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Napoleon's Spy: The historical adventure about Napoleon, hero of Ridley Scott’s Hollywood blockbuster
' Napoleon's Spy is a tour de force on an epic scale' Douglas Jackson
'Exciting, immersive, well researched and great fun.' Giles Kristian
Russia, 1812. Has France finally met its match?
On the eve of the invasion of Russia, half-French, half-English Matthieu Carrey finds himself in the ranks of Napoleon's five hundred thousand strong army. With Tsar Alexander seemingly ill-prepared, a French victory seems certain. The Grande Armée will obliterate everything in its path.
Carrey's purpose is less clear. Blackmailed into becoming a spy in the emperor's army, he hopes to follow his lover, a French actress who has gone to work in the Moscow theatre.
As supplies grow scarce and temperatures plummet, the Grande Armée begins to crumble. Caught up in the maelstrom of war, Carrey embarks on an epic journey, while the Russians circle like hungry wolves.
Hundreds of miles lie between Carrey and safety.
To reach it seems utterly impossible.
'Exciting, immersive, well researched and great fun.' Giles Kristian
Russia, 1812. Has France finally met its match?
On the eve of the invasion of Russia, half-French, half-English Matthieu Carrey finds himself in the ranks of Napoleon's five hundred thousand strong army. With Tsar Alexander seemingly ill-prepared, a French victory seems certain. The Grande Armée will obliterate everything in its path.
Carrey's purpose is less clear. Blackmailed into becoming a spy in the emperor's army, he hopes to follow his lover, a French actress who has gone to work in the Moscow theatre.
As supplies grow scarce and temperatures plummet, the Grande Armée begins to crumble. Caught up in the maelstrom of war, Carrey embarks on an epic journey, while the Russians circle like hungry wolves.
Hundreds of miles lie between Carrey and safety.
To reach it seems utterly impossible.
301 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 25, 2023
65 people are currently reading
407 people want to read
About the author
Ben Kane
50 books1,109 followersBen Kane is a bestselling Roman author and former veterinarian. He was born in Kenya and grew up in Ireland (where his parents are from). He has traveled widely and is a lifelong student of military history in general, and Roman history in particular. He lives in North Somerset, England, with his family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
April 2, 2024
The first 3/4 of the book was really good and engaging. The finale was rushed, flat and didn't build on any of the story whatsoever. The "spy" bit was completely redundant and only served as a minor plot point to get the main character onto the campaign.
The secondary antagonist was brought in to recruit the main character into the spy ring for the british, and then disappears for most of the book and just happens to die off page and that's the end of that.
It just felt unnecessarily rushed and disjointed. As I was getting close to the end of the book, I was wondering how all the loose ends were going to be tied together. They weren't resolved.
The secondary antagonist was brought in to recruit the main character into the spy ring for the british, and then disappears for most of the book and just happens to die off page and that's the end of that.
It just felt unnecessarily rushed and disjointed. As I was getting close to the end of the book, I was wondering how all the loose ends were going to be tied together. They weren't resolved.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 14, 2023
I really enjoyed this book and felt a great connection with the characters. It really made me want to keep reading chapter after chapter and it was incredibly detailed. Would definitely recommend.
September 24, 2023
a change for Kane and taken to Napoleon's campaign in Russia 1812 with the lead character being blackmailed to join the campaign and spy for the russian forces but several sub plots in this book too, was easy paced overall
May 10, 2025
A well-paced adventure with a likeable protagonist. The title might be a bit misleading though since this story isn't really one about spying for Napoleon but that's just a small nitpick.
Ben Kane's richly detailed and well-researched writing makes you feel as if you're marching alongside the French soldiers and enduring their hardships. The latter third of the book, when the French army makes its retreat from Moscow during the early winter of 1812, is especially brutal and makes for a very compelling read. The ending felt a tad rushed unfortunately. I thoroughly enjoyed this book nonetheless!
Ben Kane's richly detailed and well-researched writing makes you feel as if you're marching alongside the French soldiers and enduring their hardships. The latter third of the book, when the French army makes its retreat from Moscow during the early winter of 1812, is especially brutal and makes for a very compelling read. The ending felt a tad rushed unfortunately. I thoroughly enjoyed this book nonetheless!
December 13, 2023
Until I heard him discuss this book on the Napoleonic Wars Podcast, I was only vaguely aware of Ben Kane as a writer of ancient/medieval historical fiction, which is not my thing. However, having heard him discussing this book, I decided to try it out and have not been disappointed. Matthieu Carrey is no Flashman or Sharpe, but is suitably complicated to be interesting and worth following. In spite of the title (an editorial decision, rather than the author's first choice) there's not an awful lot of spying going on and, unless it is picked up in a follow-up novel, it seems a bit of a 'MacGuffin' - a way to get Carrey into the Grande Armée in 1812. The plot is quite linear, without the twists and turns that you get with Sharpe and Flashman, but that really suits the context - to Moscow and back again, which is challenge enough! It is Napoleon's 1812 campaign that is at the heart of this book and seeing it through the eyes of a civilian is quite a neat device. Ben Kane has really done his research and you do get a good impression of what this awful campaign was like - in the interview he said he actually had to tone down some of the horror! Bonaparte clearly didn't have his military-genius-hat on in 1812; that his 1813 campaign was quite brilliant hardly makes up for the death, misery and destruction of his invasion of Russia. I don't think it gives anything away to say that the book ends with some resolution, but leaves the way open for a follow-up although, then again, maybe that's it and we can decide how Carrey's story ultimately ends in our own minds. I was delighted in the interview and in the author's note to discover that Ben Kane is a fan of Ronald Welch's historical fiction - an appreciation that I share - and this book puts me in mind of that (and not just the borrowing of the hero's surname: Carey > Carrey) with a good solid story, fine historical background and a straightforward narrative arc.
June 15, 2023
Ben Kane is a genius when it comes to historical fiction, and Napoleon’s spy does not disappoint.
The French Revolution and all it’s gritty horrifying aspects from a first person perspective, this book has made me well up a couple of times(especially being such an animal lover.)
I grew to really care for the main character, and the devil on his shoulder.
Would recommend to any history enthusiast.
The French Revolution and all it’s gritty horrifying aspects from a first person perspective, this book has made me well up a couple of times(especially being such an animal lover.)
I grew to really care for the main character, and the devil on his shoulder.
Would recommend to any history enthusiast.
January 2, 2024
The book's title is odd given that the protaganist is a spy for Russia, not a spy for Napoleon, and he does very little spying. Nonetheless this is great historical fiction with the march to and from Moscow shaping a harrowing story.
June 27, 2023
Ben Kane weaves a rich historical tapestry with his writing, evocative, the book paints a vivid picture of the times
This is a thoroughly entertaining read, one where the story telling speaks for itself, as historical fiction it delivers on all fronts and does not disappoint in any way.
The time period is somewhat of a departure for Ben Kane, more used to Roman fiction, however, he has taken to it like a duck to water.
Whenever I read historical fiction, I want to be able to get a feel for the period in which the book is set, not just people but the locations and landscape, Ben Kane is one of those authors who can just transport you back in time, with a quality of writing that just shines on the page.
Matthieu Carrey certainly comes across as a somewhat flawed character, whether by bad luck or misfortune he often seems to find himself in over his head, however, this is part of his charm and makes the book, I particulalry found his feud with Feraud and the way it was developed through the book to be most interesting, it would be fair to say that all the character within the book are well developed, you get a real feel for each
The narrative is wonderfully descriptive in giving you a real sense of place and location, you can sense the harshness and desolation, the battle scenes give a real flavour of what was endured, the scope and magnitude they leave little to the imagination,
Ben Kane is a writer who takes care over the historical details within his books, you can see the research that has clearly gone in, to give the book that sense of authenicity
In someways the book is about the huge sacrifices made, the scale of the loss is hard to imagine, but amongst this is a story of courage, friendship, heartache and love
The writing draws you into the book from the opening pages, there forward you are deeply invested in the characters, an epic tale of adventure awaits
This is a book which would appeal even if you would not normally read historical fiction.
Ben Kane is one of todays foremost writers in the genre and you can see why when you read his books 5*
This is a thoroughly entertaining read, one where the story telling speaks for itself, as historical fiction it delivers on all fronts and does not disappoint in any way.
The time period is somewhat of a departure for Ben Kane, more used to Roman fiction, however, he has taken to it like a duck to water.
Whenever I read historical fiction, I want to be able to get a feel for the period in which the book is set, not just people but the locations and landscape, Ben Kane is one of those authors who can just transport you back in time, with a quality of writing that just shines on the page.
Matthieu Carrey certainly comes across as a somewhat flawed character, whether by bad luck or misfortune he often seems to find himself in over his head, however, this is part of his charm and makes the book, I particulalry found his feud with Feraud and the way it was developed through the book to be most interesting, it would be fair to say that all the character within the book are well developed, you get a real feel for each
The narrative is wonderfully descriptive in giving you a real sense of place and location, you can sense the harshness and desolation, the battle scenes give a real flavour of what was endured, the scope and magnitude they leave little to the imagination,
Ben Kane is a writer who takes care over the historical details within his books, you can see the research that has clearly gone in, to give the book that sense of authenicity
In someways the book is about the huge sacrifices made, the scale of the loss is hard to imagine, but amongst this is a story of courage, friendship, heartache and love
The writing draws you into the book from the opening pages, there forward you are deeply invested in the characters, an epic tale of adventure awaits
This is a book which would appeal even if you would not normally read historical fiction.
Ben Kane is one of todays foremost writers in the genre and you can see why when you read his books 5*
February 29, 2024
3.65🌟
This took me way too long to read. Was a good book don’t get me wrong probably just the wrong sort of genre for me. I did enjoy the historic factor to the book however it sometimes would seem like a chore to read.
Overall a decent book.
This took me way too long to read. Was a good book don’t get me wrong probably just the wrong sort of genre for me. I did enjoy the historic factor to the book however it sometimes would seem like a chore to read.
Overall a decent book.
January 24, 2024
This is yet another change of setting for Kane, who’s pivoted from the ancient world to the middle-ages with his highly recommended Lionheart trilogy and this time explores the Grande Armée’s disastrous Russian campaign of 1812.
However, despite the very different period and a much shorter and faster paced story, the novel has much of the same charm that made Lionheart and its two sequels so great: a very young rogue-ish protagonist easy to get attached to and sufficiently flawed to be relatable, Matthieu Dupont as he goes for most of the story, who ends up a bit fortuitously commissioned a Messenger to one of Napoléon’s advisors (his master of horse) while getting blackmailed into spying on the French; an unpleasant nemesis, some loyal friends, a hint of romance, and a role for the protagonist that places him near enough the heart of things, but still enough on the periphery that Ben Kane can stay very close to historical facts.
He shows us just enough of Napoléon and his advisors from Matthieu’s post near their command tent to understand what is driving them through this often baffling and absurd enterprise but once again with Ben Kane, it’s much less about the biography of great men and narrative of great events than it is about the human experience for the “ordinary” men and women around, and the Russian campaign is certainly an absurd, gruesome and harrowing tale of human madness and terrifying losses of lives that Kane brings to life really well, especially in the part of the novel narrating the horrific retreat from Moscow and Russia which is completely riveting.
Echoing the narratives left by soldiers of the Grande Armée, Kane shows it all through the eyes of Matthieu, to great emotional and dramatic effect. It’s fiction in the service of the truth. As usual with Kane too, the attention to detail teaches you a great deal along the way without ever feeling didactic.
As an aside as a native French speaker, I also appreciate a lot the care Kane puts in his use of the language in the novel, something that was also noteworthy in the Lionheart trilogy. A minor mistake or two can be spotted, but on the whole everything’s accurate, which otherwise can become a huge distraction to any bilingual reader. Kane also shows flair for when to insert foreign dialogue, nouns or titles and clearly understands that “less is more”, using it quite logically in scenes involving both French and non French speakers, but sticking to plain English (with perhaps an occasional French honorific) in scenes involving only French speakers. That may seem common sense, but a lot of writers overdo it and distract with that rather than immerse you.
It may surprise some that Kane chose an “outsider” running messages between commanders rather than a career soldier as narrator for a story set during a military campaign, but it’s one that pays off as not only it makes Matthieu a lot more mobile, it also lets Kane focus more on his experience of things he’s totally unprepared for. This isn’t a story of where cannons where placed and how cavalry was cleverly used. There’s plenty of fiction and non-fiction describing these battles in abundant detail already - Kane with Napoleon’s Spy offers something different. It’s a story of one of the most pointless of military enterprises. It’s a story of hunger, bodies and amputed limbs piling up everywhere, the wounded abandoned to their fate, frost bites and dysentry, of resilience, of self-sacrifice and the will to live another day despite all.
Some might find the ending abrupt, but I personally liked it. I think it's a much more dramatically stronger way to end the story than with an epilogue bringing out of the horror and back to "normal life".
For a while I was to give it 4 stars, but in the end it’s 4.5 rounded up to 5 as the powerful last act of the book deserves nothing less.
However, despite the very different period and a much shorter and faster paced story, the novel has much of the same charm that made Lionheart and its two sequels so great: a very young rogue-ish protagonist easy to get attached to and sufficiently flawed to be relatable, Matthieu Dupont as he goes for most of the story, who ends up a bit fortuitously commissioned a Messenger to one of Napoléon’s advisors (his master of horse) while getting blackmailed into spying on the French; an unpleasant nemesis, some loyal friends, a hint of romance, and a role for the protagonist that places him near enough the heart of things, but still enough on the periphery that Ben Kane can stay very close to historical facts.
He shows us just enough of Napoléon and his advisors from Matthieu’s post near their command tent to understand what is driving them through this often baffling and absurd enterprise but once again with Ben Kane, it’s much less about the biography of great men and narrative of great events than it is about the human experience for the “ordinary” men and women around, and the Russian campaign is certainly an absurd, gruesome and harrowing tale of human madness and terrifying losses of lives that Kane brings to life really well, especially in the part of the novel narrating the horrific retreat from Moscow and Russia which is completely riveting.
Echoing the narratives left by soldiers of the Grande Armée, Kane shows it all through the eyes of Matthieu, to great emotional and dramatic effect. It’s fiction in the service of the truth. As usual with Kane too, the attention to detail teaches you a great deal along the way without ever feeling didactic.
As an aside as a native French speaker, I also appreciate a lot the care Kane puts in his use of the language in the novel, something that was also noteworthy in the Lionheart trilogy. A minor mistake or two can be spotted, but on the whole everything’s accurate, which otherwise can become a huge distraction to any bilingual reader. Kane also shows flair for when to insert foreign dialogue, nouns or titles and clearly understands that “less is more”, using it quite logically in scenes involving both French and non French speakers, but sticking to plain English (with perhaps an occasional French honorific) in scenes involving only French speakers. That may seem common sense, but a lot of writers overdo it and distract with that rather than immerse you.
It may surprise some that Kane chose an “outsider” running messages between commanders rather than a career soldier as narrator for a story set during a military campaign, but it’s one that pays off as not only it makes Matthieu a lot more mobile, it also lets Kane focus more on his experience of things he’s totally unprepared for. This isn’t a story of where cannons where placed and how cavalry was cleverly used. There’s plenty of fiction and non-fiction describing these battles in abundant detail already - Kane with Napoleon’s Spy offers something different. It’s a story of one of the most pointless of military enterprises. It’s a story of hunger, bodies and amputed limbs piling up everywhere, the wounded abandoned to their fate, frost bites and dysentry, of resilience, of self-sacrifice and the will to live another day despite all.
Some might find the ending abrupt, but I personally liked it. I think it's a much more dramatically stronger way to end the story than with an epilogue bringing out of the horror and back to "normal life".
For a while I was to give it 4 stars, but in the end it’s 4.5 rounded up to 5 as the powerful last act of the book deserves nothing less.
August 28, 2023
Ben Kane himself said it best: “pure history, with only a little bit of fiction thrown in.” I knew next to nothing about the Napoleonic Wars and the invasion of Russia in 1812, but traveling along with Matthieu in the Grande Armée I learned a lot. Experiencing the battles and hardships, meeting the leaders and common soldiers, learning about their weapons, dress, and all other little historical details Kane uses to build his story just makes you want to learn even more.
This book cements Ben Kane as my favourite author. The amount of historical fact, accurate dialogue, and historical terminology he uses in his stories are amazing. Even if the time period isn’t one of my favourites, his books never disappoint.
This book cements Ben Kane as my favourite author. The amount of historical fact, accurate dialogue, and historical terminology he uses in his stories are amazing. Even if the time period isn’t one of my favourites, his books never disappoint.
April 30, 2024
Kane gives us an interesting character in Mathieu who has to flee England and because of gambling debts becomes a spy in Napoleon's army, only he is passing information to the Russians. The author shows us the horrors of war in both battles and the retreat of the Grand Armee from Moscow.
Napoleon isn't shown in a good light rather as an aloof man with no thought for the men he commands.
The book was a bit repetitive at times when it comes to fight and battle scenes and if you have a love of horses this book may not be for you. But don't worry the cute dog named after a French general survives.
As for the main characters things are left in the air with the possible continuation of the series.
Napoleon isn't shown in a good light rather as an aloof man with no thought for the men he commands.
The book was a bit repetitive at times when it comes to fight and battle scenes and if you have a love of horses this book may not be for you. But don't worry the cute dog named after a French general survives.
As for the main characters things are left in the air with the possible continuation of the series.
June 26, 2024
Riviting at its best.
March 29, 2025
Not the most gripping plot but interesting enough
November 14, 2023
For me this book took a while to get going, but once Dupont had left Paris it was really a page turner. The march to, and especially from, Moscow was a nightmare and I'm sure, if anything Mr Kane underplayed the experiences that many of Napoleon's Grand Armee went through. I hope that this is the start of a series of adventures for Matthieu as the ending of this novel feels like just the beginning.
January 20, 2025
I asked my daughter for a historical fiction based around the Napoleonic wars for a Christmas present.
This was such an incredible read. Brilliantly told - I felt as though I was there with Matthieu all the way through his life experiences his constant struggles to support the invasion attempt. An epic tale of the real life event. Thank you.
This was such an incredible read. Brilliantly told - I felt as though I was there with Matthieu all the way through his life experiences his constant struggles to support the invasion attempt. An epic tale of the real life event. Thank you.
December 2, 2023
Chillingly enjoyable
Another great read from Ben Kane. A different period and a change of character. I could feel the freezing cold as I turned the pages. Probably not the hero that I am used to reading about from Ben but he turned out pretty good in the end.
Thanks Tony
Another great read from Ben Kane. A different period and a change of character. I could feel the freezing cold as I turned the pages. Probably not the hero that I am used to reading about from Ben but he turned out pretty good in the end.
Thanks Tony
December 15, 2023
Really love this book. Found that the main character wasn’t a likeable person but you could like him as well because he flawed like everyone is. You can imagine that everything that happened in book actually happened back 1812 on the march
July 13, 2023
Some good points in the novel. I feel it started off well but it lacks the big battle scenes that are in Bernard Cornwell and Paul Fraser Collard booms.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 19, 2023
Ben Kane does what Ben Kane does. Gripping page turner.
July 25, 2023
Ben Kane has pivoted once more, this time to tackle the monumental task of Napoleon's Russian campaign and his ignominious retreat from Moscow. Perhaps it takes an author of Kane's stature and boldness to encompass such a series of events within a single volume. (And not a long one either.)
The protagonist he chooses to lead us on this journey is a stroke of genius. A half-English, half-French gambler whose moral compass seems to have gone a little haywire, but who is always calculating the odds facing him. By the time he is captive to the onset of a brutal Russian winter, this device makes a lot of sense since the odds of survival are so stacked against him and everyone else.
Sense, though, seems to be a little lacking in this protagonist, Matthieu Carrey. And it's his recklessness and poor judgment that gets him first consigned to exile, and then embroiled in the shady subterfuge of an English spymaster, who, through a little arm-twisting and blackmail, despatches Matthieu eastwards with the Grande Armée as an imperial runner for one of Napoleon's senior officers. Of course, the great hook that drives the plot forward is that even a cursory student of history knows it's all going to end in disaster. The only question is: will Matthieu survive, and what will it take for him to do that?
The story operates on two levels. Matthieu gets into various scrapes and financial binds. He has a sort of paramour but that never goes very far - and an antagonist whom he seems to run into every now and then throughout the book, with whom Matthieu duels several times. These give him something of a personal story arc. But really the main thrust of the narrative, and for me anyway the more interesting thread of the book, is the story of Napoleon's hubris as he mounts his doomed campaign deep into the heartland of Imperial Russia. With Matthieu as witness, we see this in all its gore and glory, shame and fear and horror. This is the great triumph of this book. One suspects Kane could have gone into even greater detail of the suffering of the French as they withdrew back whence they'd come. But maybe he held back from that to spare us; the details he provides are sickening enough as it is.
Napoleon's Spy is another huge achievement from Ben Kane, easily a match for the immensity of the historical events he describes. By turns, thrilling, horrifying, and heartrending in its depiction of this momentous event in history. Kane is one of the most accomplished historical novelists out there and it was a pleasure to be led through this fascinating period of history in such capable hands. Chapeau, Monsieur Kane!
Postscript: I listened to this book on Audible. While I rate the book extremely highly, I am really sorry to say, the choice of narrator on Audible lets it down quite badly. For one reason only: this is a book about the French army, full of French words and names. The narrator clearly has no familiarity with the French language whatsoever. I can't be the only listener to have enough basic French to have found this very off-putting. I strongly suggest potential readers get hold of a print or ebook copy of this novel, and let Mr. Kane speak for himself.
The protagonist he chooses to lead us on this journey is a stroke of genius. A half-English, half-French gambler whose moral compass seems to have gone a little haywire, but who is always calculating the odds facing him. By the time he is captive to the onset of a brutal Russian winter, this device makes a lot of sense since the odds of survival are so stacked against him and everyone else.
Sense, though, seems to be a little lacking in this protagonist, Matthieu Carrey. And it's his recklessness and poor judgment that gets him first consigned to exile, and then embroiled in the shady subterfuge of an English spymaster, who, through a little arm-twisting and blackmail, despatches Matthieu eastwards with the Grande Armée as an imperial runner for one of Napoleon's senior officers. Of course, the great hook that drives the plot forward is that even a cursory student of history knows it's all going to end in disaster. The only question is: will Matthieu survive, and what will it take for him to do that?
The story operates on two levels. Matthieu gets into various scrapes and financial binds. He has a sort of paramour but that never goes very far - and an antagonist whom he seems to run into every now and then throughout the book, with whom Matthieu duels several times. These give him something of a personal story arc. But really the main thrust of the narrative, and for me anyway the more interesting thread of the book, is the story of Napoleon's hubris as he mounts his doomed campaign deep into the heartland of Imperial Russia. With Matthieu as witness, we see this in all its gore and glory, shame and fear and horror. This is the great triumph of this book. One suspects Kane could have gone into even greater detail of the suffering of the French as they withdrew back whence they'd come. But maybe he held back from that to spare us; the details he provides are sickening enough as it is.
Napoleon's Spy is another huge achievement from Ben Kane, easily a match for the immensity of the historical events he describes. By turns, thrilling, horrifying, and heartrending in its depiction of this momentous event in history. Kane is one of the most accomplished historical novelists out there and it was a pleasure to be led through this fascinating period of history in such capable hands. Chapeau, Monsieur Kane!
Postscript: I listened to this book on Audible. While I rate the book extremely highly, I am really sorry to say, the choice of narrator on Audible lets it down quite badly. For one reason only: this is a book about the French army, full of French words and names. The narrator clearly has no familiarity with the French language whatsoever. I can't be the only listener to have enough basic French to have found this very off-putting. I strongly suggest potential readers get hold of a print or ebook copy of this novel, and let Mr. Kane speak for himself.
June 25, 2023
This standalone novel, at least that's what I think this is although this book has an open ending in my view, is mainly about the disastrous campaign by Napoleon's Grande Armée against Tsar Alexander's Russia.
At the beginning of the book you'll an Historical Note about "Duelling", and two well-drawn maps of the Advance to and the Retreat from Moscow, Russia, by Napoleon's Grande Armée in AD1812.
At the back of the book you'll notice an Author's Note, where you can learn some very useful historical information concerning this period of history.
Storytelling is excellent, the story itself is not as great as his other former fantastic books however, but the description of the Advance and Retreat from Moscow are wonderfully pictured and described in this tale of war and death.
The main character in this story is Mathieu Carrey, half English and half French, who will learn during the disastrous campaign to and from Russia, that life is more than just gambling and living by the odds.
Mathieu will end up in Paris, after a perilous journey, and there he will meet Guillaume and together they will start gambling in the French Salons, when Mathieu is tricked into the French Grande Armée to act as a kind of Spy for England and Russia, while at the same time being a messenger for Napoleon and his close associates during their invasion to and departure from Russia in AD1812.
What is to follow is an easy reading gambling-, love-, and war-story, in which Mathieu will change from a gambling man to a man of conscience and reason after been confronted and witnessing the horrors and deaths of men, women, children, animals, that will make him finally realise that Napoleon is not the mighty conqueror anymore, and so in this very cold winter in Russia and with deaths and diseases galore, Mathieu will need all his wits to survive this horrible ordeal, so that he and his friends can head back to safety alive.
Very much recommended to everyone who love a action-packed story, although for me this is not the author's absolute best, but especially the main part about the atrocities and horrors happening in this war by Napoleon against Russia is very much worth reading about, and that's why I like to call this book: "A Very Engaging Secret Messenger"!
At the beginning of the book you'll an Historical Note about "Duelling", and two well-drawn maps of the Advance to and the Retreat from Moscow, Russia, by Napoleon's Grande Armée in AD1812.
At the back of the book you'll notice an Author's Note, where you can learn some very useful historical information concerning this period of history.
Storytelling is excellent, the story itself is not as great as his other former fantastic books however, but the description of the Advance and Retreat from Moscow are wonderfully pictured and described in this tale of war and death.
The main character in this story is Mathieu Carrey, half English and half French, who will learn during the disastrous campaign to and from Russia, that life is more than just gambling and living by the odds.
Mathieu will end up in Paris, after a perilous journey, and there he will meet Guillaume and together they will start gambling in the French Salons, when Mathieu is tricked into the French Grande Armée to act as a kind of Spy for England and Russia, while at the same time being a messenger for Napoleon and his close associates during their invasion to and departure from Russia in AD1812.
What is to follow is an easy reading gambling-, love-, and war-story, in which Mathieu will change from a gambling man to a man of conscience and reason after been confronted and witnessing the horrors and deaths of men, women, children, animals, that will make him finally realise that Napoleon is not the mighty conqueror anymore, and so in this very cold winter in Russia and with deaths and diseases galore, Mathieu will need all his wits to survive this horrible ordeal, so that he and his friends can head back to safety alive.
Very much recommended to everyone who love a action-packed story, although for me this is not the author's absolute best, but especially the main part about the atrocities and horrors happening in this war by Napoleon against Russia is very much worth reading about, and that's why I like to call this book: "A Very Engaging Secret Messenger"!
February 25, 2025
Kane takes you on the march to Moscow with Napoleon and his armies.
This is a first-person narrative from the vantage of Matthew Carrey, a degenerate gambler front Kent whose debts drive him into an ill-advised endeavor that leaves him stranded in France - penniless and labeled a traitor and murderer by the British Crown.
But Carrey is half French and uses his nearly native French tongue and Familial relations to start a new life in Paris. But his old ways pull him back into the gambling salons, and he is soon in trouble again. Blackmailed into service, the only way to save himself, clear his name, and spare his innocent uncle whom he dragged into this mess is to agree to spy for Britain as one of Napoleon's messengers.
I really enjoyed the first act. Ben Kane did a fabulous job of selling how the rogue goes from being stranded in France to marching in Russia with Napoleon and his Grande Armée, all while in the service of the British Crown. It’s a great set up, and I was in for the ride.
I enjoyed the character. Matthew is not some “Biggus Dickus” who is stronger, taller, smarter, and a better fighter than everyone else. Matthew is a scoundrel who would pawn his uncle's tailor shop just to win his money back in a gambling den. Matthew is always weighing the odds like a gambler in his decisions and has a little devil speaking in his head, goading him into making the wrong ones.
The rest of the book tells the story of Napoleon’s march to Moscow with battles such as Borodino, and then the retreat through the Russian winter in which hundreds of thousands died. This is told through Matthew’s eyes as he witnesses and participates in a series of events. He has an ongoing feud with a French hussar, which results in multiple duels. There’s also a love interest he feels compelled to save, raising the stakes and drama for our gambling man.
The book ends rather abruptly after the last in a series of ordeals Matthew must face to survive the brutal march home. It makes me almost wonder if there'll be a sequel, although the Battle of Berezina - Matthew’s last challenge - is the last major battle of the campaign.
Whether Napoleon’s Spy is Book One of a series or a standalone novel, it’s an entertaining adventure with a likable protagonist that puts you in the action of Napoleon’s disastrous campaign in Russia.
This is a first-person narrative from the vantage of Matthew Carrey, a degenerate gambler front Kent whose debts drive him into an ill-advised endeavor that leaves him stranded in France - penniless and labeled a traitor and murderer by the British Crown.
But Carrey is half French and uses his nearly native French tongue and Familial relations to start a new life in Paris. But his old ways pull him back into the gambling salons, and he is soon in trouble again. Blackmailed into service, the only way to save himself, clear his name, and spare his innocent uncle whom he dragged into this mess is to agree to spy for Britain as one of Napoleon's messengers.
I really enjoyed the first act. Ben Kane did a fabulous job of selling how the rogue goes from being stranded in France to marching in Russia with Napoleon and his Grande Armée, all while in the service of the British Crown. It’s a great set up, and I was in for the ride.
I enjoyed the character. Matthew is not some “Biggus Dickus” who is stronger, taller, smarter, and a better fighter than everyone else. Matthew is a scoundrel who would pawn his uncle's tailor shop just to win his money back in a gambling den. Matthew is always weighing the odds like a gambler in his decisions and has a little devil speaking in his head, goading him into making the wrong ones.
The rest of the book tells the story of Napoleon’s march to Moscow with battles such as Borodino, and then the retreat through the Russian winter in which hundreds of thousands died. This is told through Matthew’s eyes as he witnesses and participates in a series of events. He has an ongoing feud with a French hussar, which results in multiple duels. There’s also a love interest he feels compelled to save, raising the stakes and drama for our gambling man.
The book ends rather abruptly after the last in a series of ordeals Matthew must face to survive the brutal march home. It makes me almost wonder if there'll be a sequel, although the Battle of Berezina - Matthew’s last challenge - is the last major battle of the campaign.
Whether Napoleon’s Spy is Book One of a series or a standalone novel, it’s an entertaining adventure with a likable protagonist that puts you in the action of Napoleon’s disastrous campaign in Russia.
June 19, 2023
Amazing! Goodreads shows this book at over 400 pages. It's really 301. Wonder what happened to those extra 100 pages.
Normally, when you think of Napoleon, you think of the battle at Waterloo and how he went down in defeat. This is NOT about Waterloo. This is about his disastrous trip into Russia and his rather disastrous defeat at the hands of the Cossacks. It was not Napoleon's finest moment.
And this book, perhaps more than any other books by Ben Kane is graphic. Oh boy, is it graphic! Reading the details of the suffering Napoleon's troops went through is most definitely not for the faint-of-heart or squeamish. And what makes it even more graphic is the fact that the book - like the rest of Kane's books - is heavily researched - he doesn't make this stuff up!
Now you may be thinking, "so this is a book about someone who spied for Napoleon." Not quite. As a matter of fact, the title tends to be a bit misleading, but we won't go there since that would get us into spoiler territory.
In addition to the graphic scenes of human suffering and misery as Napoleon's troops retreat, there are the expected battle scenes, but not as many as might be found in some of his other works - if you read the book, you'll understand why.
Ben Kane started out writing about ancient Rome and his books on that subject are among the best around. He then branched out into other time periods.....Richard The Lionheart.....now Napoleon and his next venture will be into the Viking era (there's a preview of the next book at the end of this one). No matter what the period, Kane is a writer at the top of his game. If I had to make one complaint, it would be that the books always tend to be on the short side, usually stopping at under 400 pages - there's no harm in going over that 400 mark - it's more good reading!
This is a stand-alone book, so you don't need to worry about reading one that came before, or the one that is coming after. After so many series from different writers, a stand-alone book is a godsend and blessing.
Normally, when you think of Napoleon, you think of the battle at Waterloo and how he went down in defeat. This is NOT about Waterloo. This is about his disastrous trip into Russia and his rather disastrous defeat at the hands of the Cossacks. It was not Napoleon's finest moment.
And this book, perhaps more than any other books by Ben Kane is graphic. Oh boy, is it graphic! Reading the details of the suffering Napoleon's troops went through is most definitely not for the faint-of-heart or squeamish. And what makes it even more graphic is the fact that the book - like the rest of Kane's books - is heavily researched - he doesn't make this stuff up!
Now you may be thinking, "so this is a book about someone who spied for Napoleon." Not quite. As a matter of fact, the title tends to be a bit misleading, but we won't go there since that would get us into spoiler territory.
In addition to the graphic scenes of human suffering and misery as Napoleon's troops retreat, there are the expected battle scenes, but not as many as might be found in some of his other works - if you read the book, you'll understand why.
Ben Kane started out writing about ancient Rome and his books on that subject are among the best around. He then branched out into other time periods.....Richard The Lionheart.....now Napoleon and his next venture will be into the Viking era (there's a preview of the next book at the end of this one). No matter what the period, Kane is a writer at the top of his game. If I had to make one complaint, it would be that the books always tend to be on the short side, usually stopping at under 400 pages - there's no harm in going over that 400 mark - it's more good reading!
This is a stand-alone book, so you don't need to worry about reading one that came before, or the one that is coming after. After so many series from different writers, a stand-alone book is a godsend and blessing.
March 11, 2024
This, Ladies & Gentlemen, is what you call…
.. ‘The Highest Quality’ in the Industry! Oh yes, no false platitudes here. If you truly venture to desire the best possible reading material by the best possible author; look-no-further for you have arrived at your destination.
