The Colonial Post-Captain

Carlisle and Holbrooke Naval Adventures Series, Book 1

By: Chris Durbin

Narrated by: Steven Crossley

Length: 11 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

The Western Mediterranean, 1756. An uneasy peace is about to be shattered as France's greatest living general prepares an invasion force in Toulon, but where is it bound?

Captain Carlisle hails from Virginia, a loyal colony of the British Crown. As the clouds of war gather, Carlisle's small frigate - Fury - is ordered to Toulon on a reconnaissance mission. If battling the winter weather in the Gulf of Lions is not a sufficient challenge, Carlisle must also juggle the delicate diplomatic issues in this period of pre-war tension while contending with an increasingly belligerent French frigate.

But Carlisle has additional problems unique to his colonial origins: He has no professional or political sponsors and an uninspiring group of followers, both of which are essential to a mid-18th century naval career. How can a penniless second son from Virginia overcome these crippling deficiencies?

George Holbrooke, Carlisle's reluctant master's mate, cannot disguise his lack of enthusiasm for the tedium of the peacetime navy. His attitude changes as he experiences combat and personal danger, but can he persuade his captain that he has turned the corner? And can he achieve that vital promotion to commissioned status?

And then there is the beautiful Chiara Angelini, pursued across the Mediterranean by a Tunisian corsair who appears determined to abduct her, yet reluctant to shed blood. Can Carlisle solve this mystery and protect Chiara?

Fury shadows the French fleet as it sails from Toulon and reveals its true destination. Carlisle and Holbrooke are witnesses to the inconclusive sea-battle, which leads to the loss of Minorca, and engage in a thrilling and bloody final encounter with the French frigate.

©2017 Chris Durbin (P)2018 Tantor

A prelude to the Master and Commandeer Series

I have listened to or read 13 Novels in this series. They are well reasoned and thought out. They go into greater depth than the M&C series by Patrick O'Brian (of which I have read or listened to 20 1/2 books in the series). Written by an experienced Sailor and tactician, they go into depth about the French and Indian and the 7 years wars. We Americans think only of our part not the total picture. I look forward to reading/ listening to the rest of the series as it comes out.

Flat narration

Awfully boring narration. It makes a passable story a difficult listen. I just can't get past it.

Tar, powder and diplomacy

A well written book set at the beginning of the seven years war. I greatly enjoyed the setting, the descriptions and the plot. The characters all have a depth and the pace keeps shifting from relaxing to tense. The ship life and maritime aspects are spot on and the historical facts are well connected with the plot of the book. Downloading book two right away!

Excellent

The story takes place in the western Mediterranean in 1756 as France’s invasion of Toulon begins. Captain Carlisle, who is from Virginia, commands a frigate, HMS Fury. They witness the loss of Minorca to the French Fleet.

It is great to see a colonial officer presented in a Royal Navy Story. The fall of Minorca and the disgrace of Admiral Byng is a familiar story. The author has done meticulous research to have the story as accurate as possible. The author, Chris Durban, is an excellent historical storyteller. I am looking forward to the next installment.

I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is eleven hours and twenty-four minutes. Steven Crossley does a good job narrating the story.

Excellent Book

I'm always suspicious of new series in this genre, but this was truly excellent. I never doubted that the action scenes would be well done, but the characters are very good and the dialogue lacks the clumsiness which normally attends first books. Additionally, as an American, I appreciate a British author creating a well-rounded American character who is nonetheless at home in the Royal Navy, in the tradition of real men such as Jahleel Brenton (who was referenced in the Aubrey-Maturin books). I hope to see this entire series appear on Audible.

A good tale from the age of sail

I'm a long time fan of the periods naval history. This work is a pleasant diversion from often dry texts on the era. Placing oneself on the quarter deck during an exchange of broadsides or cutting out a prize from an enemy pier is a great escape for a few hours.

Great surprise for a fan of age of sail fiction!

As an avid reader of every "age of sail" series that I could find.... This first book in the series is a winner, Highly recommended.

Hopefully the start of a classic series.

A well written story, with the potential to become a classic, along with Aubrey, Hornblower, Ramage, Kydd, etc.
My only (minor) gripe is that the narrator (a favourite of mine) did not seem to be quite at his (usually stellar) best.

Spoiled by Patrick O’Brian

I enjoyed the story overall. I felt the love aspect was unsatisfying. Good prose. Good performance. I’m hesitant to buy the next in the series. I probably will eventually.

Review

An excellent look at historical events as they might have happened through the eyes of fictional characters contemporaneous to events.