The Scent of Betrayal

The discovery of an abandoned Spanish merchant ship off the coast of America plunges the Ludlows into a far-reaching conspiracy fueled by jealousy, ambition and nationalistic fervor. The Bucephalas lies trapped under the gaping muzzles of the 32-pounder Spanish guns of New Orleans' harbor fort. It quickly becomes clear that the corridors of the governor's residence are just as busy with treachery, doubled-dealing, and murder as the back alleys of the sweltering city outside.

David Donachie is an avowed lover of naval fiction with a stroke of mischief, and he has lately published a multivolume biographical novel about Lord Nelson and Lady Emma Hamilton. Writing as Tom Connery, he is the author of the popular Markham of the Marines novels. A Scot by birth, he lives in Deal on the Channel coast of England.