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Jack Absolute #1
Jack Absolute
In 1777 Jack Absolute, the charming lover in Sheridan's comedy The Rivals, is famous throughout London. However, this notoriety comes as something of a shock to the real Jack Absolute when he arrives in England after four months at sea. But there's barely time for outrage before he finds himself dueling for his life. Even worse, as soon as he's won the duel he's forced to flee London by the quickest means possible, becoming a spy in America's war of Independence.
Thus we meet Jack Absolute - rogue, duelist, charmer and Captain in the Light Dragoons. From the field of honor in London through the pivotal battle of Saratoga to a hunt for a double agent in wintry Philadelphia, this novel marks the impressive debut of this new series.
341 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
43 people are currently reading
1489 people want to read
About the author
C.C. Humphreys
29 books424 followersaka Chris Humphreys
Chris (C.C.) Humphreys was born in Toronto, lived till he was seven in Los Angeles, then grew up in the UK. All four grandparents were actors, and since his father was an actor as well, it was inevitable he would follow the bloodline.
Chris (C.C.) Humphreys has played Hamlet in Calgary, a gladiator in Tunisia, waltzed in London’s West End, conned the landlord of the Rovers Return in Coronation Street, commanded a starfleet in Andromeda, voiced Salem the cat in the original Sabrina, and is a dead immortal in Highlander. He has written eleven adult novels including The French Executioner, runner-up for the CWA Steel Dagger for Thrillers; Chasing the Wind; The Jack Absolute Trilogy; Vlad – The Last Confession; A Place Called Armageddon and Shakespeare’s Rebel – which he adapted into a play and which premiered at Bard on the Beach, Vancouver, in 2015. Plague won the Arthur Ellis Award for Best Crime Novel in Canada in 2015. He has an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of British Columbia. His epic fantasy series the Immortals’ Blood Trilogy, beginning with Smoke in the Glass' has just been published by Gollancz. He also published his other fantasy series, The Tapestry Trilogy, beginning in August 2020 with ‘The Hunt of the Unicorn’. His foray into modern crime, 'One London Day' was published in 2021. Hie new novel, the World War Two epic romance, 'Someday I'll Find You' is published by Doubleday in Canada on June 6, 2023.
Several of his novels are available as Audiobooks - read by himself! Find him here:
https://www.authorchrishumphreys.com/...
He is translated into thirteen languages. In 2015 he earned his Masters in Fine Arts (Creative Writing) from the University of British Columbia.
Check out his website: http://authorchrishumphreys.com
Chris (C.C.) Humphreys was born in Toronto, lived till he was seven in Los Angeles, then grew up in the UK. All four grandparents were actors, and since his father was an actor as well, it was inevitable he would follow the bloodline.
Chris (C.C.) Humphreys has played Hamlet in Calgary, a gladiator in Tunisia, waltzed in London’s West End, conned the landlord of the Rovers Return in Coronation Street, commanded a starfleet in Andromeda, voiced Salem the cat in the original Sabrina, and is a dead immortal in Highlander. He has written eleven adult novels including The French Executioner, runner-up for the CWA Steel Dagger for Thrillers; Chasing the Wind; The Jack Absolute Trilogy; Vlad – The Last Confession; A Place Called Armageddon and Shakespeare’s Rebel – which he adapted into a play and which premiered at Bard on the Beach, Vancouver, in 2015. Plague won the Arthur Ellis Award for Best Crime Novel in Canada in 2015. He has an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of British Columbia. His epic fantasy series the Immortals’ Blood Trilogy, beginning with Smoke in the Glass' has just been published by Gollancz. He also published his other fantasy series, The Tapestry Trilogy, beginning in August 2020 with ‘The Hunt of the Unicorn’. His foray into modern crime, 'One London Day' was published in 2021. Hie new novel, the World War Two epic romance, 'Someday I'll Find You' is published by Doubleday in Canada on June 6, 2023.
Several of his novels are available as Audiobooks - read by himself! Find him here:
https://www.authorchrishumphreys.com/...
He is translated into thirteen languages. In 2015 he earned his Masters in Fine Arts (Creative Writing) from the University of British Columbia.
Check out his website: http://authorchrishumphreys.com
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews
January 27, 2009
I really wanted to like this book. I was excited ot read this book. I figured it couldn't go wrong. Historical Fiction, Spies, Revolutionary War, Romance and the Illuminati! What's not to like? Turns out everything. It took me almost 4 months to trudge through this one. I literally couldn't pick it up. I forced myself to get through hoping it would pick up. The writing was not so great and made it difficult to keep track of who was who and what was happening. It wasn't a particularly heavy plot but the writer seemed to think he was writing the next great novel. The action was confusing (and I loved Lord of the Rings, so I know it wasn't my fault I had trouble) and frankly, boring. It finally started to get a little interesting near the end, but didn't bother developing any of the interesting parts. It ended rather abruptly and I wish I could come up with a better word for it, but it was just stupid. Oh well.
June 22, 2018
After reading the first 2 Jack Absolute books I found there was a huge gap in Jack's life from 1763 - 1777, before the commencement of this book.
However, another enjoyable book.
This one delves more into Jack's great ability to feret out traitors not only in the British network system but in the British Army itself.
It is still kept light and airy with his female conquests. However, unfortunately for Jack the state of true happiness seems still beyond his grasp.
It would be interesting to find out what kind of death C.C. Humphrey's could possibly have had in mind for this inexhastive dashing debonair who grew from an abused child in his uncle's keeping to a gentleman, a British officer, a native Indian slave, a Mohawk blood-brother, and finally a spy.
However, another enjoyable book.
This one delves more into Jack's great ability to feret out traitors not only in the British network system but in the British Army itself.
It is still kept light and airy with his female conquests. However, unfortunately for Jack the state of true happiness seems still beyond his grasp.
It would be interesting to find out what kind of death C.C. Humphrey's could possibly have had in mind for this inexhastive dashing debonair who grew from an abused child in his uncle's keeping to a gentleman, a British officer, a native Indian slave, a Mohawk blood-brother, and finally a spy.
February 4, 2013
I love this absolutely delightful, swashbuckling, historical thriller. I am very happy this is turned out to be the first book in a new series. Look forward to reading more.
June 8, 2015
Disappointing... Adventures in the Catskills and Adirondacks during the American Revolution made it sound like this would be right up my alley, but the book had simply too many problems.
Once I reached the end (which only happened because I was on a car trip and hadn't brought anything else to read) I think I was able to tell what Humphreys thought his plot was, but a better writer could have made it much more suspenseful and exciting. There was also the common poor-writer's pitfall of skipping action that would have been interesting to the reader in the name of moving the plot along: it doesn't look economical; rather, it looks like the author simply didn't know how to write a challenging section and therefore informed us that it happened rather than show us.
The book also took itself far too seriously; a character taken from a classic farce and portrayed as a master of basically every imaginable skill simply doens't work the subject of a self-serious book.
Once I reached the end (which only happened because I was on a car trip and hadn't brought anything else to read) I think I was able to tell what Humphreys thought his plot was, but a better writer could have made it much more suspenseful and exciting. There was also the common poor-writer's pitfall of skipping action that would have been interesting to the reader in the name of moving the plot along: it doesn't look economical; rather, it looks like the author simply didn't know how to write a challenging section and therefore informed us that it happened rather than show us.
The book also took itself far too seriously; a character taken from a classic farce and portrayed as a master of basically every imaginable skill simply doens't work the subject of a self-serious book.
May 30, 2013
3.5 stars. "Jack Absolute" is the story of the title character who is thought to be dead by his playwriter buddy who, of course, writes a play with him as a title character. Much to Jack's surprise, he comes back to London to find that his name is intrisically linked with this play. This is the first book in a series that is being re-released by Sourcebooks.
As an aside, the play, "Jack Absolute," is still put on today. In fact, the author, C.C. Humphreys actually played Jack Absolute in the play back in the 1980s so the character is very near and dear to his heart. This was very cool to me. What better way to get to know your character than to actually play him in a play??? I think this fact really helped Humphreys breathe a ton of life, vim, and vigor into the character of Mr. Absolute.
The historical detail in the book was really great. This book takes you from London to the new world. As Humphreys himself puts it, Absolute is the 007 of the 1700s. This book is perfect for when you want your historical fiction action packed. I really enjoyed the book once it moved to the new world where Absolute begins to work his spying magic; that part definitely made me keep reading!
