The Baltic Gambit

Alan Lewrie Series, Book 15

By: Dewey Lambdin

Narrated by: John Lee

January 1801, and Captain Alan Lewrie, RN, known as "St. Alan the Liberator" for freeing (stealing!) a dozen black slaves on Jamaica to man his frigate years before, is at last being brought to trial for it, with his life on the line. At the same time, Russia, Sweden, Denmark, and Prussia are forming a League of Armed Neutrality, to Napoleon Bonaparte's delight, to deny Great Britain their vital exports, even if it means war. England will need all her experienced sea dogs, but...even Alan Lewrie?

Ultimately, Lewis is acquitted, but he's also ignored by the Navy, so it's half-pay on "civvy street" for him, and with idle time on his mischievous hands, Lewrie is sure to get himself in trouble - again! - especially if there are young women and his wastrel public school friends involved...and they are! A brawl in a Panton Saint brothel, a drunk, infatuated young Russian count, precede Lewrie's summons to Admiralty and the command of the Thermopylae frigate to replace an ill captain as the fleet gathers to face down the League of the North, and its instigator, the mad Tsar Paul.

All that and the Battle of Copenhagen, too, and it's broadsides at close quarters, and treachery for Lewrie, forcing him to use all his wiles to survive!

©2009 Dewey Lambdin (P)2019 Tantor

Not your typical naval series... love it

Start at the beginning and see why Lambdin has created a truly enjoyable and human character in Lewry. If you enjoyed Forrester, Pope and OBrien then you will Love this series.

Baltic Gammbit

It was a good story once he got to action and historical part of it .

Old sailor’s joy.

The exploits of Alan Lewrie, are a joyful adventure for an old Navy Man. The detailed descriptions of the environment, the roguish adultery and politics of the time along with the naval engagements and personal life of this British Naval Officer really takes back in time. Where men of honor, duty and loyalty to his king and country, could on occasion find their personal affairs intertwined with their assignment both good and bad.

While I prefer the fast naval adventures, and the personal conflicts that interrupt his duties as a Naval Officer, the detailed description of the cannon actions, the lookouts reports, and the very description of the way the ocean comes alive and effects the ship, it’s crew and passengers reminds me of my own days as a Navy Petty Officer at sea on a Fast Frigate. Though the ships of today are made of metal and the guns are automatic the sails replaced by turbine engines, the oceans still effect the crew of the warships of today as they did those centuries ago when a man or boy could be pressed into service for King and Country.

First half BAH

Very enjoyable 2nd half. The author should stick to Naval issues and minimize his ridiculous forays into the sexual escapades of his characters. The descriptions of the Baltic Sea and the winter conditions are terrific.

another great Alan Lewrie adventure

the Alan Lewrie character ranks up there with Bernard Cornwell's Sergeant Sharpe and Simon Scarrow's Macro and Cato as some of the best historical fiction characters ever created. But I implore you, please release the rest of the Alan lewrie books. We have had to wait way too long for book 16 and there's so many more adventures to enjoy. Why in the world did you release book 25 before book 16?

The best series just keeps getting better!

Alan Lewrie’s is at it again as Dewey Lambdin has found a way to capture all that is so “Lewrie” in yet another story that keeps you waiting for the next opportunity to dive back in.

quite a lot of filler in this one

In this, one learns the outcome of the trial. Much, much exposition about the Baltic situation. A tryst that is not interesting, but not entirely throw-away. Return of an old shipmate. Too much of Lewrie's old school chums and the two acquaintances from the peripatetic circus. Disposition of the mystery letter-writer plot line. One probably has to read this one to get to the next, but I found much of this one to be filler. Is "Unfortunately-named George George" his whole name, or is Lambdin in need of a better editor? Overall, somewhat disappointed by this installment.