In this entertaining sequel to No Quarter, the debut installment of Campbell's Matty Graves series of historical novels, the intrepid nautical hero, newly promoted to acting lieutenant aboard the navy schooner Rattle-Snake, finds himself out of his depth on terra firma. It's 1826, and Commodore Cyrus Gaswell, a family friend and patron to the 17-year-old Graves, dispatches the lieutenant to Saint-Domingue to investigate a rumored plot by Toussaint L'Ouverture to expand his successful slave rebellion to the United States. Once on shore, Graves hooks up with a colorful cast of shady characters: Alonzo Connor, "a gentleman of color" who claims to represent the U.S. War Department; Connor's black secretary, George Franklin; the Parson, a shadowy figure identified with "the White Hand," a racist society committed to removing all nonwhites from America; and Juge, a soldier in Toussaint's army who serves as Graves's guide. None are whom they claim, and they're all soon caught up in a deadly local struggle—the War of Knives. With only a bare-bones historical foundation, Campbell constructs an elaborate swashbuckling tale that will appeal especially to fans of high historical adventure.

– Publishers Weekly

The seafaring saga of American naval lieutenant Matty Graves moves into a third readable volume with Graves recovering from his ordeal during the Saint-Domingue rebellion. Now he must join in the investigation of the relief from command of his previous captain, in which he played a somewhat equivocal part. At the same time, romance beckons, and so does the prospect of a sea command of his own that could make him a fortune in prize money, though at the price of grossly violating his principles. Graves is an entirely plausible character for this era of the American navy—between the Revolution and the War of 1812—when it faced many tasks and a shoestring budget. Campbell, an erstwhile crew member on a contemporary tall ship, the restored Lady Washington, writes a seawise prose and compensates in skilled characterization his tendency toward slow pacing.

– Roland Green, Booklist

Campbell brings to his writing a feel for his period and an understanding of naval seamanship and traditions that are not often seen in maritime fiction. His characters are sharp, genuine, and fascinating, his plotting fast-paced and authentic.

– James L. Nelson, author of the Isaac Biddlecomb Novels

Graves is an entirely plausible character for this era of the American navy—between the Revolution and the War of 1812—when it faced many tasks and a shoestring budget. Campbell, an erstwhile crew member on a contemporary tall ship, the restored Lady Washington, writes a seawise prose . . .

– Roland Green, Booklist

Campbell writes with a vivid immediacy and understated authority. . . . His evocation of life aboard a small man-of-war in the young United States Navy during the Quasi-War with France is superb, his characterization is both acute and realistic, his dialogue witty and shrewd . . . a delight to read.

– Richard Woodman, author of the Nathaniel Drinkwater series

Campbell is one of those all-too-rare historical novelists who understands that the real world turns less often on acts of wisdom and courage than it does on folly, incompetence, and blind mischance. Refreshingly cynical.

– Jonathan Lunn, author of the Killigrew Series