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Matthew Hawkwood #3
Rapscallion
Matthew Hawkwood, ex-soldier turned Bow Street Runner, goes undercover to hunt down smugglers and traitors at the height of the Napoleonic Wars in this thrilling follow-up to Ratcatcher. For a French prisoner of war, there is only one fate worse than the gallows: the hulks. Former man-o'-wars, now converted to prison ships, their fearsome reputation guarantees a sentence served in the most dreadful conditions. Few survive. Escape, it's said, is impossible. Yet reports persist of a sinister smuggling operation within this brutal world -- and the Royal Navy is worried enough to send two of its officers to investigate. But when they disappear without trace, the Navy turns in desperation to Bow Street for help. It's time to send in a man as dangerous as the prey. It's time to send in Hawkwood!
412 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
25 people are currently reading
377 people want to read
About the author
James McGee
49 books119 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
James McGee was born into an army family. He was educated in Gibraltar, Germany and Belfast, giving him a love of travel, which is evident in his meticulous, vivid portraits of diverse people and places. His career has encompassed banking, bookselling and thirteen years in the airline business. He has also presented book reviews for BBC local radio and several independent stations.
James McGee was born into an army family. He was educated in Gibraltar, Germany and Belfast, giving him a love of travel, which is evident in his meticulous, vivid portraits of diverse people and places. His career has encompassed banking, bookselling and thirteen years in the airline business. He has also presented book reviews for BBC local radio and several independent stations.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
July 11, 2014
***4.5***
From the historical notes in the book:
Too many prisoners of war have recently managed to escape from one of those ships. The Navy sent two officers to investigate. One of them drowned and the other is missing. The Navy has turned to Bow Street for help. Matthew Hawkwood's assignment would be to go undercover as an American prisoner of war, to find out the means of their escape and what exactly happened to the two officers. I love how the world in this series is not all black and white. He finds help and friendship in the most unlikely places, some of the characters even find love.
As I said, the part of the book that describes the life of prisoners of war on those ships is really hard to read. There is a hierarchy in place and all kinds of depravities. He befriends a French sea captain Lasseur, who is almost as great as Matthew Hawkwood. The challenge was not just the danger Hawkwood would be in, but he would also be out of his element.
They eventually manage to escape, but Hawkwood was only a bit closer to the truth. The description of the book already states that smugglers would be one of his problems.
Even though Matthew Hawkwood is really out of his element for almost half of the book, his challenges are never too much, never something he can't face. He has someone to watch his back, however strange that may be. Even Nathaniel Jago makes an appearance after Hawkwood's disappearance makes it clear that Bow Street boss is someone who greatly appreciates his Runners, Hawkwood especially.
From the historical notes in the book:
"Over the course of the Napoleonic Wars, Britain incarcerated thousands of prisoners of war in both mainland gaols and hulks; former men-of-war of British and foreign origin that were considered too old and too unseaworthy for active service. By 1814, the population of the prison ships had reached its peak of 72,000 souls."In Rapscallion you get a very well researched and vivid picture of the hulks, the life on the prison ships. It is more than difficult to read the first third of the book, the time Hawkwood spent as a prisoner.
Too many prisoners of war have recently managed to escape from one of those ships. The Navy sent two officers to investigate. One of them drowned and the other is missing. The Navy has turned to Bow Street for help. Matthew Hawkwood's assignment would be to go undercover as an American prisoner of war, to find out the means of their escape and what exactly happened to the two officers. I love how the world in this series is not all black and white. He finds help and friendship in the most unlikely places, some of the characters even find love.
As I said, the part of the book that describes the life of prisoners of war on those ships is really hard to read. There is a hierarchy in place and all kinds of depravities. He befriends a French sea captain Lasseur, who is almost as great as Matthew Hawkwood. The challenge was not just the danger Hawkwood would be in, but he would also be out of his element.
"Hawkwood's world was one of ill-lit streets, thieves' kitchens, flash houses, fences, rogues and rookeries. Lasseur's, in total contrast, was the open deck of a sailing ship, running before the wind. It seemed to Hawkwood that, whereas his world was an enclosed one, almost as dark and degrading as the hulk's gun deck, Lasseur's was one of freedom, of the open main and endless skies."It's hardly surprising Lassaur wanted to escape.
They eventually manage to escape, but Hawkwood was only a bit closer to the truth. The description of the book already states that smugglers would be one of his problems.
Even though Matthew Hawkwood is really out of his element for almost half of the book, his challenges are never too much, never something he can't face. He has someone to watch his back, however strange that may be. Even Nathaniel Jago makes an appearance after Hawkwood's disappearance makes it clear that Bow Street boss is someone who greatly appreciates his Runners, Hawkwood especially.
April 21, 2018
This is the third Matthew Hawkwood story that I have read. This one was very exciting too. Our Bow Street Runner is sent, undercover, as an American prisoner of war. He is among French prisoners on a prison hulk that is at anchor in the River Thames close to the Medway and the Isle of Sheppey. Very soon, Hawkwood and an escaped French sailor are caught up in a smuggling ring of dynamic and well organised criminal abilities. The reader is taken on a lavish and nail-biting adventure. Great story and I look forward to the next Matthew Hawkwood story. I would also like to add that these stories would make for a fabulous TV period drama show.
May 16, 2012
The third book in James McGee's Hawkwood series of novels, this see Matthew Hawkwood sent undercover to the prison Hulks to investigate both the escape of several prisoners, and the disappearance of those sent previously to track them down.
Again taking factual history as its starting point (life on the prison Hulks, and the activities of the Free Traders (i.e. Smugglers)), the plot builds up to include those afore-mentioned smuggling rings, and a little bit of sea battle (a first in the series). It's also a first that the majority of this novel takes place away from London!
I do have to say, however, that even more so than the first two books, I found this one to be very remniscient of one of the Sharpe books from the 90s - have a look at Sharpe's Company (in particular) to see what I mean! That's not to say I din't enjoy it - I did - but just that, to me, elements of the plot seemed very familiar
Again taking factual history as its starting point (life on the prison Hulks, and the activities of the Free Traders (i.e. Smugglers)), the plot builds up to include those afore-mentioned smuggling rings, and a little bit of sea battle (a first in the series). It's also a first that the majority of this novel takes place away from London!
I do have to say, however, that even more so than the first two books, I found this one to be very remniscient of one of the Sharpe books from the 90s - have a look at Sharpe's Company (in particular) to see what I mean! That's not to say I din't enjoy it - I did - but just that, to me, elements of the plot seemed very familiar
March 30, 2011
Love the name, the cover, those two things alone drew me, but I was not disappointed by the contents either. From life aboard a prison hulk, to the smuggling world, and behind the scenes of the Napoleanic War, there was plenty of action, and the writing was not over-labored or anachronistic (I really hate when modern attitudes are brought into historical novels). I also loved that the author gave the historical facts in his notes at the end of the novel (-as crazy and dark as the hulks sound in the novel, they were probably much worse in reality). And several of the characters were based on real people. Knowing this added to my enjoyment. I'm going to have to check out the rest of McGee's writing.
February 11, 2015
The third book in this outstanding historical mystery series takes Bow Street Runner Matthew Hawkwood out of his accustomed London surroundings and straight into circumstances that can only be described as hellish. Deep undercover on the British prison hulk "Rapacious", he poses as an American POW in order to find the truth behind numerous prisoner escapes and the respective murder and disappearance of the two navy officers previously sent to investigate. To improve his chances of blending in, Hawkwood attaches himself to a fellow prisoner, a French privateer named Lasseur who becomes an unexpected friend in the harsh environment they find themselves in. A grim, action-packed and suspenseful adventure, this was doubtless the best book in the series so far. Looking forward to the next!
May 3, 2013
Another Matthew Hawkwood story that I enjoyed greatly.
I read this at times thinking that the historical basis of the story Mr McGee had written this time was far-fetched - not the locations or prison hulks but other aspects yet on completing this most enjoyable tale the notes on the historical points at the book's end were all true and based on many real events.
I now look forward to book number 4 with the tough and intelligent Bow Street Runner Matthew Hawkwood.
I read this at times thinking that the historical basis of the story Mr McGee had written this time was far-fetched - not the locations or prison hulks but other aspects yet on completing this most enjoyable tale the notes on the historical points at the book's end were all true and based on many real events.
I now look forward to book number 4 with the tough and intelligent Bow Street Runner Matthew Hawkwood.
July 15, 2013
"He takes a lick, but keeps on kicking" He sure does get banged around a lot. Any one of his injuries would be enough to keep most people down. Awfully exciting stuff for someone like me: more the fluffy, romance type.
February 3, 2020
Das Buch war sehr spannend, genau das Richtige, wenn von draußen der Regen an die Scheiben prasselt und es stürmt. Denn die Grundstimmung ist düster, es werden die Zustände auf den Gefängnisschiffen beschrieben und gerade bei der Beschreibung der Gerüche während der Flucht war mir recht übel.
Auch während derer bleibt es spannend, werden sie doch immer weitergereicht, und auf einmal verändert sich die Mission gewaltig.
Der Schreibstil ist flüssig, manchmal fallen recht modern wirkende Redewendungen auf.
