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Sharpe #23
Sharpe's Assassin: Richard Sharpe and the Occupation of Paris, 1815
New York Times bestselling author Bernard Cornwell returns with his iconic hero, Richard Sharpe.
SHARPE IS BACK.
Outsider.
Hero.
Rogue.
And the one man you want on your side.
Sharpe's Assassin is the brand-new novel in the bestselling historical series that has sold more than twenty million copies worldwide.
SHARPE IS BACK.
Outsider.
Hero.
Rogue.
And the one man you want on your side.
Sharpe's Assassin is the brand-new novel in the bestselling historical series that has sold more than twenty million copies worldwide.
336 pages, Paperback
First published September 30, 2021
689 people are currently reading
6789 people want to read
About the author
Bernard Cornwell
534 books19k followersCornwell was born in London in 1944. His father was a Canadian airman, and his mother, who was English, a member of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force. He was adopted and brought up in Essex by the Wiggins family, who were members of the Peculiar People, a strict Protestant sect who banned frivolity of all kinds and even medicine. After he left them, he changed his name to his birth mother's maiden name, Cornwell.
Cornwell was sent away to Monkton Combe School, attended the University of London, and after graduating, worked as a teacher. He attempted to enlist in the British armed services at least three times but was rejected on the grounds of myopia.
He then joined BBC's Nationwide and was promoted to become head of current affairs at BBC Northern Ireland. He then joined Thames Television as editor of Thames News. He relocated to the United States in 1980 after marrying an American. Unable to get a green card, he started writing novels, as this did not require a work permit.
As a child, Cornwell loved the novels of C.S. Forester, chronicling the adventures of fictional British naval officer Horatio Hornblower during the Napoleonic Wars, and was surprised to find there were no such novels following Lord Wellington's campaign on land. Motivated by the need to support himself in the U.S. through writing, Cornwell decided to write such a series. He named his chief protagonist Richard Sharpe, a rifleman involved in most major battles of the Peninsular War.
Cornwell wanted to start the series with the Siege of Badajoz but decided instead to start with a couple of "warm-up" novels. These were Sharpe's Eagle and Sharpe's Gold, both published in 1981. Sharpe's Eagle was picked up by a publisher, and Cornwell got a three-book deal. He went on to tell the story of Badajoz in his third Sharpe novel, Sharpe's Company, published in 1982.
Cornwell and wife Judy co-wrote a series of novels, published under the pseudonym "Susannah Kells". These were A Crowning Mercy, published in 1983, Fallen Angels in 1984, and Coat of Arms (aka The Aristocrats) in 1986. (Cornwell's strict Protestant upbringing informed the background of A Crowning Mercy, which took place during the English Civil War.) In 1987, he also published Redcoat, an American Revolutionary War novel set in Philadelphia during its 1777 occupation by the British.
After publishing eight books in his ongoing Sharpe series, Cornwell was approached by a production company interested in adapting them for television. The producers asked him to write a prequel to give them a starting point to the series. They also requested that the story feature a large role for Spanish characters to secure co-funding from Spain. The result was Sharpe’s Rifles, published in 1987, and a series of Sharpe television films staring Sean Bean.
A series of contemporary thrillers with sailing as a background and common themes followed: Wildtrack published in 1988, Sea Lord (aka Killer's Wake) in 1989, Crackdown in 1990, Stormchild in 1991, and Scoundrel, a political thriller, in 1992.
In June 2006, Cornwell was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the Queen's 80th Birthday Honours List.
Cornwell's latest work, Azincourt, was released in the UK in October 2008. The protagonist is an archer who participates in the Battle of Agincourt, another devastating defeat suffered by the French in the Hundred Years War. However, Cornwell has stated that it will not be about Thomas of Hookton from The Grail Quest or any of his relatives.
Cornwell was sent away to Monkton Combe School, attended the University of London, and after graduating, worked as a teacher. He attempted to enlist in the British armed services at least three times but was rejected on the grounds of myopia.
He then joined BBC's Nationwide and was promoted to become head of current affairs at BBC Northern Ireland. He then joined Thames Television as editor of Thames News. He relocated to the United States in 1980 after marrying an American. Unable to get a green card, he started writing novels, as this did not require a work permit.
As a child, Cornwell loved the novels of C.S. Forester, chronicling the adventures of fictional British naval officer Horatio Hornblower during the Napoleonic Wars, and was surprised to find there were no such novels following Lord Wellington's campaign on land. Motivated by the need to support himself in the U.S. through writing, Cornwell decided to write such a series. He named his chief protagonist Richard Sharpe, a rifleman involved in most major battles of the Peninsular War.
Cornwell wanted to start the series with the Siege of Badajoz but decided instead to start with a couple of "warm-up" novels. These were Sharpe's Eagle and Sharpe's Gold, both published in 1981. Sharpe's Eagle was picked up by a publisher, and Cornwell got a three-book deal. He went on to tell the story of Badajoz in his third Sharpe novel, Sharpe's Company, published in 1982.
Cornwell and wife Judy co-wrote a series of novels, published under the pseudonym "Susannah Kells". These were A Crowning Mercy, published in 1983, Fallen Angels in 1984, and Coat of Arms (aka The Aristocrats) in 1986. (Cornwell's strict Protestant upbringing informed the background of A Crowning Mercy, which took place during the English Civil War.) In 1987, he also published Redcoat, an American Revolutionary War novel set in Philadelphia during its 1777 occupation by the British.
After publishing eight books in his ongoing Sharpe series, Cornwell was approached by a production company interested in adapting them for television. The producers asked him to write a prequel to give them a starting point to the series. They also requested that the story feature a large role for Spanish characters to secure co-funding from Spain. The result was Sharpe’s Rifles, published in 1987, and a series of Sharpe television films staring Sean Bean.
A series of contemporary thrillers with sailing as a background and common themes followed: Wildtrack published in 1988, Sea Lord (aka Killer's Wake) in 1989, Crackdown in 1990, Stormchild in 1991, and Scoundrel, a political thriller, in 1992.
In June 2006, Cornwell was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the Queen's 80th Birthday Honours List.
Cornwell's latest work, Azincourt, was released in the UK in October 2008. The protagonist is an archer who participates in the Battle of Agincourt, another devastating defeat suffered by the French in the Hundred Years War. However, Cornwell has stated that it will not be about Thomas of Hookton from The Grail Quest or any of his relatives.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 503 reviews
January 11, 2022
The Sharpe series is my favorite series of all time. i re-read and collected the whole series in 2019-2020. So, you can imagine my excitement when i saw this came out in December 2021 since the whole series was relatively fresh in my mind. this installment is not for new readers IMO, but for Sharpe fans with many easter eggs and references to past books. i believe Cornwell wanted to end the series and maybe the war outright since Sharpe's devil was supposed to be a spinoff to a Cochran series. by the way look up Sir Thomas Cochran he was a real swashbuckling character. He was probably too unbelievable to turn into a fictional character. Also, Sharpe's Ransom is a short story and takes place after the Napoleonic war. If you want to try the series try Sharpe's Rifles that's where the BBC show with Sean Bean started and i can't disagree with that. If you want to start the series i highly recommend Sharpe's tiger with the India trilogy you can grow with Richard Sharpe from private to lieutenant colonel! but enough fanboying, Sharpe has a new book and i have a review to write!
