Reading order
| # | Title | Published | Author | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gentleman Captain | 2009 | J.D. Davies | Buy |
| 2 | The Mountain of Gold | 2011 | J.D. Davies | Buy |
| 3 | The Blast that Tears the Skies | 2012 | J.D. Davies | Buy |
| 4 | The Lion of Midnight | 2013 | J.D. Davies | Buy |
| 5 | The Battle of All The Ages | 2014 | J.D. Davies | Buy |
| 6 | Death’s Bright Angel | 2016 | J.D. Davies | Buy |
| 7 | The Rage of Fortune | 2017 | J.D. Davies | Buy |
| 8 | The Devil Upon the Wave | 2017 | J.D. Davies | Buy |
| 9 | Ensign Royal | 2018 | J.D. Davies | Buy |
The Journals of Matthew Quinton is J.D. Davies’ longest and most developed series at nine books. Set during the Restoration period after Charles II reclaimed the throne, the series follows Matthew Quinton as he rises through the ranks of the rebuilt English navy. The era was marked by the Anglo-Dutch Wars, political intrigue, and England’s emergence as a major naval power.
Quinton is a gentleman captain, meaning he comes from the aristocracy rather than working his way up through the ranks. This gives Davies the opportunity to explore both naval combat and the politics of the Restoration court. The series spans major historical events like the Great Plague, the Great Fire of London, and the wars with both Holland and France. Davies brings his expertise as a Stuart naval historian to the details of ship-to-ship combat and naval strategy.
The nine-book run allows Davies to develop Quinton’s character across decades of service. Readers who enjoy Patrick O’Brian’s Aubrey-Maturin series will find similar attention to period detail and naval authenticity, though Davies’ setting is earlier and his protagonist comes from a different social background. The series balances action, historical accuracy, and character development across its substantial length.