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An Unmerciful Incursion
In the winter of 1812-13, Lord Wellington’s army settles into cantonments on the border between Spain and Portugal to recover from the gruelling retreat from Burgos and to plan for the next campaigning season, but winter quarters prove less than peaceful for the third brigade of the light division.
Colonel Paul van Daan finds himself temporarily seconded to the headquarters staff, looking at improving training ahead of the new campaign, but changes within his brigade bring him into conflict with Leonard Vane, the new commander of the 115th who is loathed by the officers, the men and their women. His wife Anne, recovering from the birth of her daughter, befriends a new officers' wife and takes an interest in the welfare of some of the camp women, with unpredictable results.
Major Carl Swanson is delighted to receive a promotion, and happy in his love affair with Keren Trenlow but a clash with Major Vane leaves Carl face to face with a decision he has been avoiding.
Away from the main army, Captain Giles Fenwick and Captain Michael O’Reilly are sent on a mission to the northern coast of Spain to locate a missing diplomat. Caught up in the bloody conflict between French troops and Spanish irregulars, Giles and Michael are pushed to the limits of their endurance as their journey culminates in the brutal storming of Castro Urdiales and its appalling aftermath.
As Paul's men prepare for the march back into Spain, a violent crime casts a shadow over the third brigade of the Light Division, and both officers and men are under suspicion.
An Unmerciful Incursion is book six in the popular Peninsular War Saga.
Colonel Paul van Daan finds himself temporarily seconded to the headquarters staff, looking at improving training ahead of the new campaign, but changes within his brigade bring him into conflict with Leonard Vane, the new commander of the 115th who is loathed by the officers, the men and their women. His wife Anne, recovering from the birth of her daughter, befriends a new officers' wife and takes an interest in the welfare of some of the camp women, with unpredictable results.
Major Carl Swanson is delighted to receive a promotion, and happy in his love affair with Keren Trenlow but a clash with Major Vane leaves Carl face to face with a decision he has been avoiding.
Away from the main army, Captain Giles Fenwick and Captain Michael O’Reilly are sent on a mission to the northern coast of Spain to locate a missing diplomat. Caught up in the bloody conflict between French troops and Spanish irregulars, Giles and Michael are pushed to the limits of their endurance as their journey culminates in the brutal storming of Castro Urdiales and its appalling aftermath.
As Paul's men prepare for the march back into Spain, a violent crime casts a shadow over the third brigade of the Light Division, and both officers and men are under suspicion.
An Unmerciful Incursion is book six in the popular Peninsular War Saga.
452 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 31, 2020
62 people are currently reading
1 person want to read
About the author
Lynn Bryant
29 books33 followersLynn Bryant was born and raised in London’s East End. She studied History at University and had dreams of being a writer from a young age. Since this was clearly not something a working class girl made good could aspire to, she had a variety of careers including a librarian, NHS administrator, relationship counsellor and manager of an art gallery before realising that most of these were just as unlikely as being a writer and took the step of publishing her first book.
She now lives in the Isle of Man and is married to a man who understands technology, which saves her a job, and has two teenage children and a labrador. History is still a passion, with a particular enthusiasm for the Napoleonic era and the sixteenth century. When not writing she plays with her dog, reads anything that’s put in front of her and makes periodic and unsuccessful attempts to keep a tidy house.
“An Unwilling Alliance” the first book in the Manxman series was shortlisted for the 2019 Society for Army Historical Research fiction prize.
She now lives in the Isle of Man and is married to a man who understands technology, which saves her a job, and has two teenage children and a labrador. History is still a passion, with a particular enthusiasm for the Napoleonic era and the sixteenth century. When not writing she plays with her dog, reads anything that’s put in front of her and makes periodic and unsuccessful attempts to keep a tidy house.
“An Unwilling Alliance” the first book in the Manxman series was shortlisted for the 2019 Society for Army Historical Research fiction prize.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 9, 2021
A well detailed account
I unfollowed this series from the beginning, often five or six books into a series the same characters perform the same way too often to be interesting, not these.
I unfollowed this series from the beginning, often five or six books into a series the same characters perform the same way too often to be interesting, not these.
May 20, 2021
Navy brat turns to the Army...
Having read all of Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin series, C.S. Foresters Horatio Hornblower books, and Alexander Kent's Philip Bolitho novel, it seemed time to let the Army tell their story.
I have now read all six of the Peninsula War Saga novels and the two ancillary Manxmen books. It would be more truthful to say that I devoured them!! I turned right around and read them all again! I found them as exciting, informative, and humanizing as the above mentioned Royal Navy volumes. I especially appreciate Ms. Bryant's factual end notes. I did find myself looking up the French generals, though, in order to have a little better understanding of who they were and the battles they fought.
