War with France looms, and Nathan Beauchamp,3rd Lieutenant in his majesty’s 

British Navy, has been summoned back to England for reassignment. He is assigned 

as acting First Officer to the HMS Sampson for the voyage home. But 

fate has other things in store.

    The Sampson is badly in need of repair, and compounded by recent battle damage, 

the ship starts taking on water. As if this isn’t bad enough, the Sampson is soon 

involved in a ferocious battle with the French Privateer Bateuse.

After Captain Dexter is badly wounded in the ensuing battle, Lt. Beauchamp finds 

himself in sole command. His command is sinking. After a desperate battle, Nate 

captures the Bateuse. He transfers his crew to his new command, just before Sampson 

slips below the waves. But this is just the start of the adventures of this young captain. 

In his new vessel, now renamed The Falcon, Nate sets sail across the Caribbean in 

search of French Privateers and adventure.

    Joseph L. O’Steen has written a fast paced exciting novel, filled with enough nautical 

lore to make you feel you are actually there, without overwhelming you with detail. 

The character of Nathan Beauchamp strikes of Patrick O'Brian's Jack Aubrey. A 

natural leader of men & a master tactician, but also a bit of a rebel, willing to take 

chances as he battles the vastly superior French forces.

    A long time fan of Forester, O’Brian, Kent & the British Royal Navy; Mr. O’Steen 

has finally embarked on his own writing career. Considering the fine start he has made 

in Falcon’s Revenge; I think he has the makings of a really fine author

Reviewed by Michael Lampe