As an aside, the play, "Jack Absolute," is still put on today. In fact, the author, C.C. Humphreys actually played Jack Absolute in the play back in the 1980s so the character is very near and dear to his heart. This was very cool to me. What better way to get to know your character than to actually play him in a play??? I think this fact really helped Humphreys breathe a ton of life, vim, and vigor into the character of Mr. Absolute.
The historical detail in the book was really great. This book takes you from London to the new world. As Humphreys himself puts it, Absolute is the 007 of the 1700s. This book is perfect for when you want your historical fiction action packed. I really enjoyed the book once it moved to the new world where Absolute begins to work his spying magic; that part definitely made me keep reading!
February 17, 2009
Interesting book, along the same lines of other historical heroes (Sharpe, Hornblower and Flashman.)
The only thing that I would take issue with this book is that it starts in the third act, so to speak. While it is Humphreys 1st Jack Absolute book it isn't the first in the series in linear terms. There are two prequels, and I hope another to come to tie the series together neatly.
The story is extremely good as far as it goes, but reading this book as the first in the series can be a little confusing, while reading it third in the series will just have you wondering what happened to the other book.
It is a mark of how well realised the characters are, and how the plot draws you in that you find yourself frustrated by issues like the one already stated. You want more from the characters, and find yourself hoping that Humphreys will translate Jack Absolute to print as successfully as Cornwell has done with Richard Sharpe.
The only thing that I would take issue with this book is that it starts in the third act, so to speak. While it is Humphreys 1st Jack Absolute book it isn't the first in the series in linear terms. There are two prequels, and I hope another to come to tie the series together neatly.
The story is extremely good as far as it goes, but reading this book as the first in the series can be a little confusing, while reading it third in the series will just have you wondering what happened to the other book.
It is a mark of how well realised the characters are, and how the plot draws you in that you find yourself frustrated by issues like the one already stated. You want more from the characters, and find yourself hoping that Humphreys will translate Jack Absolute to print as successfully as Cornwell has done with Richard Sharpe.
November 10, 2023
3.5 stars--I enjoyed The Blooding of Jack Absolute more than this one, which I thought was predictable in parts, but it had enough surprises to keep me reading. The author’s note at the end swayed me to rate it a little higher too--it looks like he did a good deal of research and put a lot of heart into this book. The characters of Jack Absolute, and his blood brother Ate, are good fun, and I will continue to follow this series.
June 3, 2013
JACK ABSOLUTE
C.C. Humphreys
2013/Sourcebooks.
Newly released for sale “Jack Absolute” is a delight to read. Set during the American revolution of the 1700s, the character of Captain Jack Absolute is a treasure!
Jack is in himself a unique collection of characters- one that can adapt from the theatres of England, illegal duels which he must then escape being prosecuted for taking part in, to the battlefields of America. Jack even easily dons the attire of American Indian tribes and seems just as comfortable living within the native population.
However, though Jack can adapt to seemingly any situation, he also has developed various enemies over time - both known and unknown. Being part of the Revolution further puts Jack at risk from the war itself, as well as any spies whom may consider Absolute a threat. With his Indian friend, Ate, at his side, Jack Absolute must watch out to protect his own life as well as dealing with his own internal conflict over the British forces whom Jack and Ate assist, and the soldiers of the American Revolution who are fighting for their freedom.
Filled with action, adventure and humor, at times, C.C. Humphreys novel “Jack Absolute” is a fabulous, fast paced novel which is hard to put down.
C.C. Humphreys
2013/Sourcebooks.
Newly released for sale “Jack Absolute” is a delight to read. Set during the American revolution of the 1700s, the character of Captain Jack Absolute is a treasure!
Jack is in himself a unique collection of characters- one that can adapt from the theatres of England, illegal duels which he must then escape being prosecuted for taking part in, to the battlefields of America. Jack even easily dons the attire of American Indian tribes and seems just as comfortable living within the native population.
However, though Jack can adapt to seemingly any situation, he also has developed various enemies over time - both known and unknown. Being part of the Revolution further puts Jack at risk from the war itself, as well as any spies whom may consider Absolute a threat. With his Indian friend, Ate, at his side, Jack Absolute must watch out to protect his own life as well as dealing with his own internal conflict over the British forces whom Jack and Ate assist, and the soldiers of the American Revolution who are fighting for their freedom.
