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Carlisle & Holbrooke Naval Adventures #9
Ligurian Mission: The Ninth Carlisle & Holbrooke Naval Adventure
It is the summer of 1760 and the British navy reigns supreme on the oceans of the world; only in the Mediterranean is its mastery still seriously challenged. Admiral Saunders is sent with a squadron of ships-of-the-line to remind those nations that are still neutral of the consequences of siding with the French.Edward Carlisle’s ship Dartmouth is sent to the Ligurian Sea. His to carry the British envoy to the Kingdom of Sardinia back to its capital, Turin, then to investigate the ships being built in Genoa for the French. He soon finds that the game of diplomacy is played for high stakes, and the countries bordering the Ligurian Sea are hotbeds of intrigue and treachery, where family loyalties count for little. Carlisle must contend with the arrogance of the envoy, the Angelini family’s duplicity and a vastly superior French seventy-four-gun ship whose captain is determined to bring the Genoa ships safely to Toulon.Ligurian Mission is the ninth Carlisle and Holbrooke novel. The series follows Carlisle and his protégé Holbrooke through the Seven Years War and into the period of turbulent relations between Britain and her American colonies prior to their bid for independence.
- GenresHistory
338 pages, Paperback
Published March 8, 2021
215 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
About the author
Chris Durbin
15 books70 followersChris Durbin grew up in the seaside town of Porthcawl in South Wales. His first experience of sailing was as a sea cadet in the treacherous tideway of the Bristol Channel, and at the age of sixteen, he spent a week in a topsail schooner in the Southwest Approaches. He was a crew member on the Porthcawl lifeboat before joining the navy.
Chris spent twenty-four years as a warfare officer in the Royal Navy, serving in all classes of ship from aircraft carriers through destroyers and frigates to the smallest minesweepers. He took part in operational campaigns in the Falkland Islands, the Middle East and the Adriatic. As a personnel exchange officer, he spent two years teaching tactics at a US Navy training centre in San Diego.
On his retirement from the Royal Navy, Chris joined a large American company and spent eighteen years in the aerospace, defence and security industry, including two years on the design team for the Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers.
Chris is a graduate of the Britannia Royal Naval College at Dartmouth, the British Army Command and Staff College, the United States Navy War College (where he gained a postgraduate diploma in national security decision-making) and Cambridge University (where he was awarded an MPhil in International Relations).
With a lifelong interest in naval history and a long-standing ambition to write historical fiction, Chris has embarked upon creating the Carlisle & Holbrooke series, in which a colonial Virginian commands a British navy frigate during the middle years of the eighteenth century.
The series will follow its principal characters through the Seven Years War and into the period of turbulent relations between Britain and her American Colonies in the 1760s. They’ll negotiate some thought-provoking loyalty issues when British policy and colonial restlessness lead inexorably to the American Revolution.
Chris now lives on the south coast of England, surrounded by hundreds of years of naval history. His three children are all busy growing their own families and careers while Chris and his wife (US Navy, retired) of thirty-seven years enjoy sailing their classic dayboat.
Chris spent twenty-four years as a warfare officer in the Royal Navy, serving in all classes of ship from aircraft carriers through destroyers and frigates to the smallest minesweepers. He took part in operational campaigns in the Falkland Islands, the Middle East and the Adriatic. As a personnel exchange officer, he spent two years teaching tactics at a US Navy training centre in San Diego.
On his retirement from the Royal Navy, Chris joined a large American company and spent eighteen years in the aerospace, defence and security industry, including two years on the design team for the Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers.
Chris is a graduate of the Britannia Royal Naval College at Dartmouth, the British Army Command and Staff College, the United States Navy War College (where he gained a postgraduate diploma in national security decision-making) and Cambridge University (where he was awarded an MPhil in International Relations).
With a lifelong interest in naval history and a long-standing ambition to write historical fiction, Chris has embarked upon creating the Carlisle & Holbrooke series, in which a colonial Virginian commands a British navy frigate during the middle years of the eighteenth century.
The series will follow its principal characters through the Seven Years War and into the period of turbulent relations between Britain and her American Colonies in the 1760s. They’ll negotiate some thought-provoking loyalty issues when British policy and colonial restlessness lead inexorably to the American Revolution.
Chris now lives on the south coast of England, surrounded by hundreds of years of naval history. His three children are all busy growing their own families and careers while Chris and his wife (US Navy, retired) of thirty-seven years enjoy sailing their classic dayboat.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
May 30, 2021
A continued winner
I have enjoyed each of the previous books and find the details of sailing well defined. The storyline flow well with good characterization.
I have enjoyed each of the previous books and find the details of sailing well defined. The storyline flow well with good characterization.
