What do you think?
Rate this book
Captain Rawson #1
Soldier of Fortune
IT IS 1704 AND EUROPE IS AT WAR
With Lord Churchill's rousing words ringing in his ears, the courageous young Captain Daniel Rawson embarks on a dangerous mission to lead his men into battle against the French enemy. He must succeed at all costs- the future of England is at stake. But Rawson is the target of the murderous General Salignac who will stop at nothing to see his adversary dead. As Rawson and his men march across the continent, he must keep one step ahead of Salignac's brigands and live to fight heroically at the Battle of Blenheim.
The author of the bestselling Railway detective series triumphs with this stunning first book in the Captain Rawson series.
With Lord Churchill's rousing words ringing in his ears, the courageous young Captain Daniel Rawson embarks on a dangerous mission to lead his men into battle against the French enemy. He must succeed at all costs- the future of England is at stake. But Rawson is the target of the murderous General Salignac who will stop at nothing to see his adversary dead. As Rawson and his men march across the continent, he must keep one step ahead of Salignac's brigands and live to fight heroically at the Battle of Blenheim.
The author of the bestselling Railway detective series triumphs with this stunning first book in the Captain Rawson series.
331 pages, Hardcover
First published January 28, 2008
16 people are currently reading
197 people want to read
About the author
Edward Marston
239 books466 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
A pseudonym used by Keith Miles
AKA A.E. Marston
Keith Miles (born 1940) is an English author, who writes under his own name and also historical fiction and mystery novels under the pseudonym Edward Marston. He is known for his mysteries set in the world of Elizabethan theatre. He has also written a series of novels based on events in the Domesday Book, a series of The Railway Detective and a series of The Home Front Detective.
Series contributed to:
. Malice Domestic
. Crime Through Time
. Perfectly Criminal
A pseudonym used by Keith Miles
AKA A.E. Marston
Keith Miles (born 1940) is an English author, who writes under his own name and also historical fiction and mystery novels under the pseudonym Edward Marston. He is known for his mysteries set in the world of Elizabethan theatre. He has also written a series of novels based on events in the Domesday Book, a series of The Railway Detective and a series of The Home Front Detective.
Series contributed to:
. Malice Domestic
. Crime Through Time
. Perfectly Criminal
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
January 11, 2013
I picked this book up for something like £2 in The Works (kinda like Bargain Books), and now I know why.
Set during the Wars of Marlborough, I was hoping for an exciting and interesting story during which I might learn something new. Unfortunately, the novel was pretty bland: both in plot and execution. The prose was never really that gripping; none of the characters were that interesting and elements of the plot were just, well, silly.
In short: meh.
Set during the Wars of Marlborough, I was hoping for an exciting and interesting story during which I might learn something new. Unfortunately, the novel was pretty bland: both in plot and execution. The prose was never really that gripping; none of the characters were that interesting and elements of the plot were just, well, silly.
In short: meh.
September 29, 2020
I really love the Railway detective series. This book did not live up to my expectations, After an engaging prologue I grew bored with the antics. Not my sort of book.
August 16, 2022
Adventure in a period of history little known (at least by me) that tends to get overshadowed by the later Napoleonic era.
Well done.
Well done.
November 9, 2013
Adventurer, spy, charmer is the description of Captain Daniel Rawson and throughout 'Soldier of Fortune' these traits are all amply demonstrated.
In the prologue he sees his much admired father hanged and then, 19 years later, he begins being a charmer with a French general's wife, perhaps with the ultimate intention of getting battle details from her that have been passed on by her husband. The general returns when he is in the middle of a passionate liaison so he has to flee rather quickly. However, his wife's maid, under the penalty of severe punishment, gives Rawson's name to the general.
Thus begins a chase all over Europe as two hired assassins try to locate Rawson. They do so but a misunderstanding, which results in dire consequences for one of Rawson's colleagues, allows Rawson to avoid being killed.
However, the two assassins do not give up and when a young English lady who has an attachment to the Captain arrives at the battle front, the opportunity for the two killers to strike presents itself again. Once more, by a stroke of good luck, he escapes an assassination attempt but then his lady friend is taken hostage.
After a thrilling chase he manages to track her down and surrenders so as to allow her to return to the friendly lines at the front. More exciting escapades follow and eventually Rawson gains his freedom and joins his troops in the battle of Blenheim, which despite all the English casualties he survives.
He subsequently returns to England to give news of the victory to Her Majesty the Queen and others and he is reunited with the lady who had fallen in love with him. But he is, in his own words, a soldier of fortune so nothing comes of the romance and he lives on to have more exciting adventures ... and no doubt to charm many more female admirers.
In the prologue he sees his much admired father hanged and then, 19 years later, he begins being a charmer with a French general's wife, perhaps with the ultimate intention of getting battle details from her that have been passed on by her husband. The general returns when he is in the middle of a passionate liaison so he has to flee rather quickly. However, his wife's maid, under the penalty of severe punishment, gives Rawson's name to the general.
Thus begins a chase all over Europe as two hired assassins try to locate Rawson. They do so but a misunderstanding, which results in dire consequences for one of Rawson's colleagues, allows Rawson to avoid being killed.
However, the two assassins do not give up and when a young English lady who has an attachment to the Captain arrives at the battle front, the opportunity for the two killers to strike presents itself again. Once more, by a stroke of good luck, he escapes an assassination attempt but then his lady friend is taken hostage.
After a thrilling chase he manages to track her down and surrenders so as to allow her to return to the friendly lines at the front. More exciting escapades follow and eventually Rawson gains his freedom and joins his troops in the battle of Blenheim, which despite all the English casualties he survives.
He subsequently returns to England to give news of the victory to Her Majesty the Queen and others and he is reunited with the lady who had fallen in love with him. But he is, in his own words, a soldier of fortune so nothing comes of the romance and he lives on to have more exciting adventures ... and no doubt to charm many more female admirers.
January 22, 2012
I found this book to be very poor and it was a struggle to finish it.( having bought it I always have to read a book no matter how poor...except for one occasion which still makes me shudder at the utter waste of paper and ink it was printed on!)
Amateurish writing and stilted dialog and romance sections that would make even mills and boon think twice.
I will not be reading any more of Mr Marstons books if this is the kind of drivel he writes.
Amateurish writing and stilted dialog and romance sections that would make even mills and boon think twice.
I will not be reading any more of Mr Marstons books if this is the kind of drivel he writes.
December 27, 2015
A little personal background before the review-
Many years ago my now ex surprised me with a Christmas of her grandfather's first edition of several Horatio Hornblower tales. To me to savor the surprise, no large exposition dump here, I would read one book every December. Upon completing those four books I added the missing volume to complete that stage of Hornblower's tale. Since then there has been a historical adventure read every December Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe, Garry Douglas Kilworth's Fancy Jack Crossman, and now the first book in the Daniel Rawson series.
Sad to say I doubt that I will revisit the character of Captain Daniel Rawson. Personally I find Marston a superior writer to Cornwell, but he failed to create interesting characters on either side of the conflict. As frustrating as Cornwell's writing might be Sharpe and the many of the supporting characters have at least some depth. Forester gives Hornblower some character traits.
Rawson is nothing more than an unbelievable, more so than some of the others mentioned here, soldier and spy. He goes from the bed of a general's wife, back to England and then on to the campaign of 1705 against the French and Bavarians. But, nothing much is learned about Rawson the character. Marston tries to create what appears to be an ongoing adversary in Charles Catto, who pales in comparison to Shapre's Hakeswill.
Points to Marston for not becoming too bogged down in history and the details of battle (an issue I have with Cornwell's Waterloo).
My recommendation is you're looking for a land based historical adventure would be Kilworth's Fancy Jack Crossman as of this date. Or, on the more epic side Leon Uris’ Exodus.
Many years ago my now ex surprised me with a Christmas of her grandfather's first edition of several Horatio Hornblower tales. To me to savor the surprise, no large exposition dump here, I would read one book every December. Upon completing those four books I added the missing volume to complete that stage of Hornblower's tale. Since then there has been a historical adventure read every December Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe, Garry Douglas Kilworth's Fancy Jack Crossman, and now the first book in the Daniel Rawson series.
Sad to say I doubt that I will revisit the character of Captain Daniel Rawson. Personally I find Marston a superior writer to Cornwell, but he failed to create interesting characters on either side of the conflict. As frustrating as Cornwell's writing might be Sharpe and the many of the supporting characters have at least some depth. Forester gives Hornblower some character traits.
Rawson is nothing more than an unbelievable, more so than some of the others mentioned here, soldier and spy. He goes from the bed of a general's wife, back to England and then on to the campaign of 1705 against the French and Bavarians. But, nothing much is learned about Rawson the character. Marston tries to create what appears to be an ongoing adversary in Charles Catto, who pales in comparison to Shapre's Hakeswill.
Points to Marston for not becoming too bogged down in history and the details of battle (an issue I have with Cornwell's Waterloo).
My recommendation is you're looking for a land based historical adventure would be Kilworth's Fancy Jack Crossman as of this date. Or, on the more epic side Leon Uris’ Exodus.
January 12, 2013
I didn't know much about the military campaigns of the Duke of Marlborough so this intrigued me. The hero Daniel Rawson uses his charms to obtain military secrets but thereby gains a powerful enemy in the form of a cuckolded French general. This first book takes him on campaign into Germany and he faces challenges both to survive battles and attempts on his life... Not a great literary piece but very enjoyable.
November 10, 2011
This was just okay. After reading the Domesday series I had high expectations so was a bit surprised at how fluffy it was. Maybe because it was the first one but it felt more like an historical romance novel than a swashbuckling adventure tale. Maybe the others are more like that but I probably won't be continuing the series.
February 26, 2018
Problem one: the title is Soldier of Fortune, but the main character isn't a soldier of fortune. A soldier of fortune is a mercenary. Rawson, the titular soldier, is not a mercenary, he is a British regular officer. Neither are any of the other characters soldiers of fortune, though I suppose you could call the assassins that, if you wanted to stretch a point.
Otherwise, this is a lazy slapshod book, and when I read in the author's bio that he'd written 100 books I was not surprised. It's the sort of novel that could be banged out in a week by any half-competent writer with access to Wikipedia, with no depth of feeling for the characters or historical period.
I'm sad to say I picked up no less than five of Rawson's adventures, so sadly I will be reading on, but let's say it's no Sharpe, no Hornblower, no Aubrey.
Otherwise, this is a lazy slapshod book, and when I read in the author's bio that he'd written 100 books I was not surprised. It's the sort of novel that could be banged out in a week by any half-competent writer with access to Wikipedia, with no depth of feeling for the characters or historical period.
I'm sad to say I picked up no less than five of Rawson's adventures, so sadly I will be reading on, but let's say it's no Sharpe, no Hornblower, no Aubrey.
June 22, 2017
I picked this up because I really enjoyed Marston's Nicholas Bracewell mystery books. The dialogue alone would keep me coming back; I found many of the exchanges between characters to be laugh-out-loud hilarious.
Unfortunately, I found this first book about "the dashing Captain Daniel Rawson- spy, linguist, duellist, ladies' man and career soldier"* to be formulaic. Captain Rawson is good at everything except when he's conveniently not, and the dialogue, while occasionally clever, was mostly functional. The story moves at a good pace --I was not bored-- but I did not enjoy it nearly as much as I did his Elizabethan period mysteries.
Meh.
* front flap jacket copy.
Unfortunately, I found this first book about "the dashing Captain Daniel Rawson- spy, linguist, duellist, ladies' man and career soldier"* to be formulaic. Captain Rawson is good at everything except when he's conveniently not, and the dialogue, while occasionally clever, was mostly functional. The story moves at a good pace --I was not bored-- but I did not enjoy it nearly as much as I did his Elizabethan period mysteries.
Meh.
* front flap jacket copy.
June 7, 2025
The road to glory.
The title of the review refers to the build up to the battle of Blenheim. Daniel Rawson is a charismatic hero, as renowned for conquering female hearts as well as for matchless valour in battle. I have only awarded three stars because on the evidence so far Daniel does not match up to Richard Sharpe and there are unavoidable similarities between them. I remain a form fan of Edward Marston though.
The title of the review refers to the build up to the battle of Blenheim. Daniel Rawson is a charismatic hero, as renowned for conquering female hearts as well as for matchless valour in battle. I have only awarded three stars because on the evidence so far Daniel does not match up to Richard Sharpe and there are unavoidable similarities between them. I remain a form fan of Edward Marston though.
May 4, 2017
I liked this book, I really did. But on the downside I found many of the secondary characters to be a bit wooden and thought that some of the battle scenes were not teerribly well handled. Nevertheless a fun read and enjoyable historical thriller.
October 25, 2020
Marston writes action to follow. Daniel follows Duke of Marlborough, infatuated Abby follows him. A cuckolded French general sends killers, who note the lady.Typos:
13.8 sent troops IS send troops
11.2 smile of IS smile on
5.23 us with us IS up with us
13.8 sent troops IS send troops
11.2 smile of IS smile on
5.23 us with us IS up with us
June 21, 2017
A thoroughly good read. A good story line with a strong aspect of historical realism. I will certainly be reading the second book.
December 17, 2017
Yet again, another really enjoyable historical novel. I can recommend Edward Marston to anyone, whichever one of his books they start with, new readers will not be disappointed.
July 1, 2019
1. The King's Evil (1999)
2. The Amorous Nightingale (2000)
3. The Repentant Rake (2001)
4. The Frost Fair (2003)
5. The Parliament House (2006)
6. The Painted Lady (2007)
2. The Amorous Nightingale (2000)
3. The Repentant Rake (2001)
4. The Frost Fair (2003)
5. The Parliament House (2006)
6. The Painted Lady (2007)
May 21, 2020
Huzzah for Captain Rawson.
Great characters, great story line, plenty of swashbuckling action. Add onto that an interesting historical time period. What's not to like.
Great characters, great story line, plenty of swashbuckling action. Add onto that an interesting historical time period. What's not to like.
June 4, 2020
Very good read held you from start to finish.
January 14, 2024
I love all things Edward Marston, and as ever enjoyed the book, but not his finest.
January 28, 2024
Very good, not quite up to the railway detective
But it is only the first book in the series. I am looking forward to the character developing
But it is only the first book in the series. I am looking forward to the character developing
March 26, 2025
Wasn’t bad but definitely not my favourite Marston read.
July 15, 2008
SOLDIER OF FORTUNE is the first book featuring Captain Daniel Rawson, although the author has written at least 40 other crime novels, in a range of different groups set in four distinct periods of history.
This book opens with Daniel - the child - greeting his father on temporary leave from battle. Nathan is fighting to depose the King and put the Duke of Monmouth on the throne. The forces of the Duke lose and Nathan is put to death. Daniel and his Dutch mother flee England - to the safety of his mother's native land. Years later, as a young and dashing soldier, Daniel returns to fighting - this time for the Duke of Marlborough and the Confederate forces in the battle of Blenheim.
Daniel is a career soldier and spy - dashing, loyal and unfailingly courageous, he is also extremely attractive to women. He uses that attraction to discover information from the wife of a famous General in his role as Confederate spy. Returning to the battlefield, he is pursued - by Miss Abigail Piper, a beautiful and very wilful young lady he met briefly before leaving for the fight; and somewhat more disconcertingly, by two hired assassins. The General has no intention of allowing himself to be cuckolded without taking his own revenge. Daniel must keep Miss Abigail safe, stay alive himself, fight the battle for the Duke, rid the world of the assassins and dodge the bullet of commitment to just one woman.
Needless to say as you've probably guessed from the description Daniel is a bit of a swashbuckling, all round hero type - leaping from tall buildings, riding horses and fighting pitched sword battles to defend himself, King, Country, the lady, the principle and whatever else needs to be swashed into submission.
To be brutally honest there is absolutely nothing in this plot that can't be seen coming from a very long way away, and these sort of books are not my normal reading fare - but it really did roll along at a good pace, and the swashing was buckled with a certain style. Daniel wasn't so over the top a hero that you didn't want to track him down and thump him with his own sword, Miss Abigail was brave and downright annoying all at the same time, and the lurking assassins nicely threatening - in a predictable sort of a way.
You really could see SOLDIER OF FORTUNE appealing to readers who like a bit of romance, high intrigue and maybe a touch of the Errol Flynn's about their escapist reading.
February 22, 2013
Take an interesting period of military history and inject a fictional character. Give him good looks, an ability to think laterally, a superhuman ability to seduce women, the fighting capacity of a Norwegian berserker preferably against a dastardly European foe. Let him be lauded by his superiors for his ability to think outside the box and despised similarly by his peers. Think of Hannay, Hervey, Aubrey, Bolitho, Sharpe and Hornblower.
This, the first in a series, is different in that it takes a different time of perfidious French intentions. It is 1705 as events lead up to the battle of Blenheim, a logistical feat performed by John Churchill which was revolutionary at the time. He created a battle plan where an army were not dependent on foraging to survive and his men were fit and fresh, if not eager, for battle in the centre of Europe. This is an event for which True Brits stand to attention and play Land of Hope and Glory at top volume, wiping their teary eyes on union flag handkerchiefs.
To this add Daniel Rawson, carer soldier, seducer and spy to John Churchill. After an initial biography we meet him in the throes of bedding the wife of one of the French generals. After reporting his findings to his master he embarks for Germany. Unfortunately for him so does a lady acquaintance who wishes to be by his side will he, nill he. Add to this the two contract killers hired by the French general for a more personal revenge and there is a lot going on.
I know little about The War of the Spanish Succession and hoped that the book would give me some insight. The description of the battle of Blenheim is somewhat vague but accurate enough and the author uses it almost as a side issue to the personal battles that Rawson is fighting. He is a likeable enough character but there is nothing really that marks him out from all of the other characters. If you are going to produce a new brand in an already crowded market it has to be sufficiently different to catch the readers’ interests. This has the feel of the later Sharpe’s, the ones that backfill where we already know his character and abilities and also know the basic plotline. Whilst there is little new in this book the characters are sufficiently well written for me to want to read the next one. Watch this space.
This, the first in a series, is different in that it takes a different time of perfidious French intentions. It is 1705 as events lead up to the battle of Blenheim, a logistical feat performed by John Churchill which was revolutionary at the time. He created a battle plan where an army were not dependent on foraging to survive and his men were fit and fresh, if not eager, for battle in the centre of Europe. This is an event for which True Brits stand to attention and play Land of Hope and Glory at top volume, wiping their teary eyes on union flag handkerchiefs.
To this add Daniel Rawson, carer soldier, seducer and spy to John Churchill. After an initial biography we meet him in the throes of bedding the wife of one of the French generals. After reporting his findings to his master he embarks for Germany. Unfortunately for him so does a lady acquaintance who wishes to be by his side will he, nill he. Add to this the two contract killers hired by the French general for a more personal revenge and there is a lot going on.
I know little about The War of the Spanish Succession and hoped that the book would give me some insight. The description of the battle of Blenheim is somewhat vague but accurate enough and the author uses it almost as a side issue to the personal battles that Rawson is fighting. He is a likeable enough character but there is nothing really that marks him out from all of the other characters. If you are going to produce a new brand in an already crowded market it has to be sufficiently different to catch the readers’ interests. This has the feel of the later Sharpe’s, the ones that backfill where we already know his character and abilities and also know the basic plotline. Whilst there is little new in this book the characters are sufficiently well written for me to want to read the next one. Watch this space.
December 12, 2014
As a fan of Historical fiction I very much looked forward to reading this book hoping that it would be the start of a new series for me. Daniel Rawson is described as an 'adventurer,spy,charmer' so was hoping that he would turn out to be a cross between Sharpe/Bolitho and Flashman but in the end proves to be none of them.
We are initially introduced to Daniel Rawson as a young boy who witnesses his beloved father being hanged for treason for fighting to overthrow the King then saving his mother from being raped by one of the victorious soldiers with the soldier's own sword. So far so good. Now fast forward 20 years to find Captain Rawson,a career British soldier,in the bed of the wife of a leading French general mainly it seems to glean intelligence from her.When the cuckolded husband arrives home unexpected Rawson abandons the wife to her fate without barely a second thought.It is from here that the plot seems to go downhill with the author over relying on stereotypes to drive his story. We have the stoic mistress who refuses to give her lover's name when caught out,the vengeful husband, the simpering lovelorn English girl who seems to be able to feint at will and the valiant but always complaining Sergeant Welbeck to name but a few. Then there are large stretches where nothing really happens before the battles are raced through with apparent unseemly haste.
Now on the plus side I know little about the Spanish War of Succession and it is obvious that the author has done his research and it is a relatively easy read.As this is the first book in a series I am willing to give him another go immediately so will be hoping for better. Initial report "OK but must try harder".
We are initially introduced to Daniel Rawson as a young boy who witnesses his beloved father being hanged for treason for fighting to overthrow the King then saving his mother from being raped by one of the victorious soldiers with the soldier's own sword. So far so good. Now fast forward 20 years to find Captain Rawson,a career British soldier,in the bed of the wife of a leading French general mainly it seems to glean intelligence from her.When the cuckolded husband arrives home unexpected Rawson abandons the wife to her fate without barely a second thought.It is from here that the plot seems to go downhill with the author over relying on stereotypes to drive his story. We have the stoic mistress who refuses to give her lover's name when caught out,the vengeful husband, the simpering lovelorn English girl who seems to be able to feint at will and the valiant but always complaining Sergeant Welbeck to name but a few. Then there are large stretches where nothing really happens before the battles are raced through with apparent unseemly haste.
Now on the plus side I know little about the Spanish War of Succession and it is obvious that the author has done his research and it is a relatively easy read.As this is the first book in a series I am willing to give him another go immediately so will be hoping for better. Initial report "OK but must try harder".
March 6, 2014
work mp3
Read By: Christopher Oxford
Year of Release: 2008
Book Copyright: 2008
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc
Series Name: Captain Rawson
Position in Series: 01
Abridged: No
Total Duration: 9:18:15
Description:
The first in a series of adventure novels featuring Captain Rawson - spy, linguist, sportsman, duelist, ladies' man and career soldier involved in the campaigns of the Duke of Marlborough during the war of the Spanish Succession.
1685: The young Bevis witnesses the regiment of his fierce Protestant father being destroyed by the troops of the Royal Army's second-in-command, John Churchill, and his Dutch mother narrowly avoiding rape at the hands of a soldier from the same platoon. After his father has been executed, Rawson and his mother leave Devon and sail for the Netherlands.
1688: Rawson returns to England as a soldier in the Dutch Army. Among those who flock to support William of Orange in his bid to replace James II on the throne is John Churchill: Rawson and the future Duke of Marlborough are now on the same side... Filled with political intrigue, suspense, romance, private feuds and public scandals, Soldier of Fortune traces the shifting geographical patterns of Europe at a key time in history.
Abigail is TSTL.
Yeah! TSTL*
* thank you Misfit! hee
2.5 stars but I'm feeling generous and Marston usually gives me great pleasure.
Read By: Christopher Oxford
Year of Release: 2008
Book Copyright: 2008
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc
Series Name: Captain Rawson
Position in Series: 01
Abridged: No
Total Duration: 9:18:15
Description:
The first in a series of adventure novels featuring Captain Rawson - spy, linguist, sportsman, duelist, ladies' man and career soldier involved in the campaigns of the Duke of Marlborough during the war of the Spanish Succession.
1685: The young Bevis witnesses the regiment of his fierce Protestant father being destroyed by the troops of the Royal Army's second-in-command, John Churchill, and his Dutch mother narrowly avoiding rape at the hands of a soldier from the same platoon. After his father has been executed, Rawson and his mother leave Devon and sail for the Netherlands.
1688: Rawson returns to England as a soldier in the Dutch Army. Among those who flock to support William of Orange in his bid to replace James II on the throne is John Churchill: Rawson and the future Duke of Marlborough are now on the same side... Filled with political intrigue, suspense, romance, private feuds and public scandals, Soldier of Fortune traces the shifting geographical patterns of Europe at a key time in history.
Abigail is TSTL.
Yeah! TSTL*
* thank you Misfit! hee
2.5 stars but I'm feeling generous and Marston usually gives me great pleasure.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 29, 2012
I was hoping for more battle scenes and more information about the time period itself. The book did not have a historical facts or reference in the back which was disappointing. It just seemed like the characters knew too much about the story line.
This book revolved around career solider Captain Daniel Rawson who doubles as a spy for Lord Marlbrough. In one of his liaisons as a spy he seduces a French General's wife to gain military intelligence, which results in the French General seeking revenge by sending out two hit men to find and kill Captain Rawson. Furthermore Daniel Rawson is trying to spark a romance with a young socialite named Abigale whose infatuation with the Captain causes her to chase after him and follow the captain into battle. She travels with her maid Emily and they have some dangerous encounters along the way. When she finally does reach the English encampment Daniel Rawson does not have time for her. Long story short the hit men kidnap Abigale hold her hostage, exchange her for Daniel who then escapes the from French General. Abigale returns to London the Captain finds her and they are no longer in love with each other.
This book revolved around career solider Captain Daniel Rawson who doubles as a spy for Lord Marlbrough. In one of his liaisons as a spy he seduces a French General's wife to gain military intelligence, which results in the French General seeking revenge by sending out two hit men to find and kill Captain Rawson. Furthermore Daniel Rawson is trying to spark a romance with a young socialite named Abigale whose infatuation with the Captain causes her to chase after him and follow the captain into battle. She travels with her maid Emily and they have some dangerous encounters along the way. When she finally does reach the English encampment Daniel Rawson does not have time for her. Long story short the hit men kidnap Abigale hold her hostage, exchange her for Daniel who then escapes the from French General. Abigale returns to London the Captain finds her and they are no longer in love with each other.
April 21, 2012
Starting this series with the first one for a change....
Well, I like the characters as much as you get to know them, but have two major complaints. One is in the editing - at a certain point one of the female characters is on her own somewhere, but the text gives the name of her maid not her. The other is the battle sequences. Now I don't like long descriptions of fighting but these look like a quick synopsis from the Ladybird book of Marlborough's wars! (now that would be a fun read!!) They just sound as if they've been copied verbatim from a simplified history.
Otherwise I maybe interested enough in Marlborough to keep reading.
Well, I like the characters as much as you get to know them, but have two major complaints. One is in the editing - at a certain point one of the female characters is on her own somewhere, but the text gives the name of her maid not her. The other is the battle sequences. Now I don't like long descriptions of fighting but these look like a quick synopsis from the Ladybird book of Marlborough's wars! (now that would be a fun read!!) They just sound as if they've been copied verbatim from a simplified history.
Otherwise I maybe interested enough in Marlborough to keep reading.
September 4, 2013
This is probably the worst historical fiction I have read. Cheesy, contrived dialogue, predictable plot and little historical detail and what there is of it is wrong. It's laugh out loud bad--literally there were times I was laughing at it.
The only redeeming feature is he writes about a period rarely covered in HF, the War of Spanish Succession and his portrayal of the Duke of Marlborough is passable. I prefer Iain Gale's treatment of the same time period but Gale has dropped his Jack Steel series about this war in favor of a WW II series, alas.
Get it from the library, which is what I do. They're quick reads and worth it if only for the time period.
The only redeeming feature is he writes about a period rarely covered in HF, the War of Spanish Succession and his portrayal of the Duke of Marlborough is passable. I prefer Iain Gale's treatment of the same time period but Gale has dropped his Jack Steel series about this war in favor of a WW II series, alas.
Get it from the library, which is what I do. They're quick reads and worth it if only for the time period.
October 8, 2014
This book starts out when Capt Rawson is a young boy and sees his father hung by British soldiers. He and his mother lose their possessions. The next we see him he is working for Marlborough and Lord Churchill in 1704. The history in this book is so interesting. As Americans we don't realize what was happening in Europe while our country was being colonized. Capt Rawson leads his troops into battle agains the French in what is now Germany.
I recommend this books to men who like historical novels.
I recommend this books to men who like historical novels.
June 28, 2008
I love Edward Marston's series set in Restoraton London and on the Victorian railways so I was really looking forward to this book. It was such a let down! It didn't grab me and in fact the part of the storyline involving a romantic young maid dashing across Europe's battlefields was more like a badly written Mills and Boon. Would not recommend this to others, instead I'd suggest some of Marston's other books.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews