King, Ship, and Sword

Alan Lewrie #16

by Dewey Lambdin

THE SIXTEENTH TALE IN DEWEY LAMBDIN'S CLASSIC NAVAL ADVENTURE SERIES

December 1801. The Peace of Amiens end the long war with Napoleon Bonaparte's France, but Captain Alan Lewrie, Royal Navy, is appalled by its consequences. First, he's been in the Navy since 1780 (most unwillingly, most of the time!) and at sea for the better part of nine years, since 1793, so what is a dashing and successful frigate captain to "do" with himself, if he's ashore on half-pay, and if so, for how "long"?

Second, and even worse, is "where" will Lewrie twiddle his thumbs and be bored to death until the war begins again, as he's sure it will? Will he idle in expensive, exciting London, or go home to his rented farm in Anglesgreen in Surrey, and rejoin his wife and in-laws who (mostly) despise him like the Devil hates Holy Water, where he knows as much of agriculture and animal husbandry as his two pet cats do of celestial navigation?

Peace and domesticity are hellish-hard on the rakehells!

Yet by the spring of 1802, Lewrie and his Caroline have "somewhat" reconciled (again) and are off to make a go of a second honeymoon - in Paris, France, of all places! But Lewrie's notion to return the swords captured from deceased French officers to their kinfolk gets turned into a formal presentation at a levee in the Tuileries, and a face-to-face rencontre with the First Consul Napoleon Bonaparte. Lewrie "can't help" spurring him into a "kick-furniture" rage, and he and Caroline must flee for their lives, with aid from the most unlikely source imaginable.

When war breaks out again in May of 1803, Lewrie has fresh orders, a new frigate, and a chance to punish and pursue the French, but it's no longer for Duty or King and Country - now it's personal!

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Adventure, Nautical, War, Naval History

358 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Dewey Lambdin (1945-2021 ) was an American nautical historical novelist. He was best known for his Alan Lewrie naval adventure series, set during the Napoleonic Wars. Besides the Alan Lewrie series, he was also the author of What Lies Buried: a novel of Old Cape Fear.

A self-proclaimed "Navy Brat," Lambdin spent a good deal of his early days on both coasts of the U.S.A., and overseas duty stations, with his father. His father enlisted as a Seaman Recruit in 1930, was "mustanged" from the lower deck (from Yeoman chief Petty Officer) at Notre Dame in '42, and was career Navy until May of 1954, when he was killed at sea aboard the USS Bennington CVA-20 (see below), on which he served as Administrative Officer, 5th in line-of-command (posthumous Lieutenant Commander).

Lambdin himself attended Castle Heights Military Academy, graduated in 1962, and was destined to be the family's first "ring-knocker" from the U.S. Naval Academy, "... until he realised that physics, calculus, and counting higher than ten were bigger than he was."[1] He studied at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, majoring in Liberal arts and Theatre, where he was published in The Theme Vault in 1963, also reprinted in a national textbook, which whetted his appetite for writing. However, he failed his degree. He finally graduated with a degree in Film & TV Production from Montana State University, Bozeman, in 1969. This was considered at the time to be the McHale's Navy of the academic set, so the nautical influence was still at work. He has worked for a network affiliate TV station as a producer/director for twelve years, an independent station as production manager and senior director/writer/ producer for three years, all in Memphis, and as a writer/producer with a Nashville advertising/production facility, or in free-lance camera, lighting and writing.

He has been a sailor since 1976 and spends his free time working and sailing on his beloved sloop Wind Dancer, with a special taste for cruising the Gulf of Mexico. Mr. Lambdin has thus far resisted the temptation to trade his beloved typewriter for a computer. He lived in Nashville, Tennessee.

He was a member of the U.S. Naval Institute, a Friend of the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, England; Cousteau Society; the former American Film Institute; and the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
-Wikipedia

Mr Lambdin passed away on July 26, 2021 at the age of 76.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/deweyl...