Fazit
McGhee wurde auf Amazon zu einer Zeit gefeiert, als Rezensionen dort noch etwas wert waren. Warum er nach zwei Bänden nicht mehr auf Deutsch weiterübersetzt wurde, ist rätselhaft.
Auch während derer bleibt es spannend, werden sie doch immer weitergereicht, und auf einmal verändert sich die Mission gewaltig.
Der Schreibstil ist flüssig, manchmal fallen recht modern wirkende Redewendungen auf.
Fazit
McGhee wurde auf Amazon zu einer Zeit gefeiert, als Rezensionen dort noch etwas wert waren. Warum er nach zwei Bänden nicht mehr auf Deutsch weiterübersetzt wurde, ist rätselhaft.
October 13, 2024
Now after liking this third book as much as the others, I've decided to use the same review that I wrote after reading the second book, Resurrectionist, because it says it all:
(Please forgive my poor English, my excuse is I’m Swedish).
McGee writes bloody well, vivid and realistic to the point of nausea. I, for one, sure like his writing and find myself not wanting to put the book down even for a minute. That's a pretty fine teller, if anything. Read it and weep, in a good way.
(Please forgive my poor English, my excuse is I’m Swedish).
December 4, 2018
I was undecided on whether to give this book two or three stars. I had to force myself through the first third of the book and I would give that section [barely] one star. I understand that POW's in that war were kept in conditions similar to what was portrayed, but it was still disturbing to read and not the kind of book I would choose. Once I was able to get through that part of the book, I enjoyed the remainder and would give the final two thirds of the book four stars. I enjoy this series of books, but I doubt if I would ever read this one again.
November 14, 2020
Historic thriller, horses, slightly implausible fights, nautical stuff which totally lost me but whatev' and suitably utterly dastardly villains (with cartoonesque physical attributes which suits the whole thing admirably). McGee gets better with each book, and has very much found his stride. Plus, the research behind the books is thorough - both the prison hulks and smuggling industry here are fascinatingly told. I wouldn't say no to a few more gun-toting women and excellent dogs appearing in future books mind you.
March 18, 2020
WARNING: This one is a very dark and disturbing plot with vicious, violent deaths and pederasty. That being said, it is still an excellent period mystery. Hawkwood is sent under cover as a prisoner on one of the British Prison ships to find out how French prisoners are escaping and who murdered the previous two agents sent. He then becomes involved with a vast and powerful smuggling ring. Good read but not for the faint of heart.
July 27, 2025
perfect read for me. This is the third in the series and the pace and plot is perfect. The authenticity of not only the history, but also the lives of the characters. Matthew is sent undercover into the prison ships ( the hulks) to discover the fate of 2 missing officers from the Royal Navy and several escaped French prisoners. its a brutal world and getting in is easy , escaping is essential for his survival.
November 28, 2020
Very long winded first 300 pages. The last 150 were full of action and excitement. The start of the book doesn't feel like a Hawkwood book as he's just stuck in a prison ship then moved around. The last 150 is where it kicks off as he is starting to get into his investigation of the smugglers and is trying to stop their plans
May 22, 2017
Great period piece, thriller, mystery, chase. Satisfying ending.
The language of sailors and soldiers is never a pretty thing. If language is an issue, and you want to own a physical copy, carry whiteout so you can reread it more than once.
The language of sailors and soldiers is never a pretty thing. If language is an issue, and you want to own a physical copy, carry whiteout so you can reread it more than once.
June 3, 2017
Excellent book , good paced storytelling .
April 18, 2020
Absolutely the best in this series so far.....really thrilling page Turner
December 16, 2020
Unfocused. Had several fits and starts before it finally settled on its plot.
August 7, 2016
I should add adventure as a catagory to my books if I persist in reading books like James MCGee's, because he is a master of adventure.
Hawkwood is dark haired, long haired for the most part, an exmilitary marksman, and now a Bow Street Runner. Te books are beautifully written, often laced with technical vocabulary from the period, demonstrating the authe attention to detail and research. I particularly enjoyed his explorarion of the prison hulks, also current in Turn, the series about revolutionary spies. Like the conditions of Bedlam, these insttutions are nowhere one wants to be found. Yet reading about them Jame McGee somehow manages to keep you enthralled with the true horrors of the floating prisons.Hawkwoods running mate in this book is a charming Frenchman, and a pirate at that. While investigating escapes of prisoners and two prior informants, Hwakwood stumbles onto a plot of international significance. And like most really interesting historical novels you learn something about the time and the big picture that is surprising to you.
You can count on appreciating your shower reading this book because the prison ship is flithy, smelly and a death trap even without the evil instincts of your fellow prisoners.
