It's 1810 and Royal Marine Thomas Captain Pennywhistle has been assigned to command the marines on HMS Active; a frigate that is part of a small squadron tasked with wresting control of the Adriatic from the French. It's a sideshow theatre until Napoleon's new plan for European dominance suddenly makes it critically important. Pennywhistle faces a dangerous opponent who could be his twin: equally smart, resourceful, and relentless. Sparks fly when their paths cross, and the destiny of an entire region hangs in the balance. Another kind of sparks fly when Pennywhistle meets the beautiful Carlotta: a fiery Italian whose beauty masks an iron will and an independent way of thinking. Pennywhistle will face sword fights, gun battles, and a fortress- clearing that will require him to use a secret weapon. Outnumbered and outgunned, he will have to defend an entire island against a surprise attack. A showdown at sea lies ahead, one in which Active will take his measure. She will demand all of Pennywhistle's talents if he is to prove himself worthy of her respect.