Captain Pat O'Connor, Lieutenant Duncan Macleod and Doctor Simon Ferguson return from half-pay to command the frigate HMS SURPRISE, returned to service after long years 'in ordinary' at Plymouth Dock to serve the cause of Greek independence. After escorting Lord Byron to Cephalonia, SURPRISE aids the fledgling Greek navy against the crushing superiority of the Ottoman fleet. This fictional tale is based upon the historical events of 1823 and 1824. O'Connor, Macleod and Ferguson are reunited with their former shipmates, a valiant band of brothers. Written by Alan Lawrence; inspired by a love of nautical history and Patrick O'Brian's wonderful novels, the story draws the reader into the vivid and detailed telling of the bloody actual events of those savage times. Everyone familiar with Patrick O'Brian's particular style, the expressive nature of his characters, his dry humour, his masterful ship and ship-handling detail, will be immediately at home aboard HMS SURPRISE within this book.