Product Description

1803. Tensions are escalating again between England and France.

While the Royal Navy launches reconnaissance, rescue missions and spies on the continent, French privateer ships are lurking in English waters poised to strike at British trade. Smugglers, perilous storms and a treacherous coastline all threaten to overcome HMS Teazer as her men fight to gain control of the seas around Cornwall and Devon.

Meanwhile an unlikely rival is seeking her captain’s heart. The beautiful and determined admiral’s daughter could be the key to realising all Kydd’s hopes and ambitions. But high society, he finds, can be as treacherous as his first mistress – the sea.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #25250 in Books
• Published on: 2008-05-29
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 384 pages

Peterborough Evening Telegraph
'Another thundering good read for those who love seagoing stories in the Hornblower mould'

Review
Praise for Julian Stockwin (- )

'Another thundering good read for those who love seagoing stories in the Hornblower mould'

 

(Peterborough Evening Telegraph )

'I was soon turning the pages almost indecently fast . . . Roll on, the promised adventures of Kydd and Renzi.' (Independent on KYDD )

'Stockwin paints a vivid picture of life aboard the mighty ship-of-the-line... the harsh naval discipline, the rancid food, and the skill of the common sailor are all skilfully evoked.' (Daily Express on KYDD )

'In Stockwin's hands the sea story will continue to entrance readers across the world.' (Guardian on KYDD )

'The appeal of the story is in the telling, which is atmospheric, authentic ... The author had a long career in the Royal Navy, which adds to his prose that extra dash of salty realism.' (Publishing News on MUTINY )

'Kydd: the Admiral's Daughter by Julian Stockwin (Hodder & Stoughton, 360 pp, £18.99, ISBN 9780 3408 9859 8); eighth in the saga, located this time in the western approaches and coasts of Devon and Cornwall, with smuggling and privateering well to the fore.' (Naval Review )

'Superbly balanced narrative' (Nautical Magazine )

Historical Novel Society
'Fans of fast-paced adventure will get their fill with this book. I enjoyed learning about naval lore, some of which this landlubber didn't "get" when reading sea stories by other authors.'

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Customer Reviews

Very Weak Stuff
If you would have asked me to name my favorite series before I read "The Admiral's Daughter", I would not have hesitated to say "Kydd". With this books total lack of sea action, or any action at all, a script taken from a road map of the southwestern corner of England, and a further degradation of Renzi (especially) and Kydd, I am not looking forward to the next book in this series. The author has really gotten away from the action, and Kydd's innate ability to emerge victorious from challenging situations, both personal and professional, which made these books so readable. The very poorly contrived plot and reasoning, combined with the unnecessarily brutal, pointless, and insultingly contrived ending, left me using the book as a frisbee off of the balcony.

My fear is that this very fine author has evolved into an expert on the minutia of the sea lore of the period and does not really realize how terribly boaring it is for many readers to read a sea adventure novel with absolutely no real sea action.

Knowing this author is capable of far better than this, I will, or course, buy his next issue, but am thankful I will have a full year or more to get over the incredible disappointment of "The Admiral's Daughter".

Stockwins best yet
The Admiral's Daughter by Julian Stockwin is another cracking good yarn from this masterful author of the sea, filled with twists, turns, and surprises. Stockwin manages to balance Kydd's time at sea and ashore nicely, given the home waters setting. And his description of life for Kydd in early nineteenth century England is fascinating, as is his attempt to blend into polite society.
The more I read about Thomas Kydd, the more I relate to him. These novels bring back all the feelings and doubts that I experienced as a young sailor trying to follow my own path in life: how to behave in company, and how to alter my speech to suit the society that you are with at that moment. As to Kydd's experiences with the opposite sex, he behaves like a true sailor: all thumbs and insecurities, out of his element, and way over his head. Stockwin really hits nerves here.
As expected, I thrived in reading the sea-going passages, which Stockwin brings alive, drawing the reader into the scene in a manner that allows you to feel as though you are there. I often had to stop reading and look about to realize that I was not at sea.
Coastal Britain, as described in The Admiral's Daughter, is a fascinating subject, with its complex coves, tides, currents, and variety of geography, from cliff faces to salt marshes. All are dangerous and have claimed many a vessel over the centuries. Stockwin's descriptions bear out the fact that such intimate detail can only be achieved by personal experience, from a true seaman's eye and perspective. They are the signature of his work.
Well done, sir!

Homewaters, The Admirals Daughter
Another excellent outing with Commander T Kydd.
Julian has done it again, this time revealing the intricate nature of human emotions whilst balancing the friendship of Renzi and Cecilia's presence.
The Admirals Daughter does go to sea, but not to the boudaries of earlier tomes, however we are confronted about the man and his emotions and, his principles.
The story is very human and as per previous books, can be decribeed as Chapter 8 in Kydd's life.Like so many thousands of Julian's fans, Chapter 9 cannot arrive soon enough.
Julian, as always has researched fully to bring this book to the fore, it is another interesting read, and, during the cold Winter nights, which, are certainly to arrive, The Admirals Daughter should be bought out and read again, this I am sure will add flavour, not only to the story but also the locations mentioned herein.