The Story Behind the Cover art

A Certain Threat was the first novel written by my late father, Roger Burnage, and it launched The Merriman Chronicles. When he finished it, neither of us could have predicted that it would grow into a series of nine books — with more still to come.

My initial involvement was publishing the novels myself. Dad didn’t have a clue where to start with self-publishing, and he hadn’t managed to find an agent or publisher willing to take his novel on. I took on the task, learning as I went along. Looking back, I’ll admit I was perhaps a little naïve about the process, and I didn’t always do as good a job as I might have. What I didn’t fully realise at the time was how successful the series would become, or how warmly readers would embrace my father’s stories.

In time, I wanted to return to the books and give them the treatment they deserved. That meant tighter editing — to improve the flow of the writing and correct some errors — with the help of a professional editor. It also meant commissioning new cover art to bring the drama of the stories to life. I worked with maritime artist Colin M Baxter to create a series of paintings that captured key moments from the novels. The aim was simple: to improve the reader’s experience, both through the visual appeal of the covers and the quality of the storytelling. Sadly, my father never got to see these new editions or Colin’s wonderful paintings, but I believe he would have been proud of how his work is now presented.

For the cover of A Certain Threat, Colin and I chose to focus on one of the book’s most dramatic moments: the attempted capture of the Dorset by the French ship La Sirène in the Irish Sea. Interestingly, Merriman’s own ship, HMS Aphrodite, is not shown. Instead, the scene is painted as if observed from Aphrodite’s deck — exactly what Merriman and his crew would have witnessed as they rushed to defend the Dorset.

In the artwork, the British Dorset (a ship of that name actually existed, and was researched by Colin) is depicted in full flight. In the novel, she carries the Viceroy of Ireland, making her a prize of immense political value as well as a tempting target for the French. She flies the Union Jack and the Red Ensign as she comes under fire, her decks crowded with crew and passengers braced for action. Alongside her looms La Sirène, the French tricolour snapping in the wind, guns run out and ready to deliver a full broadside. In the foreground, a splash in the sea shows a shot across the bows — a vivid detail lifted straight from the novel, when the French open fire to intimidate their prey.

In the novel, this is when Merriman orders HMS Aphrodite into position, intent on placing his ship between the two combatants. He thrills at the spray flying over the rails as his men are sent aloft to set more sail. But as the French realise they have been ambushed, La Sirène turns away under full canvas. Merriman’s bow chasers fire, splinters fly, yet the faster French ship escapes, leaving him pounding the rail in frustration.

Colin Baxter’s painting freezes this tension in a single moment — the clash an early indicator of the looming war with France. The Dorset is saved, along with the Viceroy she carries, but Merriman is left staring after his elusive enemy.

I am very much hoping that this artwork is more than simply an illustration for a book cover: it is both a tribute to my late Father’s storytelling, and a indication of how The Merriman Chronicles has developed. It marks the beginning of two journeys — for James Merriman at sea, and for me in carrying forward my father’s legacy through a series that now spans nine books, with more adventures still to come.

Robin Burnage

Limited Edition Prints, signed by Colin are available, and can be purchased via the Merriman Website. Distribution is currently only available in the UK, due to various issues outside our control.

A Certain Threat is available globally (via Amazon) in print media (paperback and hardcover), eBook & Kindle Unlimited, and Audiobook narrated by Nigel Peever.