Description

Yankee Mission is a jewel in Julian Stockwin s crown as a master in naval fiction, with a ship-to-ship fight so vivid that the battle s sounds and scents fly off the pages like lethal wooden splinters – Quarterdeck1812. Off the coast of Brazil, HMS Java, a proud British 38-gun frigate, is captured in battle by the American USS Constitution – signaling across the world s oceans a challenge to Britain s naval premiership that cannot be ignored. Back in EnglandCaptainSir Thomas Kydd is enjoying a moment of normal life with his wife and his newborn son. With his Thunderer in dock receiving some well-earned repairs he is, momentarily, without a command. It s a position the Admiralty does not leave him in for long, and he is soon given a mission: engage the young republic in a fair fight, frigate against frigate, and restore the Navy s reputation. And they have just the ship and crew for him . . . Tyger. But on reaching the US east coast, Kydd and his trusted Tygers realise that the hardest part of their mission will be drawing out one of the Yankee men-o -war to engage in battle – especially once the Americans get wind of his purpose. It s a tall order, requiring every ounce of the crew s guile and persistence – and when fortune turns against them, Kydd finds not only his career, but his life, hanging in the balance. Praise for Julian Stockwin s Kydd series: A very readable and enjoyable story . . . I can only recommend that you go out, beg, borrow or buy, and enjoy – Bernard Cornwell In Stockwin s hands the sea story will continue to entrance readers across the world – Guardian The characterization is first-class, and the reader quickly becomes involved with all that happens – Historical Novels Review; 384 pages; Published: 06 10 2022