Filled with action, adventure and humor, at times, C.C. Humphreys novel “Jack Absolute” is a fabulous, fast paced novel which is hard to put down.
February 20, 2013
C.C. Humphrey's "Jack Absolute" is a Revolutionary War tale based upon a fictional character in a play called "The Rivals". The story itself is set primarily in 1777 in upstate New York as the reader witness the battles of Saratoga & Ticonderoga. Jack himself is a complex character who is the brother of a Mohawk leader with characterizations that make him into almost a jack of all trades in the army for this period. Humphrey's tale is full of everything from battles to love to espionage to intrigue. The catch is - I as a reader really don't care. The plotline itself is so thin at time it almost seems contrived & even when Jack realizes he's not a fictional character in a play the portrayal is even more bizarre. Don't get me wrong, Revolutionary War pieces are a bit of a rarity anymore in this day & age, but this story isn't worth the trouble. Scheduled to be released in May, "Jack Absolute" is scheduled to be the start of a series that I'll likely follow no further simply because this trip to the past isn't worth it.
June 13, 2008
The single best thing about this book is that the POV character's on what we now know is the losing side of the American Revolutionary War, which makes for a more piquant and interesting perspective. I also liked the cameo appearances of actual historical characters. Other than that...formulaic plot, obviously laboriously thought-out deliberately quirky backstory elements that will be no doubt important in future books in the series, exhaustively detailed fight scenes, melodramatic heroes and villains. Not the new O'Brian, by far.
December 20, 2015
I just did not engage with this story, the context felt very flat to me , which made the characters unreal. I got about half way through but could not sustain any interest. A pity, perhaps I will try it again later, but I doubt it.
March 8, 2010
This book took me just this side of forever to finish. It just seemed to drag for me. The story didn't grip after the first duel scene at the beginning of the book. Not worth a second read.
April 24, 2013
First in the Jack Absolute historical fiction series; I can't decide if it's thriller or suspense... It's certainly spy fiction for this particular story with a very James Bond feel to it albeit with horses rather than Ferraris.
This is an ARC I received from the publisher.
My Take
On the whole, I adored this swashbuckling adventure behind battlelines and in drawing rooms as Jack struggles to discover the identity of his enemies.
It's makes a pleasant switch to hear the thoughts of a man about to duel who is both confident in his abilities and realistic in his chances. It's also a treat to find an author who can so comfortably bring today's realization of equality between peoples and incorporate it into an historical novel and make it feel so very real and natural. I do love Jack's sense of honor and the struggle Humphreys puts him through to stay true to his sense of morality.
I also like the friendship between Jack and Até. They treat each other as equals, a rare partnership for the 1770s. And I do enjoy Até's sense of humor, wicked man, LOL.
Humphreys is an actor and he brings his understanding of acting and writing into the story, giving us a different perspective on what attracts people to the craft as well as providing the story with an unexpected insight. I did enjoy how Humphreys brought in the manners and morality of the time and very unlike the traditional historical romances as this exposition is against a much rougher backdrop.
An excellent point about the British North American Act of 1763---the Indian Magna Carta. It's too bad it was only written on paper.
The negatives are the silly bits of melodrama---I almost expect Snidely Whiplash to appear, twirling his mustache---with the lack of depth and eye rolling that it brings. I would have enjoyed this story more if the hints had been less obvious and Jack a bit smarter. The end bit with the traitor unmasked was certainly tense, but definitely soap operaish. Although, then again, I do try to remind myself that this is a bit of fun for Humphreys, an adventure he's created for a character whom he enjoys.
Oh, lord, wait'll you read who is playing the wicked Sir Lucius in the play in Philadelphia. Another one of those obvious bits.
Do give Donna Thorland's Turncoat a read as well. She covers the same time period and characters with her spy-romance novel, albeit in a more serious vein, and it's interesting to read the same thing from two different perspectives. Let alone that Humphrey's Jack Absolute is male while Kate Grey is female!
The Story
That damned Sheridan has stolen his identity, but Jack is back, struggling to rebuild the family fortune. Unfortunately, General Burgoyne has other ideas for Jack. He needs a spy in America, and Jack's activities with General Wolfe during the French-Indian War has resulted in many friendships among the Indians.
