In the grand tradition of authors of naval fiction like Brian Callison and Dudley Pope, Fullerton continues with his blood and guts action series featuring Royal Navy Lt. Nick Everard. This is the second volume in the Everard series (the first was The Blooding of the Guns; at least seven more, already published in England, are yet to come), and Fullerton again proves his talent for combining historical fact with rousing fiction. It is 1917–1918, and WWI rages in Europe. Everard, 22, is second-in-command of a British destroyer patrolling the English Channel. After a particularly horrifying night battle with German destroyers, Nick's ship is nearly sunk by his own captain's ambition and stubbornness. The vessel and crew are saved from disaster only by Nick's coolness under fire and his superb seamanship. This act of heroism counterbalances the court-martial he was facing for an earlier dockside brawl in a seamen's pub over a saucy tart. His skipper, Captain Wyatt, uses both events to cover up his own shortcomings and get rid of Nick, who is a rival for the crew's loyalty. Nick, ever the lucky second son of a wealthy aristocrat, is offered command of a ship set to participate in the legendary naval raid on the Belgian seaport of Zeebrugge, on the eve of St. George's Day. Nick is right in the middle of the gunfire and so is his old boss, Captain Wyatt. Fullerton's presentation of naval action, customs, traditions and life at sea shines with authenticity, and his portrayal of men under fire is breathtaking. (June)
Forecast:Fullerton, popular in the U.K., is a force still mostly untapped in the U.S. Handselling to Bernard Cornwell fans could jump-start sales stateside.
