Port Beaufort, North Carolina – May 1765
Seventeen-year-old Adam Fletcher is no stranger to fist fights, but when he bloodies the nose of the obnoxious son of Port Beaufort’s customs agent, the local magistrate offers Adam two choices: jail or an apprenticeship.
Choosing the latter, he soon finds himself bound apprentice to a reclusive old man with a secret, colorful past. Although Adam is less … secret, colorful past. Although Adam is less than thrilled about his new situation, when he is asked to spy on his master as a suspected smuggler, he has to decide where his loyalties lie. Will he perform his civic duty to the Crown, or will he do whatever is necessary to protect the old man, possibly putting even his own family in danger?
Secrets will be revealed, loyalties will be questioned, betrayals will be uncovered, and a young man’s character will be put to the test in The Smuggler’s Gambit.
The Smuggler’s Gambit is the first book in the Adam Fletcher Adventure Series of historical fiction novels. If you like fast-moving adventures, impetuous young heroes, suspense-filled plots, and a dash of romance, then you’ll love Sara Whitford’s entertaining series!
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I could not get into this book…just did not grab my interest in the first couple hours…I may try it again sometime…
It was very pleasant, but not great literature.
The attitude towards slavery in this book is appalling
This must have been written for middle grades. The story was set in the 18th century, but the dialogue didn’t feel like it. I managed to finish it, just curious what was going to happen with the story but nothing drew me in to continue with the series. I’ll probably see if my 13 and 14 year olds like it. There is nothing in the book I would be worried for them to read.
Too long…and slooooooow. Maybe that is because of the time period and events moved much slower then? I kept turning page after page waiting for something to develop.
There were quite a few boring in places but all in all it was good reading. Debating on getting the next boo.
I’d give this one no stars if I could. The plot is flimsy the characters wooden and not engaging and the whole thing feels like the worst kind of amateur writing. Skip it and its sequels.
A little predictable. Not horrible, but not as engaging as I would have liked
A fairly decent plot badly served. Although set in 18th Century North Carolina, the book has no sense of time or place. Beyond a few mentions of slavery, it reads much like a contemporary novel filled with cardboard cutout characters. I kept reading only to see where the author was going and was disappointed when the “hero” succeeded only by being saved by the Royal Navy rather than by any truly heroic action on his part. Do yourself a favor and pass by this one and its sequel(s)…
Didn’t like it.
Underdeveloped storyline and shallow characters. Predictable.
Read a chapter or two. It couldn’t hold my attention. Deleted it from my library. Not recommended for any one who likes reading. Unless you use books to help you sleep don’t get this one.
Strictly a teen read.