Historic Naval Fiction Series
The Merriman Chronicles
The Threat In The Adriatic
Book 7
Updated 2024 Edition
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The year is 1809 - late autumn. Captain Sir James Abel Merriman is despatched to Gibraltar to take command of a seventy four gun third rate ship of the line HMS Thunder, with orders to escort a convoy through the Mediterranean to Malta and on to the Adriatic to find Captain William Hoste. Once again seconded to the Treasury - an arrangement with which he has become very familiar – Merriman is joined by Mr. Clarke who is to secretly go ashore and report on French activity whilst the squadron does as much damage as possible to French ports, forts and convoys.
When given the command, Merriman had felt that he had at last reached the heights of his naval career but he had quickly come down to earth as he realised the greater problems he had to face with command of such a big ship. Dogged by problems with a slow ship in the convoy, a difficult officer and shipboard discipline, there is little time to prepare the crew before they encounter a new French 74 with devastating consequences including severe injury to Merriman himself and the loss of over 150 men.
Reviews of The Threat In The Adriatic
Action and more action.
Reviewed in the United States
10 June 2023
"This set of adventures has been outstanding! The best I have ever read…..and I have read many. Looking forward to reading more of Roger Burnage’s books"
The end of a fine series
Reviewed in the United Kingdom
28 June 2020
"The last in the Merriman Chronicles, I have read all seven of them, and have enjoyed everyone of them, brilliant"
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EDITORS NOTE: You have not seen the last of James Abel Merriman!
Full of action and intrigue
Reviewed in the United Kingdom
September 2019
"The year 1809. Captain James Merriman is in command of a 74 gun third rate ship of the line - HMS Thunder. His orders send him via Malta to the Adriatic to find to find Captain William Hoste.
This adventure includes spying on the French dockyards in Venice and a major sea battle against a new French 74.
An excellent story full of action and intrigue"
Another splendid story
Goodreads
March 17, 2023
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"In keeping with the telling of the naval wars between the Empire and Great Britain on this book Burnage places Merriman in the Adriatic.
Sailing the Mediterranean from Gibraltar to Malta and onto the Adriatic is given a well painted seascape.
The actions North to Venice convey the distance extremely well.
Recommended"
So may lost
Reviewed in the United Kingdom
3 February 2017
"In all naval battles in all eras there comes the ubiquitous butchers bill. Our hero James Merriman contributes to this bill, albeit against his wishes.
This is obviously the last book of his adventures and is a fitting finale to his career as a decent Officer.
His erstwhile French friend Charles Moreau makes his last appearance and faces a different direction regarding his future.
An excellent finish and the authors notes at the end substantiate the character of Captain Sir James Merriman"