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A thrilling adventure story set in World War II, and the first book in the Honourable Duncan Morant series.

In August 1939, the Honourable Duncan Morant, only son and heir of the second Lord Eversham, is enjoying life as a man-about-town and skippering his racing schooner Kristin. But he is also a sub-lieutenant in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, and as the war clouds gather, he is called up.

Due to his experience in small boats and of navigating the English Channel, Morant is given command of one of the new torpedo boats. This is a disappointment − both because he had hoped for a place on a battleship, and because no one in the Navy seems to know exactly what these boats are to be used for. However, as the war takes a disastrous turn, the Channel becomes a battleground and Duncan and his crew, in their plywood hull, find themselves in the thick of hazardous operations …

Christopher Nicole (who originally published this book under the pseudonym Alan Savage) is a British author who has written more than 200 novels and non-fiction works under his own name and several pseudonyms, including Leslie Arlen and Alison York.

263 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2007

700 people are currently reading
172 people want to read

About the author

Alan Savage

56 books15 followers
Christopher Robin Nicole was born on 7 December 1930 in Georgetown, British Guiana (now Guyana), where he was raised. He is the son of Jean Dorothy (Logan) and Jack Nicole, a police officer, both Scottish. He studied at Queen's College in Guyana and at Harrison College in Barbados. He was a fellow at the Canadian Bankers Association and a clerk for the Royal Bank of Canada in Georgetown and Nassau from 1947 to 1956. In 1957, he moved to Guernsey, Channel Islands, United Kingdom, where he currently lives, but he also has a domicile in Spain.

On 31 March 1951, he married his first wife, Jean Regina Amelia Barnett, with whom he had two sons, Bruce and Jack, and two daughters, Julie and Ursula, they divorced. On 8 May 1982 he married for the second time with fellow writer Diana Bachmann.

As a romantic and passionate of history, Nicole has been published since 1957, when he published a book about West Indian Cricket. He published his first novel in 1959 with his first stories set in his native Caribbean. Later he wrote many historical novels set mostly in tumultuous periods like World War I, World War II and the Cold War, and depict places in Europe, Asia and Africa. He also wrote classic romance novels. He specialized in Series and Sagas, and continues to write into the 21st century with no intention of retiring.

He signs his books as Christopher Nicole and uses several pseudonyms, some of them female. Pseudonyms used include: Peter Grange, Andrew York, Robin Cade, Mark Logan, Christina Nicholson, Alison York, Leslie Arlen, Robin Nicholson, C. R. Nicholson, Daniel Adams, Simon McKay, Caroline Gray and Alan Savage. He wrote disaster thrillers in collaboration with his wife, Diana Bachmann, under the penname Max Marlow. Under his different pseudonyms he has worked with many publishing houses: Jarrolds, Hutchinson, Simon & Schuster, Coward-McCann & Geoghegan, Jove, Michael Joseph, Mills & Boon, and Severn House.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christop... and
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5 stars
1,111 (48%)
4 stars
814 (35%)
3 stars
273 (11%)
2 stars
65 (2%)
1 star
28 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
Profile Image for Chaplain Stanley Chapin.
1,978 reviews22 followers
March 10, 2023
A short and delightful story

It had tongue-in-cheek humor, military action, a love story, and way too much sex all wrapped up in a short, very porn-filled story. It would have been an enjoyable read, without so much sex.
Profile Image for Betsy.
1,123 reviews144 followers
July 18, 2024
Rounded up from 1.5 stars. I thought this would be an interesting story about the Royal Navy MTBs in WWII which it is, BUT it is also the story of an aging nymphomaniac who seduces a young man at least 20 years younger. She is prominently featured because she just happens to be the Mother of the book's protagonist, Duncan Morant. She is a brave woman in some ways, but also thoroughly amoral who gets a man killed in the end because of her selfish stupidity. Frankly, I did not read the book to learn how she manipulates men. The plot with her in it is totally ludicrous. Had the author stuck to the Royal Navy, I probab!y would have given it 3 stars. Perhaps the author thought the sex would add to the book, but IMO it sank the boat.
Profile Image for Scott.
72 reviews
October 19, 2022
The beginning of what I hope will be a series of books that has everything.

