Betrayal (Book 13)

Book 13 in the Kydd series Betrayal will be available in October 2012 in the states. If you're a member of the Kydd Club you'll be able to get your copy in mid-summer 2012.



Some time ago in an interview, when asked about the length of the Kydd series, Julian mentioned that he had "the first 24 books" sketched out in his mind. Therefore, if you like Julian's protagonist so far.....the adventures will continue.

http://www.historicnavalfiction.com/book-title-index/b/2608-betrayal

When I said "if you're a member of the Kydd Club, you'll be able to get your copy in mid-summer 2012.......it appears that was wishful thinking.

However, it appears 'everything comes to them who wait'..........just got this email:

Just thought you'd like to know the Collectors Sets of BETRAYAL go out today and tomorrow (a little ahead of official publication day, as promised) - so you can expect yours soon!

I was delighted with this review in Publishers Weekly - 'Stockwin, who based this tale on a factual debacle easily overlooked by history, is a master of Napoleonic-era atmosphere and rich descriptions of the military, politics, and society. With the last two books, Stockwin's series is approaching the level of C.S. Forester's Hornblower books.'

Do hope you enjoy my latest Kydd tale - and thank you for your support for my books. I always enjoy hearing from readers, so please do get in touch if you'd like to pass on your thoughts about BETRAYAL, or any other of my books.

Best wishes
Julian Stockwin

As you get alittle older 'time available' takes on a new meaning......at least that's the 'rationalization' I used last night when I found that Julian Stockwin's latest novel Betrayal was just a 'mouse click' away from my computer screen. So call it 'an early Christmas present.

Initial comments are............'you won't have to wait very long for the action to begin' (as was the case in at least one of this series). However, I must admit that since it's been one year since I read Stockwin's previous offering, it takes me a bit of 'getting warmed up' to pick up where we left off.

One other thing.......after reading several HNF novels in the interim where the Captain is of the Hornblower/Bolitho/Aubrey/etc. type (came aboard as a Younker and rose as a 'gentleman officer')......I had to remind myself that Kydd is an 'officer' (like Pearce) who comes from a very different background and arrived on the Quarterdeck after being 'shot through the hawser hole' (so to speak).....and so much about him and his style is somewhat different.

I don't compare authors, nor their characters. To me, each stands on their own style and content. With twelve of Julian Stockwin's novels 'under my belt' I will say that I've enjoyed most of them.....and I hope to add Betrayal to that side of the ledger. I'll be back.

That 'action' I mentioned briefly in my previous posting........is far back in 'the wake' as I approach the half-way point. A bit too much 'yarning' and 'politiking' since then and my interest is beginning to drift.

I know there's a battle coming (see my entry for 24 June in This day in History in the Wardroom).......but Please lets get to it.

Julian's latest novel Betrayal is now 'in my wake' so to speak. My thoughts on this his 13th in the Kydd series are as follows:

With each 'futher adventure' coming out on an annual basis, it's not easy for me to maintain the 'continuity' of the series both in content and the protagonist's style. While the primary characters continue to advance and mature in their roles, these novels have, in my mind, become more 'stand alone' stories, than most 'continuing' classic HNF series that I've read.

I think Julian Stockwin did a good job of 'enriching' Kydd's experience as a naval captain by his exposure to increased levels of responsibility, though it be in an ill fated cause. His portrayal of both senior British military leaders in this are true to the facts as we know them. This surely adds to Kydd's understanding of the 'proper traits of leadership' (or not).

I found this story to be one 'of struggle' and many might find a struggle of the type protrayed in this novel not to be enjoyable. I, on the other hand, believe that no one goes without the taste of defeat at sometime in their life.

Most of 'the action' in this novel comes from the 'insertion' of Kydd and his supporting crew into a historical event that was both ill conceived and under-supported from day one. While the 'real history' storyline is, by my studies of available documentation, reasonably factual, it leaves little room for 'glorious action' that is the 'stock and trade' of most HNF of this period. Simply put............'there is no glory in defeat'.....you learn and move on.

Betrayal is back there in 'my wake' and I'm ready to move on.

It's in my Kindle library......in the cloud (and my 'collector's edition' hasn't arrived yet).