HMS Nightingale

Alexis Carew, Book 4

By: J.A. Sutherland

Narrated by: Elizabeth Klett

For Lieutenant Alexis Carew, it should be the perfect assignment - a command of her own and a chance to return to her home star system.

What she finds is a surly crew, the dregs of every frigate and ship of the line to pass through on the way to the war's front, a first officer who thinks the command should have been his, and colonial worlds where they believe a girl's place is somewhere very different than command of a Queen's starship. Add to that the mysterious disappearances of ships vital to the war effort and an old enemy who seems intent on convincing her he's changed.

Then there's the mongoose with an unnatural affinity for her boots.

©2016 J.A. Sutherland (P)2017 J.A. Sutherland

Way better than most.

Any additional comments?

Not sure what the attraction is towards women in military sci-fi, but Alexis Carew takes her place alongside Chris Longknife and Honor Harrington. The two best things about the Carew books is that the author is actively engaged in writing and the narrator. It's been 5 or 6 years since the last Harrington book (not Worlds of . . . ) and it looks like that author is pulling a Martin, so Sutherland is picking up the slack. As for the narrator, she's really good and I found myself actually looking forward to replaying long sections of the book just to enjoy her voice. You know like some opera singers, that you can't tell what they are singing about, but the voice is so beautiful you don't mind. Anyway. the action is lively, the situations, not so well-worn, and I'd say definitely a cut above the the usual (think "Slaver Wars" and "Crimson Worlds"). So I am looking forward to the next book, which the author states is being worked on as we speak . . .

We Want MORE!!

Again, a very good addition to the series. The very last message Alexis gets in the end, though, is from someone I don't remember so I'll have to go back and listen to the previous 3 books - not that I mind! I hope that by the time I finish those books, book 5 will be out to let us know what happens to Alexis next!

Ready to hear what happens next!

I love this series and am eager to see what trouble she will run into next. A 10+ on imagination.
Love the reader(E. Klett) She did a wonderful job helping me "see" the action.

Outstanding

I couldn't put it down. Some of the best military sci-fi It has been my pleasure to have listened to. Thanks. Can't wait for the next one.

A must listen to book.

The story is well written and Elizabeth Klett's voice fits this story perfectly. We wait somewhat patiently for the next adventure Lt. Carew and the crew of HMS Nightingale will find themselves in.

love the series

great character development combined with well paced plots with plenty of action and a very human face. love the English aspect of traditional her majedties naval service. yes... hornblower indeed

Great read. Very well done.

J.A. Sutherland has stepped up her game with this one.
As always, Elizabeth Klett had done these incredible characters more than justice.

Alexis' inner turmoil following previous events is very well written and relatable. As a disabled veteran, I found this turmoil hitting more than a little close to home.

At times I smiled, laughed, and even cried. So engrossed was I with the story, I found the need to pause between some chapters to let my pulse lower and process what just transpired. I have not enjoyed a book this much in some time.

I cannot wait until the next book to be able to experience more of the life of Alexis Carew. For now, I'm going to restart this one and leap back into the adventure.

Alexis adventure continues

Well Alexis's adventures continues. We find her now in command of her own ship. But as expected it's never easy for her. Having to deal with a crew of outcasts and misfits. She has to deal with problems on two colonys, where both hate the changes that they both think is the others.

How long till the next one?

Would you listen to HMS Nightingale again? Why?

Yes, because I binged it too fast.

What did you like best about this story?

How Alexis takes a horrible crew and starts reforging them. With fits and starts it's a messy process. I like that Alexis is not perfect and her PTSD is showing through. She is still way too hard on herself and I'd like to see her grow a bit more in that area. I really like how she questions her own feelings and censors herself. I like how she makes hard decisions.

Have you listened to any of Elizabeth Klett’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Ms. Klett is one of the few female readers who pulls off male characters well. I love her British accents and can imagine anyone taking over the series.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

A Ship of Her Own. Alexis is on her own and it's so wonderful how she asserts authority.

Any additional comments?

I want more.

Great

Absolutely great book if you like nautical fiction. I am already looking forward to to book # 5