Where to Start: The Best Entry Points
For readers new to Alexander Fullerton, your starting line depends on whether you want to commit to a sweeping family saga or test the waters with a quick standalone. Here are the two recommended entry points:
- The Nicholas Everard Saga: Start with The Blooding of the Guns (1976). This is Fullerton's most famous and beloved series, following a Royal Navy family from the First World War through the end of the Second World War.
- Submarine Standalones: Start with Surface! (1953). It was Fullerton's debut novel, heavily inspired by his own experiences as a WWII submarine officer, and it became an instant bestseller.
Nicholas Everard Saga Reading Order
The Nicholas Everard series is best read in publication order, which aligns perfectly with the character's chronological timeline. The saga spans two distinct eras, taking Nick Everard from a young Sub-lieutenant at the Battle of Jutland in WWI to a seasoned commander in WWII, where the focus eventually shifts to his son, Paul.
First World War Era (Books 1–3)
- The Blooding of the Guns (1976) – Sets the stage at the Battle of Jutland (1916).
- Sixty Minutes for St. George (1977) – Focuses on the Zeebrugge Raid of 1918.
- Patrol to the Golden Horn (1978) – Details submarine operations in the Sea of Marmara.
Second World War Era (Books 4–9)
- Storm Force To Narvik (1979) – Set during the grueling Norway campaign of 1940.
- Last Lift from Crete (1980) – Follows the desperate Mediterranean evacuations of 1941.
- All the Drowning Seas (1981) – Shifts to the battlefields of the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
- A Share of Honour (1983) – Set during the Allied invasion of Sicily.
- The Torch Bearers (2001) – Covers convoy escort duties during the invasion of North Africa.
- The Gatecrashers (2002) – The dramatic finale featuring midget submarine attacks in Norwegian fjords.
Note on publication dates: While the final two books, The Torch Bearers and The Gatecrashers, are often listed in modern databases with publication dates of 2001 and 2002 due to re-releases, they were originally published in 1983 and 1984, completing the saga in the mid-1980s.
The Rosie Ewing Spy Sagas
Stepping away from the high seas, Fullerton created one of his most compelling protagonists in Rosie Ewing, a British Special Operations Executive (SOE) wireless operator (or "pianist") behind enemy lines in occupied France. This series should be read in chronological/publication order:
- Into the Fire (1995)
- Return to the Field (1997)
- In at the Kill (1999)
- Single to Paris (2001)
- Staying Alive (2006)
The SBS Trilogy
This action-packed military thriller series follows the covert operations of the British Special Boat Service (SBS). It moves forward in time, beginning with a high-stakes mission during the Falklands War:
- Special Deliverance (1987) – SBS operators are sent to sabotage Exocet missiles in South America.
- Special Dynamic (1988) – Follows former SBS Captain Ollie Lyle in Norwegian Lapland.
- Special Deception (1989) – Concludes the special forces trilogy.
Minor Series & Duologies
Russian Battles (Bob Cowan Series)
A gripping two-part historical adventure set during the chaotic Russian Civil War in 1919, following Lieutenant Commander Bob Cowan:
- Bloody Sunset (1991)
- Look To The Wolves (1993)
Andy Holt Naval Thrillers
This short duology shifts the focus to the merchant navy during WWII, following third mate Andy Holt:
- Westbound, Warbound (2003)
- Non-Combatants (2006)
Notable Standalones
Fullerton wrote dozens of standalone novels, but a few are highly prized by collectors and fans of naval history:
- Surface! (1953) – His iconic debut about the crew of HMS Seahound.
- The Thunder And The Flame (1964) – A rare dive into the Age of Sail, chronicling Sir Richard Grenville's 1591 stand.
- Not Thinking of Death (1994) – A tragic, poignant novel inspired by the real-life HMS Thetis submarine disaster.
- Submariner (2008) – Fullerton's 50th and final novel, capping off a fifty-year writing career.