A Passage of Arms — James Pattinson

When Daniel Gregg inherits some money, he knows exactly what to do with it.

Leaving the merchant navy, he buys his own ‘tramp' ship and goes into business with a friend, Frank Loder. Naming the ship W.H. Davies, together they travel the world, transporting goods and living free.

For Gregg, who is divorced and without ties, the world is his oyster.

Until the ship's bosun goes missing.

Forced to recruit a replacement at short notice, Gregg and Loder take on Tommy Chan, a Chinese sailor of mysterious background with a sideline in knife-throwing.

This comes in handy when they must fight off some vicious pirates. From that point on, Chan becomes a pivotal part of the ship's crew.

But is he a team player or a lone wolf?

Meanwhile, in port, Gregg gallantly retrieves a lady's handbag from a street thief and finds himself fascinated by the bag's charismatic owner, Margarita Diaz.

When she finds out that Gregg owns a ship, Miss Diaz seems set to become a client.

But a very particular, very dangerous, type of client. A client with a very dangerous cargo.

And so Gregg, Loder and the crew of the W.H. Davies become embroiled in the politics and intrigue of a distant land.

But not everybody is as smitten with Miss Diaz as Gregg seems to be. Which is why, in time, his ship is taken over by a stranger and Bosun Tommy Chan seems somehow to be connected with this turn of events …

A Passage of Arms is a fast-paced novel of action and adventure, glamour and danger. Will Captain Gregg recover the W.H. Davies and win the heart of his lady? Or will he suffer a similar gruesome fate as others who have travelled on his ship? The final denouement may surprise you …

Praise for John Pattinson

‘A crisp storyline and credible characters make it a cracker of a tale' - Bolton Evening News

‘A Grim and exciting tale' â€" Sheffield Star

‘There is the tang of the sea and plenty of excitement' â€" Birmingham Mail

‘Bears the stamp of authenticity that has so effectively flavoured previous seafaring yarns by this author.' â€" Nottingham Evening Post

James Pattinson (1915-2009) was a full-time author who, despite having travelled throughout the world, lived in the remote village where he grew up. He wrote magazine articles, short stories and radio features as well as numerous novels including Crane and The Silent Voyage.