June 18, 2023
This is more of a return to earlier books, instead of historical events being the dominant narrative, the characters drive this book more. This time Carlisle is sent to the Italian coast to demonstrate the power of England and cruise against French forces. There is a complication with an insufferable diplomat and quite a bit of political intrigue.
This time around Carlisle's incredible confidence gets him into some trouble, and he is not as successful as in the past with some battles, although he comes out on top in the end.
This time around Carlisle's incredible confidence gets him into some trouble, and he is not as successful as in the past with some battles, although he comes out on top in the end.
June 8, 2021
The Carlisle & Holbrooke series has become one of my favorite reads on Kindle Unlimited. I have enjoyed most age of sail naval fiction and this series is one of the better ones. I think the author gets everything right from the politics to the calculation of the prize money. The whole series worth reading.
April 7, 2021
Mediterranean Adventure
In this episode we rejoin Capt. Carlisle (Holbrook is in the American theatre) and he returns to the Med where the first book in the series takes place. The seven years’ war is window down. England has achieved decisive sea superiority in the Atlantic and Carlisle, with a new command, a 4th rate of 50 guns, is sent to the Mediterranean to interdict French trade and stop any new ships from the Italian states from joining the French fleet in Toulon.
The action is nonstop and the pace is extraordinarily fast! It’s hard to put the book aside, even more than the others in the series. The historical background is helpful in adding to the suspense because Carlisle could fail in triggering a declaration of war by Sardinia or Genoa, as well as by being sunk by the French 74 that is sent out from Toulon to deal with him.
The naval action is exciting but not so clear a reader could create a track chart of the maneuvers. In a couple of places I thought the ships should have crossed in a way that allowed a broadside with the starboard guns but then Carlisle orders the port side to open fire. So, not as clear as a Hornblower book but engaging to the reader and accurate to the time period of the lateen mizzen. And it’s probably true that from the perspective of most of the crew, those who lived through a battle might not have been able to draw a track chart either, maybe even the officers would each recall the action differently. A worthy addition to the tale of this 18th century war that had so much to do with the American and French Revolutions that came after it.
In this episode we rejoin Capt. Carlisle (Holbrook is in the American theatre) and he returns to the Med where the first book in the series takes place. The seven years’ war is window down. England has achieved decisive sea superiority in the Atlantic and Carlisle, with a new command, a 4th rate of 50 guns, is sent to the Mediterranean to interdict French trade and stop any new ships from the Italian states from joining the French fleet in Toulon.
The action is nonstop and the pace is extraordinarily fast! It’s hard to put the book aside, even more than the others in the series. The historical background is helpful in adding to the suspense because Carlisle could fail in triggering a declaration of war by Sardinia or Genoa, as well as by being sunk by the French 74 that is sent out from Toulon to deal with him.
The naval action is exciting but not so clear a reader could create a track chart of the maneuvers. In a couple of places I thought the ships should have crossed in a way that allowed a broadside with the starboard guns but then Carlisle orders the port side to open fire. So, not as clear as a Hornblower book but engaging to the reader and accurate to the time period of the lateen mizzen. And it’s probably true that from the perspective of most of the crew, those who lived through a battle might not have been able to draw a track chart either, maybe even the officers would each recall the action differently. A worthy addition to the tale of this 18th century war that had so much to do with the American and French Revolutions that came after it.
July 21, 2021
Excellent series!!
I gave this series 5 stars as it held my interest, but more over I want more!! The historical setting and the amazing things that real 18th century sailors did is a testament to the men who went to sea in wooden ships, with only the power of the wind. There is nothing far fetched about this series and it is technically and historically sound. I am ready for #10 etc. Durbin hard work to make this historically correct is evident on every page, to say nothing of the gripping drama of all the relationships and the battles.
Ellis L. Knox, Pittsburg, Texas
I gave this series 5 stars as it held my interest, but more over I want more!! The historical setting and the amazing things that real 18th century sailors did is a testament to the men who went to sea in wooden ships, with only the power of the wind. There is nothing far fetched about this series and it is technically and historically sound. I am ready for #10 etc. Durbin hard work to make this historically correct is evident on every page, to say nothing of the gripping drama of all the relationships and the battles.
Ellis L. Knox, Pittsburg, Texas
May 14, 2021
Continuing an excellent series
As engrossing, atmospheric and evocative as the preceding books, without a doubt the Ligurian Mission simply reconfirms that its heroes and supporting cast of characters place Chris Durbin in the role of natural successor to Patrick O'Brien. I'll try not to say it again after the next book is published!
