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James Ogilvie #3
Soldier of the Raj
Peshawar was the last outpost of the Raj facing the deadly Khyber Pass and the rugged Afghan hills.
And it was in these hills that trouble was brewing on an unprecedented scale.
The attack would come from a Pathan warrior, Nashkar Ali Khan, incited by the word of the Sadhu, a holy man awaiting the sign of Mahomet to mobilise an army which could sweep down and annihilate Peshawar.
It would be the first step towards driving the British out of the sub-continent.
But if a political officer could be discreetly infiltrated into his camp, what dangers might not be averted?
Working as a spy is a new trade for James Ogilvie, now a captain in the 114th Highlanders, the Queen's Own Royal Strathspeys.
Disguised as an arms seller, he sets out across the Indus to woo his way into the confidence of the Pathans with Gatling parts, Colts, and Mausers.
But Ogilvie is faced with an impossible choice.
He must involve the woman he loves, if he is to save not so much his own skin, as the whole future of the British Raj...
‘Soldier of the Raj' is the next thrilling historical adventure story in the James Ogilvie series.
"His character conflicts are well organised." — Daily Telegraph
"A most exciting successor to his first novel — and it is just as rugged." — The Times, Hamilton, New Zealand
Philip McCutchan (1920-1996) grew up in the naval atmosphere of Portsmouth Dockyard and developed a lifetime's interest in the sea. Military history was an early interest resulting in several fiction books, from amongst his large output, about the British Army and its campaigns, especially in the last 150 years.
Originally published as 'Sadhu on the Mountain Peak'.
Endeavour Press is the UK's leading independent publisher of digital books.
And it was in these hills that trouble was brewing on an unprecedented scale.
The attack would come from a Pathan warrior, Nashkar Ali Khan, incited by the word of the Sadhu, a holy man awaiting the sign of Mahomet to mobilise an army which could sweep down and annihilate Peshawar.
It would be the first step towards driving the British out of the sub-continent.
But if a political officer could be discreetly infiltrated into his camp, what dangers might not be averted?
Working as a spy is a new trade for James Ogilvie, now a captain in the 114th Highlanders, the Queen's Own Royal Strathspeys.
Disguised as an arms seller, he sets out across the Indus to woo his way into the confidence of the Pathans with Gatling parts, Colts, and Mausers.
But Ogilvie is faced with an impossible choice.
He must involve the woman he loves, if he is to save not so much his own skin, as the whole future of the British Raj...
‘Soldier of the Raj' is the next thrilling historical adventure story in the James Ogilvie series.
"His character conflicts are well organised." — Daily Telegraph
"A most exciting successor to his first novel — and it is just as rugged." — The Times, Hamilton, New Zealand
Philip McCutchan (1920-1996) grew up in the naval atmosphere of Portsmouth Dockyard and developed a lifetime's interest in the sea. Military history was an early interest resulting in several fiction books, from amongst his large output, about the British Army and its campaigns, especially in the last 150 years.
Originally published as 'Sadhu on the Mountain Peak'.
Endeavour Press is the UK's leading independent publisher of digital books.
310 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1971
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43 people want to read
About the author
Philip McCutchan
184 books36 followersaka Robert Conington Galway, Duncan MacNeil
Philip McCutchan (1920-1996) grew up in the naval atmosphere of Portsmouth Dockyard and developed a lifetime's interest in the sea. Military history was an early interest resulting in several fiction books, from amongst his large output, about the British Army and its campaigns, especially in the last 150 years.
Philip McCutchan (1920-1996) grew up in the naval atmosphere of Portsmouth Dockyard and developed a lifetime's interest in the sea. Military history was an early interest resulting in several fiction books, from amongst his large output, about the British Army and its campaigns, especially in the last 150 years.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 23, 2015
Thrilling story which very well captures the spirit of that desperate times in that dangerous place.... my only grouse is that two of the names - of a hostelry owner and a tribal leader are erroneous, the holy man would well be called pir instead of sadhu and there is one rather unnecessarily graphic scene of violently fatal torture (though it understandably was the norm in the time and place) - and a glitch which often renders a key character's name as Sir Thin as against Sir Iain elsewhere... But do look forward to reading the others of the series....
April 30, 2019
A series of #1 hits......
The author has consistently written great stories that each add very well to the series. The antagonists pitted against the protagonists is very well done as the reader will no doubt feel great animosity towards the antagonists. Character development continues and the plot keeps getting deeper and deeper. The loss of one star is due to the lack of editing by the company that has taken this authors work and did not give due diligence or respect to the authors work. The original books I’m sure don’t have these errors obviously developed when the printed book was digitalized. The AUTHOR STILL GETS 5 STARS ABD THE COMPANY WHO DIGITALIZED THIS BOOK SHOULD GET ZERO STARS !
The author has consistently written great stories that each add very well to the series. The antagonists pitted against the protagonists is very well done as the reader will no doubt feel great animosity towards the antagonists. Character development continues and the plot keeps getting deeper and deeper. The loss of one star is due to the lack of editing by the company that has taken this authors work and did not give due diligence or respect to the authors work. The original books I’m sure don’t have these errors obviously developed when the printed book was digitalized. The AUTHOR STILL GETS 5 STARS ABD THE COMPANY WHO DIGITALIZED THIS BOOK SHOULD GET ZERO STARS !
March 28, 2021
This is the third adventure in the series of books about now Captain James Ogilvie of the British Army in India during the late 1800s. An uprising of tribes against the British in the northern India province of Waziristan is rumored to be taking shape as a Muslim holy man is trying to united the tribes. James Ogilvie is ordered to travel undercover into Waziristan to discover what truth may exists in this rumor. The investigation becomes an adventure reminiscent of stories by Kipling such as Gunga Din and The Man Who Would Be King. This is an action-packed adventure with plenty of danger, intrigue and complex human relationships that create difficulties for our hero, Captain James Ogilvie.
December 7, 2025
If I wasn't wild about the plot of the second book the third plot is pretty implausible - which is becoming a worrying sign. Taking Ogilvie away from the regiment and the militaristic atmosphere and tone that are the main strengths of the book was a bad move highlighting the novel's weaknesses. McCutchan does write the time period well and gives you a good feel for then, which keeps the book at 2 stars.
November 4, 2017
A good read
A slightly different tack this time with a lot more background knowledge of the political British Raj in India.
A good read none the less witty some good action scenes.
A slightly different tack this time with a lot more background knowledge of the political British Raj in India.
A good read none the less witty some good action scenes.
April 4, 2020
Another good addition to the James Ogilvie series. Rather than a book of blood and guts, it is a book of intrigue, a spy rather than a soldier. He is still a magnet for danger and becomes more involved with the woman he loves.
August 16, 2019
A true soldier.
This is a really good military series. Not so much battle in this particular book....more secret mission....But very good nonetheless.
This is a really good military series. Not so much battle in this particular book....more secret mission....But very good nonetheless.
January 31, 2026
Good adventure set in the British Raj about 1880.
October 4, 2024
"I'd like to Court Martial him!" Fettleworth snapped. "But now how can I? He's a blasted hero! So is that young Ogilvie." (p. 306 Kindle).
This is the third adventure of now Captain James Ogilvie. McCutchan's writing transfers the reader to the North-West frontier of India. It is a departure from the previous two novels. The Royal Strathspeys are still on the frontier, but Ogilvie was given a new task, one that takes him from the known life of the 114th Highlanders and the company he just was promoted to lead. He must develop and use new skills in order to survive and complete his mission. The Earless One, Nashkar Ali Khan, the Sadhu, and, of course, Wilshaw Sahib enter Ogilvie's life.
This was enjoyable read. The regimental life, the personal conflicts in Ogilvie's life, the pettiness, jealousies and intrigues of life arise as does the sense of beauty of the land, as well as personal determination. I look forward to my next adventure with Captain Ogilvie.
This is the third adventure of now Captain James Ogilvie. McCutchan's writing transfers the reader to the North-West frontier of India. It is a departure from the previous two novels. The Royal Strathspeys are still on the frontier, but Ogilvie was given a new task, one that takes him from the known life of the 114th Highlanders and the company he just was promoted to lead. He must develop and use new skills in order to survive and complete his mission. The Earless One, Nashkar Ali Khan, the Sadhu, and, of course, Wilshaw Sahib enter Ogilvie's life.
This was enjoyable read. The regimental life, the personal conflicts in Ogilvie's life, the pettiness, jealousies and intrigues of life arise as does the sense of beauty of the land, as well as personal determination. I look forward to my next adventure with Captain Ogilvie.
November 12, 2016
Should be Spy of the Raj
I just like these stories of India under the Raj. When I read one the characters seem to come to life like they were on the movie screen in a story of soldiering in India. Now some may found these stories to be imperialistic in favor. You know the whiteman saving his little brown brothers from their self. That they are, but they show an age and a special society, the military. Somethings are still true about the social life of the military for one the pecking order among the wives of officer that we get a glimpse of in this story. My only problem was the spelling error of Sent for Sa'gent as in Sergeant major, but this can be laid at the feet of spell checker. If you like books that have a gripping plot line and throw in a little history along the way then give this one a try.
I just like these stories of India under the Raj. When I read one the characters seem to come to life like they were on the movie screen in a story of soldiering in India. Now some may found these stories to be imperialistic in favor. You know the whiteman saving his little brown brothers from their self. That they are, but they show an age and a special society, the military. Somethings are still true about the social life of the military for one the pecking order among the wives of officer that we get a glimpse of in this story. My only problem was the spelling error of Sent for Sa'gent as in Sergeant major, but this can be laid at the feet of spell checker. If you like books that have a gripping plot line and throw in a little history along the way then give this one a try.
June 22, 2016
Good not great historical novel about the British in India
January 26, 2019
Just a story
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews