What do you think?
Rate this book
The Oliver Quintrell Series #1
Floating Gold
In March 1802, the Treaty of Amiens brings an uneasy peace to Europe. While the fighting ships of the Royal Navy languish in ordinary and sailors litter the alleys and alehouses of Portsmouth, frustrated officers barrage the Admiralty for a commission. From a beach on the Isle of Wight, Captain Oliver Quintrell observes a convoy of merchantmen preparing to set sail from St. Helen's Road. He is unaware that within days he will have command of His Majesty's frigate Elusive, which will be sailing with the fleet into the Atlantic. With a sound ship and an able crew, the captain is confident of a safe voyage but when the ship reaches its destination there are unknown dangers and unspeakable horrors to be faced. Can Captain Quintrell retrieve the cargo he has been sent to find and return with it safely to England?
224 pages, Hardcover
First published May 31, 2010
112 people are currently reading
96 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
May 27, 2010
Margaret Muir’s new novel, Floating Gold, is a wonderful blend of classic Georgian naval fiction, a mystery/thriller and a grand treasure hunt.
Captain Oliver Quintrell is on the beach, both literally and figuratively. Recently released from Greenwich Hospital after recovering from injuries related to a “direct contact with a four pound cannon ball,” he finds himself without a commission in a world briefly at peace following the signing of the Treaty of Amiens in 1802. He is therefore pleased to be given the command HMS Elusive, a frigate on a secret mission with sealed orders bound for an island near the bottom of the world. Along the way they encounter storms, calm, murder, and sabotage until they finally arrive at the island, which itself may be the greatest threat of all to survival of the ship and crew. Hidden on the island is a vast, yet mysterious treasure that Captain Quintrell, his officers and crew must find and carry back to England.
The story is told from the viewpoint of Captain Quintrell and Will Ethridge, a young apprentice shipwright, who arrives aboard the Elusive quite by accident. The shift in perspective balances the world aft and forward of the mast nicely. All of the characters will be familiar to readers of naval fiction and yet felt fresh and individual.
Margaret Muir is no stranger to square-rigged ships and it shows in her writing. The scenes aboard ship feel right. They have an authenticity in the small idiosyncratic details she deftly adds. Muir has also visited the mysterious and dangerous island that plays such a central role in the story. Her background and travels help bring the novel together, giving a sense of reality to the fantastic scenes she describes.
Floating Gold is well a paced and vividly drawn tale of adventure in the high latitudes and on the high seas. Highly recommended.
Captain Oliver Quintrell is on the beach, both literally and figuratively. Recently released from Greenwich Hospital after recovering from injuries related to a “direct contact with a four pound cannon ball,” he finds himself without a commission in a world briefly at peace following the signing of the Treaty of Amiens in 1802. He is therefore pleased to be given the command HMS Elusive, a frigate on a secret mission with sealed orders bound for an island near the bottom of the world. Along the way they encounter storms, calm, murder, and sabotage until they finally arrive at the island, which itself may be the greatest threat of all to survival of the ship and crew. Hidden on the island is a vast, yet mysterious treasure that Captain Quintrell, his officers and crew must find and carry back to England.
The story is told from the viewpoint of Captain Quintrell and Will Ethridge, a young apprentice shipwright, who arrives aboard the Elusive quite by accident. The shift in perspective balances the world aft and forward of the mast nicely. All of the characters will be familiar to readers of naval fiction and yet felt fresh and individual.
Margaret Muir is no stranger to square-rigged ships and it shows in her writing. The scenes aboard ship feel right. They have an authenticity in the small idiosyncratic details she deftly adds. Muir has also visited the mysterious and dangerous island that plays such a central role in the story. Her background and travels help bring the novel together, giving a sense of reality to the fantastic scenes she describes.
Floating Gold is well a paced and vividly drawn tale of adventure in the high latitudes and on the high seas. Highly recommended.
March 14, 2017
Three and a half stars, March 13, 2017
This review is from: Floating Gold: Under Admiralty Orders - The Oliver Quintrell chronicles
Another Napoleonic Wars naval novel, this one featuring Captain Oliver Quintrell who is no Hornblower, Kydd, or Aubrey. If those three are your standard for this type of novel, you probably won't like this one. If, like me, you have read all of those and suffer sailing navy deprivation, this novel is not too bad. The idea for the book and its plot add a different twist to this type of fiction. Ms Muir writes very good descriptive prose but there are some strange problems with the novel.
A FEW PLOT DETAILS AHEAD: One of the main ones to my mind is that on an important secret mission, the admiralty sends this ship out with a captain, a first lieutenant and, I think it was six midshipmen, one of whom is but fourteen. What happened to second and third lieutenants? At the beginning of the voyage Captain Quintrell notes this deficiency and tells lieutenant Parry to rate two of the midshipmen as acting lieutenants. Parry wants to observe them first. The captain agrees but tells Parry not to wait too long. The book never again addresses this matter. Another problem is lack of character development. We never learn anything of Lieutenant Parry's life other than one major incident in his naval career. For the midshipmen, we learn nothing. Also there is sabotage and murder aboard the ship but we never learn the motive.
I think a fair rating of this novel is three and a quarter to three and a half stars. As I can not do that with Amazon's rating system, I will err on the side of generosity and give it four stars.
This review is from: Floating Gold: Under Admiralty Orders - The Oliver Quintrell chronicles
Another Napoleonic Wars naval novel, this one featuring Captain Oliver Quintrell who is no Hornblower, Kydd, or Aubrey. If those three are your standard for this type of novel, you probably won't like this one. If, like me, you have read all of those and suffer sailing navy deprivation, this novel is not too bad. The idea for the book and its plot add a different twist to this type of fiction. Ms Muir writes very good descriptive prose but there are some strange problems with the novel.
A FEW PLOT DETAILS AHEAD: One of the main ones to my mind is that on an important secret mission, the admiralty sends this ship out with a captain, a first lieutenant and, I think it was six midshipmen, one of whom is but fourteen. What happened to second and third lieutenants? At the beginning of the voyage Captain Quintrell notes this deficiency and tells lieutenant Parry to rate two of the midshipmen as acting lieutenants. Parry wants to observe them first. The captain agrees but tells Parry not to wait too long. The book never again addresses this matter. Another problem is lack of character development. We never learn anything of Lieutenant Parry's life other than one major incident in his naval career. For the midshipmen, we learn nothing. Also there is sabotage and murder aboard the ship but we never learn the motive.
I think a fair rating of this novel is three and a quarter to three and a half stars. As I can not do that with Amazon's rating system, I will err on the side of generosity and give it four stars.
July 5, 2011
Margaret Muir really knows her British nautical history, and the premise of the story is very unique. She writes with authority about interesting characters; I am very much in awe and glad I discovered her.
May 1, 2021
To the End of the World
In this book the protagonist is a post captain who was sidelined by illness for months, only to be restored to command a frigate for a special mission. This is during the Peace of Amiens, a brief ceasefire during the Napoleonic Wars. The story is compelling and will glue you to your seat! And it’s much different from the typical C S Forester imitation.
However it’s a little improbable as well as lacking in naval action. Why does the Admiralty send a frigate on a basically exploratory mission? Why is the captain afraid of privateers or the French Navy? His ship’s a frigate, able to out sail anything she can’t outfight. Why do the Spanish send a First Rate to a remote area with its risk of extreme weather? What can 100 guns accomplish that a corvette couldn’t?
The author seems well versed in the topography of the Channel and the landmarks present during the early 1800’s. Good entertainment.
In this book the protagonist is a post captain who was sidelined by illness for months, only to be restored to command a frigate for a special mission. This is during the Peace of Amiens, a brief ceasefire during the Napoleonic Wars. The story is compelling and will glue you to your seat! And it’s much different from the typical C S Forester imitation.
However it’s a little improbable as well as lacking in naval action. Why does the Admiralty send a frigate on a basically exploratory mission? Why is the captain afraid of privateers or the French Navy? His ship’s a frigate, able to out sail anything she can’t outfight. Why do the Spanish send a First Rate to a remote area with its risk of extreme weather? What can 100 guns accomplish that a corvette couldn’t?
The author seems well versed in the topography of the Channel and the landmarks present during the early 1800’s. Good entertainment.
September 5, 2019
Excellent
This is non-stop intense action and suspense. The story teller is so good, every detail was vivid in my mind. This is a fantastic seafaring tale. I couldn't hardly wait to get to the end to find out exactly what happens to the ship, Elusive, and her Captain Quintrell, and all the men who took her on an impossible and extraordinary voyage. This was non-stop action and truly addicting. I can't wait to read another entry of The Oliver Quintrell stories.
This is non-stop intense action and suspense. The story teller is so good, every detail was vivid in my mind. This is a fantastic seafaring tale. I couldn't hardly wait to get to the end to find out exactly what happens to the ship, Elusive, and her Captain Quintrell, and all the men who took her on an impossible and extraordinary voyage. This was non-stop action and truly addicting. I can't wait to read another entry of The Oliver Quintrell stories.
January 6, 2024
Good enough.
Yes, a good enough book and I will read the next one with interest. This is not a reservation nor is intended to be a slight against women but fairly early it became obvious that it could have been written by a woman. Correct as it appears. This next bit is difficult in today's culture of openness but she handles relationships as a woman (many people will know what I mean)
Yes, a good enough book and I will read the next one with interest. This is not a reservation nor is intended to be a slight against women but fairly early it became obvious that it could have been written by a woman. Correct as it appears. This next bit is difficult in today's culture of openness but she handles relationships as a woman (many people will know what I mean)
January 20, 2020
Floating Goled
What a magnificent read. I loved every minute of this book, and like all great books I didn’t want it to end. The author weaves such a marvellous story the reader knows without a doubt that the research is top notch. I would most definitely highly recommend this book. I loved every intriguing moment. Excellent.
What a magnificent read. I loved every minute of this book, and like all great books I didn’t want it to end. The author weaves such a marvellous story the reader knows without a doubt that the research is top notch. I would most definitely highly recommend this book. I loved every intriguing moment. Excellent.
May 29, 2017
Excellent Story
The plot of this story is well-written and the characters are all very believable. The descriptions of the Antarctic, the volcano Calder, the men and the shipyard great. The action scenes were well-written.
The plot of this story is well-written and the characters are all very believable. The descriptions of the Antarctic, the volcano Calder, the men and the shipyard great. The action scenes were well-written.
April 30, 2022
Worth reading as it is different from the rest!
Was unsure at the start but this book developed well. Good storyline which is set during the peace of Ameins and draws on Sun good side stories that add interest.
Was unsure at the start but this book developed well. Good storyline which is set during the peace of Ameins and draws on Sun good side stories that add interest.
October 11, 2022
a grand tale
What makes a good sea story? Adventure, overcoming enemies, weather, and the possibility of unknown factors.
This was a great book having all the necessary elements and a story which was superb.
Highly recommend
What makes a good sea story? Adventure, overcoming enemies, weather, and the possibility of unknown factors.
This was a great book having all the necessary elements and a story which was superb.
Highly recommend
February 11, 2020
Good story
A pleasant romp through the times of the early 1800’s of her majesty’s navy where good guys and bad intertwine.
A pleasant romp through the times of the early 1800’s of her majesty’s navy where good guys and bad intertwine.
February 16, 2020
Rather enjoyed this one. Ended up reading the remainder of the trilogy and this was by far the best.
August 31, 2021
Excellent
Top notch storytelling and imagination. Onto the rest of the series and onto th rest of th r authors works.
Top notch storytelling and imagination. Onto the rest of the series and onto th rest of th r authors works.
June 27, 2024
An unusual Age of Sail story with a peace time voyage to a distant and mysterious island. Lots of trials and tribulations but a good tale with some interesting characters
February 23, 2014
I really enjoyed this book, and I'm stingy with my compliments. The protagonist is a British Navy Captain, and he's between wars, drawing 1/2 pay. His last vessel sank, costing 70 lives. Although a court of inquiry exonerated him, the stigma hung around his neck like an albatross. His marriage was luke-warm, his wife even acted disgusted when his deformed hand (enemy cannonball injury) was exposed. He was still young, however, not wanting to be passed over for reassignment by younger captains with powerful political connections. Then he's given a clandestine assignment, and even though he's not commissioned to command a ship of the line he's happy. Crew assembled, provisions taken on, and off they go. Very nice correct use of nautical terms and period language, accurate summary of dicey political climate with France. He encounters raging storms, extremes of hot and cold environment, pirates, mutineers, sabatoge, and even the murder of a crewman. Eventually they reach the targeted uncharted island, discover the treasure (not what you'd expect), and somehow they make it back to London. We are left without complete finality, but we do know that life will again be good for this captain, who I know we will see again in a sequel. War with France is imminent after over a year at sea, and his success will likely get him command of a proper 98 gun ship, and more action.
March 17, 2020
Interesting start
This story is an interesting beginning for a series. However, there is very little naval action in it. The characters are likeable for the most part. My only problem was very little ship to ship fighting. I am going to try another one before making a final judgment on this series.
This story is an interesting beginning for a series. However, there is very little naval action in it. The characters are likeable for the most part. My only problem was very little ship to ship fighting. I am going to try another one before making a final judgment on this series.
September 6, 2013
I enjoy adventures at sea, and enjoy reading about this historical period (about 1803, during a pause in the Napoleonic wars).
It's a good read. The style is just a bit too elaborate for my taste - plenty of metaphors and similes. I preferred the writing when the author just moved the action on. However it was a good read, the kind of book that when you get half-way throught it, you find hard to put down.
It's a good read. The style is just a bit too elaborate for my taste - plenty of metaphors and similes. I preferred the writing when the author just moved the action on. However it was a good read, the kind of book that when you get half-way throught it, you find hard to put down.
November 10, 2014
I bought the complete Oliver Quintrell Trilogy.
But as these are three books, I want to count them as three different books.
Therefore I will rate the first two books separately and the third book within the trilogy entry.
What shall I say?
A naval fiction without pirates and naval battles.
Instead a great mix of mystery, treasure hunt and naval fiction with a cast of interesting characters.
I enjoyed it a lot.
But as these are three books, I want to count them as three different books.
Therefore I will rate the first two books separately and the third book within the trilogy entry.
What shall I say?
A naval fiction without pirates and naval battles.
Instead a great mix of mystery, treasure hunt and naval fiction with a cast of interesting characters.
I enjoyed it a lot.
October 28, 2014
"Floating Gold is a good read in the tradition of the Hornblower series. The difference being that it is placed in the early 1800's when the rest of Europe is at relative peace with Napoleon. The story is well formed and well written. Ms. Muir demonstrates a good knowledge of seafaring in that era and the events of the time. If you like Horatio, you'll like Oliver.
January 30, 2016
A good book in the Hornblower tradition. We meet Oliver Quintrell when he's already post captain, so not the gradual development we sometimes find. The nautical background, as far as I can tell, rings true and there are some interesting twists in the plot. I'm hoping that some of the loose ends will be explored in later books in the series.
March 20, 2014
Good read.
I liked this book. It reminded me of early C.F. Forrester works. Good job Mr. Muir. I would have preferred a bit more at the ending ,perhaps about Will or the crew.
Thanks
I liked this book. It reminded me of early C.F. Forrester works. Good job Mr. Muir. I would have preferred a bit more at the ending ,perhaps about Will or the crew.
Thanks
September 19, 2016
Grindelwald is at least equal to if not better than Patrick O'Brien and Julian Stockwin. Many authors give away volume one of a series with the hope that readers will be willing to buy the rest. I seldom do... until now.
November 15, 2016
An excellent sailing ship adventure
I had the great opportunity of living in the consummate sailing ship seaport at Mystic Connecticut while in th service. I became a fan his type of novel.
I had the great opportunity of living in the consummate sailing ship seaport at Mystic Connecticut while in th service. I became a fan his type of novel.
April 22, 2013
During the peace of Amiens a senior post captain is sent on a secret mission with a crew and frigate. I couldn't enjoy the book because I couldn't warm to the main character.
August 12, 2015
Good read.
Not Patrick O'Brien but enjoyable. Decent plot but it could have used a bit more of a hook to bring the reader along to the next book in the series.
Not Patrick O'Brien but enjoyable. Decent plot but it could have used a bit more of a hook to bring the reader along to the next book in the series.
December 29, 2016
I have been to sea
A ship is manned for a secret mission. Instructions are given to sail west, then south, to an unknown island.
A ship is manned for a secret mission. Instructions are given to sail west, then south, to an unknown island.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews