3.5 stars The Assassin’s Honor is the 12th in the Honor Series with Peter Wake as the protagonist. The book is set in the last decade of the 19th century and much of the action takes place at sea. Peter Wake is the commander of the USS Bennington. As a member of US Naval Intelligence, his past includes many espionage assignments and once again, at the advanced age of 53, fate draws him into another spy caper.

When a first class passenger, Mr. Drake, is found dead on the Philadelphia, it is assumed he died of natural causes. His body is immediately embalmed and buried, per usual protocol for deaths in the tropics. Upon clearing his personal effects, a steward noted a piece of a map hidden in Mr. Drake’s pillow case with some German words written on it. It takes a while to decipher the 4-inch square of paper and they realize that it is not Venezuela or elsewhere in the Caribbean, but the Yucatan Peninsula. Using a German dictionary, Wake realizes the Germans are planning a political assassination on December 16, 1892, and assumes the target must be the leader of the Mayan warrior rebels in that region.

Wake and Walker get involved because Mr. Drake was an American citizen returning from working as a German civilian employee in South America. The hidden map seems to indicate there is more to Drake’s role in this situation and that his death may not have been so natural after all. The intended assassination is definitely the business of the US Naval Intelligence since it would have immense political repercussions for the United States and its president-elect, Grover Cleveland, set to take office in March 1893. Thus, the wheels are set in motion for the aging Peter Wake to embark on a voyage to thwart the German assassination attempt.

If you enjoy spy thrillers, you will find The Assassin’s Honor an enjoyable read. Once Commander Wake sets sail to abort the Germans’ assassination plans, things move at a heightened pace. There are many new developments and Wake realizes he got it all wrong in his initial assessment of the assassination target. The urgency grows after that and Wake pushes his vessel and its crew to their limits.

I am not a “nautical person” myself, although even I know the basic stern and aft, port and starboard, but that is not necessary in reading this story. Mr. Macomber conscientiously explains the sailing jargon, as well as characters introduced into the story along the way, so that the reader does not feel adrift if they have not read any of the previous Honor Series books or have no sailing experience.

The author covers a lot of territory in this story. Not only do we learn much about the ships of that time, but also communication, i.e., letters and telegraphs. In addition to his well-written descriptions of the furnishings, food, clothing, and etiquette of that era, he weaves prominent political and business figures into his story flawlessly. Since Commander Wake has been in Naval Intelligence for 29 years, dating back to his blockade days during the Civil War, his experiences have acquainted him with many of these people.

The book seems to be well researched. The only qualms I have are with the depiction of Wake’s lady love, a Spanish widow in her 40s and Wake himself. Not only is the lady well connected in political and social circles in D.C., Spain and Cuba, but she apparently is perfection itself, charms everyone she meets including Wake’s two adult children who accept her as their soon-to-be new stepmother immediately. The fact that she is Catholic, with Jewish roots, is quickly discarded by her and she agrees to a wedding before a Protestant minister. Given the role that religion has played throughout human history and how integral Catholicism was to the identity of Spaniards at that time, I found that too convenient. Then to top it off, she gushes to Wake that she is so happy that he asked her to his wife. A bit much. Wake himself seems to have no imperfections either.

However, the storylines involving the assassination are engrossing. The reader will believe he has it figured out when another loop is added to the maze. It is a very entertaining way to spend a few hours. ( )