Droits of the Crown

By: David Donachie

Narrated by: John Telfer

John Pearce faces a court martial, but will a cowardly chief witness stand up to questioning? With the matter unresolved, HMS Hazard is put under the command of Horatio Nelson. In London, the government denies prize money for the cargo of silver Pearce took off the Santa Leocadia, claiming it as property of the Crown. Pearce’s prize agent seeks to fight this, only to be outmanoeuvred by devious Henry Dundas.

From Elba, Pearce is sent on a mission to collect fleeing members of the Corsican government. Seeking a solution which will not risk his ship, he seeks the aid of a local clan chief, inadvertently putting himself, his crew, and his rescued charges in jeopardy. Pearce finds himself trapped in a deep Corsican bay where he will be forced to make a decision: to follow his instincts or to obey his orders.

©2023 David Donachie (P)2023 Soundings

Great development, action and narration

Perhaps the best yet in the series. Great use of landscape, sea states, and the qualities of the ships, with characters developing and maturing. Keep up the good work!!