The Valley of Death

Sergeant Jack Crossman #2

by Garry Kilworth

Sergeant Jack Crossman's second adventure is set at the notorious Battle of Balaclava, where he is witness to the tragic and hopeless charge of the Light Brigade. Rousing narrative of courage on the field and the horrifying realities of the Crimean campaign are related with verve and meticulous historical detail, in the spirit of the great military adventures.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical

Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

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]

**Should read as 4.5 Stars!**

Read this book in 2010, and its the 2nd volume about the Crimean War with "Fancy Jack" Crossman as the lead figure in this series.

Jack Crossman of the 88th regiment, the Connaught Rangers, is now with his men well established within the army as one of the army's secret weapons in the Crimean War, where all parties are having a very hard time to establish a decisive victory.

This time after the disastrous suicide mission on Sebastopol, and seriously injured, Jack Crossman will witness the tragic charge of the Light Brigade at one of the most famous battles in history, the Battle of Balaclava, which is followed by a successful charge of the Heavy Brigade.

What is to follow is a thrilling and excitable historical journey through the Crimean War, and where the author will describe the horror and terror of this slaughterhouse in a superb manner what bravery, cowardice, life and death concerns.

Very much recommended, for this is a worthy follow-up to this entertaining series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Very Satisfying Crimean War Sequel"!

[Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

I usually read series books from the beginning, but I ended up with this, the second in the 'Fancy' Jack Crossman series, following on from THE DEVIL'S OWN. I had no trouble in quickly getting up to speed with the characters despite a few references to the previous novel.

This series is obviously indebted to Sharpe, with the difference that it takes place during the Crimean War (at least for the first handful of books in the series). The first thing I noticed was that Kilworth's writing isn't up to Cornwell's standard - but then whose is? Although the novel is action packed, the action just doesn't grip you as it does in the Sharpe stories, and some of it is quite perfunctionary.

Saying that, the research is impeccable. I learnt plenty about the Crimean War, something I knew nothing of beforehand. It turns out to be a complicated stand-off between Russian forces and a group of allies consisting of the British, French and Turks.

The adventure is more of an ensemble outing than we usually find in these war efforts. Crossman is the nominal hero, but his fighting men (and woman) are well defined. I particularly liked the inclusion of an ex-Thuggee who puts his assassin skills to good use in this one. What doesn't appeal is some slow-paced romance stuff that goes nowhere, other than the author just to have some romance in the story.

The plotting is probably the worst aspect of the book. Crossman and his followers go on a couple of adventures, and at one point he's captured, but there's no central drive or thrust, no urgency to the proceedings. At one point halfway through, Kilworth reprises the events involving the Charge of the Light Brigade, of whom his characters aren't a part. Instead, he includes some other characters, who we don't even know or understand, who disappear again once that bit is over. At times like this I thought the author's efforts would have been put to better use in a work of non-fiction.

Still, the book is by no means bad. It gets off to a cracking start, has a memorable set-piece involving a bear, describes the battle scenes in a decent amount of detail, and includes some fun skirmish scenarios (even if all the characters do seem to have superhuman strength, shrugging off injuries and avoiding death all the while). I'll probably check out another one at some point to see how it goes.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this second entry in the Jack Crossman series by Garry Kilworth. The main characters are fleshing out and are consistent with their introduction in the first book and we learn more about Crossman's backstory. The Charge of the Light Brigade is brilliantly imagined from the point of view of an ordinary private and the mis-reading/interpretation of the order that sent them on their charge along the Valley of Death. The Heavy Brigade's initial involvement in the battle is also covered in vivid detail. An interesting factoid was the difference between the two cavalry brigades at the time and their roles in mid-Victorian warfare. The Crossman books so far tick all the historical adventure boxes: derring-do, sense of place and atmosphere, romance, and a few small headline facts. Looking forward to more of Jack Crossman's adventures.

[Alan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sergeant Jack Crossman, an upper class Englishman hiding his true identity, while serving as a lowly non-commissioned officer in the British army in the Crimean war, leads a band of misfits in "fox hunts", as undercover operations are known. This book circles around events which lead up to the Charge of the Light Brigade, although that is not the main story in the book. Unfortunately, an officer's wife recognizes the incognito Jack, which leads him to fear that his family will find out about his ruse. Enjoyable story, well written.

[Mike Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an historical novel based on actual events, this series is very well researched and the story line follows the historical facts as part of the story. The characters are believable and in certain circumstances are based on actual people in history. As a person who has read more than most on this terrible conflict, I find the story interesting and believable. Well written and worth the read.
Looking forward to the remainder of the series.

[Geoff Woodland · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book that I've read by this author - overall I enjoyed it, but it did remind me of the Richard Sharpe character by Bernard Cornwall.
I have another to read by G.D. Kilworth so I'll have more to say after I've read it.
Both books were a gift from a friend.

[Bob Grant · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok book. Seems well researched. Storyline was quite different from similar books of the same events so that was a nice change. Makes we want to re-read Flashman at the Charge, one of my favourite series.

[Tony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great adventure novel. Based on the Crimea war. I know very little about this era. Knew about the charge of heavy and light brigades. But loving the characters and adventures they get into.

[Sho · Rating 3 out of 5]

As an avid reader of Sharpe, Hornblower and other historical novels, I was looking around for something else. My dad found Garry Kilworth, and passed the first 3 of the Jack Crossman novels to me when he'd finished them. Unfortunately, since they are out of print, it's proving almost impossible to get the 4th. But... this is number 2 so I still have time :)

As with the first Jack Crossman book (the Devil's Own) the main battle sort of passed me by and it was only when I'd gone past it I realised that the ill-fated sortie of the light brigade along the Valley of death is what I'd just read.

The detail of the battles is obviously meticulously researched and the story jogs along nicely with a plot and sub-plots aplenty as well as some interesting characters. I particularly like Lance Corporal Peterson and the American journalist.

At some point I'll read the 3rd in this series of 4 and in the meantime I'm searching for the 4th which is out of print (as are they all) and not to be found...

[Tomd · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read a lot of historical fiction and after reading the first in this series I did want to read this, the next one. So while I enjoyed this book I found the juxtaposition of the history and the fiction clumsy. The book jumps from the main characters and plot into the major battles and events of the crimean war without always placing the character amongst the action. Characters are used purely as a device to bring us a "real" account of the battles who have no part to play in moving the plot along. In come cases they do not even interact with the main protaginists. That said it was not bad enough to think I was reading two separate books and did flow along at a good pace.

[Mark Donald · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a book. Non stop action throughout. Really enjoyed the charges by the heavy brigade and the light brigade plus the stand of the thin red line