read each of the previous books, I am well acquaintance wiih most of the characters
In this one the main character was not the driving force.
By now having read each of the previous books, I am well acquaintance wiih most of the characters
In this one the main character was not the driving force.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews