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Jack Windrush #5
Jayanti's Pawns
Jack Windrush is still in India during the late stages of the Indian Mutiny.
Tired of war, he has to obey orders when Colonel Hook orders him to hunt down a mysterious female warrior named Jayanti. Soon, Jack's company of the 113th Foot shares in the defeat at Fort Ruhya, where they encounter warriors wearing black turbans... and discover that they are women.
With a Pathan prisoner, Jack and the remains of the 113th Foot leave the main army to search for Jayanti.
Amid ferocious battle, betrayal and a personal game of cat and mouse with Jayanti herself, Jack and his company move ever closer to the final confrontation in their campaign.
Praise from
★★★★★ - "I love the Jack Windrush series. It's full of adventure, history, and great storytelling. Looking forward to the continuation of the story."
★★★★★ - "A historical fiction work on par with Bernard Cornwell. Five stars."
Tired of war, he has to obey orders when Colonel Hook orders him to hunt down a mysterious female warrior named Jayanti. Soon, Jack's company of the 113th Foot shares in the defeat at Fort Ruhya, where they encounter warriors wearing black turbans... and discover that they are women.
With a Pathan prisoner, Jack and the remains of the 113th Foot leave the main army to search for Jayanti.
Amid ferocious battle, betrayal and a personal game of cat and mouse with Jayanti herself, Jack and his company move ever closer to the final confrontation in their campaign.
Praise from
★★★★★ - "I love the Jack Windrush series. It's full of adventure, history, and great storytelling. Looking forward to the continuation of the story."
★★★★★ - "A historical fiction work on par with Bernard Cornwell. Five stars."
309 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 22, 2018
98 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
About the author
Malcolm Archibald
130 books71 followersMy primary interest is historical, either fiction or non fiction, but I can enjoy most anything from Jane Austin to Kipling to J K Rowling. I have been very quiet on this site, but I think I might be a bit more active now.
I also enjoy the stimulation of meeting people and finding out about them.
I also enjoy the stimulation of meeting people and finding out about them.
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 30, 2018
Absolutely wonderful and historically accurate.
Of all the Windrush novels by Malcolm Archibald, this is surely the finest yet. His historical knowledge and research is second to none. I can speak with some authority on the subject, as like his character, Mary Lambert, my own mother was Anglo-Indian (with some Portuguese in the family too). My mother married my father, like Jack Windrush a serving British soldier, during the time of the British Raj in India. I think such a background allows me to speak with some authority on the details of the author's story, and, as such can only raise a hand in salute to such a wonderfully accurate rendition of life in British India. I dare not give away too much, but I do hope this will not be the last we see of Captain Jack Windrush and his loyal troops, blackguards and renegades all. This book will keep readers perched on the edge of their seats, needing to turn to the next page, and, like me, unable to put it down as the intensity and the tension grows with each passing chapter. My congratulations to the author on what has so far been a monumental series, one which has has had me eagerly awaiting the publication of the next instalment. If I could award it ten stars, I surely would. It really is that good. I'm only sorry it had to end.
Of all the Windrush novels by Malcolm Archibald, this is surely the finest yet. His historical knowledge and research is second to none. I can speak with some authority on the subject, as like his character, Mary Lambert, my own mother was Anglo-Indian (with some Portuguese in the family too). My mother married my father, like Jack Windrush a serving British soldier, during the time of the British Raj in India. I think such a background allows me to speak with some authority on the details of the author's story, and, as such can only raise a hand in salute to such a wonderfully accurate rendition of life in British India. I dare not give away too much, but I do hope this will not be the last we see of Captain Jack Windrush and his loyal troops, blackguards and renegades all. This book will keep readers perched on the edge of their seats, needing to turn to the next page, and, like me, unable to put it down as the intensity and the tension grows with each passing chapter. My congratulations to the author on what has so far been a monumental series, one which has has had me eagerly awaiting the publication of the next instalment. If I could award it ten stars, I surely would. It really is that good. I'm only sorry it had to end.
July 30, 2018
Needs editing
This is the (5th) book of this series that I have read. They all deserve 4 or 5 stars. Excellent plots, reflect diligent research by the author;
but the abysmal proof reading and editing ruin sections of the books. When sentences are missing or words are so badly misspelled the fluidity of the book suffers. Some words include numbers instead of letters, i.e. se3k and fi53 (seek and fire), requiring the reader to be proficient in code breaking. The kindle reader has an app built in that allows the reader to submit corrections directly to Amazon. I have quit using this app, because Amazon is essentially receiving proof reading and editing free of charge. (Very clever of Amazon) If Amazon would pay me I would gladly contract with them to do editing, since I am retired now.
I strongly recommend this series written by Malcolm Archibald, but be prepared for a plethora of errors that really hurt the readability of the books and prohibit Five Star ratings.
This is the (5th) book of this series that I have read. They all deserve 4 or 5 stars. Excellent plots, reflect diligent research by the author;
but the abysmal proof reading and editing ruin sections of the books. When sentences are missing or words are so badly misspelled the fluidity of the book suffers. Some words include numbers instead of letters, i.e. se3k and fi53 (seek and fire), requiring the reader to be proficient in code breaking. The kindle reader has an app built in that allows the reader to submit corrections directly to Amazon. I have quit using this app, because Amazon is essentially receiving proof reading and editing free of charge. (Very clever of Amazon) If Amazon would pay me I would gladly contract with them to do editing, since I am retired now.
I strongly recommend this series written by Malcolm Archibald, but be prepared for a plethora of errors that really hurt the readability of the books and prohibit Five Star ratings.
June 10, 2018
The fifth of the historically oriented novels starring Jack Windrush and his trusty 113th is a whirlwind of action, romance, learning of the people and customs of the India of the 1850's, deceit, disloyalty, traitorous conduct and the raw guts of the British soldier. The characters are realistic, drawn from prior novels in part, and adding new characters who wish to be seen again, I feel. Somehow I know another in this series is already in the offing. The author's usage is impeccable as one might expect from a distinguished man such as Malcolm Archibald. You are certain to enjoy this well constructed story about which I will tell you no more. READ it. You will enjoy!
April 2, 2019
Absolute five star series
This continuation of the Windrush series is just phenomenal!!! I have devoured each book, and this was another great one!
This author has created a character that is very human and the writing is exciting as each battle is fought and the dialogue is well done. The way the men in the 113th regiment gel and their pithy commentary is priceless.
Jack's life becomes so much more complicated as leads on and finds romance. This is an exceptional series that I just can't say enough about. I recommend it to historical fictionistas, and I truly hope there is another book to come.
This continuation of the Windrush series is just phenomenal!!! I have devoured each book, and this was another great one!
This author has created a character that is very human and the writing is exciting as each battle is fought and the dialogue is well done. The way the men in the 113th regiment gel and their pithy commentary is priceless.
Jack's life becomes so much more complicated as leads on and finds romance. This is an exceptional series that I just can't say enough about. I recommend it to historical fictionistas, and I truly hope there is another book to come.
March 12, 2019
A fitting conclusion to a must read Windrush series
Throughout the series the character development is seamless and fitting. The accuracy of the historical setting for the fictional characters made the novels all the more compelling. In this last book, the balanced rendering of motivations, noble and otherwise, helps the reader grasp some the complexities that make both history and contemporary wars and politics what they truly are.
Throughout the series the character development is seamless and fitting. The accuracy of the historical setting for the fictional characters made the novels all the more compelling. In this last book, the balanced rendering of motivations, noble and otherwise, helps the reader grasp some the complexities that make both history and contemporary wars and politics what they truly are.
October 11, 2021
Excellent story telling.
I have just finished reading the five books about Jack Windrush and the British army in India and southeast Asia. I thoroughly enjoyed the series, the growth of Jack Windrush in the army and as a man, the 113th, and Mr. Archibald's riviting story telling. Truly a most exciting series.
I would suggest the editor rethink the way the books are physically printed. At times it was confusing to understand where one thought ends and another begins.
I have just finished reading the five books about Jack Windrush and the British army in India and southeast Asia. I thoroughly enjoyed the series, the growth of Jack Windrush in the army and as a man, the 113th, and Mr. Archibald's riviting story telling. Truly a most exciting series.
I would suggest the editor rethink the way the books are physically printed. At times it was confusing to understand where one thought ends and another begins.
May 17, 2019
Good book
Loved the back story, as the author says not much is known about the cause but there was great bravery on both sides, and the British took terrible revenge.
This book is a good read, characters are extremely well developed by now, the introduction of the Eurasians excellent
Loved the back story, as the author says not much is known about the cause but there was great bravery on both sides, and the British took terrible revenge.
This book is a good read, characters are extremely well developed by now, the introduction of the Eurasians excellent
March 14, 2019
History and adventure, bravo
What a great series. I am a devoted Nelson era but this hero has generated a whole new interest in colonial forces in the Victorian age. Thank you and I look forward to any further episodes.
What a great series. I am a devoted Nelson era but this hero has generated a whole new interest in colonial forces in the Victorian age. Thank you and I look forward to any further episodes.
October 16, 2018
It just keeps getting better
Another captivating novel that keeps your interest from start to finish. I hope that there is another in this series soon.
Another captivating novel that keeps your interest from start to finish. I hope that there is another in this series soon.
November 18, 2018
Triumph
You knew it was coming but the journey to get there was worth it. Great characters continued and the new ones were worth the wait.
You knew it was coming but the journey to get there was worth it. Great characters continued and the new ones were worth the wait.
April 14, 2019
Th last of the series
Sorry this series has to end. Wish the author would continue it to the end of Jack's military career. Mr Archibald would you please continue the series.
Sorry this series has to end. Wish the author would continue it to the end of Jack's military career. Mr Archibald would you please continue the series.
June 24, 2019
Another really gripping story.
Hard to believe that this was the fifth book of Jack Windrush, and they keep getting better.I REALLY recommend this series.
Hard to believe that this was the fifth book of Jack Windrush, and they keep getting better.I REALLY recommend this series.
April 17, 2020
Wonderful
Historically accurate cliffhanger
His books keep you involved
Even a decent romance included
Rivals the Sharpe novels, some even
better, I believe
Historically accurate cliffhanger
His books keep you involved
Even a decent romance included
Rivals the Sharpe novels, some even
better, I believe
February 19, 2022
Jack
Well we kinda sorta knew where this one was going but it's still a good story and great history. Read on.
Well we kinda sorta knew where this one was going but it's still a good story and great history. Read on.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews