1790. England is at peace - but the Channel is alive with spies, smugglers and secret enemies.

Lieutenant James Hayter has finally won his first independent command: HMS Hawk, a swift ten-gun cutter built to hunt the fastest contraband runners between France and England.

His orders are to intercept the elusive cutter Lark and capture her disgraced naval captain alive. But when the officer guiding the mission is murdered, Hayter turns to his former commander, Captain William Rennie, for help.

Together they are drawn into another of Sir Robert Greer’s shadowy intrigues, and soon discover that their quarry is no ordinary smuggler.

With war approaching and Britain’s security at stake, Hawk must survive a deadly pursuit through the dark waters of the Channel.

Fast-paced and rich in authentic naval detail, The Hawk is a gripping HMS Expedient adventure of espionage, pursuit and action at sea.