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A Fine Boy for Killing
(1996)(The first book in the Sea Officer William Bentley series)
A novel by Jan Needle
'A painfully authentic portrayal of naval life in the 18th century. A powerful story of lost humanity... its violent emotions are shattering.' The Guardian
The evil reputation of Captain Daniel Swift, coupled with the wretched conditions of naval life, mean that only the most desperate of men will join him on the frigate Welfare - at least of their own free will.
To make up the numbers, he must resort to press gangs.
It is as a result of missions ashore led by Swift's young nephew William Bentley that farmer's boy Thomas Fox and smuggler Jesse Broad find themselves on board a ship run by Swift with utmost cruelty, policed by rattan cane and cat.
As the men grow weak from disease and relentless punishments on the long voyage, the talk below deck, inevitably, turns to mutiny.
Swift, Bentley, Fox and Broad become slowly locked into a complex web of fear, love, hatred, and horrifying tragedy.
Will Swift and Bentley be able to control their men or will rebellion break out upon the Welfare?
A Fine Boy For Killing is a gripping naval adventure that will appeal to fans of Patrick O'Brian and C. S. Forester. It is the first in the series of Sea Officer Bentley thrillers.
Jan Needle has had more than forty books published, including the best-selling Napoleon: The Escape, Death Order, and the Charlie Raven Adventures.
'Jan Needle's tale of 18th-century naval life is following in a great British tradition, but alters it savagely so that it is not the salt spray that remains in the memory but the steady trickling of blood. Try as we might, we cannot avert our gaze from the horror.' The Times
'Brilliant. I found myself being drawn back into that twilight world again, despite myself. I was grossly entertained and thrilled... [Jan Needle] is a rare talent.' Jimmy Boyle
'A thundering great novel. What's really amazing is how much he seems to know about so many different things...what more could you want from a thriller? A cracking good read.' Tony Parker, New Statesman & Society
'So topical...[Needle] develops a complex, ingenious plot at breakneck speed and has a sharp underdog's eye.' John McVicar, Time Out
Genre: Historical
The evil reputation of Captain Daniel Swift, coupled with the wretched conditions of naval life, mean that only the most desperate of men will join him on the frigate Welfare - at least of their own free will.
To make up the numbers, he must resort to press gangs.
It is as a result of missions ashore led by Swift's young nephew William Bentley that farmer's boy Thomas Fox and smuggler Jesse Broad find themselves on board a ship run by Swift with utmost cruelty, policed by rattan cane and cat.
As the men grow weak from disease and relentless punishments on the long voyage, the talk below deck, inevitably, turns to mutiny.
Swift, Bentley, Fox and Broad become slowly locked into a complex web of fear, love, hatred, and horrifying tragedy.
Will Swift and Bentley be able to control their men or will rebellion break out upon the Welfare?
A Fine Boy For Killing is a gripping naval adventure that will appeal to fans of Patrick O'Brian and C. S. Forester. It is the first in the series of Sea Officer Bentley thrillers.
Jan Needle has had more than forty books published, including the best-selling Napoleon: The Escape, Death Order, and the Charlie Raven Adventures.
Praise for Jan Needle
'Jan Needle's tale of 18th-century naval life is following in a great British tradition, but alters it savagely so that it is not the salt spray that remains in the memory but the steady trickling of blood. Try as we might, we cannot avert our gaze from the horror.' The Times
'Brilliant. I found myself being drawn back into that twilight world again, despite myself. I was grossly entertained and thrilled... [Jan Needle] is a rare talent.' Jimmy Boyle
'A thundering great novel. What's really amazing is how much he seems to know about so many different things...what more could you want from a thriller? A cracking good read.' Tony Parker, New Statesman & Society
'So topical...[Needle] develops a complex, ingenious plot at breakneck speed and has a sharp underdog's eye.' John McVicar, Time Out
Genre: Historical
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