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Audiobook read by Michael Jayston.
Richard Bolitho, together with his Midshipman friend Dancer, are given leave for Christmas and head for the Bolitho family home in Cornwall. The discovery of a dead Excise Man and the arrival of Bolitho's older brother, Hugh, in his naval cutter Revenge, somewhat scuppers the festivities as Richard and Dancer are conscripted into the Revenge's crew to search for and apprehend a gang of wreckers and smugglers. Though this is told from Richard's point of view it's really his brother Hugh, hot-headed and tempestuous, who is the main mover and shaker in this story. Richard contributes the odd good idea and mostly does as he's told. Unlike the previous book, some of this adventure takes place on land, but the climax is another thrilling sea battle. Michael Jayston is an excellent reader.