Right after waterloo Richard Sharpe is tired of war that's what 15 years of it will do to you. He's not done though, as Lord Arthur Wellesley Duke of wellington needs him one last time. There is a secret cabal of French officers loyal to Nepoleon who swear revenge if he is defeated. Wellington not only fears for his own safety but the safety of the leaders of the Prussian and Dutch allies. He turns to his old "guttersnipe" Sharpe to destroy the cabal.
Sharpe's Assassin is what i call a Sharpe, Richard Sharpe espionage book. i prefer the Sharpe books with huge military battles at the end. but i know that a personal preference. There is nothing special about Sharpe's assassin in the series other than it's the end of the Napoleonic war. it's a good installment and representative of the series as a whole. The overall feeling is weariness. Which hopefully doesn't reflect Cornwell's own feeling but i understand if it does. Sharpe just wants to go back to Normandy and start his family on Lucille's farm. there is a battle with French garrison troops that Sharpe is so dismissive of that it puts his weariness of war into focus. All his fire and anger are gone he is tired of death. saying the mission, he's on is a fool's errand. But soon a noble enemy arises colonel Lanier, and he is alot like Sharpe. Fans of the series know how this will end. Richard Sharpe's Blood and ire is up to the fight, and the showdown is epic as always. Cornwell also brings back Captain Charlie Morris from the Indian trilogy (you know the coward who had Sharpe flogged on trumped up charges). he fills the Bad British officer/unnoble elite that is a major theme in the series cleverly. since the last commander Sharpe had in Sharpe's waterloo the Dutch prince of orange Sharpe shot in the back. does not get more insubordinate than shooting a prince in the back. A fact that the Duke Wellington seems to find amusing! Sharpe is content with just disgracing Morris unlike Sargent Hakeswill the man responsible for the flogging who he viciously killed a few books back! Sharpe wins the day and the war after all even the duke wellington tells him he could not have beaten napoleon without the gutter born bastard Richard Sharpe!
Sorry for the long review, i know it probably made no sense to anyone not familiar with the series. i have alot of questions for Benard Cornwell on the reference used. why does he never talk about Richard's first wife Teresa or their child he never mentions the gold stolen in Spain and whatnot but since this is not a letter to Mr. Cornwell I'll move on. I joined Goodreads in part to put down my thoughts on the Sharpe series. it's so large i needed a place to record my comments to myself. Sorry i don't write good reviews. if you would like to start the series, be warned it's 22 books long with 3 short stories some are not that good. because Cornwell was learning on the job Sharpes's Gold in particular is amateurish If I'm honest. But i think the series is worth a read if you're interested in historical fiction or the Napoleonic war. If you do read any of the Sharpe books i look forward to you're reviews!
Right after waterloo Richard Sharpe is tired of war that's what 15 years of it will do to you. He's not done though, as Lord Arthur Wellesley Duke of wellington needs him one last time. There is a secret cabal of French officers loyal to Nepoleon who swear revenge if he is defeated. Wellington not only fears for his own safety but the safety of the leaders of the Prussian and Dutch allies. He turns to his old "guttersnipe" Sharpe to destroy the cabal.
Sharpe's Assassin is what i call a Sharpe, Richard Sharpe espionage book. i prefer the Sharpe books with huge military battles at the end. but i know that a personal preference. There is nothing special about Sharpe's assassin in the series other than it's the end of the Napoleonic war. it's a good installment and representative of the series as a whole. The overall feeling is weariness. Which hopefully doesn't reflect Cornwell's own feeling but i understand if it does. Sharpe just wants to go back to Normandy and start his family on Lucille's farm. there is a battle with French garrison troops that Sharpe is so dismissive of that it puts his weariness of war into focus. All his fire and anger are gone he is tired of death. saying the mission, he's on is a fool's errand. But soon a noble enemy arises colonel Lanier, and he is alot like Sharpe. Fans of the series know how this will end. Richard Sharpe's Blood and ire is up to the fight, and the showdown is epic as always. Cornwell also brings back Captain Charlie Morris from the Indian trilogy (you know the coward who had Sharpe flogged on trumped up charges). he fills the Bad British officer/unnoble elite that is a major theme in the series cleverly. since the last commander Sharpe had in Sharpe's waterloo the Dutch prince of orange Sharpe shot in the back. does not get more insubordinate than shooting a prince in the back. A fact that the Duke Wellington seems to find amusing! Sharpe is content with just disgracing Morris unlike Sargent Hakeswill the man responsible for the flogging who he viciously killed a few books back! Sharpe wins the day and the war after all even the duke wellington tells him he could not have beaten napoleon without the gutter born bastard Richard Sharpe!
Sorry for the long review, i know it probably made no sense to anyone not familiar with the series. i have alot of questions for Benard Cornwell on the reference used. why does he never talk about Richard's first wife Teresa or their child he never mentions the gold stolen in Spain and whatnot but since this is not a letter to Mr. Cornwell I'll move on. I joined Goodreads in part to put down my thoughts on the Sharpe series. it's so large i needed a place to record my comments to myself. Sorry i don't write good reviews. if you would like to start the series, be warned it's 22 books long with 3 short stories some are not that good. because Cornwell was learning on the job Sharpes's Gold in particular is amateurish If I'm honest. But i think the series is worth a read if you're interested in historical fiction or the Napoleonic war. If you do read any of the Sharpe books i look forward to you're reviews!
August 5, 2022
My late father in law recommended this author to me over 30 years ago. I have now read 53 of his books and enjoyed every one. This one has Lieutenant Colonel Richard Sharpe tasked with finding and stopping a group of assassins intent on killing the Duke of Wellington after the French defeat at Waterloo. The Duke says of Sharpe: "He is a rogue. But he's my rogue."
Sharpe is nearly killed several times but manages to survive with the help of his men and especially his retired Sargent Patrick Harper, who has come out of retirement to fight with his friend.
How they manage to find the assassins in an unfamiliar city(Paris) and win makes for an exciting historical thriller set in the aftermath of the battle of Waterloo.
This was a library book that I read in 1 day.
I strongly recommend this series to anyone who likes historical fiction thrillers. The series is best read in order.
I rate it 4.5 stars rounded down.
Sharpe is nearly killed several times but manages to survive with the help of his men and especially his retired Sargent Patrick Harper, who has come out of retirement to fight with his friend.
How they manage to find the assassins in an unfamiliar city(Paris) and win makes for an exciting historical thriller set in the aftermath of the battle of Waterloo.
This was a library book that I read in 1 day.
I strongly recommend this series to anyone who likes historical fiction thrillers. The series is best read in order.
I rate it 4.5 stars rounded down.
