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The Soldier Chronicles #4
Marksman
Spain, 1810.
The victorious French have overrun the country. The Spanish armies are no more, and only the guerrilleros are left to wage war against overwhelming numbers.
Welshman Arthur Cadoc, stranded in the chaos of war and still wearing the green jacket of the 95th Rifles, now fights for the charismatic Spanish Colonel, Antonio Rai Herrero, who wants nothing more than to unite his countrymen against the ruthless invaders and avenge the death of his wife and children.
When a British exploring officer reveals that a traitor working for the French plans to eliminate the partisan leaders, Cadoc is plunged pell-mell into the guerrilla - the ‘little war’. With only his training, wits and his trusty Baker rifle, Cadoc proves that as a Rifleman of the legendary 95th Rifles, he is not only a daring and a deadly marksman, but a man born for fighting against the odds.
Marksman is an authentic historical story set during the Peninsular War, the fourth novella in The Soldier Chronicles series.
One target. One shot. One kill.
The victorious French have overrun the country. The Spanish armies are no more, and only the guerrilleros are left to wage war against overwhelming numbers.
Welshman Arthur Cadoc, stranded in the chaos of war and still wearing the green jacket of the 95th Rifles, now fights for the charismatic Spanish Colonel, Antonio Rai Herrero, who wants nothing more than to unite his countrymen against the ruthless invaders and avenge the death of his wife and children.
When a British exploring officer reveals that a traitor working for the French plans to eliminate the partisan leaders, Cadoc is plunged pell-mell into the guerrilla - the ‘little war’. With only his training, wits and his trusty Baker rifle, Cadoc proves that as a Rifleman of the legendary 95th Rifles, he is not only a daring and a deadly marksman, but a man born for fighting against the odds.
Marksman is an authentic historical story set during the Peninsular War, the fourth novella in The Soldier Chronicles series.
One target. One shot. One kill.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
56 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 17, 2014
6 people are currently reading
198 people want to read
About the author
David Cook
12 books91 followersDavid has been interested in history since his school days, and developed a love for the Napoleonic Wars' era from his father, who painted and amassed a model army of the Battle of Waterloo. From there, David became fascinated with the English Civil Wars, the American Civil War, the Wars of the Roses and English medieval history, particularly the legend of Robin Hood.
David lives outside Winchester on the edge of the South Downs National Park.
David lives outside Winchester on the edge of the South Downs National Park.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 28, 2022
Spain - Late Summer of 1810
The French control most of Spain, the cities and larger towns. However, even a quarter million or so can't control the countryside. It is the province of the partisans. Every French convoy, messenger, traveler of any kind requires escort or the risk of torture and death. Into this situation comes Rifleman Cadoc, a lost stray from the 95th Regiment, and Captain Cotton and his few soldiers delivering British weapons to the partisans. The lively tale which follows is well worth reading. Another short, inexpensive book from David Cook.
The French control most of Spain, the cities and larger towns. However, even a quarter million or so can't control the countryside. It is the province of the partisans. Every French convoy, messenger, traveler of any kind requires escort or the risk of torture and death. Into this situation comes Rifleman Cadoc, a lost stray from the 95th Regiment, and Captain Cotton and his few soldiers delivering British weapons to the partisans. The lively tale which follows is well worth reading. Another short, inexpensive book from David Cook.
December 3, 2014
Good read for historical fiction lovers.
November 19, 2014
The fourth story in the on-going series, but again not set in any order - first one was 1798, second 1799/1800, third was 1794 and MARKSMAN is 1810.
Different lives, different times & excellently written.
I received this as a promo to read and review by the author.
Its set during the Peninsula War where Rifleman Arthur Cadoc of the 95th Rifles, abandoned by the army after Corunna, has fallen in with a band of partisans led by a Colonel Herrero.
Cadoc is a great character, tough, loyal, no-nonsense, a man to have on your side and he can take care of himself from the 95th army doctrines. From the very first moment he touches another Baker rifle, we understand his love for the weapon. He is a true rifleman at heart. He refuses to change clothes, preferring to continue to wear his green jacket uniform despite his erstwhile AWOL status. He even declares to Herrero that he'll be buried in it.
The thing I like about David Cook is that his characterisations, are as ever, wonderful. Cadoc, the very able precicion shot killer, is fleshed out, Herrero with his personal tragedies is well-drawn, not too comic book in its execution, but others are in the fold and not too cardboardy. The antagonist also excels, but this is Cadoc's tale and he steals the show.
Early 19th C Spain is vividly portrayed and the little nuggets of historical knowledge bring the period fully to life.
A jolly good read and another excellent addition to the new military historical series.
Different lives, different times & excellently written.
I received this as a promo to read and review by the author.
Its set during the Peninsula War where Rifleman Arthur Cadoc of the 95th Rifles, abandoned by the army after Corunna, has fallen in with a band of partisans led by a Colonel Herrero.
Cadoc is a great character, tough, loyal, no-nonsense, a man to have on your side and he can take care of himself from the 95th army doctrines. From the very first moment he touches another Baker rifle, we understand his love for the weapon. He is a true rifleman at heart. He refuses to change clothes, preferring to continue to wear his green jacket uniform despite his erstwhile AWOL status. He even declares to Herrero that he'll be buried in it.
The thing I like about David Cook is that his characterisations, are as ever, wonderful. Cadoc, the very able precicion shot killer, is fleshed out, Herrero with his personal tragedies is well-drawn, not too comic book in its execution, but others are in the fold and not too cardboardy. The antagonist also excels, but this is Cadoc's tale and he steals the show.
Early 19th C Spain is vividly portrayed and the little nuggets of historical knowledge bring the period fully to life.
A jolly good read and another excellent addition to the new military historical series.
November 20, 2014
Marksman is the fourth outing in The Soldier Chronicles historical series by David Cook.
Again, the attention to detail is superb, and Cook really is in control of his material. The scene is brilliantly set and brought vividly to life so that you feel as though you're fighting alongside Rifleman Cadoc in early nineteenth century Spain.
Cadoc is a tough, squat, brute of a man and demonstrates his skill as one of Wellington's famous sharpshooters during a tense skirmish with French Dragoons. The story is simple enough: French are trying to eliminate Cadoc's Spanish friend, a leader of a group of partisans when they discover a traitor in their midst. With guns blazing the action is relentless until the betrayer is finally apprehended.
It is stirring stuff, and few writers are better qualified than Cook to do justice to the period. A thoroughly good read and if you like great characterization, action, intrigue and a love of history, then this is one to add to your collection.
Again, the attention to detail is superb, and Cook really is in control of his material. The scene is brilliantly set and brought vividly to life so that you feel as though you're fighting alongside Rifleman Cadoc in early nineteenth century Spain.
Cadoc is a tough, squat, brute of a man and demonstrates his skill as one of Wellington's famous sharpshooters during a tense skirmish with French Dragoons. The story is simple enough: French are trying to eliminate Cadoc's Spanish friend, a leader of a group of partisans when they discover a traitor in their midst. With guns blazing the action is relentless until the betrayer is finally apprehended.
It is stirring stuff, and few writers are better qualified than Cook to do justice to the period. A thoroughly good read and if you like great characterization, action, intrigue and a love of history, then this is one to add to your collection.
December 3, 2014
If you love historical fiction, you'll not want to miss Marksman. Although it's number four in its series, you'll still have a wonderful read.
France overwhelms Spain, and French overruns the country. Spanish guerrilleros are the only ones left to fight back against overwhelming numbers.
A Welshman, Arthur Cadoc, finds himself stranded in the chaos. Although he still still wears the green of the 95th Rifles, he now fights for the charismatic Spanish Colonel, Antonio Rai Herrero....
A book for soldiers and lovers of courage.
France overwhelms Spain, and French overruns the country. Spanish guerrilleros are the only ones left to fight back against overwhelming numbers.
A Welshman, Arthur Cadoc, finds himself stranded in the chaos. Although he still still wears the green of the 95th Rifles, he now fights for the charismatic Spanish Colonel, Antonio Rai Herrero....
A book for soldiers and lovers of courage.
December 10, 2014
Well researched historic novel. My favorite type of read.
December 3, 2014
Good historical read.
December 6, 2014
Great read for lovers of historical fiction.
December 8, 2014
This great author never fails to supply a great historical war story
January 5, 2018
A great read
Rifleman cradoc is a tale of fiction ,but it covered all the brave men of the 95 th, looking forward to the next book
Rifleman cradoc is a tale of fiction ,but it covered all the brave men of the 95 th, looking forward to the next book
March 19, 2015
I really enjoyed this novella - something is different than the others - cocky, tough Welsh Rifleman up against sinister Spanish Partisans and battle-hardened French Dragoons. What's not to love!
There isn't a great deal of a story other than lots of fighting, but it does weave nicely along so that as the story draws to a climax there is a conclusion and its nicely done.
Also Welsh shooting legend Arthur Cadoc is an interesting character who is nicely fleshed out. I have read the similarities to Rifleman Dodd, C S Forester's character who was a Rifleman stranded by battle and working with the Spanish guerrilleros, However, I have read the story and that's the only similarity. The two stories are different.
Looking forward to another tale of Rifleman Cadoc.
There isn't a great deal of a story other than lots of fighting, but it does weave nicely along so that as the story draws to a climax there is a conclusion and its nicely done.
Also Welsh shooting legend Arthur Cadoc is an interesting character who is nicely fleshed out. I have read the similarities to Rifleman Dodd, C S Forester's character who was a Rifleman stranded by battle and working with the Spanish guerrilleros, However, I have read the story and that's the only similarity. The two stories are different.
Looking forward to another tale of Rifleman Cadoc.
January 14, 2015
Wonderful!!
Another instalment of the soldier chronicles, and this time in a different battlefield. Excellency woven together with wit, action, a bit of romance, and history. A very descriptive story that grabs you at page one and doesn't let you go. If you like the Napoleonic wars this is a must read. All the stories are packed with great historical tide bits and very well researched. Bravo!
Another instalment of the soldier chronicles, and this time in a different battlefield. Excellency woven together with wit, action, a bit of romance, and history. A very descriptive story that grabs you at page one and doesn't let you go. If you like the Napoleonic wars this is a must read. All the stories are packed with great historical tide bits and very well researched. Bravo!
February 7, 2015
Historical fiction from the perspective of a Welshman fighting in Spain against Napoleons French. Think of the Sharpe series by Cornwall. The fourth of a series. Had I not begun with this I probably would have appreciated it more, but I had a hard time connecting with the characters.
September 9, 2017
Another Interesting Historical Fiction
David Cook does it again in this outstanding historical fiction of one aspect of the Napoleonic wars...as always well researched which heightens the reading experience... A must read... espeally if your a history buff...
David Cook does it again in this outstanding historical fiction of one aspect of the Napoleonic wars...as always well researched which heightens the reading experience... A must read... espeally if your a history buff...
November 26, 2015
This is the fourth novella in the series. As with the other three in the series, I enjoyed it very much. It took me right into the action and kept me there until the end of the book.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews