Balkan Glory

Thomas Kydd 23

By: Julian Stockwin

Narrated by: Christian Rodska

'Paints a vivid picture of life aboard the mighty ship-of-the-line' - Daily Express

1811. The Adriatic, the 'French Lake', is now the most valuable territory Napoleon Bonaparte possesses. Captain Sir Thomas Kydd finds his glorious return to England cut short when the Admiralty summons him to lead a squadron of frigates into these waters to cause havoc and distress to the enemy.

Kydd is dubbed 'The Sea Devil' by Bonaparte who personally appoints one of his favourites, Dubourdieu, along with a fleet that greatly outweighs the British, to rid him of this menace.

At the same time, Nicholas Renzi is sent to Austria on a secret mission to sound out the devious arch-statesman, Count Metternich. His meeting reveals a deadly plan by Bonaparte that threatens the whole balance of power in Europe. The only thing that can stop it is a decisive move at sea and for this he must somehow cross the Alps to the Adriatic to contact Kydd directly.

A climactic sea battle where the stakes could not be higher is inevitable. Kydd faces Dubourdieu with impossible odds stacked against him. Can he shatter Bonaparte's dreams of breaking out of Europe and marching to the gates of India and Asia?

(P) 2020 Hodder & Stoughton Ltd©2020 Julian Stockwin

Critic reviews

Balkan Glory is an epic chapter in the splendid Kydd canon, weaving knotty political gambits with stirring naval actions, expressively re-creating the often harsh reality Jack Tars witnessed within their wooden walls during the Napoleonic Wars

Balkan Glory utilises real events and people alongside its fictional cast of favourites who have gone from ship to ship with Kydd. Flying his commodore's flag in the frigate HMS Tyger, Kydd's ships engage in an epic clash . . . Balkan Glory is thrilling stuff indeed

An impressively entertaining action/adventure novel by an author with a genuine flair for the kind of narrative storytelling style that keeps his readers compulsively engaged from cover to cover

There is the Stockwin roller coaster ride of triumphs and reverses and the play of court life against a life in a wooden warship. Once more a page turner that will keep the reader engrossed to the last page

Sir Thomas Kidd fights a three level battle

Sir Thomas Kidd tenaciously pursued and is, alternately chased, by an overwhelming fleet. Can he succeed with his few ships as the only force able to project British might you bet! Just see how!

Excellent.

Excellent. I love these books, such a great story. please keep them coming. I can't wait to see what happens next.

Where's the next one?

For the first time, I have been so caught up in an adventure series that I am begging for the story to continue ... and SOON! PLEASE. Don't make me beg.

If you are a fan of adventure stories and enjoy sailing with the British Navy through the colonial and Napoleonic wars, I highly recommend this series.

Review

While I am personally not interested in the greater political exploits, the insights do provide scope and stakes for perspective. A very satisfying and enjoyable listen.

Headline

This is a good book and I think you should read it. Through to the end.