May 22, 2022
The end of the Napoleonic Wars
This review is simple. If you like Cornwell and Richard Sharpe you will probably want to read this novel. While I don't believe it is one of the better ones, I did enjoy most of it. I am not sorry that I read it but I am sorry that I spent $14.99 for it.
If you have never read any of the Richard Sharpe books, I recommend that you not begin with this one. In addition to some repetitive writing and words, this is just not based on much actual history. There were a couple of attempts to assassinate Wellington but no grand conspiracy is known.
Two or three stars compared to Cornwell's usual writing. Four stars compared to most other historical fiction
This review is simple. If you like Cornwell and Richard Sharpe you will probably want to read this novel. While I don't believe it is one of the better ones, I did enjoy most of it. I am not sorry that I read it but I am sorry that I spent $14.99 for it.
If you have never read any of the Richard Sharpe books, I recommend that you not begin with this one. In addition to some repetitive writing and words, this is just not based on much actual history. There were a couple of attempts to assassinate Wellington but no grand conspiracy is known.
Two or three stars compared to Cornwell's usual writing. Four stars compared to most other historical fiction
December 8, 2022
I liked this even more the second time around! I stand by my review from last year:
I really, really enjoyed this!!
The opening pages with Patrick and Richard conversing while burying a longtime rifleman was like visiting with old friends. I realize that this sounds really odd, but war, death and loss has been heavily present for 21 books. But those two characters and their dialogue? It was like slipping on a pair of old but comfy slippers.
This one takes place immediately following the Battle of Waterloo. Napoleon has skedaddled after the defeat, and he's still at large. The allies are ordered to Paris, and off they go.
I truly hope Richard and Patrick will march again. This series has become one of my all-time favorites.
I really, really enjoyed this!!
The opening pages with Patrick and Richard conversing while burying a longtime rifleman was like visiting with old friends. I realize that this sounds really odd, but war, death and loss has been heavily present for 21 books. But those two characters and their dialogue? It was like slipping on a pair of old but comfy slippers.
This one takes place immediately following the Battle of Waterloo. Napoleon has skedaddled after the defeat, and he's still at large. The allies are ordered to Paris, and off they go.
I truly hope Richard and Patrick will march again. This series has become one of my all-time favorites.
August 17, 2025
"“He’s a remarkable-looking fellow, don’t you think, Burrell?”
“To quote you, Your Grace, I don’t know what he does to the enemy, but by God he frightens me.”
“Ha!” the Duke said without a trace of amusement. “Did he make any comment?”
“He said it was a fool’s errand, Your Grace.”
“And so it is, Burrell, so it is. But Sharpe’s no fool. He’s a rogue, a damned rogue, but he’s my rogue. He also has the devil’s own luck and he wins his fights. And pray God he wins this one, otherwise . . .” The Duke’s voice trailed away, because the alternative was unthinkable."
The Duke of Wellington has just defeated Napoleon’s attempted return at Waterloo. Sharpe had been brevetted a colonel during the battle (and after the Duke of Orange, fortunately, had retired from the field with a bullet wound). "Orange, who had done more harm than good to the allied cause, had dismissed Sharpe during the battle and Sharpe had rejoined his battalion and taken command of it when Ford, the colonel, had fled in panicked confusion. The Duke, seeing Sharpe lead the Prince of Wales’s Own Volunteers against the Imperial Guard, had called out that the battalion now belonged to Sharpe, but whether that was permanent Sharpe did not know."
This is the Richard Sharpe many of us have come to know and his advancement in rank hasn’t changed him: Sharpe straightened. “You see that dead man, Captain?” “Of course, sir.” “He was a damn fine soldier and a good friend. That man marched with me from Portugal to France, then came here, where some bastard voltigeur killed him. I owe him a grave, and I pay my debts. If you’re in such a hurry then you can climb off that bloody horse and help us.”"
Wellington has acknowledged that Sharpe’s experience is what has made him the choice for a dangerous and unsupported mission. Major Vincent is assigned to guide Sharpe to the target of their mission, but first they need to learn some things about each other: "Vincent looked at Sharpe. “You sound confident, Colonel.” Sharpe grimaced. “Garrison troops, Major, don’t know their arses from their belly buttons. We’ll suck them in, kill a few of them, then go back to sleep.” “There’s a lot of them,” Vincent warned. He sounded nervous. “I’ve got just under four hundred and fifty men and he’s got about a thousand,” Sharpe said, “but a thousand isn’t enough. Now excuse me, Major.”"
"“I’m glad you’re here, Sergeant. We may need you.” “You’ll need me, sir! Colonel Sharpe can’t fight without me!” And Lieutenant-Colonel Sharpe, though reluctant to say it, silently agreed." Sergeant Patrick Harper has retired but his return in time for the Battle of Waterloo is of infinite value to Sharpe.
"His fifteen riflemen were to one side, joined there by Harper. “You’re not coming, Pat,” Sharpe told him. “And how will you stop me?” “For God’s sake, you want to die?” “I’ve no mind to do that, Mister Sharpe, but I’ve no mind to see you die either.” He hefted his seven-barrel gun. “I’m coming.” “Dear God, what do I tell Isabella if you die?” “Tell her there’s a wee fortune hidden in the tavern’s cellar,” Harper said, grinning, “and besides, you know damn well you want me to come.” “I do,” Sharpe admitted, “but take care, Pat.” “And don’t I always?”"
"“So an easy task, Major. Push the Prussians away, defeat the French, and find our man.” “Exactly,” Vincent said happily, “and the Duke reckons you’re just the fellow.” “What he reckons,” Sharpe said sourly, “is that we’re an expendable battalion.” Vincent flinched at the words and rode in silence for a few paces. “You’re wrong,” he finally said. “I asked the Duke to send his best, and he chose you. He assured me that if any man can do the impossible it’s Lieutenant-Colonel Sharpe.”"
This is the first of several missions that Sharpe is given. Wellington is determined to get to Paris in time to establish the new French government at not allow the revenge that many Prussians seem determined to bring to that city. Sharpe arrives ahead of Wellington and finds many challenges including support of the return of tens of thousands works of art that Napoleon had brought back along with his military victories.
"It seemed unnatural to Sharpe. This was Paris! He had been fighting the French for twenty-one years in Flanders, India, Portugal, Spain, then in France itself, and now he was in the first group of British troops to enter the enemy’s capital, and it was nothing like his imagination. He had expected magnificence, but all looked normal, not that different from streets in some parts of London." More here, than in most of these novels, Cornwell takes the opportunity to have Sharpe reflect on his life both before, during and after his military service. This may not be the best of the series but the details of life in Paris during this period are very interesting. Sharpe is one of Cornwell’s iconic creations. He stands in for “everyman” who has been in the front lines of battle. It is his successes and the costs Sharpe has paid for those successes that constitutes the subtext of this volume.
"The war was won, the Emperor was defeated, and still Sharpe was marching to battle. It was Lucille, he knew, that made him so nervous. In the past he had little or nothing to lose, but now he had everything to lose; a woman, a son, and a life…. "“Men are going to die, Pat, and that makes me angry. The war’s over, for Christ’s sake!”
*I may have made a mistake: 30 years ago I watched the Sharpe series on television. Forever after Sean Bean is my image of Sharpe and Daragh O’Malley is Sergeant Harper.
“To quote you, Your Grace, I don’t know what he does to the enemy, but by God he frightens me.”
“Ha!” the Duke said without a trace of amusement. “Did he make any comment?”
“He said it was a fool’s errand, Your Grace.”
“And so it is, Burrell, so it is. But Sharpe’s no fool. He’s a rogue, a damned rogue, but he’s my rogue. He also has the devil’s own luck and he wins his fights. And pray God he wins this one, otherwise . . .” The Duke’s voice trailed away, because the alternative was unthinkable."
The Duke of Wellington has just defeated Napoleon’s attempted return at Waterloo. Sharpe had been brevetted a colonel during the battle (and after the Duke of Orange, fortunately, had retired from the field with a bullet wound). "Orange, who had done more harm than good to the allied cause, had dismissed Sharpe during the battle and Sharpe had rejoined his battalion and taken command of it when Ford, the colonel, had fled in panicked confusion. The Duke, seeing Sharpe lead the Prince of Wales’s Own Volunteers against the Imperial Guard, had called out that the battalion now belonged to Sharpe, but whether that was permanent Sharpe did not know."
This is the Richard Sharpe many of us have come to know and his advancement in rank hasn’t changed him: Sharpe straightened. “You see that dead man, Captain?” “Of course, sir.” “He was a damn fine soldier and a good friend. That man marched with me from Portugal to France, then came here, where some bastard voltigeur killed him. I owe him a grave, and I pay my debts. If you’re in such a hurry then you can climb off that bloody horse and help us.”"
Wellington has acknowledged that Sharpe’s experience is what has made him the choice for a dangerous and unsupported mission. Major Vincent is assigned to guide Sharpe to the target of their mission, but first they need to learn some things about each other: "Vincent looked at Sharpe. “You sound confident, Colonel.” Sharpe grimaced. “Garrison troops, Major, don’t know their arses from their belly buttons. We’ll suck them in, kill a few of them, then go back to sleep.” “There’s a lot of them,” Vincent warned. He sounded nervous. “I’ve got just under four hundred and fifty men and he’s got about a thousand,” Sharpe said, “but a thousand isn’t enough. Now excuse me, Major.”"
"“I’m glad you’re here, Sergeant. We may need you.” “You’ll need me, sir! Colonel Sharpe can’t fight without me!” And Lieutenant-Colonel Sharpe, though reluctant to say it, silently agreed." Sergeant Patrick Harper has retired but his return in time for the Battle of Waterloo is of infinite value to Sharpe.
"His fifteen riflemen were to one side, joined there by Harper. “You’re not coming, Pat,” Sharpe told him. “And how will you stop me?” “For God’s sake, you want to die?” “I’ve no mind to do that, Mister Sharpe, but I’ve no mind to see you die either.” He hefted his seven-barrel gun. “I’m coming.” “Dear God, what do I tell Isabella if you die?” “Tell her there’s a wee fortune hidden in the tavern’s cellar,” Harper said, grinning, “and besides, you know damn well you want me to come.” “I do,” Sharpe admitted, “but take care, Pat.” “And don’t I always?”"
"“So an easy task, Major. Push the Prussians away, defeat the French, and find our man.” “Exactly,” Vincent said happily, “and the Duke reckons you’re just the fellow.” “What he reckons,” Sharpe said sourly, “is that we’re an expendable battalion.” Vincent flinched at the words and rode in silence for a few paces. “You’re wrong,” he finally said. “I asked the Duke to send his best, and he chose you. He assured me that if any man can do the impossible it’s Lieutenant-Colonel Sharpe.”"
This is the first of several missions that Sharpe is given. Wellington is determined to get to Paris in time to establish the new French government at not allow the revenge that many Prussians seem determined to bring to that city. Sharpe arrives ahead of Wellington and finds many challenges including support of the return of tens of thousands works of art that Napoleon had brought back along with his military victories.
"It seemed unnatural to Sharpe. This was Paris! He had been fighting the French for twenty-one years in Flanders, India, Portugal, Spain, then in France itself, and now he was in the first group of British troops to enter the enemy’s capital, and it was nothing like his imagination. He had expected magnificence, but all looked normal, not that different from streets in some parts of London." More here, than in most of these novels, Cornwell takes the opportunity to have Sharpe reflect on his life both before, during and after his military service. This may not be the best of the series but the details of life in Paris during this period are very interesting. Sharpe is one of Cornwell’s iconic creations. He stands in for “everyman” who has been in the front lines of battle. It is his successes and the costs Sharpe has paid for those successes that constitutes the subtext of this volume.
"The war was won, the Emperor was defeated, and still Sharpe was marching to battle. It was Lucille, he knew, that made him so nervous. In the past he had little or nothing to lose, but now he had everything to lose; a woman, a son, and a life…. "“Men are going to die, Pat, and that makes me angry. The war’s over, for Christ’s sake!”
*I may have made a mistake: 30 years ago I watched the Sharpe series on television. Forever after Sean Bean is my image of Sharpe and Daragh O’Malley is Sergeant Harper.
September 29, 2021
this is a binge read in one day (and ignore you've got work to do) book. The action is from start to finish and it doesn't matter if it's been years or days since you last visited the characters, they're here at their quirky, fierce, heroic best and it's just nice to be in their company again.
August 1, 2024
A great series I have enjoyed reading, amazed to note that this is the 22nd full-length Sharpe saga. Waterloo and aftermath, many deadly encounters, recognition and the gift of survival to enjoy time with his wife when all is said and done with Napoleon removed.
Sharpe's strategic thinking, riflery and leadership of his men shines through in this book.
8/1/2024 Update: I needed something rich in history and action and was made happy reading this one a second time. These books are rich in detail and history and I simply love this character Sharpe!
Sharpe's strategic thinking, riflery and leadership of his men shines through in this book.
8/1/2024 Update: I needed something rich in history and action and was made happy reading this one a second time. These books are rich in detail and history and I simply love this character Sharpe!
September 24, 2022
First time in ages read any Sharpe books good action
March 15, 2024
When I read Sharpe’s Devil many years ago, I thought that was the end of the Sharpe Series. When I discovered two recent books I had not read, I jumped on them. Sharpe was one of my favorite series. Bernard Cornwell is a master of historical fiction. His characters are realistic as is the action. The Sharpe Series follows a common British soldier from fighting in India to the Napoleonic Wars starting in Portugal. I highly recommend this series.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is ten hours and seventeen minutes. Rupert Farley does a good job narrating the story.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is ten hours and seventeen minutes. Rupert Farley does a good job narrating the story.
December 2, 2021
**Should Read as 4.5 Stars!**
This eventful novel is the 21st chronologically, and the 22nd in total, of the amazing Richard Sharpe series.
The historical details at the end of the book are wonderfully described by the author, and implemented in a very likeable fashion in this post-Waterloo adventure.
Storytelling is as ever of a superb quality, all characters, whether they are real historical or enjoyable fictional, come vividly to life in this delightful spy/war story, and the atmosphere and living conditions of a defeated Paris and thus France come splendidly off the pages.
I read a review from a certain L. Young stating that Harry Price was made a permanent Major at the end in Sharpe's Waterloo, but that is only partly true, because if reading correctly it was subject to recognition by Whitehall, but those responsible at Whitehall must probably have turned it down, so Harry Price is still a Captain in this tale also.
This tale is mainly set in the year AD1815, right after the Battle of Waterloo, and it ends with an epilogue that is set in AD 1816.
In this tale "acting" Leuitenant-Colonel Sharpe and his men, along whom are his brother-in-arms and best friend Sergeant-Major Patrick Harper, Sergeant Weller, Captain Price and Private Bee, not to forget in my view a rather unnecessary Major Charlie Morris, Sharpe's nemesis from India, and last but not least a rather poor spy in Mr Fox, and they are to pave the way for Duke of Wellington so he march into Paris unscathed, and at the same time to uncover a cult naming themselves "La Fraternité", with at its head the already deceased General Delaunay, at Waterloo, and Colonel Lanier, nicknamed "The Monster".
What is to come is an entertaining historical adventure, where the interaction between the blood brothers Sharpe and Harper is paramount, and in which Sharpe and his men will have to fight their way from Waterloo, via Péronne and Ham, into Paris, and over there the discovery of the leader of "La Fraternité" in Lanier is soon made and at the end in a final desperate battle the end of the war will be concluded between Sharpe and Lanier in a most touching and camaraderie fashion.
Still highly recommended, for this is a wonderful, in my view final?, goodbye to Sharpe, Harper and other likeable figures, and that's why I like to call this episode: "Sharpe's Final? Captivating Outing"!
This eventful novel is the 21st chronologically, and the 22nd in total, of the amazing Richard Sharpe series.
The historical details at the end of the book are wonderfully described by the author, and implemented in a very likeable fashion in this post-Waterloo adventure.
Storytelling is as ever of a superb quality, all characters, whether they are real historical or enjoyable fictional, come vividly to life in this delightful spy/war story, and the atmosphere and living conditions of a defeated Paris and thus France come splendidly off the pages.
I read a review from a certain L. Young stating that Harry Price was made a permanent Major at the end in Sharpe's Waterloo, but that is only partly true, because if reading correctly it was subject to recognition by Whitehall, but those responsible at Whitehall must probably have turned it down, so Harry Price is still a Captain in this tale also.
This tale is mainly set in the year AD1815, right after the Battle of Waterloo, and it ends with an epilogue that is set in AD 1816.
In this tale "acting" Leuitenant-Colonel Sharpe and his men, along whom are his brother-in-arms and best friend Sergeant-Major Patrick Harper, Sergeant Weller, Captain Price and Private Bee, not to forget in my view a rather unnecessary Major Charlie Morris, Sharpe's nemesis from India, and last but not least a rather poor spy in Mr Fox, and they are to pave the way for Duke of Wellington so he march into Paris unscathed, and at the same time to uncover a cult naming themselves "La Fraternité", with at its head the already deceased General Delaunay, at Waterloo, and Colonel Lanier, nicknamed "The Monster".
What is to come is an entertaining historical adventure, where the interaction between the blood brothers Sharpe and Harper is paramount, and in which Sharpe and his men will have to fight their way from Waterloo, via Péronne and Ham, into Paris, and over there the discovery of the leader of "La Fraternité" in Lanier is soon made and at the end in a final desperate battle the end of the war will be concluded between Sharpe and Lanier in a most touching and camaraderie fashion.
Still highly recommended, for this is a wonderful, in my view final?, goodbye to Sharpe, Harper and other likeable figures, and that's why I like to call this episode: "Sharpe's Final? Captivating Outing"!
January 7, 2024
Now that he's done with his Uhtred series, Bernard Cornwell has been adding to his Sharpe series, much to the delight of fans like me! This is a solid addition to the story. Plenty of well-paced action, colorful characters, a worthy enemy to defeat, and excellent historical detail.
February 10, 2022
“He’s a remarkable-looking fellow, don’t you think?” “To quote you, Your Grace, I don’t know what he does to the enemy, but by God he frightens me.”
The battle of Waterloo ended yesterday. Sharpe is again thrust into the breach. The trick is, this time he’s trying to keep a war he hoped over from re-igniting. Deeply immersive combat action in early nineteenth century France.
“We are doing our utmost to keep Parisians calm. So try very hard not to start a war, Sharpe. Break some heads if you must, but I don’t want the streets of Paris running with blood.”
Cornwell does pulse-pounding historical fiction well. Approaching two dozen editions, the Sharpe chronicles may strike some as formulaic. Fans just want their addiction fed. This story will pump their adrenaline. For now
“I’ve seen you in a fight, Charlie, and you don’t fight. You look for somewhere to hide.”
Despite being toward the end of a long series, this book is accessible to new readers. Cornwell fills in backstory as needed and only as much as needed. Good job.
‘There had been a time when he welcomed a fight, but this night’s madness had made him apprehensive. It would be such a stupid time to die.’
The battle of Waterloo ended yesterday. Sharpe is again thrust into the breach. The trick is, this time he’s trying to keep a war he hoped over from re-igniting. Deeply immersive combat action in early nineteenth century France.
“We are doing our utmost to keep Parisians calm. So try very hard not to start a war, Sharpe. Break some heads if you must, but I don’t want the streets of Paris running with blood.”
Cornwell does pulse-pounding historical fiction well. Approaching two dozen editions, the Sharpe chronicles may strike some as formulaic. Fans just want their addiction fed. This story will pump their adrenaline. For now
“I’ve seen you in a fight, Charlie, and you don’t fight. You look for somewhere to hide.”
Despite being toward the end of a long series, this book is accessible to new readers. Cornwell fills in backstory as needed and only as much as needed. Good job.
‘There had been a time when he welcomed a fight, but this night’s madness had made him apprehensive. It would be such a stupid time to die.’
December 2, 2022
Entertaining per usual.
September 30, 2021
Sharpe’s Fury in 2006 was, astonishingly, the previous Richard Sharpe book. What a delight to have him back after all these years.
This is set right in the aftermath of Waterloo (well worth reading that again before this, you don’t need to but it provides great context). Sharpe and his troops are burying their dead and coming to terms with Napoleon’s defeat. Expecting a rest they find the Duke of Wellington has further need of Sharpe’s unique skills. A nice touch that Wellington is very clear about Sharpe and how best to use him rather than looking down at him.
