The Cursed Fortress

Carlisle and Holbrooke Naval Adventures, Book 5

By: Chris Durbin

Narrated by: David Lane Pusey

The French called it La Forteresse Maudite, the Cursed Fortress. Louisbourg stood at the mouth of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, massive and impregnable, a permanent provocation to the British colonies. It was Canada’s first line of defence, guarding the approaches to Quebec, from where all New France lay open to invasion. It had to fall before a British fleet could be sent up the St. Lawrence. Otherwise, there would be no resupply and no line of retreat; Canada would become the graveyard of George II’s navy. A failed attempt on Louisbourg in 1757 had only stiffened the government’s resolve; the Cursed Fortress must fall in 1758. Captain Carlisle’s frigate joins the blockade of Louisbourg before winter’s icy grip has eased. Battling fog, hail, rain, frost and snow, suffering scurvy and fevers, and with a constant worry about the wife he left behind in Virginia, Carlisle will face his greatest test of leadership and character yet.

The Cursed Fortress is the fifth of the Carlisle & Holbrooke naval adventures. The series follows the two men through the Seven Years War and into the period of turbulent relations between Britain and her American colonies in the 1760s.

©2019 Chris Durbin Author Ltd. (P)2023 Chris Durbin Author Ltd.

Fantastic nautical fiction series

Set during The French & Indian War and the Era immediately preceding the American Revolution.

Chris Durbin never disappoints!

Once again, the fifth book in the series is so expertly researched, both historically, and technically, that you feel like you were right there on the ships with these men in victory and defeat, agony of the Time and hopes and dreams that they certainly had for the perilousness of their profession! My highest recommendation, and accolades for Mr. Chris Durban

Great storyline

Good flow. Some slower spots but a blockade would be hard to make completely thrilling. Well done sir

Looking forward to the next installment!

Been loving the series ever since I first discovered it!
If I could levy any criticism, it is this: I don't *love* David Pusey's performance. Every now and then, he makes a mistake on pronunciation or cadence that takes me out of the narrative - still better than I could do though!

Good character, work, good story telling

If the standard for these series is Hornblower,  these are holding up just fine. Good