Blocking Bonaparte (Kennett's Campaigns Book 3)

Battle, Intrigue and Ambition in the Mediterranean

The French Revolutionary War, 1798. Lieutenant Gregory Kennett is back with the 136th Foot, but his ambition to earn promotion soon puts him at odds with his commanding officer. Returned to the Marines, Gregory is sent into the Mediterranean as General Bonaparte pushes through Egypt and the Levant in pursuit of a new eastern empire.

At the siege of Acre, Gregory fights alongside British and Ottoman forces trying to halt the French advance. Amid brutal assaults and dangerous coastal raids, he discovers an ornate golden box that may provide the money he needs to purchase his captaincy. He also rescues Grazzja, a Maltese Christian enslaved in a Turkish seraglio.

Neither discovery is as simple as it first appears. The mysterious box is connected to Malta, where French occupation has sparked rebellion and Britain, France and Russia are competing for influence over one of the Mediterranean’s most strategically important islands. As Gregory travels from Acre to Malta and Egypt, military ambition becomes entangled with espionage, political rivalry and a treasured Maltese relic.

Blocking Bonaparte is the third book in Malcolm Archibald’s Kennett’s Campaigns series, combining historically grounded warfare with adventure, intrigue and the struggle for control of the Mediterranean during the French Revolutionary Wars.

Continue Gregory Kennett’s campaign and enter a world of sieges, sea raids, shifting alliances and hard-fought battles against Bonaparte’s forces.

Excerpt from the book

RODINGHAM, NORTHERN ENGLAND

JUNE 1798

“Look at yourselves!” Sergeant Payne bellowed. “I’ve taught you all I know, and you still know nothing and not much of that!” He paced along the front of the hapless recruits, stopping to scrutinise every third man, shaking his head and muttering under his breath.

“Awkward squad? If any of you could read, you would know that the Scottish poet Robert Burns asked his commanding officer not to let the awkward squad fire over his grave.” Payne raised his voice to another roar. “You lot wouldn’t even qualify for the awkward squad! You’d fall into Burns’s blasted grave, or fire into the coffin, or shoot each other and save me grief and heartache. Dear Father in heaven!”

Payne raised his face to the grey clouds above and continued his rant.

Gregory stepped back. Sergeant Payne was in his element, training recruits to the 136th Foot, recently restored to the Army after their stint as Marines in Admiral Duncan’s North Sea Fleet.

“How are they coming along, Sergeant?” Gregory asked quietly, stepping beside Payne.

“They’re coming along fine, sir,” Payne said hoarsely. “They’re quite a promising bunch.” He raised his voice again. “Soldiers? All you lot are fit for is carrying small objects short distances in a straight line and under constant supervision!” The sergeant shook his head. “And the King wants to give you muskets. Good God!”

“Lieutenant Kennett!” Corporal Bryde marched to Gregory’s side, stood at attention and saluted.

“What is it, Corporal?” Gregory asked.

“Captain Lyons would like to see you in his quarters as soon as is convenient, sir,” Corporal Bryde said.

“Thank you, Corporal,” Gregory said. “I know the way.” As soon as convenient meant immediately. “Carry on, Sergeant.”

“Yes, sir,” Payne said.

Captain Lyons, middle-aged, balding and world-weary, with a blue powder stain on his face as a reminder of the Battle of Yorktown, greeted Gregory with a grin and an offer of a drink.

“Rum, Lieutenant? Gin? Or brandy?”

“Rum, please, sir,” Gregory replied. “I developed quite a taste for it when we were in the Marines.”

“Rum it is,” Lyons said, pouring out two generous glasses. “Sit down, Kennett; Forster will be here soon.”

Lieutenant Forster entered, accepted a glass of gin and sat opposite Lyons, with Gregory a little to the side.

“Well, gentlemen,” Lyons said. “You’ll want to know why I requested the pleasure of your company.”

“Yes, sir,” Forster said.

“Relax, gentlemen,” Lyons said, grinning. “It’s good news. Our prize money has come through.”

“Prize money, sir?” Gregory asked.

“We have two sums to celebrate,” Lyons explained. “You will remember the affair of Molly’s Pride when we were in the Caribbean.”