The Deserter: A Tale of the Foreign Legion

by Wayne Turmel

"The Deserter evokes classic blood-and-sand adventures like Under Two Flags and Beau Geste. With meticulous research and compelling characters, Turmel has brought the desert saga back to thrilling life." Frank Thompson, author The Compleate Beau Geste

Algeria 1908.
Gil Vincente is a Boer War veteran, broken and adrift on the rough streets of Marseille. Desperate, he seeks discipline and renewed purpose in the unforgiving ranks of the French Foreign Legion. At first, he finds it, but not for long. When a treacherous soldier frames him for murder, it forces the new legionnaire to run for his life.

Now Gil must fight to clear his name while pursuing the real killer through the rugged Atlas Mountains. With the Legion on his heels and time running out, will he find justice or be forever branded a coward and deserter?

"A two-fisted historical adventure that weaves visceral action, rugged landscapes, and raw emotional depth into a haunting tale of honor, betrayal, and the elusive hope of redemption." -- David Buzan, bestselling author of IN THE LAIR OF LEGENDS

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Military Fiction, Fiction

300 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 15, 2026

About the author

Wayne Turmel lives and writes in Las Vegas. Originally from Canada, he came to Los Angeles to become a famous comedian. You can see how well that went.

He's a well-known speaker and author and the founder of the Remote Leadership Institute, writing11non-fiction titles including "The Long-Distance Leader-Rules for Remarkable Remote Leadership," and its sequels "The Long-Distance Teammate- Stay Engaged and Connected Working Anywhere," and The Long-Distance Team- Design Your Workplace for Everyone's Success."

He's also the author of seven novels, His latest is "The Deserter, a Tale of the Foreign Legion." Earlier works include "The Count of the Sahara," "Acre's Bastard," and its sequel, "Acre's Orphans." He's also written the award-winning Urban Fantasy "Werewolf PI" series. Johnny Lycan and the Anubis Disk, Johnny Lycan and the Vegas Berserker, and the finale, "Johnny Lycan & the Last Witchfinder"

Reviews

[Andrew Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wayne Turmel, author of Middle Eastern-based novels like The Count of the Sahara, Acre's Bastard, and its sequel Acre's Orphans, has gone back to this setting with his newest novel, The Deserter- a Tale of the Foreign Legion (available January 15, 2026 on the Kindle platform for $4.99, or in print form for $21.99 from Achis Press). Working with editor Ruth Zakarian, Wayne has turned out a 78,000 word narrative that follows his protagonist on a journey from despair to outright madness.

It’s 1908, and Gil, the center of this tale, is a man known by many names, an individual with a dubious background. Once a soldier for Queen Victoria against the Boers, as the story opens, he’s a down-on-his-luck dweller of the back allies of Marseilles. He’s also a wanted man, and needing to get out of Marseilles in a hurry, he decides to go back to soldiering with the one military organization that cares nothing about a man’s sins: the French Foreign Legion.

In the recruiting office for the Legion, and needing a nom de guerre, Gil takes the first name of one of his few French friends to become Legionnare Gil Vincente. Signing up at the same time is a scrawny French youth who takes on the nom de guerre of Jean LaForce. LaForce is the first of many characters who will join Gil on his voyage across the Mediterranean to French-controlled Algeria.

As he did in his Acre novels, Wayne does an excellent job of taking you into the world his protagonist inhabits. From the grueling experience of a desert march carrying a full pack to the petty discipline inflicted on the recruits by their barracks NCO, the boring daily routines around the frontier fortress to the daily dose of lackluster food, you truly get a feeling for what life must have been like for someone in such a situation.

You also get to know the people who surround Gil. People like the drunken stable master he ends up assigned to help. Or the mixed bag of malcontents, petty criminals and desperately poor men who make up Gil’s training unit. And the man Gil finds repeatedly entering his daily life, the single-minded former czarist cossack turned hunter of deserters Captain Orel.

All of them have their demons, and as the story progresses, Gil’s demons begin to seep out. A desire for order in his daily life that grows to a level of compulsion for exactitude which nearly triggers a fistfight between himself and another recruit. Pressure brought on by lingering differences among the recruits increase the strain on everyone. And the variable qualities of the officers stirs distrust among those below them. Over all of this, looming like a storm cloud, is the world outside the training fortress.

France and Germany are jostling for a larger piece of Africa, with each side trying to push out the other. Local peoples divide their loyalties along religious and economic lines. The Algerian desert is close to becoming a powder keg in the middle of a room full of people striking matches.

