Brothers of the Blade: Lieutenant Fancy Jack Crossman and the Siege of Delhi

Sergeant Jack Crossman #6

by Garry Kilworth

After the final dreadful battle in the mud and cold of the Crimea, there could hardly be a greater contrast - 'Fancy Jack' Crossman, minus a hand, and newly promoted to Lieutenant, finds himself taking ship for the heat and excitement of India. He is to assist the East India Company Army in gathering intelligence at a time when there are ominous signs of restlessness amongst the native troops. Crossman lands at Bombay, expecting to make his way north to the Punjab region where he will be seconded to the irregular infantry force known as Coke's Rifles. Accompanying him is Sgt Farrier Jones, a military cartographer. Jones is a highly intelligent man, educated at a village church school. Yet Crossman, himself risen from the ranks, sees nothing of his former self in Jones and believes the sergeant is reaching too high. The two men do not get on. Then Crossman meets the Maharaja of Rajputan who offers him a third companion on his journey to the Punjab, a tall and sullen Rajput, who has no desire to be the bodyguard of a British officer. The unlikely trio undergo several trials and adventures before being swept up in the Indian Mutiny of 1857 and the march to relieve Delhi. Reaching the

Genres: Historical Fiction

288 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Garry Douglas Kilworth is a historical novelist who also published sci-fi, fantasy, and juvenile fiction.

Kilworth is a graduate of King's College London. He was previously a science fiction author, having published one hundred twenty short stories and seventy novels.

Reviews

[Clemens Schoonderwoert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book in 2005, and its the 6th volume of the "Fancy Jack" Crossman series.

Promoted to Lieutenant, Jack Crossman, finds himself now in India, in the year AD 1857, and an India full of unrest within the native troops.

Landing at Bombay, he aspects to be sent to the Punjab, and accompanying him will be Sergeant Farrier Jones, a military cartographer, but they do not get on.

Further along the way Crossman and Jones will meet the Maharaja of Rajputan, who's offering Crossman a third companion on his journey to the Punjab, a tall sullen Rajput.

Together, but the three not getting along, they will have to face several dangerous trials before they are being swept up into the Indian Mutiny in AD 1857, and the march on Delhi, before they can reach their final destination.

What is to follow is an exciting tale set in mutinous India and that is brought to life by the author in a very acceptable fashion, with lifelike and believable figures and battle actions.

Very much recommended, for this is another very likeable addition to this very fine series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Very Satisfying Indian Campaign"!

[Neil · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last book in this series was very confusing to me as I said this was not a novel but a recalling of the war but I think this is what these stories are. This story did have some 'novel' pieces included with some personal continuity but the main story was about that time in India, what it was like, the political manipulations and life in general at the time. Then of course the was the siege. I really liked this book. Great insight and you feel part of the story living in the life that they did in those times.

[James Ian · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good read. I will try to get the next book in the series And am currently trying to find it. I hope I will be able to get it.

I really enjoyed this book. I am looking forward to starting the series from the start. Jack Crossman is a great man to follow.
Eventually there will be a happy ending!!

[Tony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great yarn. I love the setting in India. I have not read much about this time of the British Empire in India. I'm not proud of what the Brits did there. But the fascinating story, which gave me an understanding of the people, environment and times of this era.
I enjoyed the continued adventures of Fancy Jack but did feel it was very rushed at the end. Look forward to the next instalment.

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Crossman's first foray into India and it was different to the books set in the Crimea, not only because it is set in another country but Crossman is now an officer. I really enjoyed the Crimea books and while I enjoyed the adventure this book serves up there was something missing. However, I look forward to continuing Fancy Jack's next adventure.

[Stephen Fleet · Rating 2 out of 5]

Loved he was in India but felt the gravity of the time didn’t really come across in the writing.
Big battle at the end but again seemed to wrap up far too quick.
Better than the last two no where near as good as the first three.

[Mark Donald · Rating 3 out of 5]

The worst book in the series jack spends most of the book just wondering around Indian wastelands not getting up to much even the siege of Delhi only lasts a couple of pages. Not much action in it at all