So Sharpe is spearheading the main army towards Paris, but has to break the journey for the “minor” impossible task of taking a castle and freeing an important prisoner. Once in Paris, he finds a very different mission and struggles to know who to trust in a city whose citizens have just lost a critical battle. And in Paris, there is danger around every corner, but then Sharpe has history as a street fighter….
The big question is whether the author has recaptured that special something after all these years, and fans will be delighted that he has. Sharpe is battle weary but we see plenty of reminders of him both as a character but an experienced and respected leader of men. Some nice glimpses and memories of previous characters along with reflection of the journey he and Pat Harper have been through.
Like all Sharpe novels it is a page turner and it was fantastic to have him back after all this time.
This is set right in the aftermath of Waterloo (well worth reading that again before this, you don’t need to but it provides great context). Sharpe and his troops are burying their dead and coming to terms with Napoleon’s defeat. Expecting a rest they find the Duke of Wellington has further need of Sharpe’s unique skills. A nice touch that Wellington is very clear about Sharpe and how best to use him rather than looking down at him.
So Sharpe is spearheading the main army towards Paris, but has to break the journey for the “minor” impossible task of taking a castle and freeing an important prisoner. Once in Paris, he finds a very different mission and struggles to know who to trust in a city whose citizens have just lost a critical battle. And in Paris, there is danger around every corner, but then Sharpe has history as a street fighter….
The big question is whether the author has recaptured that special something after all these years, and fans will be delighted that he has. Sharpe is battle weary but we see plenty of reminders of him both as a character but an experienced and respected leader of men. Some nice glimpses and memories of previous characters along with reflection of the journey he and Pat Harper have been through.
Like all Sharpe novels it is a page turner and it was fantastic to have him back after all this time.
December 23, 2021
I'm not entirely convinced that Cornwell actually wrote this installment of the Sharpe series, or that the publisher didn't hire a ghost writer, with the author's endorsement.
The dialogue and language is just that lazy.
I've read everything I've been able to find of Bernard Cornwell, and without exception, his consistency in relaying 1800's aristocratic language, among the officer class, has always been reliable.
Not so here, just as an example.
As another reviewer also commented, Cornwell "seems to have turned very 21st century with his words", I'd agree, and it's obvious enough to be startling.
There are also a number of glaring editing mistakes that distracted me enough to possibly have overlooked the greater value.
This is easily my least favorite in the Sharpe Series, and possibly any of Cornwell's novels.
The dialogue and language is just that lazy.
I've read everything I've been able to find of Bernard Cornwell, and without exception, his consistency in relaying 1800's aristocratic language, among the officer class, has always been reliable.
Not so here, just as an example.
As another reviewer also commented, Cornwell "seems to have turned very 21st century with his words", I'd agree, and it's obvious enough to be startling.
There are also a number of glaring editing mistakes that distracted me enough to possibly have overlooked the greater value.
This is easily my least favorite in the Sharpe Series, and possibly any of Cornwell's novels.
July 21, 2022
There are few authors who write better fictional battles/fights than Bernard Cornwell. Of course, most of his battles are actually based on actual fact so that is an advantage. This book is somewhat different in that the fighting comes from Cornwell's imagination. I love the Sharpe series. Some of the books are better than others, but he has created such memorable charactors in all. The beginning of this book honors one of them, Daniel Hagman, lost at Waterloo.
Cornwell's greatest creations are Richard Sharpe and Patrick Harper. Their friendship for each other shines through this and the other books. Long live the green-jacketed riflemen!
Cornwell's greatest creations are Richard Sharpe and Patrick Harper. Their friendship for each other shines through this and the other books. Long live the green-jacketed riflemen!
August 15, 2023
8ο audiobook για φέτος πολύ καλό!
January 2, 2023
Thanks to Harper and Goodreads for providing me with this copy.
This is a great read! Bernard Cornwell has been a favorite of mine for a long time and this one did not disappoint!!
This is a great read! Bernard Cornwell has been a favorite of mine for a long time and this one did not disappoint!!
February 26, 2022
Been a long time since I last had the reading pleasure of accompanying Red Coat trooper Richard Sharpe through the Napoleonic Wars. He now leads a battalion with the rank of Lt. Colonel in the penultimate battle of Waterloo in 1815. His plans to retire with his wife Lucille at her estate in Normandy become delayed by order of the Duke of Wellington eventually taking him to Paris. Sharpe, his sidekick Sgt. Pat Harper and veteran Red Coat Battalion confront a battalion of crack French troops who refuse to surrender.
I had forgotten how much I liked Sharpe's attitude and demeanor as he battles through this entertaining, informative and historically based series by his natural leadership and courage under fire. The good news is the author's statement in the epilog that he leaves Lt. Colonel Sharp FOR NOW. So hopefully, we have not seen the last of this iconic character of 19th century British military history.
I had forgotten how much I liked Sharpe's attitude and demeanor as he battles through this entertaining, informative and historically based series by his natural leadership and courage under fire. The good news is the author's statement in the epilog that he leaves Lt. Colonel Sharp FOR NOW. So hopefully, we have not seen the last of this iconic character of 19th century British military history.
February 3, 2022
Great, great, great!!
February 20, 2022
An unexpected and welcome delight to find Cornwell had returned to the story of Richard Sharpe last year, 14 years since the previous novel, and it does not disappoint. Picking up directly after Sharpe's Waterloo and effortlessly slipping back into the familiar style and characters, and leaving our hero with the ending he fully deserves after the years of battle we have followed him through.
October 2, 2021
"The war was over. And Richard Sharpe was going to war." Like a warm blanket.
It's been 15(!) years since the last Richard Sharpe novel (Sharpe's Fury) and Cornwell's return to the Napoleonic wars and common soldier-turned British officer is like meeting an old friend and immediately settling into your old routines, in-jokes, and rhythms without missing a beat.
Sharpe's Assassin immediately follows the defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo (Sharpe's Waterloo) and newly promoted Lieutenant Colonel Sharpe and Sergeant Major (retired?) Harper are interrupted from burying their dead compatriots and summoned by the Duke of Wellington to storm a remote bastion/prison complex. This quickly reveals a larger plot device of the British trying to recover European artwork stolen by the French Army over the years and stored in the Louvre as well as a mission to stop a group of Bonapartist die-hards. This also has Sharpe reuniting with his former company commander and the man responsible for having him flogged as an enlisted man, Major Morris.
The action is kinetic and tight, the banter with lords and ladies is quick-witted and just disrespectful enough by Sharpe to keep things punchy, and angry-Sharpe remains a great literary joy. Going back into Sharpe's world invites inevitable comparisons to Cornwell's other long series, The Last Kingdom, and its main character Uhtred of Bebbanburg. On balance, Sharpe's world is so much more enjoyable. Uhtred and Sharpe are essentially the same character, but while Uhtred and his world are dreary, dour, and perennially gray, Sharpe and his world has a *spark* to it that makes the world, scenes (action and exposition), and characters feel that much more lively and therefore interesting.
Will Sharpe and Harper march again? Hard to say, but I had a wonderful time tagging along for the ride.