I can’t go beyond these sorts of generalities without delving into ‘spoiler’ country, but I can give a few hints as to the path of Turmel’s tale. France decides to move against German interests in northern Africa using a Muslim fundamentalist movement as an excuse. Gil and the rest of the newly-minted Legionaries are sent into the desert to engage them before moving on to deal with German interests in Morocco. And on the march, in an insane moment, one new recruit decides to steal a payroll before trying to flee across the desert to supposed safety in Casablanca, killing the two soldiers detailed to guard it in the process.

What happens in the wake of that impulsive act is an avalanche of bad decisions and increasingly insane choices for trying to correct them. The end, when it arrives, is the sort of ‘bolt from the blue’ event that nothing in the story could have foretold.

If you like your stories with a sudden twist at the end, a change in direction you could never have imagined, then The Deserter is your story. Wayne Turmel keeps you turning the pages until you reach the last one, and after you scrape your jaw off the floor, you’ll be left wondering how it could have come to such a conclusion.

[R.G. Ziemer · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Deserter" won't leave you high and dry, or looking for more adventure and intrigue from this "Tale of the Foreign Legion." Wayne Turmel revisits one of his favorite settings, North Africa, in an exciting, well-researched story. Gil Vincente is an English veteran of the Boer Wars, seeking anonymity and order among the infamous French fighters in 1908. Vincente's comrades are heroes and villains, rogues and lost souls. He is content to hang back with the mules--but battle lines aren't clearly drawn against the wild forces of the enemy, and more than once he finds himself fighting for his life. Ironically, his greatest challenge comes from a former comrade, whom Gill has to track down in order to clear his own name. Turmel brings to the story all his love of the genre and his fascination with the setting. Fans of Beau Geste will love this tale of life on the march across the shifting sands of the Sahara.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the privilege of reading this book early. I was caught from the first scene.
If you ever dreamed of the Foreign Legion, either run away to them or just the romance of them at any time in your life this book is for you.
Very well reached and excellently written, this takes you to the sands if Morocco, with all the heat, beauty and hardship these men experienced.

Five stars, a must for lovers of history.

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gritty, Human, and Impossible to Put Down
Having grown up hearing my grandfather’s stories from his own military service, The Deserter brought back that sense of harsh discipline, brotherhood, and brutal consequence. Gil Vincente is one of the most compelling protagonists I’ve read recently, wounded, stubborn, and painfully human. His desperate flight through the Atlas Mountains felt so real I could almost taste the dust. Turmel’s research shows in every detail, but it’s the emotional heartbeat of the story that hooked me. A must-read for anyone who loves old-school adventure with modern depth.

[Marlis Broadhead]

Turmell makes it clear from the beginning: his protagonist Gil—The Lion—a deeply disturbed soldier attempting to escape his doomed existence via the French Foreign Legion—is chasing survival, not adventure. It’s baptism by fire as he strives to escape his erratic and violent past while trudging through Morrocan-Algerian desert with the 24th Mounted [on mules] Company toward impending battle—historically the Battle of Menhaba, April 14-16, 1908. The characters, setting, lifestyle, and actions of that period are so thoroughly researched I was enveloped not only by the struggles of Gil but his compatriots as well. I was captivated by the intricate details in what at times read as a memoir about the training and handling of the animals carrying supplies, soldiers cutting each others’ hair to provide a modicum of relief from the scorching sun, the unlikely alliances that cropped up, along with deadly rivalries, and the scarce nights in towns where food, drink, and female companionship were available (providing respite for the reader as well from the long marches toward danger). Overall, it’s a page turner about one man's dance with fate as well as human drama writ large.

–Marlis Manley Broadhead, Trophy Girl (William Faulkner award winner), Is that Your Mother Calling? Advice that Echoes Down Through the Ages

[Jean Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Deserter by Wayne Turmel