An aside: the world of reading matter is in a difficult place, currently. The world of ‘self-pub’ is great To.An.Extent, but there’s much drivel and typographical gruel out there presently (Inc. established publishers).
Whilst reading choices are deeply personal, a worrying amount of utter faeces is deprecating reading markets today. E.g Book 35 in the ‘Detective Myrtle Merkel’ series or ‘Lady Lydia’s L*b1a Love Liaisons’ etc. it’s horrendous, the amount of terdige being bought by folks!
MY POINT IS: Here is TOP quality writing at an affordable price. An author of THE highest calibre who’s written across the spectrum of history and, more people need to know about this kind of reading merch!
A world reading and narrative crisis is possible in the near future. Far too much junk is being co-opted to Flix & a’Zon or others that should be nowhere near our screens, some of it by very well known authors. Why is the work of this author not on our screens? This is fantastic, brilliant reading and would be outstanding viewing.
The amount of accurate research that went into this book is truly quite magnificent. Not only is this hours of nerve tingling, tension binding entertainment, it’s a diploma in 19th century warfare!
Do yourself a huge favour: buy this and every other book the author has written — you’ll not be disappointed!
I want to say thank you, to the author for an entertaining read, some points of education on ‘facts’ I’d not understood or known before reading & for the smirk at the end with his acute modesty.
.. ‘The Highest Quality’ in the Industry! Oh yes, no false platitudes here. If you truly venture to desire the best possible reading material by the best possible author; look-no-further for you have arrived at your destination.
An aside: the world of reading matter is in a difficult place, currently. The world of ‘self-pub’ is great To.An.Extent, but there’s much drivel and typographical gruel out there presently (Inc. established publishers).
Whilst reading choices are deeply personal, a worrying amount of utter faeces is deprecating reading markets today. E.g Book 35 in the ‘Detective Myrtle Merkel’ series or ‘Lady Lydia’s L*b1a Love Liaisons’ etc. it’s horrendous, the amount of terdige being bought by folks!
MY POINT IS: Here is TOP quality writing at an affordable price. An author of THE highest calibre who’s written across the spectrum of history and, more people need to know about this kind of reading merch!
A world reading and narrative crisis is possible in the near future. Far too much junk is being co-opted to Flix & a’Zon or others that should be nowhere near our screens, some of it by very well known authors. Why is the work of this author not on our screens? This is fantastic, brilliant reading and would be outstanding viewing.
The amount of accurate research that went into this book is truly quite magnificent. Not only is this hours of nerve tingling, tension binding entertainment, it’s a diploma in 19th century warfare!
Do yourself a huge favour: buy this and every other book the author has written — you’ll not be disappointed!
I want to say thank you, to the author for an entertaining read, some points of education on ‘facts’ I’d not understood or known before reading & for the smirk at the end with his acute modesty.
March 7, 2025
Napoleon’s Spy, a captivating historical fiction novel, was a must-read for me after devouring Sharpe’s Tiger and delving into the Sharpe Companion. It fulfilled my Napoleonic itch and transported me to a thrilling journey to Russia and back.
Bernard Cornwell’s Sharpe series has been a beloved read for me, and I eagerly anticipated exploring the next chapter. Ben Kane’s Napoleon’s Spy delivered that promise. The story begins in England, following Mathieu’s journey to Paris and then to Napoleon’s fateful campaign in Russia in 1812.
Kane’s narrative weaves a captivating tapestry of love, duels, heartbreak, and vivid descriptions of Napoleonic battles that are unlike anything I’ve encountered before. Mathieu, a complex character with his own flaws and shortcomings, becomes an endearing protagonist. The reader is drawn into his struggles and rooting for his triumph over adversity.
However, I must admit that I felt a sense of disappointment at the end. Unbeknownst to me, I had miscalculated the number of pages remaining, leading me to believe that I would finish the story before reaching the final page. This unexpected twist left me feeling a pang of disappointment when I finally turned the last page.
In hindsight, the ending was satisfying and neatly wrapped up. It brought a sense of closure to the story, and I found myself grateful that it had come to an end.
I highly recommend Napoleon’s Spy to anyone who enjoys historical fiction. It’s an exceptional edition that effectively portrays the horrors of the 1813 Napoleonic invasion and retreat into Russia. The novel has ignited my curiosity about this disastrous campaign, and I eagerly anticipate Ben Kane’s future works on this fascinating period of history.
Bernard Cornwell’s Sharpe series has been a beloved read for me, and I eagerly anticipated exploring the next chapter. Ben Kane’s Napoleon’s Spy delivered that promise. The story begins in England, following Mathieu’s journey to Paris and then to Napoleon’s fateful campaign in Russia in 1812.
Kane’s narrative weaves a captivating tapestry of love, duels, heartbreak, and vivid descriptions of Napoleonic battles that are unlike anything I’ve encountered before. Mathieu, a complex character with his own flaws and shortcomings, becomes an endearing protagonist. The reader is drawn into his struggles and rooting for his triumph over adversity.
However, I must admit that I felt a sense of disappointment at the end. Unbeknownst to me, I had miscalculated the number of pages remaining, leading me to believe that I would finish the story before reaching the final page. This unexpected twist left me feeling a pang of disappointment when I finally turned the last page.
In hindsight, the ending was satisfying and neatly wrapped up. It brought a sense of closure to the story, and I found myself grateful that it had come to an end.
I highly recommend Napoleon’s Spy to anyone who enjoys historical fiction. It’s an exceptional edition that effectively portrays the horrors of the 1813 Napoleonic invasion and retreat into Russia. The novel has ignited my curiosity about this disastrous campaign, and I eagerly anticipate Ben Kane’s future works on this fascinating period of history.
September 7, 2025
Quite an interesting and exciting novel. Napoleon’s Spy is historical fiction which sticks closely with the real characters and events, and attributes many authentic sources to look at Napoleon’s invasion of Russia and its subsequent disaster in 1812 through the eyes of Mathieu DuPont, the fictional central character. DuPont is sort of an ordinary Englishman, but with weaknesses for indulging in over-consumption of alcohol and gambling.
