Douglas Reeman

The crack German cruiser Prinz Luitpold had always been lucky in battle. To the beleaguered army on the Baltic Coast she was their one remaining symbol of hope. But it is the summer of 1944, and on every front the war is going badly for Germany.

1899, China. The Mandarins are becoming troublesome again and there are rumors that attacks will soon begin on British trade missions and legations. Captain David Blackwoodof the Royal Marines, received a VC in the bloody battle for Benin, Africa but is now being packed off to this apparent backwater. But there are plenty of troubles in store for Blackwood in the shape of an errant nephew and a beautiful German Countess who insists he personally escort...