That, and Jack is so very good with ciphers and intelligence.
The Characters
Jack Absolute is a devil-may-care lad who is slowly maturing, and about to become a captain again. An eye for the ladies and a quick escape, Jack is also very good with ciphers and intelligence work. His friend and companion, Atédawenete "Até", a.k.a., The Inexhaustible, calls him Daganoweda. A Mohawk, he will follow Jack everywhere, for they are brothers. Sir James Absolute is his nutjob of a father. Tonesaha is the Mohawk wife whom Jack mourns.
General John "Gentleman" Burgoyne was Jack's commanding officer in the 16th Light Dragoons until Jack quit. I enjoyed learning more about Gentleman Johnny; as an American, we never did learn much beyond his nickname in history in school. Hannah Foy is the wife of a commissary officer and Burgoyne's mistress. Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Carelton is Burgoyne's adjutant; Braithwaite is his batman.
Midshipman Edward Pellew has his own views on what the Royal Navy will do when the Army surrenders; Alexander "Sandy" Lindsay, Earl of Balcarras, is in charge of Burgoyne's Light Infantry (and he's a "fine, fast bowler"); General Simon Fraser who rose in the ranks through sheer ability (a rare thing in the British army of the time); Colonel Barry St. Leger is a typical example of British commanding officers under the buy-your-way-in policy; Captain Ancrum is St. Leger's adjutant; Major Watts is full of himself until he finds himself on a battlefield--whoops!; Generals Gates and Clinton make their appearance, or rather lack of one; Sergeant Willis is a very brave messenger; Major Puxley is now above Jack in rank; and, Ensign Anton Hervey is also in the Philadephia-version of the play.
Sir William Howe is the Commander-in-Chief of the Army; Betsey Loring is his mistress. Major John André is in charge of intelligence, and neither of them are Jack's friend. Miss Peggy Shippen and Miss Peggy Chew are part of André's entourage.
Baron von Riedesel is the commander of the German component of the army; Von Spartzehn is von Riedesel's interpreter; and, Breymann is a loyal and brave German officer.
Miss Louisa Reardon is an American British patriot---on the outside; Nancy is her very helpful maid. Her father is Colonel Thaddeus Reardon. Humphreys' description of Philip Skene is priceless and helps to showcase Jack's own leanings regarding the Americans. John Butler and John Johnson are Loyalist leaders. Alphonse is a tailor in Philadelphia.
Joseph Brant is an Iroquois leader, a Mohawk, and of the Wolf Clan---the same as Até, although they are not friends. Molly is Joseph's sister and lives in Canajoharie.
That scoundrel, Richard Brinsley Sheridan, a supposed friend of Jack's, has turned Jack into a character in his play, The Rivals.
Adolphus Maximillian Gerhardt, Count von Schlaben, is a wicked and cunning man determined on his success. And Baron von Riedesel's cousin. Cato is a code name for an Illuminati spy.
Banastre Tarleton is a serving cavalry officer with a major hate on for Jack. An easily led man... Elizabeth Farren is a hot young actress in London over whom the duel is supposedly being fought.
Colonel Benedict Arnold has his own problems, beyond being a braggart and the best under-used commander in the colonial army. Hans Yost plays an idiot for the Yankees. And it works. He's also General Philip Schuyler's cousin. Angus MacTavish, Alisdair, and Gregor are Scots patriots whose lives Jack saved. Lucky for him!
Diomedes is a code name for a patriot spy.
The Illuminati were founded by Adam Weishaupt, a professor of religious law; their purpose is disruption, disorder---revolution with the intention of rebuilding a new order. Hmmm, how very Sceptre of them...
The Cover
The cover is perfect! The back of a redcoat against an old parchment of writing. A perfect metaphor for this adventurous tale.
The title introduces the protagonist, an 18th-century James Bond, Jack Absolute.
This is an ARC I received from the publisher.
My Take
On the whole, I adored this swashbuckling adventure behind battlelines and in drawing rooms as Jack struggles to discover the identity of his enemies.
