I really hate to say this, but the story in this book had me on the edge of my seat turning the pages. Plus, I wished I was there at the end when the French wagon train was looted in a free-for-all. Even the defeated French soldiers participated. Harper was right to ignore the gold coins and take the diamonds.
This is the chronological Book 16 (and original Book 7) of the Richard Sharpe series.
Cornwell has had Sharpe flirt with plots of political intrigue before, but never to the extent found in this book. Without spoiling many of the twists and turns that make this plot so great, I will simply say that this was an incredible book and a treat to read.
There is a battle here, but it is in the final pages and is really more of an afterthought than a key plot point. The real drama surrounds Sharpe himself and all of the forces, both seen and unseen, that he must overcome. I will admit that I missed Harper in this book... Sharpe seems at his best when that big Irish Sargent is at his side. Their discussion about the delivery of the tents actually made me laugh out loud, and it reminded me yet again of why I like these characters so much.
This book certainly has a different feel than many of the others. It is far more espionage and intrigue than breech climbing and rifle shooting, but it was a well-timed change and a really great story. Without hesitation, I can say that I highly recommend it.
Cornwell has had Sharpe flirt with plots of political intrigue before, but never to the extent found in this book. Without spoiling many of the twists and turns that make this plot so great, I will simply say that this was an incredible book and a treat to read.
There is a battle here, but it is in the final pages and is really more of an afterthought than a key plot point. The real drama surrounds Sharpe himself and all of the forces, both seen and unseen, that he must overcome. I will admit that I missed Harper in this book... Sharpe seems at his best when that big Irish Sargent is at his side. Their discussion about the delivery of the tents actually made me laugh out loud, and it reminded me yet again of why I like these characters so much.
This book certainly has a different feel than many of the others. It is far more espionage and intrigue than breech climbing and rifle shooting, but it was a well-timed change and a really great story. Without hesitation, I can say that I highly recommend it.
As always, Mr. Cornwell includes some explanation of the use of arms in George III's day, in this book the drill for firing large cannons. Mr. Sharpe has made Major but we see him only briefly commanding his battalion--he has other duties having to do with Britain's perfidious Spanish allies to deal with. I was kept guessing until the end of the book on the outcome.