However, now I have to wait for Ms. Bryant to publish the next book in the series. I'm really looking forward to it as it seems as if the novelists completely ignore the fact that the war went on for three more years. There is not much fiction on the campaigns in France until Wellington and Napoleon fight it out in Belgium. (Of that battle there are entirely too many stories! The best so far, for my money, is Georgette Heyer, An infamous Army.)
My recommendation is to read Book One, An Unconventional Officer. I think you'll be hooked ( or maybe it should be "booked"!)
Enjoy!
Having read all of Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin series, C.S. Foresters Horatio Hornblower books, and Alexander Kent's Philip Bolitho novel, it seemed time to let the Army tell their story.
I have now read all six of the Peninsula War Saga novels and the two ancillary Manxmen books. It would be more truthful to say that I devoured them!! I turned right around and read them all again! I found them as exciting, informative, and humanizing as the above mentioned Royal Navy volumes. I especially appreciate Ms. Bryant's factual end notes. I did find myself looking up the French generals, though, in order to have a little better understanding of who they were and the battles they fought.
However, now I have to wait for Ms. Bryant to publish the next book in the series. I'm really looking forward to it as it seems as if the novelists completely ignore the fact that the war went on for three more years. There is not much fiction on the campaigns in France until Wellington and Napoleon fight it out in Belgium. (Of that battle there are entirely too many stories! The best so far, for my money, is Georgette Heyer, An infamous Army.)
My recommendation is to read Book One, An Unconventional Officer. I think you'll be hooked ( or maybe it should be "booked"!)
Enjoy!
August 6, 2020
Another excellent book in the Peninsular War Saga
All of Lynn Bryant's Peninsular War saga books are excellent! Very well researched with compelling characters. I never thought I would be interested in a war series, but Lynn doesn't just discuss on the battles or the men. I highly recommend and can't wait for the next installment.
All of Lynn Bryant's Peninsular War saga books are excellent! Very well researched with compelling characters. I never thought I would be interested in a war series, but Lynn doesn't just discuss on the battles or the men. I highly recommend and can't wait for the next installment.
June 9, 2022
another great yarn
I admit to reading this series and it’s companion set in anything but the proper order. Now I am enjoying reading the series in reverse order and thoroughly enjoying them.
Lynn Bryant is a brilliant writer and takes the format book where few others are able to go. History is good, stories are entertaining.
Thank you
I admit to reading this series and it’s companion set in anything but the proper order. Now I am enjoying reading the series in reverse order and thoroughly enjoying them.
Lynn Bryant is a brilliant writer and takes the format book where few others are able to go. History is good, stories are entertaining.
Thank you
September 12, 2020
Five Stars for the Series
The most entertaining series about the Peninsular Wars that I have found. Her stories feel alive and move at an incredible pace. Hard to have to wait for the next episode.
The most entertaining series about the Peninsular Wars that I have found. Her stories feel alive and move at an incredible pace. Hard to have to wait for the next episode.
June 11, 2023
Army discipline and relationships.
This novel brings together characters we met in earlier novels from both series. There is more romance resolved, but the war continues. The author promises a new novel in each series.
This novel brings together characters we met in earlier novels from both series. There is more romance resolved, but the war continues. The author promises a new novel in each series.
December 30, 2023
OK
In the British army no one salutes when not wearing head gear and I suppose it was true I the 19 century army one would come to attention instead. It's fiction and well researched on the war generally but her main character would never get beyond an N.C.O
In the British army no one salutes when not wearing head gear and I suppose it was true I the 19 century army one would come to attention instead. It's fiction and well researched on the war generally but her main character would never get beyond an N.C.O
October 23, 2025
This series has got under my skin l don’t think l have ever read any books that has affected me so much l have laughed and cried in equal measure and the fact this is my third time of reading tells of how much l enjoyed them
August 2, 2020
Excellent
A very well written book,thoroughly enjoyed this and all the previous books in the series. Looking forward to the next instalment.👍
A very well written book,thoroughly enjoyed this and all the previous books in the series. Looking forward to the next instalment.👍
October 8, 2020
Another good story
I've read all six books and look forward to the next. Lynn Bryant writes with a style and pace that make it hard to put the book down. I'm a devoted fan now
I've read all six books and look forward to the next. Lynn Bryant writes with a style and pace that make it hard to put the book down. I'm a devoted fan now
October 26, 2020
Liked it very much!
Set in the right timeframe for me, even though I prefer usually the navy over the army!
Hope for the next book quickly!!!
Set in the right timeframe for me, even though I prefer usually the navy over the army!
Hope for the next book quickly!!!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews