Lafitte’s Chance is the fifth book in an alternate history series by Michael Roberts. Normally with alternate history, the idea is to take a point in history and extrapolate how a different outcome would have changed history. In this case, it’s the reverse. Thomas Cain has come from a future very different from the one we know. In that timeline, the British quelled the Revolution and kept the Colonies under their rule, which also allowed them to dominate the world for at least the next two centuries. One of Cain’s friends, Aden, came into possession of an alien spaceship which they determined was able to travel in time. Tired of living under British rule, Thomas traveled back to help the Americans win against the British.

While Thomas succeeded from his standpoint and found a life following the war, James, the pilot of the alien ship returned to the future only to find that the British had managed to reclaim the colonies during the War of 1812. Aden and James attempted to go back to 1812 themselves and solve the problem, only to have a modern revolver and bulletproof vest fall into the hands of pirates. Afraid to return back to his future, James sought out Thomas in the past. Together they set out to free Aden from kidnappers in New Orleans and retrieve the weapon and vest.

Lafitte’s Chance picks up where Aden’s Chance left off. Although Thomas and James have successfully rescued Aden, they still have to find the weapons. Thomas also needs to make sure that General Andrew Jackson will be victorious against the British in New Orleans. In both respects, Thomas must deal with the local pirates. Jean Lafitte is the local pirate king who runs just about everything in New Orleans, except for the Mayor and Governor. Thomas must walk the line of recovering the items in Lafitte’s possession while at the same time convincing him to side with the Americans against the British.

Most of the story thus far has been told from Thomas’ perspective. In Lafitte’s Chance, the narrative shifts at times to show more of Jean Lafitte’s point of view, although it’s not a narrative by him. It does give the reader a chance to see how “Pale Rider” is perceived by those he comes to blows with. Each of the men have admiration for the other, even as they are seemingly at odds with each other.

Thomas must also deal with his friends more in this book. In the American Revolution trilogy, he was mostly on his own with a few faithful friends. Here, he’s dealing with the very people who were instrumental in his changing history. He’s no longer a lone wolf of sorts but must include them at times when he really doesn’t want to. Then there is the very interesting Lady Theodosia, a female pirate, and Lafitte’s paramour.

There is plenty of action to be had in Lafitte’s Chance. Even as the stock of weapons and ammunition dwindles, Thomas makes good use of what’s around him, although he does struggle a bit more than when he had a seemingly unending supply in earlier books. The fight scenes are well crafted and left me on the edge of my seat.

That said, I did have a few problems with Lafitte’s Chance. The biggest was the passage of time. At one point, Thomas must travel back to Saint Augustine in pursuit of the bulletproof vest, and it’s a trip of a few days from New Orleans. Back then, it would have taken at least a week, probably longer. As with the other books, there is an assumption that so many things would have developed the same as it did in our timeline. Thomas refers to television shows that are recognizable to us, as well as sports and other bits of pop history. I can maybe suspend disbelief somewhat in this regard for the weaponry, but it seems like in a world where the British rule the majority of it, there would be a lot of differences in society.

Still, I enjoyed the book very much. The story is compelling and fun. There should be another book after this one, but I see no sign that it’s forthcoming, which would be a disappointment. I’d really like to see how the author wraps up the story.

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