David Donachie

David Donachie (1944-2023) was born in Edinburgh and has had a variety of jobs, including selling everything from business machines to soap. He has always had an abiding interest in the naval history of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuriesand now lives in Deal, Kent. He has written several,  historical naval fiction series (he has also writen a Royal Marine series under the pen name Tom Connery) although they have now been re-released under his own name.

The Privateersman Mysteries, is about Harry Ludlow. It starts in 1792 and features the adventures of a former navy Captain turned privateer and his brother.

The second is about John Pearce. It starts in 1793 and follows the son of a radical taken by a press gang who is soon made an officer but shows no deference to his superiors

The Nelson and Emma Trilogy, is, as the name indicates, about the lives of Horatio Nelson and Emma Hamilton.

The Contraband Shore trilogy is about a Naval officers struggle against smuggling.

The Wormwood Saga is a series of short stories intended to appeal to the readers’ sense of humour

David Donachie

Written as David Donachie

AOS Naval Fiction

Series: John Pearce
By the Mast Divided : 1793: John Pearce is taken by the press gang and serves aboard HMS Brilliant
A Shot Rolling Ship : 1793: Impressed again and now aboard HMS Griifin Pearce is soon promoted to Midshipman and then Lieutenant
An Awkward Commission : 1793: Pearce is sent to Admiral Hood with dispatches and is sent ashore in Toulon to see if they will join the British
A Flag of Truce : 1793: As first Lieutenant of HMS Faron Pearce escorts French ships back to the Atlantic
The Admirals’ Game : 1793: Pearce continues his fight to get his former captain before a court martial
An Ill Wind : 1793: Pearce must assist with the evacuation of Toulon
Blown off Course : Pearce is in London seeking protection for his friends, the Pelicans, from a reluctant Admiralty.
Enemies at Every Turn : Pearce is not free from the smugglers whose boat he stole, they want bloody revenge
A Sea of Troubles : 1794: Pearce finds himself aboard HMS Agamemnon, and impresses Horatio Nelson
A Divided Command : 1794: Pearce must save Emily from a superior force of Barbary Corsairs
The Devil to Pay : Pearce faces a ship in need of repair, enemy attacks and Admiral Hotham
The Perils of Command : Pearce discovers two facts that should change his life
A Treacherous Coast : 1795: Pearce is faced with immense danger, not only from the enemy but his own captain
On a Particular Service : Pearce has to avoid capture by an Algerine warship
A Close Run Thing : Henry Dundas has another role for Pearce,a mission to North East Spain...
HMS Hazard : 1796: Pearce's mission is to head for the Mediterranean Fleet and warn Admiral Sir John Jervis
A Troubled Course : John Pearce discovers that Madrid plans to desert the British-led coalition
Droits of the Crown : Pearce faces a court martial, but will cowardly Toby Burns, chief witness, stand up to questioning?
 
Series: The Nelson and Emma Trilogy**
On a Making Tide : Part One of a trilogy that chronicles the private lives and dangerous times of Nelson and his legendary mistress.
Tested by Fate : 1784: Part Two of a trilogy that chronicles the private lives and dangerous times of Nelson and his legendary mistress.
Breaking the Line : 1799: Part Three of a trilogy that chronicles the private lives and dangerous times of Nelson and his legendary mistress.
Important Note: In the UK this series was published in 2 volumes 'On a Making Tide' and 'Breaking the Line'. As titles are the same in both series you should take care not to mix them.
 
Series: The Contraband Shore trilogy
The Contraband Shore : 1787: Captain Edward Brazier is on a mission. Recently paid off from his frigate he is headed to Deal
A Lawless Place : Edward Brazier is enlisted by Prime Minister William Pitt to assist his investigation into smuggling
Blood Will Out : 1787: Captain Edward Brazier is wounded and in desperate need of medical attention
 
Midshipman Wormwood: All at Sea : Wormwood is forced to make his way, as best he can, in a profession he abhors
The Hero's Curse : 1793: Midshipman Wormwood must pass the examination for lieutenant
A Fleet to Command : Lord Charles Wormwood must concentrate on his duties as Flag Lieutenant
The Corsican Sisters : Wormwood must consider how to carry on the mission given his now dead superior
Omnibus editions
Goes to War: A David Donachie Omnibus : Lord Charles Wormwood is sent to sea in a ship under the command of his Uncle

AOS Privateer Fiction

Series: The Privateersman Mysteries (Harry Ludlow)
The Devil’s Own Luck : 1792: Investigates a murder
The Dying Trade : 1794: A captain commits suicide in Genoa, or did he?
A Hanging Matter : 1794: Smugglers become a problem
An Element of Chance : Ludlow joins the struggle for the richest trade in the world
The Scent of Betrayal : 1795: An adventure in New Orleans
A Game of Bones : 1796: Harry becomes involved with a mutiny

Tom Connery

Written as Tom Connery

AOS Naval Fiction

Series: Markham of the Marines
A Shred of Honour : 1793: As an Irishman, a Catholic, and a reputed Coward, Lt. George Markham is a Marine with something to prove
Honour Redeemed : 1794: George Markham leads his embattled Royal Marines against the French in Corsica.
Honour be Damned : 1794: Markham must go ashore to escort a group of French Royalists on a secret mission

© 2008-2024 David Hayes (Astrodene)