LET LOOSE THE FALCON

In Schildiner’s historical novel, Henry Falconer, a seasoned naval officer-turned-spy, moves through a world of smugglers, would-be assassins, and shadowy aristocrats with audacity and wit.

Falconer begins the novel burdened with a reputation as both a hero and a troublemaker. His past successes, most notably the defeat of the notorious Black Tom Maxwell in a duel, have earned him both respect and enemies inside the admiralty and in Parliament. He becomes further entwined in politics as he uncovers hints of a vast smuggling trade; he brings this information to George Dodington, an influential member of Parliament, and learns that ministers have long dismissed similar intelligence. Dodington, however, respects Falconer’s instincts and recruits him for an undercover assignment. He gives him command of a 14-gun sloop under a letter of marque, granting him semi-legal authority to hunt enemies of the Crown. Falconer is aided by a memorable cast, including his sharp-witted clerk, Colley, and famed courtesan Fanny Murray, who warns him that a mysterious man in blue has been watching him. The novel follows Falconer’s relationship with his colleague-turned-nemesis Oliver Keeble in a parallel plot thread; duelists continue to challenge Falconer in what he comes to suspect is a clandestine murder campaign, orchestrated by Keeble. Schildiner’s intricately plotted tale quickly immerses readers in its world of 18th-century politics, espionage, and naval adventure. The prose revels in period detail and vocabulary to an almost distracting degree, with digressive passages that introduce numerous characters and subplots; at its best, it evokes the highly elaborate social and political webs of the era. The first-person perspective occasionally unsettles, shifting tense and focus mid-thought, and the narrative momentum is often slowed by stretches of reflection and commentary: “Does this mean I am doomed to a lonely existence like many a lonely elderly former officer?” These can make the story feel like a series of sidesteps, as the protagonist’s woes are never explored in depth. Still, this novel will be a rewarding read for those who appreciate verbal dexterity, period nuance, and a protagonist whose courage anchors a sprawling narrative.

A spirited, sometimes-disorienting odyssey of spies, sailors, and social maneuvering.