Ratings11
Average rating4.1
Set in 1810 during the Portugal Peninsular War, the book continues the ongoing campaign between the British, their Portuguese allies and the French enemy.
Richard Sharpe and the dutiful Pat Harper rebel ways leave them discarded by his regiment. He wages a war against a private Portuguese enemy. One fought through the burning, pillaged streets of Coimbra.
Forced to retreat across treacherous terrain, the British army prepare vast defences at the Lines of Torres Vedras. Their greatest secret and their ultimate hope of stopping the French reaching Lisbon. And risking everything to rejoin his regiment and lead the army into battle once more, is Sharpe. . .
If you're familiar with a Sharpe novel, this doesn't deviate from the blueprint. A well described Battle of Bussaco, a female love-interest, and an evil villain - it's all in here. It can also be read as a standalone but I'm following the series in chronological order. A worthy and worthwhile addition to the Sharpe series.