Ben Kane, the author, adds a second character, DuPont’s inner voice, the ‘little voice’ inside his head that sometimes delivers hard realities that the young man can’t quite accept, and at other times the actual DuPont defies. So, you end up with a dialogue for how to decide what to do next, which in this novel is on nearly every page because there seems to be conflict from every direction.
Of course, Napoleon’s decision to assault the fortress at Smolensk and make a frontal assault at Borodino before pressing the attack on Moscow, and then reluctantly, after crucial delay, to retreat is almost unfathomable, that so many French would trust and give complete allegiance to an ailing and egomaniacal leader, who makes several poor strategic decisions despite his general staff’s counsel. Caulaincourt, Ney, Murat almost everyone else, and finally, the soldiers and civilian followers come to realize Napoleon is not acting in their best interests, and probably never has been. The tragedy is they can’t admit it until it’s clearly too late. Roughly 2% of the 500,000 soldiers return to France.
Ben Kane, the author, adds a second character, DuPont’s inner voice, the ‘little voice’ inside his head that sometimes delivers hard realities that the young man can’t quite accept, and at other times the actual DuPont defies. So, you end up with a dialogue for how to decide what to do next, which in this novel is on nearly every page because there seems to be conflict from every direction.
Of course, Napoleon’s decision to assault the fortress at Smolensk and make a frontal assault at Borodino before pressing the attack on Moscow, and then reluctantly, after crucial delay, to retreat is almost unfathomable, that so many French would trust and give complete allegiance to an ailing and egomaniacal leader, who makes several poor strategic decisions despite his general staff’s counsel. Caulaincourt, Ney, Murat almost everyone else, and finally, the soldiers and civilian followers come to realize Napoleon is not acting in their best interests, and probably never has been. The tragedy is they can’t admit it until it’s clearly too late. Roughly 2% of the 500,000 soldiers return to France.
September 27, 2023
Ben Kane takes a diversion from his tales of Rome to 1812 and Napoleon’s disastrous assault on Russia. By way of telling us of the horrors that befell Napoleon and his army, we are presented with a character to give narrative to the history. Matthieu Carrey is half English and half French. His stupidity and gambling debts forces him to join Napoleon’s troops as a messenger while acting as an agent for the British passing on information to the Russians. Carrey is a somewhat feckless character caught up in a place he doesn’t want to be, but it is through his eyes we see the disaster that unfolded. Good move from the author to make him a messenger so we get a perspective of the march, the conflict and the tactics. Also a good move to make him close to Napoleon’s command but not being part of the inner circle. I think Napoleon only speaks to him once.
It's as well researched as you would expect although I missed the usual “historical notes” at the end to give context.
It does end slightly abruptly and was slightly slow to get going, but the meat here is the march to Moscow and the terrible retreat and it is as harrowing as you would expect from a top historical author.
It's as well researched as you would expect although I missed the usual “historical notes” at the end to give context.
It does end slightly abruptly and was slightly slow to get going, but the meat here is the march to Moscow and the terrible retreat and it is as harrowing as you would expect from a top historical author.
January 25, 2024
First off, this paperback edition is NOT over 400 pages. It is 328 pages long with the main story finishing around the 300 mark. Acknowledgements, sources and even a prologue from another of Ben's books makes up the remaining 30 odd pages.
Anyways, I digress...
I loved this. It was my first Napoleonic War book and it was a suitably grim, nasty, hope-destroying but eye-opening tale.
Never before have I been more grateful I've been born in the World as it is now rather than here 200 odd years in the past, let alone the life of a soldier. The lack of medical aid or knowledge, the strong possibilty of daily dehydration and starvation, heck the freezing weather of countries in the East of mainland Europe made me shiver with fear and apprehension.
Our "hero" Matthieu Carrey, despite regularly bringing ruin upon himself, I couldn't help but root for. I hope this ending will lead to another novel featuring him, I must know how he fares on his return back to France...and if he gets drawn back into another of Napoleon's wars.
Anyways, I digress...
I loved this. It was my first Napoleonic War book and it was a suitably grim, nasty, hope-destroying but eye-opening tale.
Never before have I been more grateful I've been born in the World as it is now rather than here 200 odd years in the past, let alone the life of a soldier. The lack of medical aid or knowledge, the strong possibilty of daily dehydration and starvation, heck the freezing weather of countries in the East of mainland Europe made me shiver with fear and apprehension.
Our "hero" Matthieu Carrey, despite regularly bringing ruin upon himself, I couldn't help but root for. I hope this ending will lead to another novel featuring him, I must know how he fares on his return back to France...and if he gets drawn back into another of Napoleon's wars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 6, 2024
It's difficult to rate this book. First, the title is very misleading, the protagonist is definitely not Napoleon's spy, but a spy in the Grande Armee, and not even a willing one. Second, the constant duelling was tiring, even with the author's comment in the foreword about what a common thing this was. Third, for most of the book, I didn't find the protagonist a likeable character, and couldn't really root for him.
The descriptions of the campaign were, nevertheless, compelling, with lots of interesting and devastating details. Then again, I didn't feel too shaken by the events -- I understood how bad it was for these unfortunate folks, but somehow I wasn't as affected as anticipated. I don't know if the writing was lacking or I simply wasn't in the right headspace for more empathy.
All in all, it was a good book worth reading, but it didn't stand out for me.
The descriptions of the campaign were, nevertheless, compelling, with lots of interesting and devastating details. Then again, I didn't feel too shaken by the events -- I understood how bad it was for these unfortunate folks, but somehow I wasn't as affected as anticipated. I don't know if the writing was lacking or I simply wasn't in the right headspace for more empathy.
All in all, it was a good book worth reading, but it didn't stand out for me.
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