Captain James Hayter has waited his whole career for independent command. But when tragedy strikes his family, the loss shatters his confidence and leaves him determined to abandon the sea forever.

As Hayter retreats into grief, his friend Captain William Rennie recommissions HMS Expedient amid growing tensions with Revolutionary France. Ordered to undertake what appears to be a routine reconnaissance mission, Rennie soon discovers that the Admiralty's true purpose is shrouded in secrecy - and that Europe is sliding inexorably towards war.

With old loyalties tested, dangerous enemies gathering across the Channel, and Britain's future hanging in the balance, Rennie must navigate a web of espionage, political intrigue and naval peril while fighting to save the career of the finest officer he has ever known.

But as the storm clouds of war darken the horizon, both men will learn that the hardest battles are not always fought at sea.

Perfect for readers of Patrick O'Brian, Alexander Kent, Dudley Pope and C. S. Forester, The Gathering Storm is a gripping tale of friendship, sacrifice and courage at the dawn of the French Revolutionary Wars.