Reviews

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a little different to most of the rest of the series. Stuck on land Lewrie doesn't really know what to do with himself. Somehow reconciled with his wife he ends up going on a second honeymoon to France with a plan to exchange captured swords with Napoleon in exchange for one of his own Napoleon captured. Quite exactly why anybody would have thought this a good plan is swiftly swept under the Persian Rug of diplomatic incompetency.
Obviously Lewrie's quest becomes deeply entangled in the mysterious spy plots and sex plots from previous books, with every baddy who has inhabited the series so far present on the scene and out for vengeance. This all ends in a chase through rural France reminiscent of a cartoon and ends in a final shoot-out where despite tragic circumstances Lewrie demonstrates his exceptional long-distance sniper skills.
The future will never be the same again following this deeply shocking plot twist, and it will be interesting to see how the next books pan out without an anchor against adultery.

[Terry Steinborn · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting and quite different entry in this entertaining and often exciting series. I think most people read this series for the detailed descriptions of action at sea, but the bulk of this book takes place ashore - in England, or, mostly, in France. The book starts with the declaration of peace with the French in 1802 and ends when hostilities resume in 1803. Lewrie's ship is decommissioned in late 1892 and he is forced ashore, where he rejoins his family. His wife eventually convinces him to visit France during this period of peace, and when he does he encounters several old acquaintances, none of which wish him well. He ends up trying to escape their clutches in a prolonged and uncharacteristic chase north from Paris. After he regains the English shore (not really a spoiler there!), Napoleon goes back to a war standing and Lewrie gains a new ship. Then the fun really begins, in typical Lewrie fashion! Unfortunately, the book spends nearly 2/3 of its pages ashore.

[Sunhawk · Rating 4 out of 5]

I continue to be entertained by this series, and look forward to the next installment. The insight into the times and attitudes is, I assume, authentic; Dewey seems to do his research. This book mostly takes place in England, with a side-trip to France during a brief intermission in the war that solves a narrative problem -- what to do with Caroline, who does not seem to have the ability to forgive and get on with life -- and ends with a brief but characteristically successful nautical engagement.

[Randy · Rating 3 out of 5]

SPOILER ALERT: This book begins as a comedy with coincidence piled on top of coincidence. It is also the most contrived of plots with, at one point, three of Lewrie’s past lovers in the same room as his wife Caroline. And the room is Napoleon’s court where somehow it’s been sanctioned for Lewrie and Caroline to appear and for Lewrie to return swords of captured French naval officers and retrieve the sword that Napoleon took from him many years ago on the beach at Toulon. It seems rather preposterous that Lewrie and Caroline would even venture into France given the fact that Lewrie has been at war with the French for almost his entire naval career. So we have major villains show up in the form of Charite, who shot Lewrie in the chest with an air rifle in Louisiana and who, in fact, thought she had killed him. We have what’s left of Capt. Chaundas, now pensioned out. We have Lewrie’s former mistress from Corsica now running a fabulous scent shop in Paris. Somehow, Charite arrives at the scent shop at the moment Caroline and her guide appear there. And we have Chaundas spot Lewrie walking down the street. They raise the alarm with the secret police and the Lewries must run for it guided by an Englishman and his French wife who allege they were part of a resistance network during the days of the guillotine who ran an underground railroad, spiriting worthies out of the country. They almost make it wearing a variety of disguises and taking back roads through the countryside to the coast. But the policeman on their trail is relentless and Charite and Chaundas are along to make the identification. The Lewries and their guides are about to finalize their escape by schooner when Caroline is shot in the back and dies. Oh, and Lewrie shot Chaundas from the row boat that was taking them to the rescue schooner. Killed him this time. Charite still lives and is available for future coincidence. The reader then understands that this whole book was to get rid of Caroline even though in the early pages Lewrie beached and on half pay and at home for several months is able to work his way back into her good graces and even into her bed. So long Caroline. She was a well written character. And even though the story is very contrived and coincidence abounds it is still entertaining as read by the sterling John Lee. Lewrie, now forty years old, can now go middle aged crazy without guilt. His father, the general, convinces him to sell the farm and use his country house as home base, find a midshipmen spot for his youngest Hugh, sent the oldest back to school and let his young daughter stay with Caroline’s brother. This all happens because the war is on again and Lewrie is called to service in another frigate. They sail with a squadron chasing a French Squadron across the Atlantic toward New Orleans and engage and defeat the French in a short battle setting up the next book which, it appears, will take place in the Caribbean. Lewrie’s new crew is excellent so far so future conflict is not likely to come from that source. Ten more books to go in the series. The binge continues unabated.

[Steven Toby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best of the Lewrie novels. While it's rather sprawling, with action spread out over many events, so that I several times asked myself why it wasn't over, it was packed with action and a surprise on almost every page. It begins with the Captain retired because the Peace of Amiens has interrupted the war. He finds himself at loose ends and has nowhere else to go but his house, or rather, his wife's house. Surprisingly, though, his relationship with the wife, Caroline, starts to improve and she proposes they take a second honeymoon -- their original wasn't very good. And, she proposes they go to France! You may say there's nothing wrong with that, the war is over, but if we think about what happens to Capt Aubrey during the peace, we realize there's a problem lurking. Characters from his past show up to surprise him (and offend Caroline), including previous mistresses and Captain Choundas who still wants to kill him. It's thrill a minute until he manages a hair's breadth escape, alas, with tragedy stalking the operation (details omitted because of spoilers).

War hasn't broken out again so he goes back to the farm. When war is declared and he's summoned back to the colours, shipmates from 20 years ago come out of the woodwork to volunteer. He works up a frigate the same size as the one he had before, an 18 pounder 38, and is assigned to a squadron with two other frigates and a 64-gun flagship. They are sent on a mission to intercept a similar sized French force that was intended to transfer ownership of Louisiana back from Spain to France. The senior captain hoped to intercept this force in the chops of the channel but ends by making a 4,000 mile stern chase to overhaul them and of course a bloody battle is the inevitable result. Plenty of action on the high seas to supplement the intrigue in the middle of the story. One of Lambdin's best efforts.

The historical background is real, if you'll recall events surrounding the Louisiana Purchase. But it's fictionalized, not the kind of novel you can learn history from. A good read though!

[Rich · Rating 5 out of 5]

-4.5- An excellent Lewrie adventure. I did note some disappointment from the community that this book was not all "Me hearty" and guns glazing on the uproll. Relax people, the story development despite the utterly implausible possibility that Lewrie would run into every female he dipped his wick in and various rapscallions from other books was fantastic. We find our erstwhile anti-hero taking a second honeymoon in Paris with his previously estranged wife. From there it turns into a neck or nothing chase to get out of France before he meets a premature demise. Lambdin does an excellent job extending the story to get in some solid naval combat. Also, a major character dies, to the benefit of the series I think. All in all a fine edition to a robust and fun series.

[John Boyda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t discover Dewey Lambdin’s Lewrie series until 2007. I only read one of his books per year, so now, 17 years on, some of his earlier works are fuzzy in my memory. I’ve seen some reviewers who were disappointed that this story dealt more with Lewrie being ashore than at sea. I found it refreshing in that there were a lot of characters from past volumes reintroduced and their effect on Lewrie’s development was reinforced. In the second half of the novel, Lewrie goes back to sea and is engaged in a sea battle (as his readers have come to expect). As always, Lamdin delivers a tale that is enthralling and believable. Highly recommended.

[john temple · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting instalment

The initial part of the story is a tiny bit too far fetched to be believable. It does get better though I promise you. This instalment finds Lawrie somewhat reconciled with his wife, and during the peace of Amiens they visit Paris, at this point the story goes all scarlet Pimpernel and steer he's credulity a bit too far. Having said that it is still good read. After that part of the story the book returns to its true setting with Lewrie at sea and this part is truly we'll worth reading

[Alan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Peace has been declared between France and England and Alan Lewrie has to be on dry land, at his home where his wife gives him a very chilly reception because of the revelations of his many lapses from faithfulness. A vacation in France leads to an audience with Napoleon with very unforseen results for Alan and Caroline.
This is book 16. I missed several books, but was still able to enjoy this one. British Navy during the Napoleonic Wars. this is one of at least 4 series that I have been reading about this time period. Each has its merits.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Basically 2 short stories combined, first half settling most of the plot threads from the first 15 books the 2nd half introducing us to a newer version of Captain Lewrie. This is a good place to jump into the series as the 1st half tells you all the highlights of that which has gone before. Enjoy new readers and old.

[Charlie Shaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too much ado about the Lewries' tour of France although it sets up the unforgettable moment of the book. Many of his old enemies of the past are dredged up once more. Bonaparte, along with Alan's old foes conspire to chase him from France aided by some retired thespians.

