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John Drake
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Fletcher's Fortune: An enjoyable naval romp (Fletcher Naval Adventures Book 1) Kindle Edition

by John Drake (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 3,080 ratings
Young Jacob Fletcher, whilst unsure of his parentage, did know that as an apprentice he couldn't legally be seized by the press gang.

But this particular gang couldn't actually read the rules. And didn't care anyway.
Which was how he found himself risking life, limb and sea sickness on board His Majesty's frigate Phiandra, about to do battle with what looked like half the French fleet.

Meanwhile at Coignwood Hall, the late Sir Henry lay face-down in his soup as his beautiful but evil widow, Lady Sarah, along with their two loathsome sons, ransacked his papers for the will that would disclose to their horror that the entire family fortune has been left to a previously unknown illegitimate son.

Who would now have to be tracked down and disposed of as a matter of some urgency... What will become of Fletcher's Fortune?

Fletcher's Fortuneis the first in a rollicking series of memoirs that bring the 18th Century back to life in its tawdry glory.

Praise for John Drake:
‘Broad comedy, high drama, plenty of action, a pinch of sex ... the genre has room for this cheerily debunking outsider’ - Daily Mail
'Swashbuckling adventure on the high seas doesn't get much better than this. […] John Drake writes beautifully, and you'll be torn between savoring the words and quickly flipping the pages. Any favorable comparison to Stevenson or Patrick O'Brian is totally justified.’ - Nelson DeMille, #1 New York Times bestselling author

John Drake trained as a biochemist to post-doctorate research level before realizing he was no good at science. His working career was in the television department of ICI until 1999 when he became a full-time writer. John's hobby is muzzle-loading shooting, and his interests are British history and British politics (as a spectator), plus newspapers, TV news, and current affairs. He is married with a son and two grandchildren.
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  1. Book 1 of 8
    Fletcher Naval Adventures
  2. Print length
    271 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    May 13, 2015
  6. File size
    1.4 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00XMY0LO6
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Lume Books
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 13, 2015
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.4 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 271 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 8 ‏ : ‎ Fletcher Naval Adventures
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 3,080 ratings

About the author

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John Drake

John Drake

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Hallo,

MORE FLETCHER!

Since 'Fletcher and the Constitution' has been so well received, there will be more and more Fletchers.

I am delighted to announce that I am now writing "Fletcher and the Barbary Pirates' for publication late 2025 or early 2026. Also, as soon as I complete 'Barbary Pirates' i shall start on another Fletcher (title to be decided). for publication in 2027.

Beyond that, and forgive me if I am being cryptic, but there may be several new John Drake books, this year. Complex matters are involved, but it looks good so far.

So please have a look on Amazon, from time to time, to see what happens.

The problem/joy for me is that have a fountain inside my head that never stops churning out books. I can't stop it and wouldn't if could, so I can only hope that you will be so kind as to read them.

All best, John Drake.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
3,080 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this naval adventure book to be an outstanding example of maritime fiction, with engaging swashbuckling action and plenty of subplots. They describe it as a fast-paced, rollicking read with believable characters. The writing style receives positive feedback, with one customer noting the well-done descriptions and dialogue.

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Suspenseful storyReadabilityPacingWriting styleCharacter development
43 customers mention "Suspenseful story"37 positive6 negative

Customers enjoy the exciting sea tale, describing it as an outstanding example of maritime fiction with swashbuckling adventures and intrigue.

"...and cannon blaze, timbers break, deaths mount, and mysteries resolve in a fast-paced, straight-ahead narrative, unburdened by subtlety of complex..." Read more

"...Comedy co-mingles with drama and suspense as the reader is drawn, page by meticulously-written page, through this tale that will appeal to all..." Read more

"...enjoyable read, with great attention to detail on the times and ships of the era. I'll definitely be looking out for the next in the series." Read more

"I've always loved British naval books and this one does not disappoint. I will recommend this book to friends and family." Read more

35 customers mention "Readability"35 positive0 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as a rollicking good read that matches the quality of other books in the series.

"A good first book in a series...." Read more

"In this compulsive, entertaining read, the author mines lots of familiar material from earlier Napoleonic naval literature...." Read more

"...'s my personal opinion and doesn't change the fact that it was a very good series and I'll be checking out more Drake books." Read more

"...You will laugh, you will tremble, you will think about these characters for years to come...." Read more

14 customers mention "Pacing"11 positive3 negative

Customers appreciate the pacing of the book, describing it as fast-paced and engaging, with one customer noting it serves as an excellent introduction to the John Fletcher adventure series.

"In this compulsive, entertaining read, the author mines lots of familiar material from earlier Napoleonic naval literature...." Read more

"...An entertaining and engrossing first book in what promises to be an incredible series with plenty of subplots and well worth the time." Read more

"John Drake charts an excellent start to the John Fletcher adventure series, providing a action filled look into the introduction of the title..." Read more

"...Reading was slow and labored at times. I had the time since I wasn't teaching so I plodded along and finished all three...." Read more

11 customers mention "Writing style"11 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the writing style of the book, with one customer noting that the descriptions and dialogue are well done, while another mentions that the seamanship details are accurate.

"...that are more cartoon villains than real people but the seamanship details are right and defects in those are what stops me from enjoying many..." Read more

"...-mingles with drama and suspense as the reader is drawn, page by meticulously-written page, through this tale that will appeal to all lovers of..." Read more

"I really loved this book. The writing is excellent, the story fascinating and the characters are believable...." Read more

"I completely enjoyed the unorthodox writing style and found this story to be one of best I've read in a long time." Read more

10 customers mention "Character development"10 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the believable characters in the book, with one review highlighting the interesting naval hero.

"...in a fast-paced, straight-ahead narrative, unburdened by subtlety of complex character development or superfluous descriptions of place...." Read more

"...The writing is excellent, the story fascinating and the characters are believable. I definitely recommend it if you like sea stories" Read more

"...Some twist's, conspiracy, mean Villains, Diabolical relatives, sea battles, cannoner actions, sword play, pistol play, etc...." Read more

"...Great story development and character descriptions.....whoever thought that I would start reading a book that starts with a Dogfight..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Hugo C Yepez Jr
    5.0 out of 5 stars The "coming of age" of Jacob Fletcher
    Reviewed in the United States on June 28, 2015
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    John Drake’s “Fletcher’s Fortune” is a rip-roaring tale of the savagery and corruption of British Naval impressment at the end of the eighteenth century and of Jacob Fletcher, one of its young victims, unfairly “pressed into the Navy,” a reluctant sailor made and hardened aboard a British Naval privateer.

    We first meet the inhabitants of Coignwood Hall, (giving nothing away): the captivating Lady Sarah Coignwood and her husband, Mr. Coignwood, having just shot his older son, Master Alexander Coignwood, “in the uniform of a Naval officer,” after having witnessed him “playing ‘bedroom backgammon’ with his own [younger] brother!”

    From there, “Fletcher’s Fortune” plays out as a “coming of age” adventure, mostly told in “Fletcher’s own speech,” aboard the British warship, Phiandra, under the command of the possibly reckless but nonetheless fearless Captain Bollington, in possession of “a special commission . . . to cruise the French coast, at his discretion, to wreck havoc upon the enemy’s trade,” and who with his commission and duty-bound crew is the perfect embodiment of the private adventurer.

    And what an adventure it is! Plots unfold on land and on sea, bargains made, duplicity and deadly treacheries emerge, fights ensue, knives and cutlasses strike, crises arise, friendships form, oceans swell, loyalties struggle, ships clash, cannonades fire, sea battles roar, pistols and cannon blaze, timbers break, deaths mount, and mysteries resolve in a fast-paced, straight-ahead narrative, unburdened by subtlety of complex character development or superfluous descriptions of place. Remember to settle into a comfortable spot before you start reading; you won’t stir for quite a while.

    My only regret: that “Fletcher’s Fortune” is not yet an audiobook. When it is, I’ll buy it again and have the added pleasure of listening to it, salty language and all!

    For more rip-roaring tales of sea-faring adventures, this time of pirates made and hardened, you should check out John Drake’s earlier “Treasure Island” trilogy: “Flint and Silver,” “Pieces of Eight,” and “Skull and Bones.”

    Enjoy!
    10 people found this helpful
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  • Michael A. Hobart
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good first book for series
    Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2022
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    A good first book in a series. A couple things left unresolved, probably for later in the series, namely, what was the resolution of the vast fortune he was due to inherit? Why had Kate refused to go along with him and what was her fate?. I enjoyed it, but would not rank it up with Forester's Hornblower (of course it was a much shorter first book in a series.)
    One person found this helpful
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  • A. Steven Toby
    5.0 out of 5 stars Horatio Hornblower meets Treasure Island
    Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2020
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    In this compulsive, entertaining read, the author mines lots of familiar material from earlier Napoleonic naval literature. The heir who goes to sea expecting nothing from his family and then finding himself in charge of an estate happens in “Peter Simple,” or maybe “Mildmay,” anyway, one of the 19th century originals. The engagements of the frigate with the French and the cutting out expedition is something C. S. Forester would write, although he would always take the officer’s point of view while in this book the hero is a pressed man on the lower deck. And of course the mutiny on the French prize resembles Jim Hawkins’s struggle to recapture the Hispaniola in “Treasure Island.” These traditional elements blend well in a stew (might be lobscouse?) that stays at a rolling boil from knightheads to taffrail.
    There are a few exaggerated characters that are more cartoon villains than real people but the seamanship details are right and defects in those are what stops me from enjoying many recent books of the genre. Seems like I’ve found another nautical author worth his salt.
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  • Cenolt
    4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Series
    Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2017
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I read all four books and enjoyed them very much. I am now a John Drake fan. The only little negative thing I can say is that the books sometimes bogged down in too many little technical details for my taste. I think the author could have shortened each book by 20 pages and not lost anything. However, that's my personal opinion and doesn't change the fact that it was a very good series and I'll be checking out more Drake books.
    One person found this helpful
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  • MuseumGirl
    5.0 out of 5 stars A perfect concoction of suspense, intrigue, comedy and farce!
    Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2015
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Reading Fletcher's Fortune is like seeing the most gloriously-British drama-comedy-bawdy satire unfold before your mind's eye! From the first page I was gripped, reading at breakneck pace through this gloriously-told, highly-cinematic story by this remarkable author. Comedy co-mingles with drama and suspense as the reader is drawn, page by meticulously-written page, through this tale that will appeal to all lovers of novels set in eighteenth-century England as well as fans of Patrick O'Brien's great naval series. For those who want a chuckle, echoes of Swift and Smollett are there to be found in Drake's prose, leaving the reader delighted and tickled throughout the tale. Any Anglophile worth their salt will not be able to put down this book for more than the split-second it will take you to say just one of the gloriously pithy Georgian curse words ("whoreson") you will find in John Drake's masterpiece. You will laugh, you will tremble, you will think about these characters for years to come. If only Amazon gave me more stars, I would have turned every last one to gold for this book.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • Charles from Redondo Beach
    3.0 out of 5 stars It's just OK.
    Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2016
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I can't say that I really liked the book. It features two related and parallel stories that are retold using articles from old newspapers and letters from attorneys. Reading was slow and labored at times. I had the time since I wasn't teaching so I plodded along and finished all three. I don't know if there will be a fourth book in the series; but, if there is, it won't be on my list of books to read.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Shaun Green
    5.0 out of 5 stars Thoroughly enjoyable read
    Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    A thoroughly enjoyable read, with great attention to detail on the times and ships of the era. I'll definitely be looking out for the next in the series.
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  • Steve Uriarte
    4.0 out of 5 stars A rollicking good read!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2022
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I've always loved British naval books and this one does not disappoint. I will recommend this book to friends and family.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • ramblingsid
    5.0 out of 5 stars An ace in a somewhat crowded genre.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 1, 2015
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I have been a devoted fan of this genre ever since my youth when I first discovered the unsurpassable Hornblower novels of C.S Forester. Apart from Forester, I think Lambdin and Stockwin are my favourites, but Fletcher's Fortune by John Drake is very good indeed. In fact, I have downloaded and started reading the second in the series, Fletcher's Glorious First of June, and this looks like being just as exciting and well written. Fletcher, like Stockwin's Kydd, was pressed into the navy, but there the similarity ends. I won't spoil others' enjoyment by relating the plot, but there is a lot of well written sea going yo-heave-ho interwoven with a dastardly plot ashore. Descriptions of sea borne life aboard an 18th century frigate and engagements with the enemy appear to me to be accurate and well researched, including the presence of women on board, which was not uncommon. I am somewhat of a pedant over fine details, but I really couldn't find anything to criticise. A thoroughly good yarn and an absolute bargain at the price.
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  • Brian
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good from start to finish
    Reviewed in Canada on February 4, 2016
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Good from start to finish.
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  • Scifi fan
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good read
    Reviewed in Australia on May 3, 2022
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    An interesting cast of characters and a rollicking style of storytelling. I really enjoyed this and can't wait for the next installment of the series to
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  • Elizabeth Carson
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great book!!!
    Reviewed in Canada on December 17, 2018
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Good storyline with more than a battle at sea!!!! Well written, on to the next adventure with John Fletcher author John Drake.
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  • Rob
    4.0 out of 5 stars A mixed bag
    Reviewed in Australia on September 26, 2020
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Well, I’ve never written a book review before, but this book needs one. I didn’t read it, I listened to the audiobook but, much as I enjoyed it - and I did - there are some issues with it.

    The story and characters were well drawn and believable - apart from a Deus ex Machina moment when a person identified somebody who they had never seen before.
    Of course one can’t expect a landsman to write of the sea and be correct in every respect, but a simple error like ‘knots per hour’ should have been identified at the editing stage.

    Other than that the story was throughly enjoyable.

    The audiobook on the other hand was definitely not up to scratch. Here the maritime jargon was regularly, and annoyingly, mispronounced; but worst of all was the total lack of editing. At least every 10 minutes, and often far more frequently, a sentence would be repeated, on occasion three times, as the narrator tried out various forms of pronunciation and emphasis.

    That said, and annoying though ii was, once I had finished the audiobook, I still went back to see if the second book was available in the same format
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