Soho Press, 2001, ISBN 1-56947-259-9, 286 pages, hardback

This reissue of the 1976 novel begins the Everard Naval Series, named after the family of main characters in the book. It covers the Battle of Jutland, and being a Jutlands buff, I thought it worth a look.

Fullerton has written 34 novels (9 in Everard Series), so he has a track record and style. That said, Guns left me a bit flat, as it didn't really grip me. In part, I believe it may be because I've read a number of books that cover the battle better than Fullerton. Massie's Castles of Steel is one of them.

In addition, the three main Everard characters inhabit three fictitious ships of the Royal Navy. I can appreciate the desire for a different setting than reality in a novel, but a historical novel should, well, be set on historical ships.

Through most of the battle, Fullerton's prose sails along at cruising speed, neither exciting the imagination or dulling your attention. It's pretty sterile overall. There's even a half-hearted attempt to set up a love triangle or two, but you don't believe it for a minute. However, my attention picks up considerably when the battle's over and the characters deal with damaged and sinking ships. Here's where the novel can bring a historical event into focus.

Guns isn't a bad book, but it's not a great read either. Balancing this opinion is that there are nine novels in the series, so it has appeal. Whether it appeals to you depends on what you've read about Jutland.

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