Once he gets to sea again the novel picks up speed and necessitates action of a naval sort.

[David Hemond · Rating 5 out of 5]

New, stumbling into, the Alan Lewrie series, here with the 16th. So Dewey Lambdin knew his stuff, as the book jacket says, O’Brian and Forester, and no doubt Cornwell and others boot. See Scarlett Pimpernel (Baroness Orczy) which Lambdin mines in this episode with humor. Doesn’t take himself too seriously but consistently delivers. A find!

[Oismiffy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Generally I like my tall-ship books to have more tall ships in them than this had, but it was still generally OK

[09/01 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another cracking adventure

Thoroughly enjoyed reading Lewries latest escapade. All is not well at first. But Lewrie gets back to what he does best.

[Mr.Wade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alans wife, wow didn't see that coming. Napolean has little man syndrome and might want to put himself in exile.

[David Hull · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! Dewey Lambdin certainly appears to have known, and thoroughly understood, ships, sailing and all things nautical!

[John Haggstrom · Rating 2 out of 5]

He knows his sailing but the story is far fetched

[D.w. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alan Lewrie is at it again. This really is a bridge book, now showing us what happens every single year seems to be how Lambdin is writing these novels. Here we have reached the Peace of Amiens, and you will recall that during the siege of Toulon, so long ago in this series, we had met Bonaparte, well guess who's coming to dinner.

Through a trivial plot device whilst the Peace lasts, somehow we are talked into a journey to the continent and Ram Cat Lewrie through no fault of his own (much like Flashman would) not only meets the many important people, but also finds himself in hot water not of his making. Here the league of the Scarlet Pimpernel, which is an author's device so it is named otherwise, shows up as well.

This book is good for all the Regency/Georgian action we see and absorb. However, it leaves off anything remotely to do with the navy to a very small part of the book, almost an afterthought, and that has become prevalent these last few books. 80% not having to do with the Age of Sail despite the covers and suggestion that we are vitally concerned with a Post Captain.

[Sas · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is peace between England and France but for how long? Will it last long enough for a quick second honeymoon for Captain Lewrie and his wife Caroline?[return][return]Captain Lewrie goes to France with more on his mind than rekindling romance with his wife; he decides to combine business with pleasure. He uses his visit to offer up captured French swords in exchange for his own captured sword, held by Napoleon himself. However everywhere Lewrie turns he seems to bump into a person from his past- and they all hold grudges and want him dead! Will Captain Lewrie and his wife make it out of France alive?[return][return]I got this book not realizing it is part of a series, I was looking for a Royal Navy adventure and was disappointed as 3/4 of this book takes place on land. That being said, I was also unaware of the past experiences of the main character Captain Lewrie however without the background ofthe previous noveld I was still able to follow the storyline. However best bet would be to start at the beginning...

[David Rubin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another in the growing Alan Lewrie naval saga. I like the Dewey Lambdin series for it excellence in story-telling, as well as for the extensive amount of historical detail he provides. Whereas these details might seem mundane were he telling us about contemporary warfare, this level of information helps us understand how really challenging life was in the 18th and early 19th centuries.

He tells the stories and relates the milieu of England and France during this period in an interesting and informative fashion. We look forward to more books with eager anticipation.

[Jeffrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is too much non sea action for this book to particularly shine, and the scenes in France are a little over top.

It has its moments but it will never be confused with the first few books in the series

[Templehurst · Rating 3 out of 5]

If only he would write with fewer italics, I might not feel as if I were reading a comic book. That said, actually a fairly enjoyable read. I'm interested enough to look at earlier books in the series.

[Aspen Junge · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the entire series largely back-to-back (my local public library is well-stocked). One of the great things about this series is that we get to watch Alan Lewrie, the main character, grow up from a callow, self-indulgent teenager to a mature, thoughtful, and responsible adult.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

maybe this was not his best work. I love to find authors I enjoy who have written many books so I can relax and read them all.

[J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fairly entertaining entry in the series.

[Michael Rhode · Rating 3 out of 5]

The League of the Scarlet Pimpernel returns! which is good, but the book reads more like 4 short stories combined.

[Don Casto · Rating 4 out of 5]

My monolinguistic life still is at odds with the use of French dialog . . . other than that, a good book and part of a great series.

[Stephen]

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