Hornblower During the Crisis by CS Forester
Chronologically fourth and last written of the Hornblower books. Unfinished at the time of his death in 1966, the book includes a page of Forester’s notes as to how the novel would progress and end. Hornblower is relieved as captain of the Hotspur and is enroute back to London when news of the Hotspur’s loss and subsequent court-martial of the new captain reaches the water hoy upon which Hornblower has booked passage.
After the court martial of the Hotspur’s new captain, all officers and some of the crew of the late Hotspur are also put on the water hoy, when they chance upon a French brig and, aided by the element of surprise, they briefly take possetion of the brig. The ship’s papers, siezed by Hornblower must be presented to the Admiralty, which leads to the real adventure of the book, Hornblower as spy.
This is the weakest of the books so far and not because it’s unfinished. After three complete novels, Hornblower really seems to be overreaching here, and exceeding his authority in confronting the Secretary to the Lords of the Admiralty. Hornblower isn’t even a full captain yet. And while I don’t discount he could meet them, the tenor of the conversation is implausible based on what I’ve read so far.
The book also includes two short stories, one with Hornblower as lieutenant aboard the Renown, and one as Hornblower as the 72-year-old Admiral of the Fleet.