As engrossing, atmospheric and evocative as the preceding books, without a doubt the Ligurian Mission simply reconfirms that its heroes and supporting cast of characters place Chris Durbin in the role of natural successor to Patrick O'Brien. I'll try not to say it again after the next book is published!
May 7, 2022
Good job Carlisle!
Cap’n Carlisle did all he possibly could to meet his duty requirements.
Not just meet them but he took them on with an elan that met the highest standards of the seagoing fraternity.
Now if he could keep from ignoring his beautiful wife and young son, he’ll have it all!!
Cap’n Carlisle did all he possibly could to meet his duty requirements.
Not just meet them but he took them on with an elan that met the highest standards of the seagoing fraternity.
Now if he could keep from ignoring his beautiful wife and young son, he’ll have it all!!
March 14, 2021
Just a Great Series
Chris Durbin keeps it interesting. Good geographical descriptions, entertaining personal interactions and well researched historical events. All without a lot of wasted blather. Historical naval fiction doesn't get any better than this series.
Chris Durbin keeps it interesting. Good geographical descriptions, entertaining personal interactions and well researched historical events. All without a lot of wasted blather. Historical naval fiction doesn't get any better than this series.
March 15, 2021
Excellent history and fiction
This series is probably the the easiest and best to appreciate and understand the Seven YearsWW French and Indian War. The fictional characters are reasonable and likable. This 8th in the series has nice touches on Italy and Italian.
This series is probably the the easiest and best to appreciate and understand the Seven YearsWW French and Indian War. The fictional characters are reasonable and likable. This 8th in the series has nice touches on Italy and Italian.
June 2, 2021
Great book
Another fine book in the continuing saga. It covers a period of history rarely discussed and yet was so significant in the rise of the British empire. The Angelini family saga continues to unfold with some unexpected twists.
Another fine book in the continuing saga. It covers a period of history rarely discussed and yet was so significant in the rise of the British empire. The Angelini family saga continues to unfold with some unexpected twists.
July 10, 2021
Another cracker
Love these books, as good as Cornwall or alexander Kent historic novels looking forward to book ten.
Let’s see what Holbrooke has been up to since being posted captain.
Love these books, as good as Cornwall or alexander Kent historic novels looking forward to book ten.
Let’s see what Holbrooke has been up to since being posted captain.
September 27, 2021
Another great saga for Carlisle & Holbrooke series
Great story telling about the intrigue and strategy of foreign diplomacy in the 18th century. Exciting naval battle closed the end of this novel. Well done Mr. Durbin!
Great story telling about the intrigue and strategy of foreign diplomacy in the 18th century. Exciting naval battle closed the end of this novel. Well done Mr. Durbin!
August 5, 2023
C.S. Forester is a very tough act to follow, but I thoroughly enjoy every aspect of this series, from the meticulous attention to detail to the characters themselves. Perhaps the most impressive feat Carlisle & Holbrooke have pulled off? Getting me not to cancel Kindle Unlimited. Well done, Chris!
April 7, 2021
Good to be back in warm waters.
April 20, 2021
A great naval book.
What a wonderful book. I love the way the author knows the way the sails work and his knowledge of The weathe. really great read
What a wonderful book. I love the way the author knows the way the sails work and his knowledge of The weathe. really great read
April 25, 2021
Like it.
Good read. No romance, just swashbuckling. Good use of ol English. Nine more words required. OK, the sailing terns confusing
Good read. No romance, just swashbuckling. Good use of ol English. Nine more words required. OK, the sailing terns confusing
December 12, 2021
A excellent book and a very interning story line.
I liked the way the story line moved from chapter to chapter.Flowing the action from one astonishing battle to the next.
I liked the way the story line moved from chapter to chapter.Flowing the action from one astonishing battle to the next.
September 29, 2022
Another excellent read
More action and intrigue than some of other books of the (approx) period. Great character development - you get to understand their thinking!
More action and intrigue than some of other books of the (approx) period. Great character development - you get to understand their thinking!
July 31, 2023
I am enjoying the entire series. This one moved fast, centering on Carlisle with a bit of politics of the region added to the mix. I enjoyed it thoroughly.
October 24, 2023
Good read
Good book.... Love these books. Enjoyable A little simple good guys always winning but enjoyable. Have fun reading this book.
Good book.... Love these books. Enjoyable A little simple good guys always winning but enjoyable. Have fun reading this book.
January 15, 2025
not as heavy in the history
A good novel and continuation of the characters books 1-8. Historically a bit looser than the previous volumes. Still a fun yarn and set up to Book 10.
A good novel and continuation of the characters books 1-8. Historically a bit looser than the previous volumes. Still a fun yarn and set up to Book 10.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews