THE KING'S COAT

by Dewey Lambdin ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 30, 1989

Midshipman Alan Lewrie makes his bow as the exceptionally amiable hero of a Royal Naval series--which starts off with much lively action in the late days of the American colonial rebellion. Seventeen-year-old Alan is on his way to a brilliant career as a rakehell until he is caught in flagrante delicto with his dishy and even more dissolute half-sister. While it seems fishy that they were caught at just the right minute by just the right people (including their father and the vicar), Alan really hasn't a leg to stand on. So, following orders, he signs away whatever rights he might have as a bastard to his wicked father and sails off on Atlantic convoy duty on H.M. Ariadne. The transition from the fleshpots of Georgian London to the windblown yards of a man-of-war is a distinct shock to the system, but our Alan survives and eventually thrives, discovering in the heat of battle that his skill with the ladies is equalled by his skill with naval guns. Duty on Ariadne is followed by pleasure in the West Indies and assignment to H.M. Parrot, where he sharpens his ship-handling skills and begins to realize that he's not only good at what he does but that he likes it, too. There's another heroic battle, a bout with yellow fever, and the beginning of a romance, and everything seems to be shipshape--until Alan is assigned to serve under a puritanical captain who finds out just how Midshipman Lewrie came to serve. Storm clouds brew. . . Fast-moving at sea, nicely lewd ashore, a hugely likable hero, a huge cast of sharply drawn supporting characters: there's nothing missing. Wonderful stuff.

Pub Date: June 30, 1989

ISBN: 0449003604

Page Count: -

Publisher: Donald Fine

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 1989

Categories: FICTION