A story of a young civilian sailor and officer love, laughs and plenty of action. The bravery of young men like Duncan who thought nothing of themselves but to do their duty for King and country and if that meant boarding plywood boats with 1000 gallons of fuel in a pair of lightweight steel fuel tanks then that was what they did. The bravery of a 22 or 23 year old Lieutenant Leeming in this story is one that is hard to believe, and absolutely suicidal. But his actions were mirrored by every arm of the forces. Yes there is the reckless actions of Duncan's sex mad mother that brings levity and plenty of humour to a great story. But this book for me is a reminder of the sacrifices made by so many men and women who we owe so much to and are now no longer around.
5 reviews
May 20, 2024
Great promise compromise with absurd mini storylines.

It is sadly disappointing when a promising piece of work becomes completely derailed due to poor and often times unnecessary sub plot lines . The constant interaction between a very young man and a middle-aged woman quickly pushed this novel from an exciting war story to nothing more than a dime novel trash edition. The ending chapters were filled with complete and udder nonsense while at the same time having the reader believe heroes among
The cast of characters were real. The most reckless portions of this book was its complete abandonment of the infamous Dunkirk rescues after having written an amazing chapter about it. Further reading of this series is certainly not recommended by this reader...
5 reviews
March 21, 2023
Truly an exceptional read

As gripping as any sea story I've encountered. Hot military action, living characters, romance and passion sprinkled with a seasoning of lust and humor. As a captain myself I can't help but feel the need to call out the literary license to describe in detail a torpedo boat that only consumes 20 gal. of gas an hour at 35 knots. The 58 foot sportfish I chartered consumed 104 gal. Per hour at 30 knots. I want one of those old motors!
Profile Image for Iain Stewart.
Author 4 books6 followers
April 18, 2023
Sometimes female characters get in the way of a good war story, but in this book the author had such fun with them that they somewhat steal the limelight. A tongue in cheek adventure romp that is accurate in its sea going and historical details. Recommended for a feel good, entertaining read that will have you reaching for book 2 in the series
127 reviews2 followers
April 19, 2023
a entertaining fun read of the British MTB boats beginning WW2

A gripping story about the motor torpedo boats at the beginning of world war 2. My first read by this author and not my last. Plenty of action to hold your attention. Plus a little sex and humor between operations. Highly recommend.
213 reviews6 followers
July 15, 2023
Well written WWII British Naval Fiction

The British Navy, just before the Second World War, decided to experiment with fast torpedo boats, mostly because they knew Germany was doing the same thing and before the MBTs had a real mission. [The U.S., entering the war two years later, utilized them as well— PT109 was future president John F. Kennedy’s famed command.]

This fictional story recounts the first uses of the craft, including the evacuation of Dunkirk, under the command of Sub-Lieutenant Duncan Morant. We also meet his young engineer, Jamie, and his indefatigable and irrepressible mother, Lady Kristin Eversham, along with his shallow fiancée and his delightful future bride.

Recommended.
Profile Image for Dan.
130 reviews1 follower
May 26, 2024
The other reviews I read were accurate and how much you like this book depends in part on how you view the sex aspect and, in particular, Duncan's mother Kristin. Overall, the story moved along at a fast pace and I am now starting the second book in the series.
171 reviews1 follower
June 8, 2024
Storm Warning

Great book, in the boys own tradition but for grown ups. Excellent information about the MTBs that I never knew and eighty years later I can’t believe the speeds these boat obtained with just a single huge engine. It must have been very exciting for those young men back then to go out to sea in those flimsy ply wood boats to defend England. Plus throw in some heady sex and the author must have had a lot of fun writing this great book. Super read and highly recommended, but not for everyone. Still worth five stars though in my opinion.
20 reviews1 follower
May 8, 2024
Especially good read for those interested in naval history with an interesting twist

I can't do better than my headline so will pad this with unecessary words. Riveting read. Couldn't put the book down. The author either has an enviable nautical background and awesome research skills or some very talented editors. As a longtime retired Naval Officer, I found no obvious errors that would have ruined the story for me. Thank you.
Profile Image for fred jones.
1,781 reviews11 followers
February 1, 2024
Boys own stuff

