Firehead's Malice

THIS BOOK DEFINITELY KEEPS YOUR ATTENTION

The Seven Years' War (known as the French & Indian War in the US) was marked by major naval warfare between the French and the British in the Caribbean. Into this maelstrom comes Angus Berwyck - spoiled, ruthless son of a wealthy Welsh barrister. While carousing dockside, he is press-ganged and wakes up headed for Madagascar in a British warship. While in port at Cape Town, Angus and several other deserters seize a local ship. Feeling they will be marked men anywhere in the Indian Ocean, they go On the Account and head for the West Indies where the pickings are good. Thus begins the piratical career of "Firehead", known for his habit of burning captured ships after looting them.

...Angus is not a very likeable fellow, but you get more and more drawn into the nautical world he lives in. With many elaborate plot twists and a host of fascinating characters (why is Lady Crimhedden, a British noblewoman and respected Royal Navy widow, secretly spying for the French?) This book definitely keeps your attention.

I especially enjoyed the appendix at the end. The historical overview (contains) colorful descriptions of the period, the officers & crew of the ships, tactics, armaments, naval defenses, and classification of the various types of warships. An excellent primer for anyone interested in naval history. You might even consider reading it before you read the novel, to give you a proper feel for the era.

... Reviewed by Michael Lampe for No Quarter Given.

AN ELOQUENT SALTY YARN
Forester, O'Brian, Woodman, et al have nothing on Al Karasa, author of Firehead's Malice. This is a mighty fine yarn of sailing derring-do supported by solid historical background worthy of note. In fact, the Historical Overview in the appendix alone is worth the price of the book. Even a glossary is included. As for the yarn, it is written in erudite eloquence and holds the reader with unrelenting twists and turns in the lives of colorful characters who populate the story. The strong characterization of the anti-hero, in particular, is spell-binding. Any reader with an interest in the genre will enjoy Firehead's Malice. Those who may wish to dip their virgin toe into maritime fiction will find this book a sterling introduction to something new.
...Edwin Sarte review for Barnes & Noble.

A very capable writer (with) a worthy effort in the tradition of Hornblower, et al.
...Linda Scantlebury - Editor, Stanford U.

AN ENJOYABLE ROMP THROUGH THE WEST INDIES
At last, here is fictionalized piracy without the fantasy. Oh sure, the antagonist is a vile, evil presence, and the protagonist is clothed in traditional values, but there is no battle of good vs. evil. Instead, it is ambition, greed and corruption that rule the day, as they should in historical fiction in this vein. Oh sure, courage, bravery and heroics are there, but even the women relinquish their claim to the pedestal. This book is a page-turner for its unexpected story line and unpredictable plot. Vivid images of sailing ship life and war at sea predominate in Al Karasa's prose. "Firehead's Malice" is a most enjoyable romp through the restless West Indies, and even the history lesson in appendix is entertaining.
...Amazon review.