An Affair of Honor
In this fifth novel in the award-winning Honor Series, Lieutenant Peter Wake is the executive officer on board the U.S.S. Omaha. It is 1873, and the book follows Lt. Wake’s travels from Antigua in the West Indies to the island of Martinique. Assigned to the Mediterranean, he then becomes inadvertently involved in a Spanish civil war. While in Italy, he is ordered on a rescue mission to northern Africa. He faces diplomatic intrigue and many life-threatening experiences. Although happily married, Lt. Wake becomes involved in an affair of honor with the wife of a French diplomat. A subplot deals with his wife’s concern about their marriage because of his love for the ocean and the U.S. Navy. He has spent little time at home, always at sea.
This series is unique in naval fiction; the plots are considerably character driven, with the protagonist facing challenges from his superiors, the crew on board his ships, and interesting antagonists who are out to defeat him. Macomber’s writing skills have improved significantly since his first novel. His books are page-turners that make me anxious to read the next chapter. If you enjoy reading naval fiction and would like a change of pace, I strongly suggest An Affair of Honor. This book can stand alone, but I recommend starting with the first book in the series, At the Edge of Honor, to achieve a more thorough understanding of the main and supporting characters.