Author Wayne Turmel returns to his historical fiction roots after a brilliant foray into urban fantasy. The Deserter is an intense story set in Algeria in 1908. We meet Gil Vincente in Marseille, France, running for his life, as he signs up for the French Foreign Legion and immediately finds himself on a freighter bound for a port on the Algerian coast. This is not Vincente’s first foray into military life as he served during the Boer Wars in South Africa. And the legion offers him something he desperately needs in his chaotic life: order, structure, and regimen. He keeps his head down, trains hard and tries his best to remain aloof from the men in his regiment, a mixed bag of Europeans running from their own personal demons.
Turmel’s passion for this project is evident in the meticulous research and attention to detail. The descriptions of the Algerian towns, the forts, life in the French Foreign Legion drop the reader right into the action. What I really enjoyed was the character development as Gil and his squad mates face the harsh realities of war in a desert where the enemy included the unforgiving landscape and the blazing sun. When Gil is assigned to care for the mules on which the legion depends, he bonds with the ornery creatures in a way he can’t with the men who march beside him. In the end, it’s his need for order that is his undoing in a dramatic final scene.
The Deserter harkens back to an earlier age of military historical fiction when there was no glory in war, only survival. This is not a fun read, but it is gripping and I know I’ve got a good book in my hands when I want to start looking up details to learn more about the action. I would recommend this gritty book to lovers of military history, who fell in love with the French Foreign Legion and enjoy a superbly researched tale.
I give this book 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐stars

[Bryan Di · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been following Wayne Turmel's career for a few years now after discovering the Jonny Lycan Werewolf PI series. He’s a fantastic author who crafts action-oriented novels that keep you engaged from start to finish. In The Deserter, Wayne delivers a compelling tale of a man in despair who joins the French Foreign Legion, seeking solitude and a sense of order in a chaotic world.

The protagonist’s journey is not just one of physical adventure but also of personal discipline and transformation. Turmel expertly weaves themes of courage, resilience, and redemption, making the reader invest deeply in the character's struggles. What sets Turmel apart is his unique comedic style, which shines through even in the darker moments of this war novel. His ability to inject humor into tense situations adds a refreshing layer to the narrative, providing levity that balances the weight of the story. The dialogue is sharp and witty, often leaving me chuckling at unexpected moments.

The pacing of the novel is brisk, with vividly described action sequences that immerse the reader in the harsh realities of life in the Legion. Turmel’s attention to detail brings the setting to life, making you feel the grit and camaraderie of the soldiers.

Overall, The Deserter is a masterful blend of humor and heart, showcasing Turmel’s skill in creating relatable characters and thrilling plots. Whether you’re a fan of military fiction or just looking for a captivating read, this novel is definitely worth picking up.

[J.R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 1908, a man flees a troubled past in France to enlist in the French Foreign Legion in Algiers. Identifying himself as Gil Vicente, he is accepted as one of a number of new recruits who are also on the run from a checkered past.
A veteran of previous service in the Boer Wars of South Africa, Gil attempts to keep separate but soon finds his life entangled with that of two other recruits, a youth calling himself Jean La Force, and an older veteran now known as Auguste Dupre. Fate draws these three recruits into a brotherhood of the kind known only to those who have served.
The reader follows these men through their rigorous training and into the brutal heat of battle with brigands and rebel tribes.
When another soldier's crime implicates Gil, he has no choice but to desert in the hope of capturing his antagonist and bringing him back to face justice and clear his name. Nothing is certain in this stark environment, and the story concludes with a shocking and surprising twist.
Though its soldiers have served around the world since it was founded in 1831, the Foreign Legion is best known by most readers and film buffs for its service in the deserts of North Africa. Turmel has captured the stark conditions under which these brave soldiers lived and fought in those harsh climates. His thorough research does honor to the authenticity of his story without dimming the action and adventure.
This is a historical novel that will satisfy lovers of adventure fiction and is sure to inspire the reader to search out other novels of Turmel.

[Karen K Brees · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tales of the French Foreign Legion have captured the imagination of movie-goers and devourers of fiction for decades, and The Deserter is a worthy entry into the genre. The time is 1908, and the Legion is recruiting soldiers to tighten France’s grip on its North African conquests. It’s a chance at a new name and a new beginning for men who need to leave their old lives behind. Gil Vincente is one of those men, and we learn just enough of his past to season his present and cast a hopeful eye towards a future that may bring redemption.
The Legion is full of men who have nothing to lose, and that makes them far more dangerous than any regulation soldier in a regular army. With his demons nipping at his heels, Vincente signs on for his five-year stint. All he has is a faint hope that at the end of this term, his life will have found a different path.
Turmel is more than a novelist. He is a story teller that seizes your interest and attention from the beginning and carries you along until the end. The Legion is not a reformatory, however, and the final scene is the beginning of another man’s journey.
It’s a good read. Highly recommended.
---Karen K. Brees, Amazon #1 best-selling author of The WWII Adventures of MI6 Agent Katrin Nissen series and The Esposito Family Chronicles.

[Mike Kerr · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Legion takes foreign nationals into their service. They change the names of their recruits and don’t ask for backgrounds. They’ll execute you if you fail in your duty. Otherwise, they’re offering you a place to hide and to be a part of something. But you’ll have to tough it out and risk your life maybe every day to get that hiding place.

From the dangerous streets of Marseilles to the ganglands and punishing deserts of Northern Africa, a desperate man, known as Gilbert Le Lion for his thick blonde mane who is alone from a lifetime of wrong choices, needs and takes such a chance.
Turmel returns to historical fiction in bold style, and his previous experience shows.

This story has a vividly authentic feel to it. It reads something akin to a novel by Alexander Dumas or Victor Hugo. The Legionnaires he conveys to us share a small amount of cognac, fistfights, whores and camaraderie, but there is a reason that each of them needs a second chance and a place to hide.
I thoroughly enjoyed and recommend this novel to fans of historical fiction. The prose is excellent. Some parts I read twice to relive the scene’s emotion.

[DL Heim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rarely read military fiction, but I read a lot of epic fantasy, and in some ways this felt like an epic, albeit tragic, tale. The author’s ability to capture the physical and psychological misery of a brutal trek across a bleak landscape with few provisions on a hopeless mission reminded me of Frodo and Sam’s journey through Mordor. (Tolkien’s descriptions were informed by his experience in World War 1. not long after the setting for this novel). Turmel’s searing description of the experience of soldiers in the French Foreign Legion in Algeria circa 1908 is admirable, but not what I found most compelling. What I loved most about this book is the author’s exploration of the main characters’ response to the ratcheting pressure of war. For some soldiers (LaForce) the ferocity of conflict unleashes their own savagery. For Gil the Lion/Vincente, his growing compulsion to find order in a chaotic world causes him to create more chaos. Each Legionnaire takes a new name and identity, but none can escape who they truly are. Highly recommend, but be prepared to be shaken.

I received an advanced reader copy and am leaving an honest review.

[Scott Eveloff MD · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Deserter by Wayne Turmel is an absorbing work of historical fiction in the truest sense. The author’s attention to historical detail brings to life a little-known, at least to this reader, location and time period. The life of the turn-of-the century French Foreign Legion is not only fascinating, but offers a realistic description of both individual and global geopolitical perspectives beyond what has been seen in previous movies and books. The brutal disregard of other cultures by imperialistic “civilized” countries adds to the tension of the book, but is not gratuitous. The story itself moves well despite the wealth of information regarding survival in the world’s most inhospitable environment and unforgiving armed force. One cannot help but become invested in the sardonic main character, which makes the climax all the more unexpected but riveting. All in all, a recommended book for those readers interested in historical fiction that informs and entertains.
Scott Eveloff MD, author Do Not Resuscitate and The Golem’s Holocaust

[Cam Torrens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wayne Turmel’s The Deserter is a riveting, unflinching tale of duty, betrayal, and the cold indifference of war. Following an emotionally scarred British veteran who joins the French Foreign Legion to reclaim purpose, the novel explores how discipline can be both a strength and a fatal vulnerability. The author paints the camaraderie of soldiers with gritty realism, only to shatter it with a devastating betrayal.

With its bleak, powerful ending, The Deserter stands as Turmel’s finest work—a haunting meditation on justice, sacrifice, and the cruel truths buried in the fog and friction of war.

[S · Rating 5 out of 5]

not the ending I would have thought

Ah just after the turn of the last century, the scene was chaotic as it could be and a solider went from one war into another he wouldn’t return from, the OCD of wanting order for things and others not respecting it seemed to cause his end and he snapped. I feel for the guy and especially as like he said even if it wasn’t his countrymen that they were brothers because they fought together.

[KJFieler · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Deserter pulls you in from the first page and doesn’t let go. Wayne Turmel delivers a vivid, emotionally charged story of Gil, an Englishman seeking redemption in the French Foreign Legion. Rich in history and heart, this is a powerful tale of loyalty, survival, and second chances. Perfect for fans of Bernard Cornwell and classic adventure fiction.

[Audrey · Rating 1 out of 5]

This would be a far more enjoyable read if it had been edited and checked for spelling. There are so many errors that the book becomes sloppy. Sans the poor proofing, it reads like a romanticized version of a troubled soldier in a historic setting.

[David Buzan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A two-fisted historical adventure that weaves visceral action, rugged landscapes, and raw emotional depth into a haunting tale of honor, betrayal, and the elusive hope of redemption."

[Marcus Goldworthy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read

I enjoyed this, I feel the author had been a legionnaire himself, the desert around Algeria will stay with me for days now!!

[Cheryl Tabor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots sf action! Intended to keep you invested in the story.