Invasion

Tom Kydd is able to finally prove that he had been framed, which resulted in his loss of the command of Teazer.  Now he finds himself back in command of the ship and crew he loves.  He also has his old friend, Nicholas Renzi as his ship’s clerk on board.  Their first task was to sail from Guernsey northeast along the French coast.

Due to his success along the French coast, it is decided to send Kydd and Teazer to join the Downs squadron.  Admiral Keith sends Kydd to the Admiralty offices in London to be apprised of the situation with France.  There he learns of the plans that are being put in place should Napoleon successfully invade England.  Kydd is shocked by both the plans of Napoleon and England.  Can the navy withstand a French invasion fleet?

Napoleon’s invasion fleet is being assembled in Boulogne.  However, Napoleon is more interested in having himself crowned Emperor of France.

Due to the fact that Teazer is sidelined for repairs, Renzi is seconded for a mission to France. His task is to bring back a man who could be helping the French to defeat the Royal Navy.  Unfortunately the contact in question is not obliging, so Renzi sends a coded message via Kydd for the Foreign Office.  His only other option is to kill the man.  Fortunately Renzi is successful, but will the man now help England?

Kydd sends Renzi to take the waters at Bath when he returns.  Kydd now finds himself at the disposal of the man from France, much to his chagrin.  He only wants to fight Napoleon.  Kydd is shocked by what the man is proposing to build.

Author Julian Stockwin’s historical naval fiction isn’t as full of action as though in the past.  Rather, he takes a look at the infernal machines that were developed at the time, but really wouldn’t come to fruition until a century later.  A good, quick read.