Historic Naval Fiction Series
The Merriman Chronicles
The Threat In The East
Book 4
Updated 2024 Edition
​
In the Spring of the year 1800, Captain Merriman and his frigate Lord Stevenage return home from India after being involved with the East India Company in the destruction of a pirate fleet. A treaty between Russia, Norway and Denmark threatens to cut the supply of timber and other supplies desperately needed by the navy so on Admiralty orders he is now to prepare for a voyage to the Baltic, to Copenhagen to try and find out about the defences of that town and harbour. So once again he is involved with Mr Grahame the treasury agent in secret, spying activities against England's enemies.
Back at the Admiralty in London to report his findings about Copenhagen's defences and depths of water in the main channels, he meets Admiral Horatio Nelson who asks the Admiralty to send Merriman with him as part of his fleet to the Baltic. With his knowledge he will be needed. The battle of Copenhagen ensues in April 1801 where the fleet action causes the Danes to surrender. Merriman is then ordered to go further into the Baltic to find a French warship reported to be there. He finds it but it is a plague ship so he burns and sinks it before returning to London with Nelson's reports.

Reviews of The Threat In The Baltic
Excellent reading
Reviewed in the United Kingdom
April 2022
"A very exciting story line, It shows how the seamen of that era had to cope with the harsh weather conditions and the difficulties they had to face in meeting their enemies"
Superb, compelling, supreme!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom
June 2015
"Rip roaring, fast moving, Merriman is everyone's hero. Action packed and as with Chronicles 1 to 4 you cannot put the story down till finished. You are then immediately looking for the next"
Enjoyed every page
Reviewed in the United Kingdom September 2018
"The Merriman Chronicles: The Threat in the Baltic by Roger Burnage.
Yet another brilliant story about the career of Captain James Merriman. This time the adventure takes place in the Baltic with Admiral Nelson at the battle of Copenhagen and at home where our hero is knighted, for his services to his country. I enjoyed every page"
Advancement
and a sad end
Reviewed in the United Kingdom
May 2017
"Great piece of writing. Our hero James Merriman finds himself in the thick of it again. He is a natural commander of men, but also a thinker in his job as a Naval Officer. Alas we can only wonder at what might have faced him in South America.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book"
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another fine read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom
June 2020
"Now having completed book 5, and I cannot wait to read book 6, all these books have been completely absorbing, outstanding"