Dewey Lambdin's "The Invasion Year" is the 17th in the Alan Lewrie series. I have enjoyed this series but I found this particular book one of the weakest due to the lack of strong historical context. Certainly the characters and the writing style remain strong.

The novel begins with the final departure of the French from Haiti and ends with the failed British attack on Boulogne in 1804 in which the RN used a number of infernal devices to little effect.

There is certainly some humor, especially when Lewrie meets "Mad" King George. Lewrie's personal life becomes more interesting with the arrival of the beautiful but infamous Lydia.

Looks like the next novel will return Lewrie to the clutches of the Secret Branch.