Book reviews

Maritime non-fiction / War history

Merchant Navy war history draws on author's first-hand experience

Running the Gauntlet, by Bernard Edwards

Captain Bernard Edwards draws on his 40 years in the Merchant Navy – and his skill as an experienced maritime author – to tell the story of the blockade-running cargo liners of the Second World War.

Maritime fiction / Novel

Steamy saga of sea dogs from the age of sail

Raptor's Revenge, by Jim Malloy

Set in Elizabethan England, this absorbing historical novel tells the fictional story of Irish privateer Jamey Fallon's journey from lad to accomplished 'sea dog' El Raptor.

Maritime fiction / Novel

Fiction debut with humour and insight

Something in the Blood, by Phillip Messinger

Phillip Messinger spent 24 years at sea, first as a navigating officer in the Merchant Navy then as a captain of chemical tankers.

Maritime fiction / Novel

Spooky thriller dredges the demons of the deep

The Devil and the Dark Water, by Stuart Turton

Author Stuart Turton crashed onto the scene in 2018 with his debut novel The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle. That uniquely positioned 'manor house murder mystery' became an international bestseller, so his follow up novel was much anticipated.

Maritime fiction / Novel

Captain vs captain in a Titanic novel

Deep Sleep, by Paula Astridge

Described as the 'novel for the thousands of those who can’t get enough of all things Titanic', Deep Sleep is a gripping read of fact-based fiction.