Lt. Thomas King, although just recently promoted in His Majesty's Navy, is unable to find posting on a suitable ship. So, with some reluctance, he accepts a contract with the Honourable East India Company for a merchant cruise to India. Also onboard the Pevensey Castle are Robert Manning, acting as surgeon's mate, and his new wife Kate, who is eager to see the world. Less welcome is Captain Rogers, King's former superior officer, who is no more competent than he was in the past and still carries a grudge.

The voyage begins well, all things considered. The small convoy, protected by a single frigate, even manages to see off a band of French privateers without too much trouble. But the convoy grows, and the weather turns bad, and Pevensey Castle is separated from the pack.

And there are more French privateers prowling the seas for vulnerable prey.

The first three novels in Alaric Bond's Fighting Sail series were truly ensemble pieces, with a fairly large number of major characters to keep in line. In Cut & Run, King has floated to the top and serves as the primary protagonist, although Bond still manages to juggle several key characters -- some who return from previous books, such as the Mannings and crewmen Crowley and Johnston (nee Simpson), and several new ones, including officers Paterson, Nichols and Langlois, crewmen Ward and Khan, and several passengers.

The number of characters never overwhelm the reader under Bond's deft hand, and the author keeps a close handle on the action, too. Readers will enjoy enough sea battles, pursuits and stormy weather to keep them eagerly turning pages to the end.

The end of the book promises yet another change in King's fortunes, as well as the return in the next volume of several more familiar names. I can't wait.

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