Conspiracy

Keane #4

by Iain Gale

British Intelligence maverick James Keane goes undercover in Napoleon's Paris for his most daring espionage mission yet.

It's 1812, and one man is on the top of the world. Napoleon Bonaparte has enjoyed victories all over Europe and is rebuilding the glorious city of Paris. Meanwhile, his enemies struggle to keep alive the embers of rebellion that still burn at the city's heart. To aid this noble cause, a few British intelligence officers have been smuggled in, and James Keane is one of them.

Keane finds himself at once adrift in a world of gambling houses and derelict cemeteries - of ex-Jacobites, disaffected French royalists, Irishmen and Americans, all of them voicing dissension. If Keane is to succeed, a means must be discovered by which to persuade these miscreants to rise against Napoleon's rule, without alerting the endless spies and informers that surround them. Forging alliances between unlikely collaborators proves especially difficult for Keane, whose honourable nature objects so strongly to this double-dealing. But he must persevere, or else lose the golden opportunity to aid in the defeat of the tyrannical French Emperor once and for all.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical

304 pages, Hardcover

Published May 5, 2016

About the author

Iain Gale has always had a passion for military history. He is the Editor of the National Trust for Scotland magazine and Art critic for Scotland on Sunday. He lives outside Edinburgh with his wife and children. His first novel, Four Days in June, is a stand-alone military adventure set on the battlefields of Waterloo.

He is also the writer of eleven non-fiction books.

Reviews

[Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the best Keane yet... enough intrigue and action with great writing! 4.75 stars!!

[Clemens Schoonderwoert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This enthralling book by Iain Gale is the 4th volume of the delightful and exciting James Keane series.
Just like the other books this book also contains a very well documented historical note at the end of the book, with some clear explanations about certain military actions during the Peninsular War, as well as explanations about spying during this War, especially about a man by the name of Colquhoun Grant.
Storytelling is again of top-quality, because the author has made it possible to let the tale flow from beginning till end, with exciting descriptions of bloody actions in this war as well as persevering spying endeavours that will grip you all the way.
This tale is set in the year AD 1812 within the Peninsular War, which was fought between Britain; with some help of Portugal and Spain; against the might of Napoleon's France.
The story itself is about James Keane, who's been sent on a spying mission to Paris, this mission is largely based on real events which befell the real Colquhoun Grant, with a couple of his men, meaning Archer and Silver, with the instructions to infiltrate the French society in Paris.
With subterfuge, lies, betrayal and a honest conscience Keane has to try to infiltrate into this web of treachery and turmoil of dissension, but at the same time he has to be aware of spies everywhere working for Napoleon.
What will follow is a gripping spy story in which Keane has to fight his way into this world of double-dealing, and finally in persevering to accomplish a defeat for the French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte.
Very much recommended, for this is for sure a "Conspicuous Accomplished Story"!

[Kennethkiffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had some issues regarding the previous book, which was a great read but had some characterisation issues with the main character that made him a bit annoying. It wasn't a major thing, more that Keane seemed really clueless at spots.
I'm happy to say that this latest chapter has fixed that little issue, and has stepped up the game not just in writing quality but in plot. In this latest instalment, Keane becomes something of an 18th-Century James Bond: spying, going undercover, getting involved in intrigues, getting involved with women (well, one woman), plays some really mean cards, plays both sides, gets played, plays them back, and then kicks ass in some really dynamic action all throughout. People even recognise who and what he is by his name alone - which is much more believable than James Bond telling his name to everyone and expecting no one to realise he's a spy.
Great book, well written continuation to the series, and I'm have to say I'm "Keane" to get my hands on the next chapter soon?
(Very bad and lame pun, I'm so very sorry!)

[Bob Cantrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good addition to the Keane adventures. This time Keane is tasked with creating chaos in France. Just an easy thing to do foment rebellion by the royalists still in France. But it seems that everybody has their own plans for toppling Napoleon. You will need a scorecard to keep all the factions clear. Then comes the twist, which you will have to find out for yourself.

[Stuart Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Action packed

But no follow up on the end of Keane's charge when ready to attack town for the gold with the other forces .

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent series cannot wait until the next book