Jack Hardy: A Story of English Smugglers in the Days of Napoleon

"Jack Hardy: A Story of English Smugglers in the Days of Napoleon" by Herbert Strang is a historical adventure that plunges young Jack Hardy headfirst into naval life and coastal mysteries in the 1800s. Beginning with Jack's journey to see his cousin, the narrative quickly introduces the reader to the world of smuggling through encounters with local characters like Joe Gumley and Mr. Gudgeon. Set against the backdrop of naval conflicts with France, the novel balances the thrill of Jack's adventures aboard H.M.S. "Fury" with the more grounded intrigues of a coastal village, Luscombe, where family ties and a growing sense of danger permeate the air. The book's tone is adventurous, mixing elements of duty and personal connection, as Jack's youthful exuberance clashes with the darker undertones of smuggling and the lurking threat of naval warfare.