Synopses & Reviews
Born in the north of England shortly before World War I, Cyril Northcote Parkinson pursued a distinguished academic career on both sides of the Atlantic. Before he ever turned his hand to fiction, he became famous for unveiling "Parkinson's Law," the widely known conjecture that work expands to fill the time allowed for its completion. Parkinson wrote many books concentrated on British politics and economics, but his Richard Delancey series has drawn favorable comparisons to Forester and the Hornblower stories. In fact, Parkinson's first fictional effort, a "biography" of Hornblower, has enjoyed considerable acclaim. C. Northcote Parkinson died in Canterbury, England in 1993.
Review
Authentic naval adventure full of action. (The Sunday Times)
Review
The sharp tang of powder and tar and salty sea along with the boom of the cannon and shouts of men in battle. (Dallas Morning News)
Review
"If you enjoy salty tales told by the man who knows the sea, British history, as well as words, winches and wimbrels, Devil to Pay will see you through a fine evening handily." —Sunday Telegram
Review
"All the competence, courage, and ingenuity of a Hornblower along with a bit more polish . . . C.S. Forester would have approved of Delancey." —Library Journal
Synopsis
Ranked as a lieutenant despite his undistinguished naval career, Richard Delancey lands a special secret mission, thanks to his command of French. To his chagrin, the mission goes awry. But casting about for fresh opportunity, Delancey becomes involved in customs collection on the Isle of Wight and thwarting the high-stakes activities of smugglers.
Synopsis
A lieutenant's rank belying his undistinguished naval career, Richard Delancey finds that his fluency in French lands him a secret mission, but to his chagrin, it goes awry.
Description
A lieutenant's rank belying his undistinguished naval career, Richard Delancey finds that, in spite of an unfair court-martial, his knowledge of French lands him a special secret mission. To his chagrin, this mission goes awry. But casting about for fresh opportunity, Delancey becomes involved in customs collection on the Isle of Wight and thwarting the high-stakes activities of smugglers. His success lands him in command of a private man-of-war, the 22-gun Nemesis, and about to embark on further adventures with both France and Spain.
About the Author
Cyril Northcote Parkinson pursued a distinguished academic career on both sides of the Atlantic and first became famous for "Parkinson's Law"work expands to fill the time allotted to it. Parkinson wrote many books on British politics and economics. His first fictional effort, a "biography" of Horatio Hornblower, met with considerable acclaim and led to the Delancey series. C. Northcote Parkinson died in 1993.