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Christopher C Tubbs
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A Talent For Trouble: The Dorset Boy Book 1 Kindle Edition

by Christopher C Tubbs (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 3,971 ratings
In the late 18th Century life was cheap and you had fight to survive. Martin Stockley at 12 years old was underfed and undersized as the youngest of nine in a Dorset clay miner's family and was probably doomed to die, worn out and broken at a very young age in the clay mines of Dorset. But he had a sharp mind, had learned to read, write and do his numbers and had a fascination for maps. A stroke of good fortune sees him escape that destiny and be taken on as a Ship's Boy and Under Steward to the Captain in the Royal Navy Frigate the Falcon. What follows is a chronicle of his talent for getting into and out of trouble at Gibraltar, the siege of Toulon and against Barbary pirates. Luck and a lot of Dorset courage sees him at the centre of a series of adventures. Blood, guts, a beautiful Contessa and prize money. What more could a young lad from Dorset ask for?
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  1. Book 1 of 17
    The Dorset Boy
  2. Print length
    258 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    October 15, 2018
  6. Reading age
    14 - 18 years
  7. File size
    1.6 MB
  8. Page Flip
    Enabled
  9. Word Wise
    Enabled
  10. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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There are 17 books in this series.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

Made number 1 best seller in Sea Adventures Fiction in Australia on Amazon.com.au Number one best seller in the USA in Sea Adventures Fiction on Amazon.com

From the Author

This is my first book and it is intended to be a 'darn good yarn' as us Dorset boys say.  Whether it's a 'proper job' is down to whether you enjoy it or not.  In this episode I use a lot of Dorset dialect and that is done for a reason. As a young man moving from Dorset to London my new employer told me not to answer the phone as no one would understand me. I had to change the way I spoke, and that changed the way my old friends and family related to me as well. So Marty speaks 'proper Dorset' at the start of this book and as he gets older and his influences get stronger his accent changes as well. This series is a journey. It makes me laugh and cry as I write it and if that comes across then - job done.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07JGX61G9
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 15, 2018
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 2nd
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.6 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 258 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 17 ‏ : ‎ The Dorset Boy
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 14 - 18 years
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 3,971 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Christopher C Tubbs

Christopher C Tubbs

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Christopher C Tubbs, is a SABA 2020 Fiction Book award short listed Author. A dog loving descendent of a long line of Dorset clay miners who has traced his family tree back to the 16th century in the Isle of Purbeck. He left school at 16 to take an apprenticeship in Avionics and has been a public speaker for most of his career and was one of the founders of a successful games company back in the 1990’s.

Now in his sixties he is writing the stories he had going around in his head for many years. Thanks to inspiration from great fiction and fantasy authors he was finally able to put digit to keyboard and start writing the Dorset Boy series. He makes no apologies that he write for himself. The stories emerge as he writes and is often surprised by the twists and turns that they take. His dogs sit by him as he writes and it would be unfair to leave them out so look out for them in The Dorset Boy series.Now living in the Netherlands Antilles on the island of Bonaire with his wife and furry kids.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
3,971 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book engaging and well-written, with lots of action in a tale well told. Moreover, the fast-paced narrative moves quickly with plenty of action, and customers appreciate the interesting characters. However, the book receives mixed feedback regarding editing, with several customers noting that it could use improvement in this area.

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ReadabilityStorylineWriting qualityCharacter developmentPaceEditing
55 customers mention "Readability"52 positive3 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as engaging and captivating, with one customer noting it as a must-read.

"A well written and enjoyable read in the traditional way of the 18th and 19th century Royal Navy and life of the Nepolian wars...." Read more

"...It has all the features of a good story: a nice, smart kid who is lucky beyond all belief, a pretty young maiden who isn’t fixated on class..." Read more

"Great story of a young man of 12 with no future becomes a cabin boy in the Navy and then midshipman. Great little adventure. A must read!" Read more

"This was a very good read making it hard to put down. I am look forward to reading Book 2." Read more

28 customers mention "Storyline"28 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the storyline of the book, describing it as an exciting seafront adventure with lots of action and entertaining scenes.

"...I have only read Book 1, but has good characters, is action packed and the story moves at a pace...." Read more

"...Lots of action & adventures, large & small. Comerraderie & competition among males at sea...." Read more

"...Great little adventure. A must read!" Read more

"Exciting action and descriptions of a young man becoming a seaman and strong fighter for the British navy...." Read more

22 customers mention "Writing quality"16 positive6 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, with one customer noting it is written at a teen level and another mentioning its simple declarative sentences.

"A well written and enjoyable read in the traditional way of the 18th and 19th century Royal Navy and life of the Nepolian wars...." Read more

"...Tubbs writes his history well, and moves his story along in business like fashion...." Read more

"Reasonably well written, needs some editing help, well ebooked. Good but light read...." Read more

"...So far so good. Quibbles are sloppy editing, grammar, spelling, syntax, and some technical sailing details...." Read more

20 customers mention "Character development"16 positive4 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, finding them interesting, with one customer noting how well-drawn the various scenes are.

"...I have only read Book 1, but has good characters, is action packed and the story moves at a pace...." Read more

"...Still, young Marty is one of the luckiest heroes in fiction, succeeding to a degree that often stretches credibility...." Read more

"What I really liked about this book is that the better side of the characters was emphasized...." Read more

"...The characters are well defined in this fast paced story. Can't wait for the installment." Read more

10 customers mention "Pace"10 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's pace, describing it as a fast-moving story with plenty of action that's easy to follow.

"...He quickly masters every challenge, from gunnery to the French language. He even wins the affection of a wealthy girl...." Read more

"...The characters are well defined in this fast paced story. Can't wait for the installment." Read more

"...crowded field of historical naval fiction, we have this entry, a fast-moving, light story about a Dorset boy...." Read more

"I liked the pace of the story, the description of the characters & of the life in the Royal Navy of the time..." Read more

6 customers mention "Editing"0 positive6 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the editing of the book, with several noting that it could use improvement.

"I write this as I open book four. So far so good. Quibbles are sloppy editing, grammar, spelling, syntax, and some technical sailing details...." Read more

"Reasonably well written, needs some editing help, well ebooked. Good but light read...." Read more

"...The book and series suffers needlessly from poor editing and inadequate proofreading. Tubbs is not O'Brien by any means...." Read more

"...It contains a few anachronisms and could use some additional editing, perhaps this is resolved in future books, but either way this does not detract..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • John Hammond
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book, nicely written.
    Reviewed in the United States on October 24, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    It is always difficult when you have run out of books and need to find a new one. I chose Mr Tubbs for no particular reason and am delighted that I did. I have only read Book 1, but has good characters, is action packed and the story moves at a pace. One down, 15 to go and very much looking forward to continuing the series.
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  • Amazon Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Suprisingly engaging...
    Reviewed in the United States on December 10, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    ...for a book cramed with nautical terms pertinent to the 18th & 19th century military and merchant sailing ships, military protocol on Marine vessels, and tricks used to confound the enemy until you're close enough to fire on him , this turns out to be a rather engaging read. Probably, it's due to following the progress of the Dorset boy, ( which is unrealistically rapid, in terms of his absorption and integration of shipboard skills, terminology, and application of the same - but hey, good fun). Lots of action & adventures, large & small. Comerraderie & competition among males at sea. Conveys a sense of actually being aboard, in a few instances. Will look forward to the next installment, and further chance to marvel at what this wunderkind from Dorset will & can yet do.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Mark
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good entertainment
    Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    A well written and enjoyable read in the traditional way of the 18th and 19th century Royal Navy and life of the Nepolian wars. I look forward to reading the entire series.
    Helpful
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  • Bill
    4.0 out of 5 stars Nicely Done Story
    Reviewed in the United States on March 26, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Mr. Tubbs has begun a good yarn that will, I’m sure, blossom into quite a few more books about the spirited Dorset boy. It has all the features of a good story: a nice, smart kid who is lucky beyond all belief, a pretty young maiden who isn’t fixated on class (see comment about lucky beyond all belief), and wealthy people who are grateful & want to help a poor man rise up in the world (not common in England in the class obsessed 1700s either).
    Tubbs writes his history well, and moves his story along in business like fashion. I suspect his average readers are sea story aficionados and so this will be right up your alley, as the saying goes.

    It’s all good stuff and a fun diversion. If you don’t like pirates and violence and the odd cutlass in the gizzard, move on. This is boy territory and here there be dragons n’ blood ‘ squishy stuff!!!!
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  • SgtMaj Miller
    5.0 out of 5 stars Young Mine Worker Turned Sailor
    Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Great story of a young man of 12 with no future becomes a cabin boy in the Navy and then midshipman. Great little adventure. A must read!
    One person found this helpful
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  • JRAlpine
    3.0 out of 5 stars All the luck . . .
    Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Christopher C Tubbs ventures into crowded seas with “A Talent for Trouble: The Dorset Boy Book 1,” a coming-of-age tale of a poor youth seeking his fortune in the British Navy at the time of the French Revolution. Classics in this genre include C.F. Forester’s Hornblower novels, Patrick O’Brian’s Aubrey/Maturin books, and Dewey Lambdin’s ongoing Alan Lewrie series. The standard is high, to say the least.

    In Tubb’s first volume, twelve-year-old Marty Stockley is rescued from a harsh life in the mines by a teacher who recognizes his intelligence and whose brother is, conveniently, an officer in need of a cabin boy. Initially, I thought the author might be taking a Harry Potter approach to his series, with early books tailored for younger audiences. But Marty grows up faster than Harry, and this book's style does mirror those changes—as well as Tubbs’s knowledge of the historical period.

    Still, young Marty is one of the luckiest heroes in fiction, succeeding to a degree that often stretches credibility. He quickly masters every challenge, from gunnery to the French language. He even wins the affection of a wealthy girl. By contrast, Alan Lewrie pays his dues in ways that Marty just doesn’t. And that could be a problem if Mr. Stockley doesn't face greater obstacles and conflicts in subsequent books.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Rich
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Unique Writing Style & Great Story
    Reviewed in the United States on December 8, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This was a very good read making it hard to put down. I am look forward to reading Book 2.
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  • Norm
    4.0 out of 5 stars Anecdotes with a story line
    Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I write this as I open book four. So far so good. Quibbles are sloppy editing, grammar, spelling, syntax, and some technical sailing details. I am a yacht captain and that's my thing though non sailors would never know or care.

    That said, I am thoroughly enjoying the reading. Sometimes I think the Royal Navy stories of this era are akin to American wild west stories. Great stories and some of it might be true but none of it is really false. I'd love to hoist one with the author. He's probably a very interesting fellow.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • J. Harvey
    5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent read
    Reviewed in Australia on May 22, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    As an avid reader of historical naval fiction I usually pick up a new book with some trepidation. There are books out there with a story but no depth and this book is definitely not one of them ! The characters are introduced, developed and become real all within a short time. The story has pace and depth and kept me enthralled from page one.
    I can not wait to read the second book and the adventures of young Marty!
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  • Amazon Customer
    3.0 out of 5 stars A good read
    Reviewed in Canada on August 30, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    OK but for the numerous spelling mistakes and grammatical errors throughout. Most egregious were the misuse of " complements " and " ccompliments" !
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  • Kindle-Kunde
    1.0 out of 5 stars Artificial pulp novel
    Reviewed in Germany on July 26, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Totally ridiculous story, all goes well, the 12-year old prole gains the hearts of countesses and mutinous sailors alike and fights like Hercules, the aristocratic officers accept him as their equal and he shows maturity far beyond Methusalems years. Normal, what? On top of that, the "court marshal" ( not for our hero as goes without saying) hurts, as much as the french used in this: even google does it better. I checked. Thus: matter of taste. If you want to read without having to use heart or brain, this might be a good choice...
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars great adventure stories
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 22, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    This whole series of books is wonderful and I cant wait for the next
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  • Hello You
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Boy sets out
    Reviewed in France on July 7, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    A great start to the story of the Dorset Boy, with much topical information both about Dorset and about the Navy.
    A great read for boys, but also for anyone interested in British local and naval history.
    Report

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