I read the first nine novels in the John Pearce series in a fairly rapid progression, then took a four-year break from the books. It wasn't because I wasn't enjoying them; in fact, author David Donachie is among my favorites in the genre. I guess I felt certain unresolved plot points were going on too long, with too much of each book devoted to Pearce's pursuit of justice for the illegal impressment of himself and several other men by a desperate ship's captain.

Now, four years later, I finally picked up volume 10, A Divided Command, and found a lot more of the same.

Don't get me wrong, the writing is still top-notch and the characters are very interesting people. But there isn't a whole lot of plot in this book, much of which has to do with naval politics, an illicit romance with a naval officer's wife, and the delivering of messages. Fortunately, Donachie shoe-horns in some interesting appearances by historical figures including Horatio Nelson, Ambassador William Hamilton and his notorious wife Emma, Admirals Hood and Hotham, and more.

But there's not much action here, beyond an illegal duel with an army officer that will probably have further consequences in future books.

Sadly, the one bit of naval action that takes place at the very end of the story is telegraphed by an inconsiderate copywriter who prepared the text for the back cover. I hate when they do that.

A Divided Command is not a great book, but I found I missed these characters and want to know what happens next. Let's hope there's some resolution soon on their long running issues so we can move on to more exciting topics.