The Dying Trade

By David Donachie

Book Overview

The second volume in The Privateersman Mysteries

1794: For privateersman Harry Ludlow and his partner and younger brother, James, murder and intrigue take more of their time than the hunt for fat trading vessels. Arriving in the squalid, seething port of Genoa, they find it a tinderbox of tension, fed by the discovery of a hanged British sea captain and packs of English and French sailors at one another's throats. At the behest of Admiral Hood, Harry is drawn into the midst of the lurid murder investigation, only to find himself mired in roiling layers of intrigue, avarice, and danger--and the deadly charms of a beautiful woman.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1493095072
• ISBN13: 9781493095070
• Release Date: February 2026
• Publisher: McBooks Press
• Length: 384 Pages

Customer Reviews

you cannot put it down!

All of Donachie's books are great! They are totally exiting and the main characters are rounded and charming. I always keep up all night to finish them. I have one criticism, however:What s really lacking is a map of a ship or a naval glossary because it is frustrating to have to skip over all the naval descriptions because you cannot understand them without background knowledge.

An excellent book, especially if ex naval person

An excellent story , carrying on with the two main characters written in David's earlier books. I don't understand why this author is not so widely read or freely avaiable from WH Smith etc. David, hopefully writes one book per year, I am eagerly awaiting his next puiblicationI would recommend any of his books, The Devils Own Luck, The Drying Trade, both these books I picked up as a twin set for the ridiculous price of £2.99, that started the journey off, followed by A Hanging Matter, a Scent of Betrayal and his last book, A Bag Of Bones. As an ex sailor, it brought back a lot of memories about where our great naval traditions sprung from and how everyday usage of words came into the English language from sailors. It is also a good " detective " story leaving you guessing right up to the conclusion. Well done David, BUT PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHEN YOU ARE WRITING AGAIN