Any Approaching Enemy

January 23, 2006
Worrall brings dashing British naval Capt. Charles Edgemont back in this clever sequel to Sails on the Horizon
. This time out, Edgemont joins rear admiral Horatio Nelson's squadron in the Mediterranean to search for a French fleet up to no good. When a storm scatters the squadron, Edgemont sails his frigate, Louisa
, in search of Nelson—a search that becomes even more crucial when he learns the location of the French fleet at Alexandria, Egypt, from an English spy. After a series of adventures and misadventures, Edgemont finally stumbles on Nelson, and the squadron sails to Alexandria where it engages the French fleet in one of history's great naval battles—the Battle of the Nile. Worrall is well-versed in nautical history and writes with scrupulous authenticity without confusing the novice (despite the occasional "Haul the reef cringle"). The arrival on board of Edgemont's new wife, Penny, an independent and headstrong Quaker, gives Worrall an opportunity to have some fun as Penny attempts, as she says to Edgemont, to "manage thy properties." Combining engaging characters, witty dialogue and rousing action, Worrall's nautical series continues its promising start.

March 1, 2006
Worrall serves up a suitably salty tale featuring Napoleonic-era naval captain Charles Edgemont, the hero of " Sails on the Horizon" (2005). This time around, Edgemont is part of Admiral Horatio Nelson's fleet, patrolling the Mediterranean. When a storm blows the fleet off course, wreaking havoc on the individual ships, Edgemont and the stalwart crew of the " Louisa "are determined to locate the missing Nelson. The military action culminates at Alexandria, Egypt, where Nelson and company engage the French fleet in the legendary Battle of the Nile. The author works in an intriguing personal angle when Edgemont's new pacifist Quaker wife, Penelope, joins her husband on board. Fans of the late, great Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin series will relish this historically faithful seafaring adventure.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2006, American Library Association.)