It has been some months since I picked up a book in Alaric Bond's excellent Fighting Sail series. And I was somewhat reluctant to begin reading once I did. No offense to the author, but for many years I've been reading books of nautical fiction, reviewing them, then passing them on to my father. He has enjoyed many of the same books that I did, although certainly our options were not always in sync; one thing we agreed on over the past few years was that Bond's series was among our new favorites.

Sadly, my father died in June, and the book he had been reading up until the point that his illness made reading impossible was left unfinished. It was The Patriot's Fate, the fifth book in this series, and he had only 20-some pages to go.

So it was with a certain amount of resignation that I took the next book in the series along with me on a beach vacation. I knew that resuming the series would carry with it a touch of sadness, and it did. Of course, as soon as I opened the book I was reabsorbed into Bond's world, and I had to concede that my father would not have begrudged me the pleasure.

In The Scent of Corruption, Sir Richard Banks has been appointed captain of HMS Prometheus, a 74-gun line of battle ship bound for the Mediterranean in 1803. As one expects from Bond, his story boasts plenty of action, from a daring raid to press much-needed seamen into service to a perilous rescue of sailors and passengers from a wrecked ship. There's a tense duel, a prisoners' uprising, a stowaway, a mass poisoning and a couple of vivid sea battles.

Through it all, the author juggles a large cast of characters, focusing on officers and crewmen alike with equal attention. Among them is Lewis, a sailor who was raised up as an officer, and Ross, an able seaman who is hiding his past as a court-martialed lieutenant. There's the barest hint of romance, and a young woman who, though sweet, is entirely too gullible and not incredibly bright. Of course, Lt. Thomas King continues to be at the heart of the plot.

Despite the large number of characters in Bond's ensemble cast, readers will find themselves caring deeply about their fates. (Keeping track of them all is made easier by a handy cast of characters included at the end.)

The Scent of Corruption is a thoroughly enjoyable book, and I look forward to reading more. The revelation on the final page ensures I will read the next one very soon.

Oh, and I'm quite sure Dad would have liked it.

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