A ripping yarn. sub Lieutenant Duncan Morant has various bits own adventures in his MTB. Attacking submarines, Dunkirk and commando raid all give this story an action packed fast pace. Loved his mother, a great character. Really entertaining. I will definitely be reading the rest of the series and have already bought them.
85 reviews
March 2, 2023
Great First Read

This is my first time reading a book by Alan Savage and I could not put it down. I finished it in one afternoon/evening. It had a very god storyline and great action. I really enjoyed the characters especially Lady Kristin Eversham. 😄
3 reviews
June 28, 2023
Light reading

This was not a terribly exciting or believable war story. I doubt taking mother along into action happened much, even to lose and ladies. But, it was certainly suitable for mindless reading while on the exercise bike.
46 reviews
September 28, 2023
What a great book

This is the first book by this author that I have read. I was very impressed with his writing style and ability to make the story flow seamlessly as it move from personal life to combat operations. I will continue to read the series.
345 reviews1 follower
February 4, 2024
Entertaining

A light read with some improbable events. It did keep me entertained and it was enjoyable. However, if you are looking for intense combat scenes and a seat of the pants plot, then pass on this one.
36 reviews
April 17, 2024
I

Enjoyed this book! Have already read the last book in the series. I will read the next book and likely enjoy it as well. This will fill in some of the text in the final book. The brief accounts will be more fully explained.
13 reviews1 follower
May 7, 2024
Jolly good

I hope Lt. Lord Eversham has some of his nine lives left. He and his valiant crew beat the odds several times in this book. I enjoyed the author’s use of suspense and ingenuity in this story.
Profile Image for Don Glass.
106 reviews
May 15, 2024
Fast, fun, light, frivolous!

Most enjoyable lighthearted romp into the thick of the 2nd world war.
Handsome, golden boy hero, courageous, fortunate and modest to boot!
Gets the pretty girls and predictable promotions and hero status.
6 reviews
May 22, 2024
Truly entertaining reading

Fast-paced action! Not the normal war-time characters. Enjoyable fiction in historical setting. Probably not for Angliphobes. I'll pick up the second installment.
51 reviews
June 27, 2024
Quite a story.

There was definitely a lot of action and a lot of sex. When the excision with the Panthers starts, make sure you and read without interruptions. You don't want to be drawn away. Enjoy!
Profile Image for Tony Hisgett.
2,999 reviews37 followers
November 27, 2024
The book is a bit of a mixture, it’s part serious naval warfare, a frivolous sex romp and a ridiculous ‘Commando’ style comic book. I’m not sure if the author intended the story to be quite so silly at times, but it still turned out to be an interesting read.
21 reviews1 follower
June 25, 2025
Good and fun story.

I dislike that there is no cut between paragraphs, when the action changes.

A character says something, then in the very next line, with no breaks, some other place and conversation takes place. Can be a little confusing.
340 reviews1 follower
March 24, 2022
Great boy's own stuff

Thrills from start to finish. A little unbelievable in parts,as the heroes seem to take on half the German fleet and win. But well worth a read.
Profile Image for Malcolm Gullam.
8 reviews1 follower
May 10, 2022
Not a bad read

Obviously fiction but passed the time it’s not for those who like historical realistic action very far fetched .
Especially the sinking of submarines
912 reviews8 followers
August 3, 2022
great

Duncan son of a lord, is conscripted to the Royal Navy. Read about Duncan’s trials after England is dragged into WW2
24 reviews
October 13, 2022
A great read

A fast moving tale with likeable characters, written in a very much a boys own style where the good always prevail.
3 reviews
December 26, 2022
Storm warning

First c!ass. Great story telling hard to put down as it was full of continuous action all the way through and very knowledgeable on the sea aspects.
3 reviews1 follower
January 12, 2023
well written action story

Great read, exciting and funny. Loved the main characters with all their eccentric traits. Will quickly purchase the next in this series.
Profile Image for Phillip Mclaughlin.
662 reviews8 followers
January 20, 2023
what fun

Motor torpedo boats, madcap main characters, the beginning of the Second World War, Norway, Dunkirk, just a rollicking time.
This is not a book I could put down.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews

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