Captain Grey's Gambit
A Novel
by J. H. Gelernter
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Pub Date 5 Apr 2022 | Archive Date 31 Mar 2022
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Description
A taut historical thriller for fans of The Queen’s Gambit and James Bond.
December 1803: A French invasion fleet is poised to cross the Channel and storm the beaches of southern England. A member of Napoleon’s inner circle—disaffected by Napoleon’s creeping tyranny—contacts the British naval intelligence service in hopes of defecting to London. His escape plan calls for a rendezvous at an international chess tournament in Frankfurt—a rare opportunity for him to travel outside France. Naval intelligence sends its top man—and best chess player—Captain Thomas Grey, to orchestrate the Frenchman’s escape to England. But Grey’s mission changes dramatically when the defector demands that his pro-Napoleon daughter come with him—expecting Grey to act not just as escort but kidnapper.
The second novel in J. H Gelernter’s already lauded Captain Grey series, Captain Grey’s Gambit continues a story that is “smart, fast, twisty, and dangerous” (Lee Child) in a “richly imagined early nineteenth-century world” (Richard Snow).
About the Author: J. H. Gelernter lives in Connecticut. He is the author of the Captain Grey novels, Hold Fast and Captain Grey's Gambit.
Advance Praise
Praise for Hold Fast:
"A Ripping Napoleonic War Adventure….an immersive, entertaining debut….[a] thoughtful, learned depiction of this deeply engrossing period in history." - Michael Patrick Brady, The ARTery
"Picture this: James Bond in a red coat, tight white breeches, and a powdered wig topped off with an odd mésalliance between a top hat and a cowboy hat.…[A] rip-roaring novel." - Susan Lowell, Historical Novel Society
"Brilliant writing, vivid characters, thrilling battle scenes—all the hallmarks of great historical fiction are to be found in this suspenseful tale of an English intelligence agent in the war against Napoleon. Fans of the late Patrick O’Brian will be enthralled." - Ian W. Toll, New York Times best-selling author of Twilight of the Gods
"This is superb, like a great Cold War thriller, smart, fast, twisty and dangerous. Highly recommended." - Lee Child
"Gelernter keeps the suspense high without sacrificing plausibility. Bernard Cornwell fans will welcome this promising new talent." - Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Gelernter’s first novel is a pleasing romp through James Bond territory, set back a century and several decades and moved to Napoleonic France." - David Keymer, Library Journal
Available Editions
| EDITION | Hardcover |
| ISBN | 9780393867060 |
| PRICE | US$25.95 (USD) |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Dan O, Bookseller
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher W. W. Norton & Company for an advanced copy of this historical naval and espionage adventure.
Naval warfare, swordplay, some unique tools, Napoleon, lots of derring-do and chess, lots and and lots of chess. J. H. Gelernter in his book Captain's Grey's gambit, book two in the eponymous series offers all this and more in a very tightly written story featuring two different kinds of great games, espionage and again chess.
Naval intelligence officer Captain Thomas Grey is chosen to aid in the defection of a close member of Napoleon's staff, in Frankfurt at an international chess tournament. After training with the best that England has to offer, Grey travels to the continent where he finds a new problem has developed. The French contact has a daughter, loyal to France and Napoleon, and he wants her to come with him, no matter her wishes.
The novel is very good, very well written and plotted with characters that all seem real and situations that a cinematic, but with consequences. Grey is a very interesting character, a widower not with a devil may care attitude, more of I am good at this, actually very good at this, so why not. There are probably a lot of James Bond comparisons, which makes sense, there is a certain coldness to the character, like in the novels, and some gadgets, a special rifle, and a grapple crossbow for two. However my thought is that character is more like the Adam Hall Quiller character, who spies not for Queen and country, but for the thrill and the boredom of everyday life. At one point a character points out that Grey's chess game is good, and could be better if he didn't sacrifice his pawns so much. Excellent summation of a character.
Definitely for fans of the Sharpe novels, or Dewey Lambdin and Alexander Pope. O'Brian also, but there might not be enough naval engagement, and more spying which I really enjoyed, along with the fact that this was a very good read. The chess games alone are some of the most exciting and interesting passages I have read in awhile. This is my first book by Mr. Gelernter, and I am excited to read more, and be at the beginning of a series I know that I will enjoy.
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