Thomas Kydd

16 primary works • 24 total works

Kydd

by Julian Stockwin

Published 1 January 2001

KYDD announces a major new voice in naval adventure writing. Thomas Paine Kydd, a young wig-maker from Guildford, is seized by the press gang, to be a part of the crew of the 98-gun line-of-battle ship Royal William. The ship sails immediately and Kydd has to learn the harsh...Read more

KYDD announces a major new voice in naval adventure writing. Thomas Paine Kydd, a young wig-maker from Guildford, is seized by the press gang, to be a part of the crew of the 98-gun line-of-battle ship Royal William. The ship sails immediately and Kydd has to learn the harsh realities of shipboard life fast. Despite all that he goes through in danger of tempest and battle he comes to admire the skills and courage of the seamen - taking up the challenge himself to become a true sailor. KYDD launches a masterly new writing talent and a thrilling new series. Based on dramatic real events, it is classic storytelling at its very best, rich with action with exceptional characters and a page-turning narrative.

Artemis

by Julian Stockwin

Published 31 December 1999

The second naval adventure following the life of Thomas Paine Kydd. Kydd sails into Portsmouth a hero, after a ferocious battle against the French. He must return, however, to Guilford on a family matter. But the sea beckons, and Kydd manages to set off on his beloved Artemis for...Read more

The second naval adventure following the life of Thomas Paine Kydd. Kydd sails into Portsmouth a hero, after a ferocious battle against the French. He must return, however, to Guilford on a family matter. But the sea beckons, and Kydd manages to set off on his beloved Artemis for another adventure.

Seaflower

by Julian Stockwin

Published 5 May 2003

It is two years since Thomas Paine Kydd was spirited away in the night to serve his country aboard the old line-of-battle ship Duke William. Now, together with his high-born friend Nicholas Renzi and other members of the ill-fated Artemis, Tom is a shipwrecked sailor back in the land...Read more

It is two years since Thomas Paine Kydd was spirited away in the night to serve his country aboard the old line-of-battle ship Duke William. Now, together with his high-born friend Nicholas Renzi and other members of the ill-fated Artemis, Tom is a shipwrecked sailor back in the land of his birth. They find themselves waiting to be summoned as court martial witnesses, and in a political act to shield an officer's reputation, they are shipped out in haste to the Caribbean - where sugar is king and yellow jack a fearsome peril. A spell ashore at the dockyard in Antigua shows Kydd another side of the Royal Navy, the complexities of maintaining Britain's fighting ships around the world. There he also has to deal with a number of personal challenges and in so doing earns the ire of the feared master shipwright. Summarily dismissed from the dockyard, Kydd faces an unknown future. Renzi contrives to reunite the old crew of Artemis in Seaflower, a graceful and trim little topsail cutter, that Kydd fell in love with the first time he saw her.
At first the plucky craft brings them luck and fortune but she is eventually overwhelmed by the raw forces of the sea - and Kydd finds his seamanship, tenacity and courage put to the ultimate test.

Mutiny

by Julian Stockwin

Published 31 December 1999

It is 1797 and Kydd is now master's mate on Achilles, diverted to Gibraltar to be part of the defences of the fabled Rock. There, he is reunited with his enigmatic friend Nicholas Renzi, and volunteers to join a dangerous voyage to rescue a diplomat fleeing over the Alps....Read more

It is 1797 and Kydd is now master's mate on Achilles, diverted to Gibraltar to be part of the defences of the fabled Rock. There, he is reunited with his enigmatic friend Nicholas Renzi, and volunteers to join a dangerous voyage to rescue a diplomat fleeing over the Alps. In Venice, against the backdrop of Bonaparte's imminent conquest, their chances look slim. Kydd finally sets sail for England and finds himself at the centre of the Mutiny at the Nore. Ten thousand men, one thousand guns and scores of ships hold the country to ransom. But the Dutch Fleet at Texel threatens the very survival of England; should they prevail, the country will be lost to the French. In the bloody Battle of Camperdown that ensues, the sailors experience the horror of a fleet in action.

Quarterdeck

by Julian Stockwin

Published 11 November 2004

'In Stockwin's hands the sea story will continue to entrance readers across the world' - Guardian

Thomas Kydd was promoted to acting lieutenant at the bloody Battle of Camperdown in October 1797. Now, he must sit an examination to confirm his rank - or face an inglorious return before the...

Read more

'In Stockwin's hands the sea story will continue to entrance readers across the world' - Guardian

Thomas Kydd was promoted to acting lieutenant at the bloody Battle of Camperdown in October 1797. Now, he must sit an examination to confirm his rank - or face an inglorious return before the mast.

