Inferno

Sir Thomas Kydd needs some rest and relaxation.  He turns to his gunners mate, Toby Stirk, and the pair of them head to Dunlochry in Scotland, where Stirk’s family lives.

Shortly after arriving there, Stirk and a few friends decide to venture into the salvage business in the hopes of finding treasure.  Asking Kydd for help, he points out that the treasure is lost in several fathoms of water.  Undeterred, the group resolves to get a diving bell.  Unfortunately one is unavailable, but there is a diving machine available, for which the owner wants fifty percent of the proceeds.

It comes down to Kydd to be the one to go down in the machine.  Will he find bullion from the great Spanish Armada?

Meanwhile, the British economy is being devastated by Napoleon’s Continental System, which forbids any nation under his control from trading with Britain.  On top of that, Napoleon had forced Alexander I of Russia to withdraw from the war.  Britain was now alone in Europe.

Back aboard Tyger, Kydd finds that they are to sail with the North Sea Fleet towards the Baltic.  Beyond that he can only speculate.  At Gothenburg, the nature of the expedition is outlined; they are to take the Danish fleet, by force if necessary.  This is shocking news as Denmark is a neutral.

King George decides to send an emissary in the hopes that he can persuade the Danes to give up their navy without military action.  That emissary is to be Nicholas Renzi, Lord Farndon, good friend and brother-in-law to Kydd.

Unable to get an agreement, the British land thousands of troops.  The Danes declare war on Britain.  Renzi and his wife Cecilia are trapped!  Under seige, the governor of Copenhagen, refuses to submit.  General Cathcart decides to bombard the city.

Would the citizens of Copenhagen submit or destroy their fleet rather than give in to the British?  Author Julian Stockwin’s naval novel this time includes an integral land battle that went far in denying Napoleon a new navy.  The siege of Copenhagen is a little known act in the Napoleonic Wars, but Stockwin brings it to life in this novel.  Well researched and written, and a thoroughly enjoyable read for fans of historical fiction.