The summer of 1917. Britain is losing the war against the deadly German U-boats. After a close fought action, Commander David Smith uncovers what he believes is a deadly plot against Britain from a dying German sailor. Code-named SchwerttrZiger — or Swordbearer — it could turn the tide of the war in Germany's favour. But nobody will listen to him. He is under suspicion, and ignored. With just one one ancient destroyer, a turtle-back ‘thirty-knotter’ known as ‘Bloody Mary’, under his command, he must wage this battle on his own. Smith has to take on shore batteries and bigger, faster enemy destroyers. He has to fight the hostility of his commanding officer and is plunged into a world of espionage behind enemy lines. Through it all the mystery behind ‘Schwerttriiger’ lures him on — until he stakes his career and his life in a desperate attempt to solve it. ‘Ship of Force’ is an edge-of-the-seat WWI naval adventure that combines thrilling story-telling with meticulous research. I think a 21 gun salute is required… Alan Evans has produced a cracking thriller Evans provides a different sea story, sustained suspense and vivid battle scenes Alan Evans was a thriller writer known for vividly recreating the atmosphere of the First World War