The Invasion Year

Set in 1803, Lambdin's less than exciting 17th Alan Lewrie adventure (after King, Ship and Sword) finds the rakish Royal Navy captain and his ship in Haiti. After helping to rescue a French fleet from a bloody slave rebellion, Lewrie and crew escort a convoy of merchant ships back to Europe. Once in London, Lewrie is knighted—for exploits covered in previous books—and is assigned to an experiment in torpedoes, which may prove useful against the expected French invasion. In fine debauched form, Lewrie balances, often to comic effect, seduction, heavy drinking, hangovers, attempts to avoid paying a debt to a fellow officer, and his cheerful determination to annoy senior officers. Lambdin's frequent references to events from earlier installments might interest new readers, but will bore fans already familiar with Lewrie's seagoing antics. Hopefully, the next book will revive the usual effortless zip of the series. (Jan.)