I could also add a catagory Pirates and Smuggling, because I have been uncharacteristically reading such books for the past two years, mostly in the form of historical action fiction. My last adventure series was about the descendents of American privateers, The Jefferson Key by Steve Berry. [If you have a choice between the two, I would recommend McGee's writing over Berry's any day. But part of that is my distaste for Berry's politics and his Dan Brownish plots.] These are the British roots of the colonial smugglers. Here again, government sanctioned or "unoffically permitted"smuggling, and profiteering from the war machine. What is surprising is the use of English golden guineas to pay Bonapart's army. The volume of the unofficial export is staggering, and it's hard to understand how British banking held up under these circumstances. Read the book if this tiny economic factoid
intrigues you.
Hawkwood is dark haired, long haired for the most part, an exmilitary marksman, and now a Bow Street Runner. Te books are beautifully written, often laced with technical vocabulary from the period, demonstrating the authe attention to detail and research. I particularly enjoyed his explorarion of the prison hulks, also current in Turn, the series about revolutionary spies. Like the conditions of Bedlam, these insttutions are nowhere one wants to be found. Yet reading about them Jame McGee somehow manages to keep you enthralled with the true horrors of the floating prisons.Hawkwoods running mate in this book is a charming Frenchman, and a pirate at that. While investigating escapes of prisoners and two prior informants, Hwakwood stumbles onto a plot of international significance. And like most really interesting historical novels you learn something about the time and the big picture that is surprising to you.
You can count on appreciating your shower reading this book because the prison ship is flithy, smelly and a death trap even without the evil instincts of your fellow prisoners.
I could also add a catagory Pirates and Smuggling, because I have been uncharacteristically reading such books for the past two years, mostly in the form of historical action fiction. My last adventure series was about the descendents of American privateers, The Jefferson Key by Steve Berry. [If you have a choice between the two, I would recommend McGee's writing over Berry's any day. But part of that is my distaste for Berry's politics and his Dan Brownish plots.] These are the British roots of the colonial smugglers. Here again, government sanctioned or "unoffically permitted"smuggling, and profiteering from the war machine. What is surprising is the use of English golden guineas to pay Bonapart's army. The volume of the unofficial export is staggering, and it's hard to understand how British banking held up under these circumstances. Read the book if this tiny economic factoid
intrigues you.
May 2, 2013
Rapscallion is the third in this series featuring Matthew Hawkwood, but I have not read the previous two. Hawkwood, a Bow Street Runner, has received an undercover assignment to the British Navy. Two Navy lieutenants have gone missing while investigating a smuggling ring aiding the escape of French prisoners of war.
Hawkwood is given the identity of a captured American who has joined Napoleon's army. As he speaks French, he will be able to discover more information about the escapes and the missing Navy men. His assignment puts him close to Paul Lasseur, a French privateer and fellow prisoner. The two men attempt to negotiate the horrors of the prison hulk (an older ship, no longer seaworthy, that functions as a prison).
Hawkwood's respect and liking for Lasseur grows as they both suffer the indignities and hardships of prisoners of a war, and Lasseur is a likable and competent individual with definite sympathies for the underdog.
What is most fascinating are the descriptions of conditions aboard the hulk. Even as I read, I was thinking, "Can this be true? Were the conditions this awful?" I knew I'd be researching this when I finished the book, but the author included a section at the end that gave the resources for his descriptions saving me some trouble.
McGee's historic research was also fascinating in the area of smuggling, especially in connection with the town of Deal, a legendary smugglers' haunt, and the information about guinea boats.
The novel gives a wealth of historic atmosphere and some thrilling action. The characters are well-drawn and the plot kept me involved. I don't know what I expected from this novel, but it delivered much more for someone who loves historic detail. Hawkwood is an interesting character, but Paul Lasseur (Hawkwood's erstwhile enemy and present friend) is worthy of a novel of his own.
Net Galley/Open Road Int. Media/Pegasus Books.
Historical Fiction/Adventure. Orig. published 2009. Re-release May 7, 2013. Print version 464 pages.
ISBN-10: 0007212747
Hawkwood is given the identity of a captured American who has joined Napoleon's army. As he speaks French, he will be able to discover more information about the escapes and the missing Navy men. His assignment puts him close to Paul Lasseur, a French privateer and fellow prisoner. The two men attempt to negotiate the horrors of the prison hulk (an older ship, no longer seaworthy, that functions as a prison).
Hawkwood's respect and liking for Lasseur grows as they both suffer the indignities and hardships of prisoners of a war, and Lasseur is a likable and competent individual with definite sympathies for the underdog.
What is most fascinating are the descriptions of conditions aboard the hulk. Even as I read, I was thinking, "Can this be true? Were the conditions this awful?" I knew I'd be researching this when I finished the book, but the author included a section at the end that gave the resources for his descriptions saving me some trouble.
McGee's historic research was also fascinating in the area of smuggling, especially in connection with the town of Deal, a legendary smugglers' haunt, and the information about guinea boats.
The novel gives a wealth of historic atmosphere and some thrilling action. The characters are well-drawn and the plot kept me involved. I don't know what I expected from this novel, but it delivered much more for someone who loves historic detail. Hawkwood is an interesting character, but Paul Lasseur (Hawkwood's erstwhile enemy and present friend) is worthy of a novel of his own.
Net Galley/Open Road Int. Media/Pegasus Books.
Historical Fiction/Adventure. Orig. published 2009. Re-release May 7, 2013. Print version 464 pages.
ISBN-10: 0007212747
January 5, 2009
RAPSCALLION (Hist/Pol. Proc-Matthew Hawkwood-Georgian) – VG+
McGee, James – 3rd in series
Harper Collins, 2008, UK Hardcover – ISBN: 9780007212729
First Sentence: Sark stopped, sank to his knees and listened, but the only sounds he could hear were the pounding of his own heartbeat and the rasping wheeze at the back of his throat as he fought desperately to draw air into his burning lungs.
The Navy sent two officers out to investigate reports of a smuggling operation and the increase in the number of enemy prisoners who have escaped detention from their prison ships. The first investigator was found having drowned and the second hasn’t been heard from.
The Home Secretary now requests the Bow Street, and Bow Street has assigned Matthew Hawkwood to go undercover aboard one of the ships. Conditions aboard ship are more vile that could be imagined and Hawkwood is soon fighting for his very life.
With each new McGee book, I am fascinated to see on what historical subject he will base his plot. The first book, “Ratcatcher,” had to do with political plots and the security of the Royal Family. The second “Resurrectionist,” was much darker and dealt with grave robbers. This third book focuses on the treatment of foreign prisoners of war and smuggling.
His period descriptions and historical detail make his books evocative and educational. This is high action and suspense at its best. Think Saturday matinee pirate movies. It is definitely plot, rather than character drive, but that doesn’t make the characters any less interesting. It does mean you don’t know whom to trust.
McGee’s writing is incredibly visual, which is both good and a bit hard to deal with at time, and it is always incredibly exciting. There is a bit of “ride to the rescue” at one point, but McGee even makes that work.
This is the consummate edge-of-the-seat, great weekend read and, I think, McGee’s best book so far.
McGee, James – 3rd in series
Harper Collins, 2008, UK Hardcover – ISBN: 9780007212729
First Sentence: Sark stopped, sank to his knees and listened, but the only sounds he could hear were the pounding of his own heartbeat and the rasping wheeze at the back of his throat as he fought desperately to draw air into his burning lungs.
The Navy sent two officers out to investigate reports of a smuggling operation and the increase in the number of enemy prisoners who have escaped detention from their prison ships. The first investigator was found having drowned and the second hasn’t been heard from.
The Home Secretary now requests the Bow Street, and Bow Street has assigned Matthew Hawkwood to go undercover aboard one of the ships. Conditions aboard ship are more vile that could be imagined and Hawkwood is soon fighting for his very life.
With each new McGee book, I am fascinated to see on what historical subject he will base his plot. The first book, “Ratcatcher,” had to do with political plots and the security of the Royal Family. The second “Resurrectionist,” was much darker and dealt with grave robbers. This third book focuses on the treatment of foreign prisoners of war and smuggling.
His period descriptions and historical detail make his books evocative and educational. This is high action and suspense at its best. Think Saturday matinee pirate movies. It is definitely plot, rather than character drive, but that doesn’t make the characters any less interesting. It does mean you don’t know whom to trust.
McGee’s writing is incredibly visual, which is both good and a bit hard to deal with at time, and it is always incredibly exciting. There is a bit of “ride to the rescue” at one point, but McGee even makes that work.
This is the consummate edge-of-the-seat, great weekend read and, I think, McGee’s best book so far.
March 11, 2015
Rapscallion sees the return of Matthew Hawkwood, former British army rifleman and current Bow Street runner, in an adventure which sees him impersonate an American prisoner of war, infiltrate a gang of smugglers, and escape a prison hulk.
I've written in reviews of the previous novels in this series, Ratcatcher and Resurrectionist, that the weakest element of this historical mystery series is its protagonist, Matthew Hawkwood. Rapscallion is a welcome change. Whether because McGee is more familiar with the character or because Hawkwood spends most of this novel far outside his comfort zone, forced to go undercover as a yankee soldier in a series of tough scenarios in which he's completely out of his depth, but I found Hawkwood a lot more enjoyable as a protagonist this time around. Constantly forced to improvise, in unfamiliar and dangerous settings, Hawkwood shines as a character in a way that's reminiscent of that other famous literary Greencoat to whom he has been compared, Bernard Cornwell's rifleman Richard Sharpe.
As always, McGee expertly grounds his story in the details and atmosphere of the period. His depiction of regency England is a living, breathing, world with all the grime and stink that entails. This is the greatest strength of the series, and Rapscallion builds upon this feature with a horrifying look into Britain's prison hulks, a perilous journey through the English countryside, and dark goings-on on the Channel Coast. Together with a rejuvenated main character, some brilliantly vicious villains and a terrific supporting cast, this is the best Hawkwood yet.
I've written in reviews of the previous novels in this series, Ratcatcher and Resurrectionist, that the weakest element of this historical mystery series is its protagonist, Matthew Hawkwood. Rapscallion is a welcome change. Whether because McGee is more familiar with the character or because Hawkwood spends most of this novel far outside his comfort zone, forced to go undercover as a yankee soldier in a series of tough scenarios in which he's completely out of his depth, but I found Hawkwood a lot more enjoyable as a protagonist this time around. Constantly forced to improvise, in unfamiliar and dangerous settings, Hawkwood shines as a character in a way that's reminiscent of that other famous literary Greencoat to whom he has been compared, Bernard Cornwell's rifleman Richard Sharpe.
As always, McGee expertly grounds his story in the details and atmosphere of the period. His depiction of regency England is a living, breathing, world with all the grime and stink that entails. This is the greatest strength of the series, and Rapscallion builds upon this feature with a horrifying look into Britain's prison hulks, a perilous journey through the English countryside, and dark goings-on on the Channel Coast. Together with a rejuvenated main character, some brilliantly vicious villains and a terrific supporting cast, this is the best Hawkwood yet.
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June 26, 2015It’s the early 1800s and espionage is alive and well in jolly old England.
“Rapscallion” by James McGee is the third adventure for Bow Street Runner Matthew Hawkwood and in this installment, without giving too much away, he is to go undercover as a prisoner of war to discover how prisoners are escaping from a floating penitentiary. Posing as an American mercenary fighting for the French, Hawkwood soon learns his assignment is a fate worse than death as he finds himself on a former man-o-war converted into a prison ship. Set first in the hull of the nasty ship where prisoners seem to make their own laws and later in the English backcountry where order and laws do not seem to matter, Hawkwood tries to get to the bottom of a human smuggling operation while continuing the ruse and his life.
I love the dark English portrayal of the Napoleonic time period. The novel reads true. I don’t know that I’ve personally ever read anything quite like it, though the war profiteering scheme does ring familiar in our own time. As Rhett Butler observed, there is more money to be made in the fall of a civilization than in the building of it.
This is definitely a page-turner, especially as we reach the climax; my only problem was I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. If you’re in the mood for a dark historical, this is definitely one to get. It will make you thankful for the simple things, such as a shower or bath.
My Review of Rapscallion on Killer Nashville
My Other Reviews on Killer Nashville
“Rapscallion” by James McGee is the third adventure for Bow Street Runner Matthew Hawkwood and in this installment, without giving too much away, he is to go undercover as a prisoner of war to discover how prisoners are escaping from a floating penitentiary. Posing as an American mercenary fighting for the French, Hawkwood soon learns his assignment is a fate worse than death as he finds himself on a former man-o-war converted into a prison ship. Set first in the hull of the nasty ship where prisoners seem to make their own laws and later in the English backcountry where order and laws do not seem to matter, Hawkwood tries to get to the bottom of a human smuggling operation while continuing the ruse and his life.
I love the dark English portrayal of the Napoleonic time period. The novel reads true. I don’t know that I’ve personally ever read anything quite like it, though the war profiteering scheme does ring familiar in our own time. As Rhett Butler observed, there is more money to be made in the fall of a civilization than in the building of it.
This is definitely a page-turner, especially as we reach the climax; my only problem was I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. If you’re in the mood for a dark historical, this is definitely one to get. It will make you thankful for the simple things, such as a shower or bath.
My Review of Rapscallion on Killer Nashville
My Other Reviews on Killer Nashville
February 9, 2012
Another entertaining read from McGee! Less grisly than the previous book, Resurrectionists, this book had all the elements and pacing of a blockbuster action movie (maybe if I say that often enough, someone in Hollywood will notice and magically, there will be a kick ass Hawkwood movie on my screen next summer?). Whereas the previous book was more along the lines of a blockbuster psychological/horror thriller movie, this book was more about the fighting and the hiding and the chasing and racing and murder. It even went a little bromancy road movie at one point!
There's actually not much more I can say about it other than "I enjoyed it immensely!" without spoiling things. Hawkwood is awesome as usual, although perhaps a little more vulnerable in this one, making friends with people he's not sure he can trust and getting into some very tight spots etc. Jago of course makes a reappearance (that's no spoiler, because if you've read even one of these books you'd be hoping he makes a reappearance in all of them! Because he is awesome) and the baddie is intelligent, powerful and more than a decent match for our hero.
Easy reading this book might be, but it's fun reading too, and well worth anyone's time! I only didn't give it 5 stars because "amazing" is not quite what it was; awesome fun, really solidly plotted and capably written is what it is. If there was a star for that, it'd totally get 5.
There's actually not much more I can say about it other than "I enjoyed it immensely!" without spoiling things. Hawkwood is awesome as usual, although perhaps a little more vulnerable in this one, making friends with people he's not sure he can trust and getting into some very tight spots etc. Jago of course makes a reappearance (that's no spoiler, because if you've read even one of these books you'd be hoping he makes a reappearance in all of them! Because he is awesome) and the baddie is intelligent, powerful and more than a decent match for our hero.
Easy reading this book might be, but it's fun reading too, and well worth anyone's time! I only didn't give it 5 stars because "amazing" is not quite what it was; awesome fun, really solidly plotted and capably written is what it is. If there was a star for that, it'd totally get 5.
February 20, 2016
Matthew Hawkwood's latest assignment is to go undercover to find two naval officers who have gone missing from a prison hulk they were investigating. We have a fascination with prison hulks, so this book really appealed to us. And it didn't let us down. Life on a prison hulk is resurrected in realistic detail that makes you feel like you're there. It's cramped, it reeks, prisoners resort to selling their own clothes for gambling money, and most die from disease. It's a horrible world yet the most frightening thing is that it's real - Britain had about 65 prison hulks, but none exist today.
Hawkwood befriends a French captain and prisoner of war, Lasseur. Lasseur quickly became one of our favourite characters in the Hawkwood series. He actually overshadows Hawkwood in this book. He provides light relief in the grim situation and even though his a morally grey character, being a privateer, he is prepared to fight and die for what he believes is right - he's prepared to fight to the death to protect a boy prisoner. Actually, his moral ambiguity is one of his strengths. You're not entirely sure whether you can trust him, but you want to.
The book is non-stop action and as time goes on, Hawkwood and Lasseur find themselves in increasing danger as they try to escape the ship. If you like history, interesting characters and action, you regret reading it.
Hawkwood befriends a French captain and prisoner of war, Lasseur. Lasseur quickly became one of our favourite characters in the Hawkwood series. He actually overshadows Hawkwood in this book. He provides light relief in the grim situation and even though his a morally grey character, being a privateer, he is prepared to fight and die for what he believes is right - he's prepared to fight to the death to protect a boy prisoner. Actually, his moral ambiguity is one of his strengths. You're not entirely sure whether you can trust him, but you want to.
The book is non-stop action and as time goes on, Hawkwood and Lasseur find themselves in increasing danger as they try to escape the ship. If you like history, interesting characters and action, you regret reading it.
May 31, 2009
Rapscallion is the third in a series of books featuring Matthew Hawkwood, Bow Street Runner and Man With A Secret Past, following on from Resurrectionist.
What I really liked about Rapscallion is the efforts the author made to set the story in a completely unique setting - historical detective stories are now a dime a dozen, but this is very much the first where I've come across such good use of background detail. The majority of the story is set on a prison bark, where Hawkwood is sent to infiltrate the French prisoners because there have been a number of unexplained escapes. Not only that, but previous attempts to send someone undercover have ended up with those individuals suffering a nasty death.
Hawkwood is, of course, fluent in French and able to pass himself off as a captured American naval officer, gaining the confidence of other prisoners sufficiently to discover just what is going on. The amount of research McGee clearly did into the period and the elements used in this story shows in the overall plot and makes this an enjoyable read. I expect there'll be more in this series and I look forward to reading them...
What I really liked about Rapscallion is the efforts the author made to set the story in a completely unique setting - historical detective stories are now a dime a dozen, but this is very much the first where I've come across such good use of background detail. The majority of the story is set on a prison bark, where Hawkwood is sent to infiltrate the French prisoners because there have been a number of unexplained escapes. Not only that, but previous attempts to send someone undercover have ended up with those individuals suffering a nasty death.
Hawkwood is, of course, fluent in French and able to pass himself off as a captured American naval officer, gaining the confidence of other prisoners sufficiently to discover just what is going on. The amount of research McGee clearly did into the period and the elements used in this story shows in the overall plot and makes this an enjoyable read. I expect there'll be more in this series and I look forward to reading them...
