The Commander Cochrane Smith Naval Thrillers Series

A heart-pounding First World War naval thriller featuring the rebel Captain Cochrane Smith. 1917: After three years, the outcome of the Great War is poised on a knife-edge. David Cochrane Smith, captain of the armoured cruiser HMS Thunder, is patrolling off the coast of South America. But then he attacks and sinks the Gerda, a neutral ship in a neutral port. Smith already has a reputation as a maverick and now he faces professional ruin. But he is certain he was right, that the Gerda was one of two ships masquerading under neutral flags that are in fact supply vessels for the mighty German warships, Kondor and Wolf. Only an outdated cruiser and a young captain prepared to break all the rules stand in their way… Thunder At Dawn is an edge-of-the-seat naval adventure that combines thrilling story-telling with meticulous research, perfect for readers of Alexander Fullerton, Julian Stockwin and Philip McCutchan. Praise for Alan Evans'I think a 21 gun salute is required…Alan Evans has produced a cracking thriller' Daily Mirror 'Evans provides a different sea story, sustained suspense and vivid battle scenes' Publishers Weekly

A renegade commander must take matters into his own hands in this epic First World War thriller. Summer, 1917: Britain is losing the war against the deadly German U-boats. After close fought action, Commander David Cochrane Smith uncovers what he believes is a deadly plot against Britain from a dying German sailor. Code-named Swordbearer, it could turn the tide of the war in Germany's favour. But, already under suspicion, his warnings fall on deaf ears. With just one one ancient destroyer, a turtle-back 'thirty-knotter' known as Bloody Mary, under his command and a hostile commanding office, he must wage this battle on his own. Smith must solve the riddle and stake his own life to save his country... This vivid and high-octane thriller is perfect for fans of Douglas Reeman, Alexander Kent and Patrick O’Brien. Praise for Alan Evans 'Terrific action at sea on land and in the air…breathless pace. Evans ranks as a top adventure writer' Publishers Weekly

The odds are against Commander Smith in this epic story of battle on the high seas. Autumn, 1917: Britain is just about surviving against incessant U-boat attacks, but there are mutinies in France, a revolution in Russia and stalemate on the Western Front. The Allies must get the upper hand and, in London, plans are hatched to renew the pressure in the Middle East. Commander David Cochrane Smith finds himself on a formidable assignment in the Mediterranean. He is wily, experienced and tough but his mission is dangerous and his force is small. With this ramshackle squadron he must elude the U-boats and sink a heavily armed enemy cruiser whose captain is as able and daring as Smith himself. The action is fierce on land and on sea – and the odds are uneven. But this is an assignment designed to test Smith to the utmost and he is determined to succeed… Dauntlessis an unputdownable First World War Thriller perfect for fans of David Black, Patrick O’Brian and Alexander Fullerton. Praise for Dauntless 'I think a 21 gun salute is required... Alan Evans has produced a cracking thriller' Daily Mirror 'Evans provides a different sea story, sustained suspense and vivid battle scenes' Publishers Weekly

Commander David Cochrane Smith is about to embark on his most perilous adventure yet. November, 1917: The Imperial German Navy has sent Kapitan Erwin Voss to command the mighty new battle cruiser Salzburg in the Adriatic. Smith is ordered by the Admiralty to seek out and destroy her in harbour – a seemingly suicidal task which is made all the more hopeless when he runs into the opposition of his superiors in Venice. But it is a vital mission, and Smith knows he must go it alone. Though the odds are stacked against him and his tiny crew, his orders are inflexible: seek out and destroy! This thrilling naval adventure is perfect for fans of Douglas Reeman and Julian Stockwin. Praise for Alan Evans 'I think a 21 gun salute is required…Alan Evans has produced a cracking thriller' Daily Mirror 'Evans provides a different sea story, sustained suspense and vivid battle scenes' Publishers Weekly

Commander Cochrane Smith must battle through treacherous waters in this First World War naval thriller.Spring, 1918: Bolshevik Russia has withdrawn from the war and now stands isolated, ineffectually hostile to both Germany and the Allied Forces. The Russian fleet at Kronstadt remains highly vulnerable, and the British government fears that a German offensive to ‘liberate’ the Kronstadt naval force could swing the balance of seapower against the Royal Navy. Commander David Cochrane Smith is captain of Audacity, a Q ship, no more than a lightly armed disguised tramp steamer. He is ordered to deliver a fortune in gold and a mysterious female passenger to a group of Russian plotters who are prepared to sink the fleet and block German access to the harbour. The only way through is to penetrate the defences of the Baltic’s minefields and patrolling destroyers. Smith’s one protection is Audacity’s disguise as a neutral ship: if that is stripped away his orders are to scuttle her because the Admiralty believes escape to be impossible… This action-filled First World War thriller is perfect for fans of Jack Higgins, Alexander Fullerton and Douglas Reeman.Praise for Audacity 'I think a 21 gun salute is required … Alan Evans has produced a cracking thriller' Daily Mirror 'Evans provides a different sea story, sustained suspense and vivid battle scenes' Publishers Weekly

A secret mission sails into disaster in this Second World War thriller.1939: Captain David Cochrane Smith, veteran of the First World War and now an intelligence officer, is sent to rescue an American war correspondent from General Franco's Guardias. During the extraction he makes a narrow escape from German officer Kurt Larsen. En route to a new posting, his ship is attacked and he is taken prisoner, aboard the German ship Brandenburg. He must hide his true identity, as Smith will be shot if he is found to be more than the naval officer he claims to be, and Larsen, on board the Brandenburg, is more than suspicious of the British officer… Soon Smith realises that the Brandenburg poses a bigger threat to Britain than anyone would believe. Desperate to buy time for the British fleet, and aware that he has a very personal stake in the upcoming battle, Smith will go to extreme lengths to sabotage the German war effort. But will he be victorious in his battle for the seas? Orphans of the Storm is a thrilling naval adventure set among some of the most dangerous fighting of the Second World War, perfect for fans of Alexander Fullerton and David Black. Praise for Alan Evans 'Cracking war adventure' Yorkshire Evening Post 'I think a 21 gun salute is required... Alan Evans has produced a cracking thriller' Daily Mirror 'Evans provides a different sea story, sustained suspense and vivid battle scenes' Publishers Weekly

Our rebel captain must save his daughter in this epic Second World War naval thrillerIt is 1940 and the world is at war. For Commander David Cochrane Smith the nightmare becomes personal as he believes his daughter Sarah to be imprisoned in the hold of Altmark. Although he is among the Cossacks who board the prison-ship in Jössingfjord, his search for Sarah is not over. And as Captain of the ageing cruiser Cassandra, after twenty years 'on the beach' in naval intelligence, he knows his crew think him out of touch, out of date, and doubt his fitness to command. Following a number of deftly-handled sea battles, however, Smith gradually wins their confidence. But his most severe test is yet to come, off the coast of recently-invaded Norway at the Battle of Narvik… Sink or Capture is a pulse-pounding Second World War naval thriller perfect for fans of Douglas Reeman and Julian Stockwin. Praise for Alan Evans 'I think a 21 gun salute is required... Alan Evans has produced a cracking thriller' Daily Mirror 'Evans provides a different sea story, sustained suspense and vivid battle scenes' Publishers Weekly