Admiral

Thomas Kydd, Book 27

By: Julian Stockwin

Narrated by: John Telfer

April 1814. Napoleon is deposed and exiled after defeat by a resurgent allied collation. Saddled with huge war debts, the British government has no choice but to place many of its naval ships in reserve.

Captain Sir Thomas Kydd is one of the lucky officers not to be put on half pay. Instead, in the realisation of his life's ambition, he is offered an admiral's flag, but the station is West Africa and with it comes anti-slavery operations set in fever-ridden swamps. Despite the obvious dangers and hardships, Kydd readies for sea with his beloved Thunderer as his flagship.

But before he can set sail comes the electrifying news - the tyrant has escaped from Elba and is marching on Paris, the citizens flocking to join him.

Napoleon's invasion fleet is still in being and if the French navy declares for him they can sail from the ports now free of blockade and make the invasion of England a reality. What's more, the entire Channel Fleet has been stood down, its ships in various stages of repair.

There's one man in active service who happens to be on the spot - Admiral Sir Thomas Kydd. With frantic haste he's appointed temporary commander-in-chief to sail with all the men-o'-war that can be scraped together to stand athwart the French.

Waterloo is coming but before then Kydd must use all his legendary subterfuge and daring to save England from her peril.

Admiral is the twenty seventh and last of the adventures of Captain Sir Thomas Kydd whose story began in the year 1793 and tells for the first time in fiction how a pressed man through his bravery and ingenuity progresses to the quarterdeck of his own ship, and here, in the final book of the series, the command of a fleet with an admiral's pennant.

©2024 Julian Stockwin (P)2024 Hodder & Stoughton Limited

Sad to see it end

An historically correct end to our hero and, therefore not as compelling. Some of the passion and fury of Kydd’s ledgers is missing, and we have heard not a word of one of our favorite characters, Sturck, I wish he’d add Sturck to his crew… And where was Renzi? Just a brief cameo? Really? …but oh, how hard it is to see the legend end.

The End

I am sad to see an end to what has been my favorite series for years. I was hoping for one last naval clash at arms with Kydd at the command of a fleet, but I am not complaining. I look forward to the coming of more books. keep up the good work Julian!

Great sea yarn

Loved this series and look forward to Stockwin’s next project. The action and attention to details of the Royal Navy is outstanding and I am very pleased with the final resolution of Kyss’s story.

Must read, but just a little disappointed

Yes, sad to see the end, and very, very sad about Christian, yet John did well, no complaint there. But as another reviewer said there is no high seas drama - Napoleon's fault for surrendering - still it would have been good to see Tom in action one last time. Instead we got the minutiae of Napoleons life in exile and his return after Elba, I enjoy history but I really don't need to know what Napoleon ate or drank especially while reading a book about the English navy. My "little disappointment" (hope I didn't miss it while fast forwarding past some of that minutiae) was what happened to gunner's mate Stirk ?? Did he pass the test? why didn't Kydd get him on his flag ship or one of his other fleet ships? what about a last word on his particular friend Renzi who was there at the very beginning.... oh well, not a biggie, still very much a must read if you have read all previous 26 books. Thank you Julian and Christian for many, many hours of entertainment and allowing me to sail the seas vicariously. mmmm.... now what about Kydd's son ??? ;-)

I loved the book!

The book is a great way to finish the series. I wish there would be another book, with the Admiral.