The Devil to Pay (Parkinson novel)

Unlike many fictional officers, Parkinson's hero, Richard Delancey, does not have any powerful patrons to ease his way to promotion.

With the aid of a smuggler who works for his boss he is able to make contact with an RN frigate cruising offshore.

The Captain of that vessel mounts an expedition to rescue Delancey and recover the secret papers.

Its earliest appearances at about the beginning of the eighteenth century certainly have no hint of a naval origin or context.

Parkinson later went back and wrote a prequel, The Guernseyman, set during the American Revolution.

Forester fans are going to pick it up tenderly' Sunday Telegraph1 'Mr Parkinson is an expert on naval history and on sailing, and this bracing, well-plotted and exiting story reveals his knowledge' Books and Bookmen1 'The action is good, the historical detail impeccable' Spectator1 1 Devil to Pay (ISBN 0 413 36910 2) back cover