Thunderer

Thomas Kydd 24

By: Julian Stockwin

Narrated by: Christian Rodska

1812. Arriving back in England after his successes in the Adriatic, Captain Sir Thomas Kydd is bestowed with honours. In London he's greeted by the Prince Regent who, despite Kydd's protestations that he's happy with his present command, insists he be given a bigger ship - HMS Thunderer, a 74-gun ship of the line. But she's old, and being part of a standing fleet Kydd's chances of further fame and distinction are slim indeed.

Winning over his new command is fraught with challenges. A hostile crew, abysmal levels of gunnery and sail-handling capabilities are intolerable to a fighting captain like Kydd. With the ship short of men and no incentives to attract more, can he ever bring Thunderer to a proper state of fighting preparedness?

Kydd is sent to reinforce the Baltic squadron as Bonaparte's vast army invades Russia. News reaches him of French victory at the Battle of Borodino. The road to Moscow is now open. To avert total French victory, Kydd must lead a vital convoy through battle and tempest to the aid of Britain's last ally.

Praise for Julian Stockwin's Kydd series

'Paints a vivid picture of life aboard the mighty ship-of-the-line' Daily Express

'This heady adventure blends fact and fiction in rich, authoritative detail' Nautical Magazine

'Fans of fast-paced adventure will get their fill with this book' Historical Naval Society

(P) 2021 Hodder & Stoughton Ltd©2021 Julian Stockwin

Critic reviews

As he has in twenty-three previous Kydd titles, Stockwin creates a knotty narrative, writing with authority about Britain's Georgian navy and the physical world at sea with intrigue, captivating characters, and deft storytelling. Thunderer is a suspenseful journey

A change of pace and a breath of fresh air

Taking Kydd away from everyone he met along his journey, putting him into a new ship that's hostile towards him makes for a breath of fresh air and puts Kydd where his character is strongest.

A wonderful series.

What can I say about the Kydd series? It was a most engrossing entertaining and informative series. What great writing! Many thanks to Mr. Stockwin and Mr. Rodska for the many entertaining hours. I fully endorse the wonderfulness of these books.

A beautiful, gripping tale

Highly recommended for fans and newcomers to Julian Stockwin's heroic captain, Sir Thomas Kidd.

Review

I always enjoy the risk ward, hazards and heroism of neck or nothing winning through by Mai wit bravado.

it was a great book!

a new book from my favorite series read by my favorite narrator! love the Kydd series, super well written with lots of character development and lots of attention paid to the characteristics of the ships and this is a fine addition and that's no error. love that he brought to life a real ship, His majesty's ship of the line Thunderer of the Colluden class of liner built in 1783 with a distinguished career. keep writing Julian!