It's been 15(!) years since the last Richard Sharpe novel (Sharpe's Fury) and Cornwell's return to the Napoleonic wars and common soldier-turned British officer is like meeting an old friend and immediately settling into your old routines, in-jokes, and rhythms without missing a beat.
Sharpe's Assassin immediately follows the defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo (Sharpe's Waterloo) and newly promoted Lieutenant Colonel Sharpe and Sergeant Major (retired?) Harper are interrupted from burying their dead compatriots and summoned by the Duke of Wellington to storm a remote bastion/prison complex. This quickly reveals a larger plot device of the British trying to recover European artwork stolen by the French Army over the years and stored in the Louvre as well as a mission to stop a group of Bonapartist die-hards. This also has Sharpe reuniting with his former company commander and the man responsible for having him flogged as an enlisted man, Major Morris.
The action is kinetic and tight, the banter with lords and ladies is quick-witted and just disrespectful enough by Sharpe to keep things punchy, and angry-Sharpe remains a great literary joy. Going back into Sharpe's world invites inevitable comparisons to Cornwell's other long series, The Last Kingdom, and its main character Uhtred of Bebbanburg. On balance, Sharpe's world is so much more enjoyable. Uhtred and Sharpe are essentially the same character, but while Uhtred and his world are dreary, dour, and perennially gray, Sharpe and his world has a *spark* to it that makes the world, scenes (action and exposition), and characters feel that much more lively and therefore interesting.
Will Sharpe and Harper march again? Hard to say, but I had a wonderful time tagging along for the ride.
December 30, 2021
I'm sorry I'm not feeling this latest addition to the Sharpe Books, although I do welcome the Author bringing him back.
Some unanswered questions from years gone by have been concluded and its good to see Sharpe and Harper back together, though it wasn't the book the hype suggested.
For a start it seems rushed and unedited, there are several mistakes, which is very unlike Cornwell. The characters are ill described and Fox has to be one of the most generic and boring of the whole series. The action scene which for many I'm sure are here for are also loose. There seems to be a 'Dan Brown' feel to this book.
There was, as the Author points out fighting on the way to Paris, but this book does not tell it! Why? Sharpe also seems to have turned very 21st century with his words. There are two 'lol' moments in the book involving Harper, which compared with the other books are either hilarious or tragic depending on your view.
At best this was heading for an average 3/5 but it completely tailed off. Hold it against some of the great Sharpe Books, Rifles, Enemy, Gold and Siege and it feel very average. Only Sharpe's Devil would be run it close in terms of it on the poor rating.
A strange omission is the reference to one of the authors other works 'Redcoat' Why? Its by far the best book out of the whole collection.
I do still hope to see Sharpe march somewhere again, But I'll likely hold back from purchasing so quickly.
Some unanswered questions from years gone by have been concluded and its good to see Sharpe and Harper back together, though it wasn't the book the hype suggested.
For a start it seems rushed and unedited, there are several mistakes, which is very unlike Cornwell. The characters are ill described and Fox has to be one of the most generic and boring of the whole series. The action scene which for many I'm sure are here for are also loose. There seems to be a 'Dan Brown' feel to this book.
There was, as the Author points out fighting on the way to Paris, but this book does not tell it! Why? Sharpe also seems to have turned very 21st century with his words. There are two 'lol' moments in the book involving Harper, which compared with the other books are either hilarious or tragic depending on your view.
At best this was heading for an average 3/5 but it completely tailed off. Hold it against some of the great Sharpe Books, Rifles, Enemy, Gold and Siege and it feel very average. Only Sharpe's Devil would be run it close in terms of it on the poor rating.
A strange omission is the reference to one of the authors other works 'Redcoat' Why? Its by far the best book out of the whole collection.
I do still hope to see Sharpe march somewhere again, But I'll likely hold back from purchasing so quickly.
October 6, 2021
I had begged (via his website) for Bernard Cornwell to do one more Sharpe for several years.
I pretty much counted down the days from when the UK release date was announced and I was not disappointed.
Don't know about anyone else, but for me the novel answers quite a few questions I had regarding Sharpe and indeed some of his men after the Battle of Waterloo.
I think, without intention Bernard Cornwell has given me some life lessons through the entire Sharpe series.......
The biggest of these being: The best form of revenge (for want of a better word) is to live your best life and be happy.
Sharpe's Assassin is the perfect blend of old and new characters.
My only pang of regret is my 100% certainty that this is the last time we'll see a new Sharpe. Although that is the hallmark of Cornwell's genius.....
"Always leave them wanting more."
I'm grateful to the author, and to Sharpe, Harper fictional Wellington, Hogan and all the other characters who have kept me company over more than 20 years.
And finally to Sean Bean, who introduced me to Sharpe as a 15 year old boy. I fell in love with the concept of a private soldier becoming an officer in the British army in a time when it did not happen that often.
I owe all these characters and the author and sincere debt of gratitude.
I pretty much counted down the days from when the UK release date was announced and I was not disappointed.
Don't know about anyone else, but for me the novel answers quite a few questions I had regarding Sharpe and indeed some of his men after the Battle of Waterloo.
I think, without intention Bernard Cornwell has given me some life lessons through the entire Sharpe series.......
The biggest of these being: The best form of revenge (for want of a better word) is to live your best life and be happy.
Sharpe's Assassin is the perfect blend of old and new characters.
My only pang of regret is my 100% certainty that this is the last time we'll see a new Sharpe. Although that is the hallmark of Cornwell's genius.....
"Always leave them wanting more."
I'm grateful to the author, and to Sharpe, Harper fictional Wellington, Hogan and all the other characters who have kept me company over more than 20 years.
And finally to Sean Bean, who introduced me to Sharpe as a 15 year old boy. I fell in love with the concept of a private soldier becoming an officer in the British army in a time when it did not happen that often.
I owe all these characters and the author and sincere debt of gratitude.
October 1, 2021
After 15 years of waiting, countless reenactments, numerous visits to Waterloo, including Waterloo 200, becoming friends with several of the Sharpe Cast, it's finally arrived! And boy am I happy. Having first discovered Sharpe back in 2006, I quickly devoured them all, culminating in a BA dissertation on the 95th, an MA on the 95th, and joining the ranks of the 95th Rifles as a reenactor.
This book has been a long time coming for me, I've re-read the books countless times, religiously watched the films, and always wanted more!
So... Sharpe's Assassin. I LOVED it! Starting the day after Sharpe's Waterloo, and following the British Army's advance and occupation of Paris. There's the usual battle scenes, and Sharpe as usual finds himself in a spot of peril every so often, alongside Sjt Patrick Harper.
It was great to get reacquainted with so many characters which have popped up through the series, some unwelcome additions, but it would've been great to see a long dead character pop back up. Such a shame, but he was firmly killed!!!
All in all, it's a 5* book, the excitement and anticipation of waiting for this book was well worth it, the story was great.
Well worth the wait
This book has been a long time coming for me, I've re-read the books countless times, religiously watched the films, and always wanted more!
