The Straits of Tsushima (Marcus Baxter Naval Thrillers)
The Russo-Japanese War on the high seas explodes like a shot in this promising first entry in a new series that follows a disgraced former British Royal Navy officer, Marcus Baxter.
It’s 1904 and the Russo-Japanese War is in its second year as 26-year-old Marcus Baxter nurses a bruised ego for his recent blacklisting by the Royal Navy for less-than-obedient actions aboard ship. Approached by the navy’s top intelligence agent to spy on a Russian convoy soon to pass off the coast of Scotland, Baxter sees a chance to correct his listing life and get reinstated. The plan goes horribly awry, however, as he and his young companion, Tommy Dunbar, are captured by the Russian ship Yaroslavich, and held prisoner to avoid a possible international incident with Britain. It is a long journey southward and around the Horn to reach the Straits of Tsushima, and along the way Baxter and Tommy become something like friends with the dashing first officer Juneau and his enigmatic wife, Ekaterina. Baxter puts his seaman skills to use and helps Juneau whip the crew into shape for the coming battle with Japan, whilst wrestling with his own inner loyalties… both to his country and to his newfound friend, Juneau. Braving natural disasters at sea and the machinations of a Marxist cabal aboard ship—not to mention an unexpected attraction—Baxter’s dance card is full, much to readers’ delight.
The Straits of Tsushima recollects the works of Patrick O’Brian and Dewey Lambdin with its authentic nose for naval battle and its rich descriptions of exotic locales. With a sturdy plot and smooth pacing, Chant’s novel introduces a likable man of action and brio who yet must wrestle with his past, promising more jolly good reading in the next installment.
