Tyger

Thomas Kydd, Book 16

By: Julian Stockwin

Narrated by: Christian Rodska

Length: 10 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's Summary

The greatest naval trial in the Georgian period is underway at Portsmouth with the court-martial of Sir Home Popham, Captain Sir Thomas Kydd's commanding officer in the doomed occupation of Buenos Aires.

Kydd has some sympathy for Popham's unauthorised action, but his support for his former commander leaves him athwart some very influential people in the admiralty. With his frigate L'Aurore unfit for sea, Kydd is given a commission that some hope will destroy his career.

Tyger has recently mutinied, but instead of having her company dispersed around the fleet as is customary, the ship is pressed into immediate service in the North Sea.

Kydd faces a crew still under some malign influence. Enemies aboard and on the high seas are just the start of the problem. Soon he will have to take his untested and untrustworthy crew into the Baltic, and there they will get entangled with Napoleon's invasion of Prussia.

The stakes are desperate, the task seemingly impossible, and the French implacable. But the only way for Kydd to avoid disgrace is to gamble his reputation and crew on a crazy mission to snatch a Prussian division out of the jaws of Napoleon's advancing army.

Will he return home once more a hero or himself face a court-martial?

©2015 Julian Stockwin (P)2015 Hodder & Stoughton

Best of the series thus far.

I had to leave a review for this one, I have enjoyed the series immensely so far but this particular entry was over the top. There have only been a few audio books that I have completed where I found myself hanging back in traffic, sitting in my driveway and generally taking any extra opportunity I had to get to listen to and complete the experience like I have for this book.

wonderful

I'm on the edge of my seat the whole time. i can't wait for the next one.

Best so far

What a story. Excellent research. The 16th in the series and yet so fresh.

Listening to Christian Rodska is a joy too.

This Is No Paper Tyger

This book at first threatened to be my favourite of the series and then went on to deliver on that promise. No mean achievement given the quality of what’s gone before. This really is fast-paced and multi-faceted. The court martial the blurb headlines was intelligently and entertainingly observed but was really only the pre-cursor to what followed. At blistering speed we are carried through scandal, mutiny, an epic voyage north, a logistical nightmare and battles against both the enemy and the implacable sea.

Christian Rodska seems to step it up a notch from his previous excellent performances allowing slightly more passion into his already authentic reading. Stockwin’s excellent historical notes at the end give a small window into his undoubtedly tireless research and depth of expertise.

I think most authors would find enough material in this plot to fill at least two books and there is an argument that for example Kydd’s encounter with a French spy and what would have been an incredible journey north might have merited an extra hour between them. I’d have happily lapped it up I am sure. There were things missing that were included in previous episodes. I wasn’t disappointed personally to see no romantic interest but did miss Renzi just a little – surprisingly little!

The only thing I can do is to recommend that if time allows set aside a good two to two and a half hours for the ending of the book. It’s unlikely you’ll feel like putting it down during that time and it will be a very enjoyable session with your headphones I promise!

Another cracking story

Between the story itself and the excellent narration definitely one of my favourite adventures in the kydd series.

Another stunning experience

Well paced, entertaining, interesting with depth and humour, and of course superbly narrated by Christian Rodska.

KYDD episode Sixteen : loved it

A great ongoing story well told, and this audible unabridged telling of the tale enjoyed especially with excellent dramatic reading

Best so far

Really enjoyed expanded horizons for Kidd, especially the arctic. Author has an incredible affinity for the problems with sail during the early 19th century..

A challenge for Kydd great leadership

Never fails to please, Kydd, friends, shipmates and tricky situations, Thomas Kydd is an inspirational character & Rodska's narrative brings him to life

Another cracker from and amazing series

Nail bitter

From the cold of the North Pole to the North Sea battle - another brilliant journey and adventure with Kid