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THE TIME OF TERROR
by Seth Hunter
Headline, June 2008
352 pages
19.99 GBP
ISBN: 0755343050


Buy in the UK | Buy in Canada

Nathan Peake is a British naval officer in 1793. He is also a spy. Peake's parents are separated and represent two highly contrasting social sets - the traditional upper class and the bohemian. As his mother has always embraced entertaining and intellectual people, Peake has met many influential people as well as many individuals involved in revolutionary activity. The French Revolution is underway and England wants to prevent France from attacking neighboring countries and allies. To this end, British spies are trying to find ways to undermine the Revolution, to curry favor with its leaders, and to do all that they can to create confusion. Unknown to all, the Terror is about to be unleashed on the country, which will make the position of the English there even more tenuous.

One of Peake's tasks is to bring a mysterious cargo through the blockade into France. While he does not know what he is transporting, his contacts in France are well aware of its importance. What Peake is overseeing has the potential to undermine the French economy. But Peake seems much less interested in spying and politics than fascinated by the people he meets. Those he comes across include Thomas Paine, Mary Wollstonecraft and even Robespierre.

The one person Peake is most fascinated with is the fictional Countess of Turenne. Madame Raymond de Turenne is trying to maintain a home for herself and her young son, Alex. Although the Count was murdered for his royalist sympathies, Madame de Turenne hopes that the Council will ignore her. Peake finds himself infatuated with Madame de Turenne and her precrious situation. Peake must find a way to remain alive and complete his mission in hopes of finding Madame de Turenne and Alex safe. While he wants nothing more than to protect them, his obligation to his country must be his priority.

THE TIME OF TERROR is the first book in a planned trilogy. Typically the first of a trilogy or series develops the characters and sets into motion subplots that will carry through to the concluding book. This book did not follow this pattern.

What I noticed the most about THE TIME OF TERROR is Peake's optimism in the face all odds. Even though Peake lands in jail and witnesses murder and torture, he does not worry about his own death much. Peake witnesses numerous relationships that are flawed but still believes there is a chance for his own happiness. I found this optimism, or maybe lack of imagination, frustrating, as it made Peake appear one dimensional rather than a complex character. In addition, it is difficult to believe a character could remain so placid while witnessing the chaos and confusion that he does. I imagine that this second book of the trilogy will feature a more cynical and jaded Peake rather the naïve and passive protagonist that appears here. If Peake does not gain a more realistic view of his world and his own place in it, I doubt I would finish the second book in the trilogy.

Fans of naval fiction might not share my reservations. I dislike military naval fiction for many of the same characteristics I object to in this book. Some military fiction does seem slower paced and features character and plot that are somewhat simplified. The protagonist is supposed to remain calm and unaffected by the confusion around him, even when I might prefer one who takes more complex view of events.

Therefore, I would recommend this book to naval fiction fans as it does have many similarities to Bernard Cornwell's extremely popular series. I would not, however, recommend it to mystery readers in search of a fast paced thriller.

Reviewed by Sarah Dudley, August 2008

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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)


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