Devil to Pay, by C. Northcote Parkinson

June 21, 2009 by Nekkidblogger
Filed under: C. Northcote Parkinson, Main character, Richard Delancey, book review, historical fiction, naval fiction

Devil to Pay is the first book published, but the second in chronological order, in the series about Richard Delancey. It was first published in 1973. The action in this book takes place more than 10 years after the action in book 1, The Guernseyman. Richard Delancey is a lieutenant assigned to the Grafton, a hulk at permanent anchor.

Richard Delancey has had an undistinguished naval career, but he possesses a fluency in French that lands him a secret mission for the Admiralty. Through no fault of his own, the secret mission further tarnishes his reputation and prospects. It leads to a duel. Thus Delancey is once again casting about for fresh opportunity.

Seeking opportunity, he becomes involved in customs collection on the Isle of Wight, with a temporary command of a Revenue Service cutter. Doing this, he is very successful. As a result, he is given command of the 22-gun privateer Nemesis. This provides Delancey with opportunities for profit, and we follow him in several daring naval operations. He is a successful privateer commander. However, misfortune leaves him shipwrecked on the French coast. He attempts to escape through Spain, just as the Spanish are entering the war. The last part of the novel covers his flight through Spain, and action in Leon as he rejoins the Royal Navy.

Devil to Pay has lots of action, both on land and at sea. It is well written, and Richard Delancey is an interesting character that gets ahead by hard work and sound analytical thinking. I like this book and the series a lot, and do not hesitate to recommend it.

Links to C. Northcote Parkinson’s books at amazon US, amazon UK, and amazon CAN.