The Wicked Trade (Sea Officer William Bentley Novels, No. 2)

Rating:
Summary: Slow-paced and disjointed.
Review: If I didn't know any better, I could swear that this book and the previous (A Fine Boy for Killing) were written by two different people ... the first one rattles along at a great pace, but alas not this... It has taken me weeks to get through it, whereas I devoured 'Fine Boy for Killing' in a couple of days.
There are several seemingly disconnected threads running in parallel in this story. Ostensibly about Will Bentley joining a press tender, we gather that this is not the crux of the matter; the disappearance of 2 men and his uncle's hints at 'trade' lead one to understand that smuggling is the hidden agenda.
However, the story takes its own good time getting there; I found this lack of progress to be disturbing, and combined with the stilted delivery, was almost persuaded several times to give it up as a bad job. But some quality kept dragging me back; maybe it was the hanging tale of the girl selling her teeth and the judge's wife who was to be the recipient; perhaps the fate of the 'spies'; maybe the underlying good story - for sure it was not the flow of the tale.
The style is not my cup of tea, but then I don't care for Steven King either... ***

Rating:
Summary: Another excellent historical novel by Jan Needle
Review: Read my review of "A Fine Boy for Killing," as the comments
all apply to this work as well. This is the second novel in the William Bentley naval fiction series, though on an entirely
different tack. As in the first novel of the series, Jan Needle has presented us with a dark, brooding, (sometimes revolting) mystery. The setting is mid-18th century England. The land and sea settings are drafted with excellent visual imagery. The protagonist is still William Bentley, albeit now a somewhat older (but not too worldly) midshipman. His uncle, a sadistic cynical Captain lurks in the wings, occasionally sticking his oar in to terrify and ensnare William in his disreputable schemes. Were (and are) people really like this? Unfortunately, yes, they are our fellow man. "We have met the enemy, and they is us...."

Definitely not in the style of the lightweight fantasy "Hornblower" series. As intellectual as Patrick O'Brien, but without the niceguys and heroics. If you like historical novels which require some gray matter, and which contain a strong element of psychological drama, this is your sea biscuit. Like O'Brien and David Donachie, a great find for those who enjoy a cut above the average, "grapple and board" type of naval novel. Prepare to be horrified at times, like when you read about the sale of Cicely's entire mouthful of teeth! If you like the genre, you will like this book. Full of the socio-cultural backdrop of 18th century England. Not too much dialect, so one can comprehend the characters' language. Highly readable, though one has to pay close attention--not a skim read. Don't bring it to the beach--this is for bedtime after your spouse has fallen asleep.

Of course the first book in every series tends to win the toss-up, but this second book is so unlike the first it does not disappoint. Good writer, interesting subjects. Jan Needle will eventually be as collectable as Woodman, Lambdin, Pope or Donachie, (probably not the tremendously popular god of sea novels Patrick O'Brien though), once he becomes more widely known. I bought the second book in the series when I got half-way through his first. Since Donachie is not as prolific as we would hope, and Pope and O'Brien are now deceased, Needle is all the more welcome. Hope he doesn't return to children's books and screenplays!

Rating:
Summary: Another excellent historical novel by Jan Needle
Review: Read my review of "A Fine Boy for Killing," as the comments
all apply to this work as well. This is the second novel in the William Bentley naval fiction series, though on an entirely
different tack. As in the first novel of the series, Jan Needle has presented us with a dark, brooding, (sometimes revolting) mystery. The setting is mid-18th century England. The land and sea settings are drafted with excellent visual imagery. The protagonist is still William Bentley, albeit now a somewhat older (but not too worldly) midshipman. His uncle, a sadistic cynical Captain lurks in the wings, occasionally sticking his oar in to terrify and ensnare William in his disreputable schemes. Were (and are) people really like this? Unfortunately, yes, they are our fellow man. "We have met the enemy, and they is us...."

Definitely not in the style of the lightweight fantasy "Hornblower" series. As intellectual as Patrick O'Brien, but without the niceguys and heroics. If you like historical novels which require some gray matter, and which contain a strong element of psychological drama, this is your sea biscuit. Like O'Brien and David Donachie, a great find for those who enjoy a cut above the average, "grapple and board" type of naval novel. Prepare to be horrified at times, like when you read about the sale of Cicely's entire mouthful of teeth! If you like the genre, you will like this book. Full of the socio-cultural backdrop of 18th century England. Not too much dialect, so one can comprehend the characters' language. Highly readable, though one has to pay close attention--not a skim read. Don't bring it to the beach--this is for bedtime after your spouse has fallen asleep.

Of course the first book in every series tends to win the toss-up, but this second book is so unlike the first it does not disappoint. Good writer, interesting subjects. Jan Needle will eventually be as collectable as Woodman, Lambdin, Pope or Donachie, (probably not the tremendously popular god of sea novels Patrick O'Brien though), once he becomes more widely known. I bought the second book in the series when I got half-way through his first. Since Donachie is not as prolific as we would hope, and Pope and O'Brien are now deceased, Needle is all the more welcome. Hope he doesn't return to children's books and screenplays!

Rating:
Summary: The Wicked Trade
Review: This is the continuing story of William Bentley and his ongoing process of personal disillusion and embitterment.

Set in the early 19th century, The Wicked Trade is about smuggling, press gangs, and really nasty amateur dentistry. It's an outstanding book, though not a perfect one, and is not for the weak of stomach.

I characterized Needle's writing in his previous book, A Fine Boy for Killing, as a blunt instrument. Here, he's refined it to a stiletto. Dialogue in particular shines, even evoking Shakespeare in its rhythmic qualities. His action scenes are still a little static and there's too much exposition -- one annoying habit he's picked up is to add an expositional paragraph before an action sequence, wrecking the suspense by telling the reader what's going to happen.

For the most part, characters are strong, vivid and well drawn. I particularly appreciate Needle's ability to create female characters who, while believable for the period, are individuals.

The plot, while exciting, doesn't have the gripping quality of the first book in the series. I think the author tries to do too much. Perhaps focusing on either the press or the smuggling, with the dental horrors as a subplot, would have been stronger. More detail on either of those would have been appreciated. As it is, there are fascinating themes here, but I felt the lack of a dramatic climax, and there are times when the plot bogs down. Readers should be warned that some of the teeth scenes are beyond disgusting.

The finale is ambiguous, leaving the door open for, I hope, a third installment.

Rating:
Summary: Heavy reading
Review: This novel is written in a 19th century style - perhaps following the style of Thomas Hardy. It is heavier reading than the average novel, and probably will not be popular fiction. The story consists of a number of inter-related sub-plots, and skips between various characters and actions that are intertwined in a complex plot. I would rate the novel as a tragedy where the black hats prevail. It is the second novel in a series, but can be read as a stand alone book.

Other authors have included the smuggling trade between England and France in their plots, perhaps making it appear somewhat glamorous (see Parkinson's "The Devil to Pay," or Pope's "Ramage & the Guillotine"). The present novel shows the dark side and is set in an earlier time period, possibly the mid-18th century. White slavery was common, including both men and women sold into servitude in the American colonies (or possibly brothels in the case of young women). People turned a blind eye to pedophilia or other evils.

The main character is William Bentley, a Royal Navy midshipman returning to active duty. He is assigned to the press tender Biter, an aged collier under charter and under the command of an indifferent lieutenant. He is drawn into the various sub-plots involving white slavery, smuggling, and murder, with some pedophilia added in.

England is at war with France, but trade must go on. The free traders (smugglers) have tentacles reaching into the higher levels of society where it is all about money. A code of silence stifles attempts to enforce the law, compounded by magistrates and others on the take. The novel seems to be a bit unfinished, but the author may be planning a sequel. I would give it an R rating based on violence and sexual content.