But this is only the first of many obstacles for a man who was pressed into the King's Service and discovered a calling for the sea. Kydd is from humble origins, yet he attains the lofty heights of the quarterdeck as an officer in His Majesty's Navy. If he is to avoid spending the rest of his career as a tarpaulin officer, he must also become a gentleman.

Kydd and his enigmatic friend Nicholas Renzi set sail in HMS Tenacious for the North American station. Aboard the old 64-gun ship, Kydd comes to doubt he will ever match up to the high-born gentlemen officers.

********************

What readers are saying about QUARTERDECK

'Superb writing, superb characterisation' - 5 stars

'Excellent reading' - 5 stars

'Without question the best series I have read in years' - 5 stars

'This book is of the highest standard' - 5 stars

'A splendid story' - 5 stars

Tenacious

by Julian Stockwin

Published 10 October 2005

This book finds Thomas Kydd aboard Tenacious, part of a small squadron commanded by Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson. Its mission is to scour the Mediterranean and locate Napoleon and his army. Kydd's newly fired ambition leads him to volunteer for shore service in the capture of Minorca. Later, he...Read more

This book finds Thomas Kydd aboard Tenacious, part of a small squadron commanded by Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson. Its mission is to scour the Mediterranean and locate Napoleon and his army. Kydd's newly fired ambition leads him to volunteer for shore service in the capture of Minorca. Later, he faces the great ships-of-the-line at the Battle of the Nile as the British take on the French in a no-holds-barred struggle for supremacy in southern waters. But there is one more test to come: the Siege of Acre, where Kydd and a handful of British seamen under the command of Sir Sidney Smith face an army of thirteen thousand!

Command

by Julian Stockwin

Published 5 October 2006

Thrilled at his first command, a little brig sloop called Teazer, Thomas Kydd must race to bring his ship to battle readiness - he is desperately needed to defend Malta against Barbary corsairs, ferocious privateers and the French who are frantically trying to rescue the remnants of their army...Read more

Thrilled at his first command, a little brig sloop called Teazer, Thomas Kydd must race to bring his ship to battle readiness - he is desperately needed to defend Malta against Barbary corsairs, ferocious privateers and the French who are frantically trying to rescue the remnants of their army in the Levant.But his jubilation does not last long - peace is suddenly declared and Kydd is left ashore on half pay.A rare chance gives him the opportunity to once again go to sea. He sets sail as captain of a convict transport for the penal colony in New South Wales - and challenges that will test both his seamanship and humanity to the limit.

Admiral's Daughter

by Julian Stockwin

Published 1 October 2007

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...Read more

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 career ambitions and dreams of love. But high society, he finds, can be as treacherous as his first mistress -- the sea.

Treachery

by Julian Stockwin

Published 2 October 2008

Commander Kydd has dragged himself up in the navy from press-ganged seaman to master of his own ship. Now he faces disgrace. After offending an Admiral, and suffering terrible personal tragedy, Kydd is sent to guard the Channel Islands. When he is brutally betrayed off the Normandy Coast and...Read more

Commander Kydd has dragged himself up in the navy from press-ganged seaman to master of his own ship. Now he faces disgrace. After offending an Admiral, and suffering terrible personal tragedy, Kydd is sent to guard the Channel Islands. When he is brutally betrayed off the Normandy Coast and loses command of his ship, only his old friend Renzi is willing to stick by him. Then Kydd is given an opportunity to salvage his fortunes and return to the sea as captain of a privateer. But privateers are hated by the French and the Royal Navy alike. To keep fighting his country's battle and win back the glory taken from him, he must prowl the Atlantic. A lone wolf of the seas, he and his men are prepared to risk everything to capture the wealthy French traders and heavily-armed fighting ships returning to Bonaparte.

Invasion

by Julian Stockwin

Published 1 January 2009

Napoleon's forces are poised to invade Britain, and Commander Thomas Kydd's ship is at the forefront of the fleet defending the English coast. His honour restored after temporary disgrace in the Channel Islands, and reunited with his ship Teazer, Kydd seizes the chance to fight for his country. Then...Read more

Napoleon's forces are poised to invade Britain, and Commander Thomas Kydd's ship is at the forefront of the fleet defending the English coast. His honour restored after temporary disgrace in the Channel Islands, and reunited with his ship Teazer, Kydd seizes the chance to fight for his country. Then Kydd is abruptly withdrawn from the fleet and sent back to Dover on a secret mission to guard a mysterious American inventor. Having worked his way up from press-ganged seaman to captain of his own ship, Kydd is furious to find he will miss his opportunity to prove himself in battle. And Kydd's baffled superiors are equally angry to lose Kydd and his ship at such a dangerous time. Yet Kydd's role in the approaching war may be the most crucial part he has ever played.

Victory

by Julian Stockwin

Published 24 June 2010

Commander Thomas Kydd is eager to play his part in thwarting Bonaparte's plans for the invasion of England. Joining Admiral Nelson's command, Kydd and his ship soon find themselves at the heart of the action that leads up to the famous clash of the mighty British and French fleets...Read more

Commander Thomas Kydd is eager to play his part in thwarting Bonaparte's plans for the invasion of England. Joining Admiral Nelson's command, Kydd and his ship soon find themselves at the heart of the action that leads up to the famous clash of the mighty British and French fleets at Trafalgar. Kydd's journey takes him from false sightings of the enemy and dramatic chases across the Atlantic, to the bloody annihilation of the enemy during the actual battle, and the heroic aftermath. This is Kydd's most important adventure so far, and the most thrilling - the description of Trafalgar itself reads as freshly as though it happened yesterday, and Stockwin's trademark rich historical detail and heart-pounding action combine to bring the life the greatest sea battle in history.

Conquest

by Julian Stockwin

Published 1 January 2011

Victory at the Battle of Trafalgar removed the spectre of invasion and England is now free to seek conquests and colonies in the furthest reaches of the world.

Captain Kydd joins an expedition to take Dutch-held Cape Town, a strategic imperative to secure the rich trade-route to India. But even...

Read more

Victory at the Battle of Trafalgar removed the spectre of invasion and England is now free to seek conquests and colonies in the furthest reaches of the world.

Captain Kydd joins an expedition to take Dutch-held Cape Town, a strategic imperative to secure the rich trade-route to India. But even if the British can defeat the enemy and take possession of the capital, there is still more fighting to be done.

Kydd and his men must defend the fragile colony from attacks by the enemy from all sides, while braving the wild beasts and hostile environment of Africa's vast and savage hinterland.

Betrayal

by Julian Stockwin

Published 26 September 2012

Cape Colony is proving a tiresome assignment for Captain Kydd's daring commander-in-chief Commodore Popham. Rumours that South America's Spanish colonies are in a ferment of popular unrest and of a treasure hoard of silver spur him to assemble a makeshift invasion fleet and launch a bold attack on the...

Read more

Cape Colony is proving a tiresome assignment for Captain Kydd's daring commander-in-chief Commodore Popham. Rumours that South America's Spanish colonies are in a ferment of popular unrest and of a treasure hoard of silver spur him to assemble a makeshift invasion fleet and launch a bold attack on the capital of the Viceroyalty of the River Plate, Buenos Aires.

Navigating the treacherous bars and mud flats of the river, the British invasion force lands and wins a battle against improbable odds, taking the capital and the silver. But nothing is as simple as it seems in this region of the world: the uprising that will see the end of Spanish rule never arrives and the locals begin to see dark conspiracies behind the invader's actions. Soon the tiny British force finds itself surrounded by an ever more hostile population. The city begins to revolt against its liberators.

Now Kydd's men must face fierce resistance and the betrayal of their closest allies. Can they save themselves, and their prize?

Caribbee

by Julian Stockwin

Published 1 January 2013

'In Stockwin's hands the sea story will continue to entrance readers across the world' - Guardian

More than a decade ago, Thomas Kydd and Nicholas Renzi were in the Caribbean as sailors before the mast in the old Trajan. Now Kydd, a storied hero of Trafalgar, holds the glory...

Read more

'In Stockwin's hands the sea story will continue to entrance readers across the world' - Guardian

More than a decade ago, Thomas Kydd and Nicholas Renzi were in the Caribbean as sailors before the mast in the old Trajan. Now Kydd, a storied hero of Trafalgar, holds the glory of being post-captain of the 32-gun frigate, L'Aurore.

After unremitting war a Caribbean posting seems a welcome respite. But Kydd and Renzi soon find themselves facing a familiar threat as the French imperil Britain's vital sugar trade.

When merchantmen begin vanishing from the sea, Kydd and Renzi must embark on a dangerous game of espionage, seamanship and breath-taking action in order to destroy a new and terrible danger to the Empire.

*********************

What readers are saying about CARIBBEE

'A proper swashbuckling affair' - 5 stars

'Totally amazing!' - 5 stars

'Loved this book' - 5 stars

'A real find' - 5 stars

'A gripping read' - 5 stars

Inferno

by Julian Stockwin

Published 15 September 2016

Napoleon Bonaparte's ambitions for world domination are growing apace, and when Captain Sir Thomas Kydd returns to take up command of his ship Tyger, he finds himself called to be part of a great armada on a mission of the utmost urgency. Unbeknownst to Kydd, his old friend, Renzi,...Read more

Napoleon Bonaparte's ambitions for world domination are growing apace, and when Captain Sir Thomas Kydd returns to take up command of his ship Tyger, he finds himself called to be part of a great armada on a mission of the utmost urgency. Unbeknownst to Kydd, his old friend, Renzi, has been called upon to undertake a parallel diplomatic mission. Kydd is captured by the French but in a strange twist finds himself released to snatch the future king of France from exile. He returns to find a scene of chaos and terror.

Persephone

by Julian Stockwin

Published 18 May 2017

'PERSEPHONE is another shining milepost for Captain Thomas Kydd and his creator, Julian Stockwin' - Quarterdeck

November 1807. Captain Sir Thomas Kydd must sail to Lisbon to aid the Portuguese Royal Family's evacuation in the face of Napoleon's ruthless advance through Iberia. In the chaos of the threatened city an...

Read more

'PERSEPHONE is another shining milepost for Captain Thomas Kydd and his creator, Julian Stockwin' - Quarterdeck

November 1807. Captain Sir Thomas Kydd must sail to Lisbon to aid the Portuguese Royal Family's evacuation in the face of Napoleon's ruthless advance through Iberia. In the chaos of the threatened city an old passion is reawakened when he meets Persephone Lockwood, a beautiful and determined admiral's daughter from his past.

But the Royal Family's destination is Brazil, Perspehone's England, and it seems Kydd's chance has gone again. Only later he discovers Persephone has another suitor - and that, if he wants to win her hand, he must enter the highest echelons of London society.

Mixing with aristocracy and royalty brings other responsibilities. The Prince of Wales asks him to take temporary command of the Royal Yacht. Sailing to Yarmouth, Kydd realises they are being stalked by French privateers. The terrible threat of a prince of the blood being captured sees Kydd call on daring seamanship of the highest order.

***************

What readers are saying about PERSEPHONE

'Very much recommended, for this is an absolutely astonishing naval story by this author, and that's why I like to say: "Sail On, Thomas Kydd"!' - 5 stars

'A masterly piece of writing!' - 5 stars

'End one and start another - they're addictive' - 5 stars

'Read it - that's all I'll say' - 5 stars

'Still excellent, still gripping' - 5 stars

Pasha

by Julian Stockwin

Published 1 January 2014

An Admiralty summons to England cuts short Thomas Kydd's service in the turquoise waters of the Caribbean. While the crew of L'Aurore can look forward to liberty and prize money, a shadow hangs
over their captain: the impending court martial of his one-time commander, Commodore Popham, who led a...

Read more

An Admiralty summons to England cuts short Thomas Kydd's service in the turquoise waters of the Caribbean. While the crew of L'Aurore can look forward to liberty and prize money, a shadow hangs
over their captain: the impending court martial of his one-time commander, Commodore Popham, who led a doomed attack on South America.
Following Nelson's death two years earlier, England is in desperate need of heroes and Kydd's Caribbean exploits are the talk of London. Feted by the king and a grateful country, Kydd is soon on detachment in a new and dangerous sphere of interest: the Dardanelles, connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Black Sea and providing a route to India. The French have long coveted this route, knowing that it could be the key to toppling the British Empire in India. When they successfully whip up such strong anti-English sentiment that the British ambassador to Constantinople has to flee to L'Aurore, a deadly stand-off ensues.
Meanwhile Kydd's closest friend, Nicholas Renzi, has assumed a new role that he can never make public. Sent under alias on a mission to Constantinople, Renzi must engineer a coup that will turn the tables on the French. But when he's taken prisoner, only Kydd's superb seamanship and sheer bravado can save the day.

To the Eastern Seas

by Julian Stockwin

Published 17 October 2019

'In Stockwin's hands the sea story will continue to entrance readers across the world' - Guardian

With Bonaparte held to a stalemate in Europe, the race to empire is now resumed. Britain's ambitions turn to the Spice Islands, the Dutch East Indies, where Admiral Pellew has been sent to confront...

Read more

'In Stockwin's hands the sea story will continue to entrance readers across the world' - Guardian

With Bonaparte held to a stalemate in Europe, the race to empire is now resumed. Britain's ambitions turn to the Spice Islands, the Dutch East Indies, where Admiral Pellew has been sent to confront the enemy's vastly rich holdings in these tropical islands. Captain Sir Thomas Kydd joins reinforcements to snatch these for the British Crown.

The two colonial masters of India and the East Indies face each other in mortal striving for the region - there can be only one victor to hold all the spoils. The colonial genius, Stamford Raffles, believes Britain should strike at the very centre of Dutch spice production, the Moluccas, rather than the fortresses one by one but is fiercely opposed. Kydd, allying himself to this cause, conspires to lead a tiny force to a triumphant conclusion - however the Dutch, stung by this loss, claim vengeance from the French. A battle for Java and an empire in the East stretches Kydd and Tyger's company to their very limits.

*************

Praise for Julian Stockwin's Kydd series

'Paints a vivid picture of life aboard the mighty ship-of-the-line' Daily Express

'This heady adventure blends fact and fiction in rich, authoritative detail' Nautical Magazine

'Fans of fast-paced adventure will get their fill with this book' Historical Naval Society

The Baltic Prize

by Julian Stockwin

Published 2 November 2017

1808. Parted from his new bride, Captain Sir Thomas Kydd is called away to join the Northern Expedition to Sweden, now Britain's only ally in the Baltic. Following the sudden declaration of war by Russia and with the consequent threat of the czar's great fleet in St Petersburg, the...

Read more

1808. Parted from his new bride, Captain Sir Thomas Kydd is called away to join the Northern Expedition to Sweden, now Britain's only ally in the Baltic. Following the sudden declaration of war by Russia and with the consequent threat of the czar's great fleet in St Petersburg, the expedition must defend Britain's dearly-won freedom in those waters.

However Kydd finds his popular fame as a frigate captain is a poisoned chalice; in the face of jealousy and envy from his fellow captains, the distrust of the commander-in-chief and the betrayal of friendship by a former brother-in-arms now made his subordinate, can he redeem his reputation?

In an entirely hostile sea Tyger ranges from the frozen north to the deadly confines of the Danish Sound - and plays a pivotal role in the situation ensuing after the czar's sudden attack on Finland. This climaxes in the first clash of fleets between Great Britain and Russia in history. To the victor will be the prize of the Baltic!

******************

PRAISE FOR JULIAN STOCKWIN'S THOMAS KYDD SERIES

'Paints a vivid picture of life aboard the mighty ship-of-the-line' Daily Express

'This heady adventure blends fact and fiction in rich, authoritative detail' Nautical Magazine on VICTORY

'Fans of fast-paced adventure will get their fill with this book' Historical Naval Society on THE ADMIRAL'S DAUGHTER

The Iberian Flame

by Julian Stockwin

Published 14 June 2018

'In Stockwin's hands the sea story will continue to entrance readers across the world' - Guardian

1808. With the Peninsula in turmoil, Napoleon Bonaparte signs a treaty to dismember Portugal and put his brother, Joseph, on the throne of Spain.

Meanwhile, Nicholas Renzi, the Lord Farndon, undertakes a deadly mission...

Read more

'In Stockwin's hands the sea story will continue to entrance readers across the world' - Guardian

1808. With the Peninsula in turmoil, Napoleon Bonaparte signs a treaty to dismember Portugal and put his brother, Joseph, on the throne of Spain.

Meanwhile, Nicholas Renzi, the Lord Farndon, undertakes a deadly mission to stir up partisan unrest to disrupt this Napoleonic alliance with Spain.

Thrust into the crucible of the uprising, Captain Sir Thomas Kydd is dismayed to come up against an old foe from his past - now his superior and commander - who is determined to break him. Kydd will soon face the greatest decision of his professional career.

Bonaparte, incensed by the reverses suffered to his honour, gathers together a crushing force and marches at speed into Spain. After several bloody encounters the greatly outnumbered British expedition have no option other than make a fighting retreat to the coast. Only the Navy can save them.

But the flame of insurrection has been lit - and the Peninsular War has begun.

More Praise for Julian Stockwin and the Thomas Kydd Series

'Paints a vivid picture of life aboard the mighty ship-of-the-line' Daily Express

'This heady adventure blends fact and fiction in rich, authoritative detail' Nautical Magazine on VICTORY

'Fans of fast-paced adventure will get their fill with this book' Historical Naval Society on THE ADMIRAL'S DAUGHTER