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

In The Devil to Pay, the first novel Parkinson wrote about Delancey, his hero goes through a long series of adventures before he can find himself an appointment.

He is the second lieutenant of HMS Glatton, a converted vessel from the British East India Company, fitted with an experimental armament consisting of all short-range, large-caliber carronades.

HMS Glatton is part of Admiral Adam Duncan's fleet blockading the Batavian Republic.

Since the mutineer's death occurred in port, the first lieutenant has to stay ashore, and Delancey has to assume his duties.

The Captain wants to make sure the trial does not put a black mark against this loyal officer's career — And the first lieutenant, after all had the primary responsibility for training the crew so that their performance was exemplary.

Big hooks are hung from her upper works, to entangle with the enemies ship's rigging.