THE BLIGHTED CLIFFS

Recounting the misadventures of a hapless, besotted lubber in Dover, England, during the winter of 1806, this well-researched, charmingly outrageous debut is the first volume of a projected seagoing trilogy by an Oxford history scholar. Following his humiliation at missing the battle of Trafalgar trapped below deck while sleeping off a hangover, boozy, carousing Lt. Martin Jerrold is banished to Dover by his embarrassed uncle at the Admiralty to serve aboard the cutter Orestes , chasing smugglers of French contraband. Even before he can report for duty, he witnesses a fight on the beach and comes under suspicion for the murder of an unidentified man. When word reaches his uncle at the Admiralty, Jerrold is given a fortnight to clear his name, lest he be exiled to a station in the Indies to rot in ignominy. Sometimes accompanied by the ship's quartermaster, Ducker, and befriended by a sprightly girl called Isobel, Jerrold sets about the almost impossible task of solving the murder and clearing his name. His quest leads across the heights of the storied cliffs, where he meets Lady Cunningham, the wily wife of the judge hoping to hang him. Back on the foggy Dover waterfront, an ill-assorted crew of suspects await, including swashbuckling Captain Davenant, evil banker Mazard and mysterious postman Nevell. Enchanted readers loath to say bon voyage will impatiently await the sequel. Agent, Jane Conway-Gordon. (Aug.)