It's makes a pleasant switch to hear the thoughts of a man about to duel who is both confident in his abilities and realistic in his chances. It's also a treat to find an author who can so comfortably bring today's realization of equality between peoples and incorporate it into an historical novel and make it feel so very real and natural. I do love Jack's sense of honor and the struggle Humphreys puts him through to stay true to his sense of morality.
I also like the friendship between Jack and Até. They treat each other as equals, a rare partnership for the 1770s. And I do enjoy Até's sense of humor, wicked man, LOL.
Gotta love that British love for a proper turnout!
"We may be beaten this day---but we will not be under-dressed!"
Humphreys is an actor and he brings his understanding of acting and writing into the story, giving us a different perspective on what attracts people to the craft as well as providing the story with an unexpected insight. I did enjoy how Humphreys brought in the manners and morality of the time and very unlike the traditional historical romances as this exposition is against a much rougher backdrop.
An excellent point about the British North American Act of 1763---the Indian Magna Carta. It's too bad it was only written on paper.
The negatives are the silly bits of melodrama---I almost expect Snidely Whiplash to appear, twirling his mustache---with the lack of depth and eye rolling that it brings. I would have enjoyed this story more if the hints had been less obvious and Jack a bit smarter. The end bit with the traitor unmasked was certainly tense, but definitely soap operaish. Although, then again, I do try to remind myself that this is a bit of fun for Humphreys, an adventure he's created for a character whom he enjoys.
Oh, lord, wait'll you read who is playing the wicked Sir Lucius in the play in Philadelphia. Another one of those obvious bits.
Do give Donna Thorland's Turncoat a read as well. She covers the same time period and characters with her spy-romance novel, albeit in a more serious vein, and it's interesting to read the same thing from two different perspectives. Let alone that Humphrey's Jack Absolute is male while Kate Grey is female!
The Story
That damned Sheridan has stolen his identity, but Jack is back, struggling to rebuild the family fortune. Unfortunately, General Burgoyne has other ideas for Jack. He needs a spy in America, and Jack's activities with General Wolfe during the French-Indian War has resulted in many friendships among the Indians.
That, and Jack is so very good with ciphers and intelligence.
The Characters
Jack Absolute is a devil-may-care lad who is slowly maturing, and about to become a captain again. An eye for the ladies and a quick escape, Jack is also very good with ciphers and intelligence work. His friend and companion, Atédawenete "Até", a.k.a., The Inexhaustible, calls him Daganoweda. A Mohawk, he will follow Jack everywhere, for they are brothers. Sir James Absolute is his nutjob of a father. Tonesaha is the Mohawk wife whom Jack mourns.
General John "Gentleman" Burgoyne was Jack's commanding officer in the 16th Light Dragoons until Jack quit. I enjoyed learning more about Gentleman Johnny; as an American, we never did learn much beyond his nickname in history in school. Hannah Foy is the wife of a commissary officer and Burgoyne's mistress. Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Carelton is Burgoyne's adjutant; Braithwaite is his batman.
Midshipman Edward Pellew has his own views on what the Royal Navy will do when the Army surrenders; Alexander "Sandy" Lindsay, Earl of Balcarras, is in charge of Burgoyne's Light Infantry (and he's a "fine, fast bowler"); General Simon Fraser who rose in the ranks through sheer ability (a rare thing in the British army of the time); Colonel Barry St. Leger is a typical example of British commanding officers under the buy-your-way-in policy; Captain Ancrum is St. Leger's adjutant; Major Watts is full of himself until he finds himself on a battlefield--whoops!; Generals Gates and Clinton make their appearance, or rather lack of one; Sergeant Willis is a very brave messenger; Major Puxley is now above Jack in rank; and, Ensign Anton Hervey is also in the Philadephia-version of the play.
Sir William Howe is the Commander-in-Chief of the Army; Betsey Loring is his mistress. Major John André is in charge of intelligence, and neither of them are Jack's friend. Miss Peggy Shippen and Miss Peggy Chew are part of André's entourage.
Baron von Riedesel is the commander of the German component of the army; Von Spartzehn is von Riedesel's interpreter; and, Breymann is a loyal and brave German officer.
Miss Louisa Reardon is an American British patriot---on the outside; Nancy is her very helpful maid. Her father is Colonel Thaddeus Reardon. Humphreys' description of Philip Skene is priceless and helps to showcase Jack's own leanings regarding the Americans. John Butler and John Johnson are Loyalist leaders. Alphonse is a tailor in Philadelphia.
Joseph Brant is an Iroquois leader, a Mohawk, and of the Wolf Clan---the same as Até, although they are not friends. Molly is Joseph's sister and lives in Canajoharie.
That scoundrel, Richard Brinsley Sheridan, a supposed friend of Jack's, has turned Jack into a character in his play, The Rivals.
Adolphus Maximillian Gerhardt, Count von Schlaben, is a wicked and cunning man determined on his success. And Baron von Riedesel's cousin. Cato is a code name for an Illuminati spy.
Banastre Tarleton is a serving cavalry officer with a major hate on for Jack. An easily led man... Elizabeth Farren is a hot young actress in London over whom the duel is supposedly being fought.
Colonel Benedict Arnold has his own problems, beyond being a braggart and the best under-used commander in the colonial army. Hans Yost plays an idiot for the Yankees. And it works. He's also General Philip Schuyler's cousin. Angus MacTavish, Alisdair, and Gregor are Scots patriots whose lives Jack saved. Lucky for him!
Diomedes is a code name for a patriot spy.
The Illuminati were founded by Adam Weishaupt, a professor of religious law; their purpose is disruption, disorder---revolution with the intention of rebuilding a new order. Hmmm, how very Sceptre of them...
The Cover
The cover is perfect! The back of a redcoat against an old parchment of writing. A perfect metaphor for this adventurous tale.
The title introduces the protagonist, an 18th-century James Bond, Jack Absolute.
June 6, 2019
At the start of this book there is a page titled 'Praise for C. C. Humphreys', on which someone from a publication called The Historical Review, which I have never heard of, says "Cornwell is good, but Humphreys is better." As a lifelong fan of Bernard Cornwell's work I would like to save the readers of this review the disappointment they would experience if their expectations were raised to that level before reading this book. Mr. Humphreys is not even in the same league as Bernard Cornwell, let alone better. This book would be best targeted at the young adult market, as it may appeal to younger readers who have not read a hundred others just like it. The book is juvenile, entirely predictable and extremely derivative. James Fenimore Cooper and Bernard Cornwell would both have no trouble at all identifying their influences.
Mr. Humphreys is an actor and playwright; those traits are echoed loud and clear throughout 'Jack Absolute'. The reader can easily picture bad actors hamming up their parts in a melodrama based on this book. The incidences of chance and/or fate intervening to save the hero's life in the nick of time are too numerous to mention and would be completely at home in a Victorian melodrama.
That said, the history is accurate and the book is well written. Just leave it for your kids to read!
Mr. Humphreys is an actor and playwright; those traits are echoed loud and clear throughout 'Jack Absolute'. The reader can easily picture bad actors hamming up their parts in a melodrama based on this book. The incidences of chance and/or fate intervening to save the hero's life in the nick of time are too numerous to mention and would be completely at home in a Victorian melodrama.
That said, the history is accurate and the book is well written. Just leave it for your kids to read!
April 9, 2018
The American Revolution told from the other side - Jack Resolute is the first in a series about a British soldier with Mohawk connections who has talents as a warrior and a spy. Having grown up in the US, I never really wondered about the British view of that war.
Although the book was put forward as a romance, it's really more of an adventure story, and subtly points out the cost of war, and how neither side is entirely right or entirely wrong. The ending was a pleasant surprise, and - in terms of impression - one of the better parts of the tale. It wasn't happy, but had enough hope to make me curious about the sequel.
The overall prose was a bit florid for my taste, and the author is still finding his footing when it comes to maintaining momentum, such as pausing to ponder the provenance and quality of a weapon during a battle scene (are we in combat or at the mall?). It's clear that some very meticulous research was done, which is the one thing that kept me reading long enough to appreciate the ending. I was waiting to see if he messed up on any major plot devices. :)
Although the book was put forward as a romance, it's really more of an adventure story, and subtly points out the cost of war, and how neither side is entirely right or entirely wrong. The ending was a pleasant surprise, and - in terms of impression - one of the better parts of the tale. It wasn't happy, but had enough hope to make me curious about the sequel.
The overall prose was a bit florid for my taste, and the author is still finding his footing when it comes to maintaining momentum, such as pausing to ponder the provenance and quality of a weapon during a battle scene (are we in combat or at the mall?). It's clear that some very meticulous research was done, which is the one thing that kept me reading long enough to appreciate the ending. I was waiting to see if he messed up on any major plot devices. :)
October 14, 2023
The setting of the early stages (1777) of the Revolutionary War, including the Battle of Saratoga, and the location south of the St Lawrence were the initial attractions of this historical adventure.
Jack Absolute, aged in his late 30s, is a James Bond-type figure helping General Burgoyne and the Loyalists and trying to uncover rebel spies in the British Army ranks, although the identities of the spies are very obvious from the start.
It's an engaging enough read early as the action moves along the Mohawk River to Saratoga and then south, but the melodramatic ending, following soon after a cringe-inducing sexual encounter and one too many last-minute escapes, destroys the impact.
His Shakespeare-quoting Mohawk friend, Até, is an interesting if implausible character, and General Burgoyne feels an effective portrait. The main villain, though, is far too stereotypical and there are far too many contrived escapes and encounters.
Jack Absolute, aged in his late 30s, is a James Bond-type figure helping General Burgoyne and the Loyalists and trying to uncover rebel spies in the British Army ranks, although the identities of the spies are very obvious from the start.
It's an engaging enough read early as the action moves along the Mohawk River to Saratoga and then south, but the melodramatic ending, following soon after a cringe-inducing sexual encounter and one too many last-minute escapes, destroys the impact.
His Shakespeare-quoting Mohawk friend, Até, is an interesting if implausible character, and General Burgoyne feels an effective portrait. The main villain, though, is far too stereotypical and there are far too many contrived escapes and encounters.
July 12, 2023
I struggled with how to rate this true 3.5-star book. I love the time period, the ridiculousness of Jack being at every important thing happening ever, that they are in England, the Native world of the colonies, Quebec Saratoga, Philadelphia... that he can fight and act and survive and love.. lol, ooo boy! But the mishmash of history is a little rough. So, too, is the disposability of every woman. Plus, there were so many fight/battle narratives that I began to skim them. I really enjoyed the first half - by the last quarter, I was ready to be done. That said, it was a fast read, and when I would pick it up, I'd get absorbed again. Overall, this would make a great movie - Jack Absolute really is the 007 of the 18th century.
June 12, 2018
Jack Absolute somehow manages to miss 80% of the battles that dominated the later part of the 18th century. I thought we'd be getting a full picture of Saratoga but instead we get little snippets of the campaign as Jack tries to nail a spy ring, which is clumsily handled. It's an OK story but there's alot of missed opportunities that would have made this something special. Fans of Turn will be left very disappointed!
February 13, 2019
It took me a long while to get into this novel. I don't know if I was ever really invested in Jack Absolute as a character, though I was able to get absorbed into his plot eventually. I don't think the pacing matched where my curiosity was most peaked. It might have made a difference if I came into it already invested in the "Rivals".
September 18, 2020
A standard hero, dashing, a bit on the rogueish side, always favoured by luck and women. Standard villian. Fights, twists of fate, historical setting. Everything the Flashman novels parodied so well. The book isn't bad, just unoriginal and the author has written much better books.
January 24, 2018
C.C. Humphreys takes a fictional character (Jack Absolute from Sheridan's The Rivals) and spins historical fiction magic. Will definitely be checking out the other titles in this series.
February 14, 2018
A fun read with a little local history thrown in. Looking forward to reading the next in the series!!
October 2, 2018
Swashbuckling! Intrigue! Romance!
June 16, 2020
Enjoyable historical romp featuring spy and soldier Jack Absolute. Worth reading if you enjoy the likes of Bernard Cornwall's Sharpe series.
December 30, 2021
Rollicking historical adventure in the mould of Flashman or Jack Aubrey. Good fun.
April 29, 2022
Historically interesting, but a very thin and poorly developed plot replete with contrived happenstance.
May 13, 2022
Love this series!
January 13, 2023
Exciting and fast paced. Loved the entire series, but the first was my favorite.
September 15, 2024
well written, interesting plot and enough action to keep the pace moving quickly. subtle hints to make it difficult to guess the spies.
December 17, 2024
Not as good as his other works.
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