May 2, 2013
Hawkwood is in trouble again. This time he has been sent undercover to investigate escapes from the prison hulks used to hold French POWs. He speaks French well but is tagged as an American. He befriends a privateer Lasseur, and after some shipboard adventures they escape together. Lasseur pays Hawkwood’s way. He has his own sense of justice and imperilled them both enforcing that; Lasseur owes Hawkwood and, as they say, a beautiful friendship is born.
Like all McGee novels the historical details are… well… detailed. It can feel a bit like an info dump but is usually interesting (if you like that stuff). It is an area of English history that I don’t know much about, so I am interested.
Cut off from the Runners' head office, Hawkwood is out of contact and can’t break cover. He was supposed to get a message at a parole hearing but escaped before he got there. He gets himself in deeper and deeper and enters the murky world of smuggling and piracy.
I really liked Lasseur as a character. He had enough interesting traits to hold his own and could probably be a MC in his own story. How he ended up in the hulks, for instance.
A fun, adventurous read with a couple more hints on Hawkwood’s past, but we still don’t know it all. I presume that will be another story.
Like all McGee novels the historical details are… well… detailed. It can feel a bit like an info dump but is usually interesting (if you like that stuff). It is an area of English history that I don’t know much about, so I am interested.
Cut off from the Runners' head office, Hawkwood is out of contact and can’t break cover. He was supposed to get a message at a parole hearing but escaped before he got there. He gets himself in deeper and deeper and enters the murky world of smuggling and piracy.
I really liked Lasseur as a character. He had enough interesting traits to hold his own and could probably be a MC in his own story. How he ended up in the hulks, for instance.
A fun, adventurous read with a couple more hints on Hawkwood’s past, but we still don’t know it all. I presume that will be another story.
July 30, 2012
This is the third book about Bow Street Runner Matthew Hawkwood, and I still love him as much as I did in the first book!
In this outing, Hawkwook is sent undercover on a prison ship to discover what happened to two previous agents who've disappeared.
The book includes all the kinds of suspense, intrigue, danger, humour and excitement you'd expect from a book called "Rapscallion" (I just LOVE that title!) and it will keep you on tenterhooks right to the end to see if the good guys best the bad guys!
The character of Hawkwood is terrific! He's exactly the sort of slightly battered and disillusioned, living outside the the establishment, doesn't play by the rules but still ultimately has honour and a heart of gold guy you can root for and swoon over (if you're a girl, that is!).
I loved this book, and highly recommend it!
In this outing, Hawkwook is sent undercover on a prison ship to discover what happened to two previous agents who've disappeared.
The book includes all the kinds of suspense, intrigue, danger, humour and excitement you'd expect from a book called "Rapscallion" (I just LOVE that title!) and it will keep you on tenterhooks right to the end to see if the good guys best the bad guys!
The character of Hawkwood is terrific! He's exactly the sort of slightly battered and disillusioned, living outside the the establishment, doesn't play by the rules but still ultimately has honour and a heart of gold guy you can root for and swoon over (if you're a girl, that is!).
I loved this book, and highly recommend it!
November 17, 2011
Hawkwood is back and in fine form. He seems to have a talent for survival against all odds and this time, the odds are truly against him. French prisoners are leaking from the prison ships (the Hulks) and two investigating officers already have disappeared. Hawkwood is sent incognito to find out how the escapes are planned and to bring the criminal mastermind to book. It all sounds pretty hackneyed, doesn't it? It is and there are two many dei ex machinae to make this a great read. However, no one could criticise the pace of the story which chargesa along so fast that there are several gaps in the plot that have to be backfilled as you go. A fun read, but don't expect to be overwhelmed.
January 19, 2012
Gritty and fast-paced, Rapscallion is in-your-face historical fiction. Whewie. This one ought to come with a disclaimer like they have on heart-stopping amusement park rides: read at your own risk.
Hero Matthew Hawkwood is as determined to perform his assigned duty no matter what. And believe me, there's a whole lot of 'matter' for him to deal with, especially when he goes undercover as a criminal aboard a prison hulk.
There's lots of intrigue and witty dialogue, but there's also a lot of violence. If you're the least bit squeamish, this isn't the book for you. There's also a fair amount of swearing and a near-rape scene, so if those things bug you, don't pick this up, either.
Hero Matthew Hawkwood is as determined to perform his assigned duty no matter what. And believe me, there's a whole lot of 'matter' for him to deal with, especially when he goes undercover as a criminal aboard a prison hulk.
There's lots of intrigue and witty dialogue, but there's also a lot of violence. If you're the least bit squeamish, this isn't the book for you. There's also a fair amount of swearing and a near-rape scene, so if those things bug you, don't pick this up, either.
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