An Awkward Commission

John Pearce #3

by David Donachie

Stranded in Portsmouth, John Pearce has once again failed to secure the release of those who depended on him - his fellow Pelicans. They have been shipped off to the Mediterranean while he was indulging himself in London. So he must take ship and follow them. His application to William Pitt for a place finds him as 8th lieutenant on HMS Victory, flagship of Admiral Lord Hood. South and ahead of him, his Pelicans are serving under a flogging captain, but all is not lost as each of the gang does what he can to promote himself – O’Hagan fights to establish his place in the below decks hierarch; Taverner carves out a niche where his trickery can work to the gang’s advantage; Gherson ends up as secretary to Rear Admiral Ralph Barclay. As the action moves to the main French Mediterranean port of Toulon, the tension between crews and captains intensifies, coming to a brilliant head when the HMS Brilliant is detached from the fleet under the orders of Captain Horatio Nelson, bound for North Africa.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Fiction, Nautical, Military Fiction

288 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

aka Tom Connery, Johnny 'Two Combs' Howard, Jack Ludlow, Jack Cole.

David Donachie was born in Edinburgh in 1944. He has had a variety of jobs, including selling everything from business machines to soap. He has always had an abiding interest in the naval history of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, which he drew upon for the many novels he has set in that period. The author of a number of bestselling books, he lived in Deal with his wife, fellow A&B author Sarah Grazebrook.

Reviews

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm really enjoying this series :)

[David Griggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Am eager for the next in the series

I am enjoying getting to know John Pearce and the other characters that the author is doing an interesting job of developing. He also explores different aspects of the history of the times.

[John Nino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Foiled again. But for the good this time.

A good story. JP is not your usual young lowly British naval officer. He speaks his mind to all authority. And, he stands by his shipmates (regardless of their status) and friends. He is a good person.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can't say it has wedged in my mind very well. Just one of the many sea-yarns that wile away the hours on the motorway.
The library's summary is " Since being pressed into service, John Pearce has endured a hectic whirlwind of events, facing wild storms at sea and bitter battles with the enemy. His recent, surprising promotion means that he is now finally free to follow his own wishes, rather than being forced to serve in King George's Navy. However, the same does not apply for the trio of Pearce's closest friends who, with Pearce as their leader, call themselves the Pelicans. Whilst Pearce is indulging himself in London, his friends are shipped off to the Mediterranean. Riddled with guilt over leaving them and still haunted by his father's execution at the guillotine, Pearce vows to liberate the men who have stuck by him through thick and thin. Having spent months trying to get on dry land, he now has no choice; he must take a ship and follow them. His application to William Pitt for a place finds him sailing towards the Mediterranean with secret despatches for Admiral Lord Hood. South and ahead of him, his Pelicans are serving under a brutal tyrant aboard a 74-gun ship. Meanwhile, just off Toulon, Pearce's sworn enemy, Captain Ralph Barclay, puts the lives of his crew as well as that of his beautiful young wife at risk in his vain search for glory. With help being withheld by all higher powers, Pearce is obliged to embark on a dangerous mission before he can free his friends: at stake, the whole British position in the Mediterranean. "

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is book three in the 1790 naval series of John Pearce. In book one John Pearce and friend were illegally caught by a press gang in London at a Pub called the Pelican. So the group called themselves the Pelican from there on. The Napoleonic war has started and Britain’s navy is short of men. At the end of book two, Pearce is separated from his friends and made a Lieutenant by the King.

In this book he is hunting for his friends on the HMS Leander commanded by a flogging captain. The HMS Brilliant captained by Ralph Barclay has been send to the Mediterranean. Pearce is sent to the Mediterranean to be an 8th lieutenant on HMS Victory the flag ship of Admiral Lord Hood. The action moves to the port of Toulon, the tension between crews and Captains intensifies coming to a brilliant head when HMS Leander is detached from the fleet under orders of Captain Horatio Nelson bound for North Africa.

The book is well written and has some exciting sea battles. The author obviously knows his history and the book is well researched. The story is complex and at times filled with power plays, plots twist and suspense. My only complaint is the author leaves too many unresolved threads to carry forward to the next book.

For anyone who is enthusiastic about seafaring stories as I am will enjoy the book. I read this as an audio book downloaded from Audible. Peter Wickham does a good job narrating the story.

[Annie Burrows · Rating 4 out of 5]

The series has really got going now, and John Pearce is rising through the ranks. Trouble is, I'm hooked now but I've only bought the first 3 in the series...

[Andrew Tinsley · Rating 4 out of 5]

great

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really enjoying this series.