The King's Privateer

By: Dewey Lambdin

Narrated by: John Lee

Length: 13 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

1783: His Majesty's secret agent

Fresh from war in the Americas, young navy veteran Alan Lewrie finds London pure pleasure. Then, at Plymouth he boards the trading ship Telesto, to find out why merchantmen are disappearing in the East Indies. Between the pungent shores of Calcutta and teaming Canton, Lewrie--reunited with his scoundrel father--discovers a young French captain, backed by an armada of Mindanaon pirates, on a plundering rampage. While treaties tie the navy's hands, a King's privateer is free to plunge into the fire and blood of a dirty little war on the high South China Sea.

Ladies' man, officer, and rogue, Alan Lewrie is the ultimate man of adventure. In the worthy tradition of Hornblower, Aubrey, and Maturin, his exploits echo with the sounds of crowded ports and the crash of naval warfare.

©1996 Dewey Lambdin (P)2010 Random House

Engaging

In the book three of the series I left Alan Lewrie having successfully foiled his father’s plot to disinherit him of his mother’s fortune and has returned to England from his last sailing adventure.

In this book, number four, in the series, the time frame is still the late 1780s. The French have now interfered with the British opium trade in the Far East. Lt. Lewrie is now assigned to a secret, if unofficial mission, sailing with the crew of the Telesto, an armed merchantman bound for India, where the East India Company has fallen victim to French privateers.
Unexpectedly, Lewrie encounters his father, Sir Hugo, in India. He has stopped drinking, and supposedly given up on paternal treachery and has returned to soldiering. In the story Lewrie sails to Canton, Macao, the South China Sea and fights in a series of sea and land battles.

There is lots of exciting action in this story. The author provides the reader with exciting land and sea battles in exotic places. In this book Lambdin provides a lot more information about operating sailing vessels in the 1780s including explanations of terminology. Lambdin provides well researched and accurate descriptions of the period including tactics and weaponry. The plot is well developed as are the characters. One of my favorite narrators John Lee narrates the story.

Love these stories

If you enjoy this genre of British naval fiction, you will love this book. Sometimes bawdy, sometimes grizzly, but always entertaining. I started with the first book, and I am now on the 4th. Besides the story and narration you always learn some history. While listening, I looked up geography of book on line.

Great Series

What did you like best about this story?

I have just finished The Gun Ketch as well as books 1 thur 4 in the Alan Lewrie Series.
Dewey Lambdin is great! The best sailing writer I’ve found to date.
I’ve listen to the complete Alexander Kent Bolitho series as well as the complete Master and Commander, Hornblower, Two years before the mast and many many others.

Another Excellent Novel

As I listen to these novels I find it difficult,many times, to stop the story in the middle of the action. As I look over the many novels in this series it is difficult to comprehend that not all of them are on on Audible. Hopefully in future this will be rectified.

Good story

Where does The King's Privateer rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of my favorite series.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The central character, Allan.

What about John Lee’s performance did you like?

He make the characters seem alive.

Who was the most memorable character of The King's Privateer and why?

Allan, it is his story.

Action packed

Loved the attention to sail handling and ship description, while never a dull moment, well done Dewey.

Another Lambden Hit

The depiction of life in the late 18th century felt like a portal in time. The characters come so completely to life one feels sea air, the crossed purposes and gets to know the characters like family.

Outstanding!

Loved it! If you haven't read any Alan Lewry novels you are missing out! They are terrific!

Off to the Orient and India! Good stuff.

I sometimes drive around a little longer on my way home while listening to the adventures of Alan Lurey. Good stuff.

great sea stories

Dewey Lambdin it's one of the best authors of the era of sailing warships I have read. and that includes Patrick O'Brien, Forrester and others. Alan Lewrie is a very entertaining character with a brave and a naughty personality. the narrator is also one of the very best.