Midshipman Bolitho and the Avenger
Encyclopedia
Midshipman Bolitho and the Avenger is a historical fiction novel written by Douglas Reeman under the pseudonym Alexander Kent
. Set in the late 18th century Royal Navy
, the book is part of the Bolitho series and follows the main character Richard Bolitho
.
s. Soon after, Hugh Bolitho arrives, charged with finding and capturing whoever committed the crime, and Bolitho and Dancer are ordered temporarily under his command. With the midshipman aboard, they hunt the wreckers. They capture a vessel smuggling guns, and learn that they are connected to the shipwreckers. Trying to set a trap, they send the guns in a small convey under the command of Dancer. The convey runs into an ambush in which Dancer is captured. The smugglers release Dancer who recognizes the voice of their leader, as a local member of the landed gentry. He attempts to flee to France in a private yacht, however a lucky suggestion by Bolitho allows Hugh to catch the yacht in flight, which the Avenger captures with little resistance.
titled Midshipman Bolitho, which included Richard Bolitho, Midshipman
, and that ominbus was republished in The Complete Midshipman Bolitho in 2006 with the addition of the 2006 tale Band of Brothers
.
Douglas Reeman
Douglas Edward Reeman, born at Thames Ditton, is a British author who has written many historical fiction books on the Royal Navy, mainly set during either World War II or the Napoleonic Wars....
. Set in the late 18th century Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
, the book is part of the Bolitho series and follows the main character Richard Bolitho
Richard Bolitho
The Bolitho novels are a series of nautical war novels written by Douglas Reeman . They focus on the military careers of Richard Bolitho and Adam Bolitho in the Royal Navy, from the time of the American Revolution past the Napoleonic Era.-Richard Bolitho:Richard Bolitho is a fictional Royal Navy...
.
Plot
Bolitho and Dancer are given leave from the Gorgon after its return to Plymouth for a refit. They decide to spend this holiday at the Bolitho estate. However, soon after they arrive a taxman is killed. Because they are the only agents of the King locally, they must investigate the body and suspect that he was killed by either smugglers or wreckerWrecking (shipwreck)
Wrecking is the practice of taking valuables from a shipwreck which has foundered near or close to shore. Often an unregulated activity of opportunity in coastal communities, wrecking has been subjected to increasing regulation and evolved into what is now known as marine salvage...
s. Soon after, Hugh Bolitho arrives, charged with finding and capturing whoever committed the crime, and Bolitho and Dancer are ordered temporarily under his command. With the midshipman aboard, they hunt the wreckers. They capture a vessel smuggling guns, and learn that they are connected to the shipwreckers. Trying to set a trap, they send the guns in a small convey under the command of Dancer. The convey runs into an ambush in which Dancer is captured. The smugglers release Dancer who recognizes the voice of their leader, as a local member of the landed gentry. He attempts to flee to France in a private yacht, however a lucky suggestion by Bolitho allows Hugh to catch the yacht in flight, which the Avenger captures with little resistance.
Characters
- Richard Bolitho - a 17 year old midshipman aboard and the son of a long line of Naval Officers.
- Martyn Dancer - Friend of Bolitho and also a midshipman aboard the Gorgon
- Hugh Bolitho - Lieutenant and commander of HMS Avenger and short tempered brother of Richard Bolitho
Ships
- His Majesty's Ship Avenger - a 70-foot cutter armed with ten 6-pounders and having a crew of 60
Publication history
The book was originally published in 1978 as an independent novel. However it later appeared published with other novels omnibusesThree-volume novel
The three-volume novel was a standard form of publishing for British fiction during the nineteenth century. It was a significant stage in the development of the modern Western novel as a form of popular literature.The format does not correspond closely to what would now be considered a trilogy of...
titled Midshipman Bolitho, which included Richard Bolitho, Midshipman
Richard Bolitho, Midshipman
Richard Bolitho, Midshipman is a novel in The Bolitho Novels, a series of nautical fiction novels set during the late 18th century in the Royal Navy by Douglas Reeman writing under the pseudonym Alexander Kent. The book was published in 1975...
, and that ominbus was republished in The Complete Midshipman Bolitho in 2006 with the addition of the 2006 tale Band of Brothers
Band of Brothers (novel)
Band Of Brothers is the title of at least three works:Band Of Brothers by Ernest K. Gann is a 1973 aviation adventure novel, loosely based on an actual airline crash Band Of Brothers (book) is the title of at least three works:Band Of Brothers by Ernest K. Gann is a 1973 aviation adventure novel,...
.