So... Sharpe's Assassin. I LOVED it! Starting the day after Sharpe's Waterloo, and following the British Army's advance and occupation of Paris. There's the usual battle scenes, and Sharpe as usual finds himself in a spot of peril every so often, alongside Sjt Patrick Harper.
It was great to get reacquainted with so many characters which have popped up through the series, some unwelcome additions, but it would've been great to see a long dead character pop back up. Such a shame, but he was firmly killed!!!
All in all, it's a 5* book, the excitement and anticipation of waiting for this book was well worth it, the story was great.
Well worth the wait
December 28, 2021
Disappointing. Did Bernard Cornwell have a ghost writer finish this book for him? I have read every other Sharpe book and this one is...off. He has replaced his thoughtful descriptive narrative style with too much dialogue and repetitive vocabulary (multiple characters are amused, Sharpe speaks sourly twice in 2 pages...) The new characters in the book are superficially developed and don't seem comical, evil, or whatever else Cornwell intended. There are way too many conversations that are summaries of events in other books, which is boring to those of us who have read them. And little details: Why does Sharpe call his friend "Patrick" in Waterloo, the story that precedes this one by a day, and then call him "Pat" all through this book? I didn't even find the action segments well developed.
I'm going to just pretend this book doesn't belong in the series.
I'm going to just pretend this book doesn't belong in the series.
August 18, 2023
What a solid and fun Sharpe book that picks up right where the Battle of Waterloo left off. This is Cornwell's most recent release (at age 77!), and he hasn't lost his touch in the least. It's a sequel 30 years in the making too, since he published Sharpe's Waterloo all the way back in 1990. What a strange publishing journey this series must've been for Bernie, jumping backward and forward in time so often, yet reading it chronologically I rarely have felt jarred and instead consistently felt Cornwell had a strong pulse on Sharpe's character at all points in his journey that helped everything feel smooth and coherent.
This book is an almost entirely fictional adventure Cornwell invented for Sharpe to give him something to do on the way to Paris and then inside the city after Napoleon lost. It's the first time the series has spent time in Paris, and the city setting provided plenty of fun and interesting scenes including some comedic ones inside the Louvre which was being guarded by boorish British soldiers.
While it's not the most tense and impactful book in the series, it's a welcome change from one of the most intense and battle-heavy books that came before. Plus there are still a couple of classic Cornwell battle scenes and personal clashes with old enemies, and the character writing really shined. Cornwell came back to writing Sharpe after many years away while he was publishing the Saxon Tales, and at this later moment in his life, I felt added wisdom and weight coming through in Sharpe's POV. He's tired of fighting and ready for the wars to end, and there was a poignancy to Sharpe in this book that wasn't there during his younger years when the army was his whole life and the wars seemed like they'd never end.
This is such a suitable send-off for the series that I'm almost sad there's still one more that follows it chronologically since it's hard to imagine a more perfect ending than this, though due to the publishing date of this one I think it's probably safe to consider it the spiritual ending if nothing else.
Cornwell is taking us back in time and right back into the thick of the Peninsular Campaign in Spain with his next book Sharpe's Command later this year, and I can't wait.
This book is an almost entirely fictional adventure Cornwell invented for Sharpe to give him something to do on the way to Paris and then inside the city after Napoleon lost. It's the first time the series has spent time in Paris, and the city setting provided plenty of fun and interesting scenes including some comedic ones inside the Louvre which was being guarded by boorish British soldiers.
While it's not the most tense and impactful book in the series, it's a welcome change from one of the most intense and battle-heavy books that came before. Plus there are still a couple of classic Cornwell battle scenes and personal clashes with old enemies, and the character writing really shined. Cornwell came back to writing Sharpe after many years away while he was publishing the Saxon Tales, and at this later moment in his life, I felt added wisdom and weight coming through in Sharpe's POV. He's tired of fighting and ready for the wars to end, and there was a poignancy to Sharpe in this book that wasn't there during his younger years when the army was his whole life and the wars seemed like they'd never end.
This is such a suitable send-off for the series that I'm almost sad there's still one more that follows it chronologically since it's hard to imagine a more perfect ending than this, though due to the publishing date of this one I think it's probably safe to consider it the spiritual ending if nothing else.
Cornwell is taking us back in time and right back into the thick of the Peninsular Campaign in Spain with his next book Sharpe's Command later this year, and I can't wait.
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January 26, 2022There is a formula to Sharpe novels. Sharpe, at whatever rank he has achieved in his last book, is still regarded as an outsider by the officers and gentlemen of the British army, led by Wellington. There is usually an officer and gentleman, who cannot possibly behave in an un-British way, who places Sharpe in a situation where he has to resort to ungentlemanly conduct to get results. There is usually a sultry maiden who has been the cause of the resentment towards Sharpe. Why do these Spanish/French women not recognise a gentleman's worth and throw their metaphorical hats at a commoner? Aided by his trusty sidekick, Harper, Sharpe vanquishes the French, reveals the poltroon/coward/traitor for what he is and the blackguard gets his come-uppance. Sharpe earns another promotion and remains the man that Wellington trusts to get things done. After all, not being a gentleman, he is ultimately expendable should it all go wrong.
After winning the Battle of Waterloo (singlehandedly), Sharpe is sent to Paris to investigate a band of assassins who do not wish to be vanquished by the British and wish to create the mayhem required to reinstate Emperor Napoleon by whatever means possible. To do so he has to rescue a spy who poses as an art dealer from a defended castle. Guess what, he succeeds and is dragged into a predictable morass of backstabbing, betrayal and cowardice. Also, guess what, he wins by not being a gentleman.
There is no female side story because (gasp) Sharpe is attached and happy in his ways. We leave Sharpe happily tilling the fields of Normandy, living a rural life.
After winning the Battle of Waterloo (singlehandedly), Sharpe is sent to Paris to investigate a band of assassins who do not wish to be vanquished by the British and wish to create the mayhem required to reinstate Emperor Napoleon by whatever means possible. To do so he has to rescue a spy who poses as an art dealer from a defended castle. Guess what, he succeeds and is dragged into a predictable morass of backstabbing, betrayal and cowardice. Also, guess what, he wins by not being a gentleman.
There is no female side story because (gasp) Sharpe is attached and happy in his ways. We leave Sharpe happily tilling the fields of Normandy, living a rural life.
March 24, 2022
In the late 1990s, early 2000s I worked my way through most of Bernard Cornwell’s Sharpe novels, so when he wrote another one after a gap of nearly 15 years it was always going to be on my to-read list.
If you’re familiar with these books you’ll know there’s a formula. There will be an incompetent and/or cowardly officer, an ambitious young soldier or two, and the ever loyal Sergeant Harper. The story will climax in a set-piece battle against the odds in which Sharpe will triumph by a combination of skill, bravery and low cunning.
This book opens in the immediate aftermath of the battle of Waterloo, Sharpe and his men are sent into France to free a mysterious prisoner. The action then moves on to Paris, an uneasy and dangerous city in the wake of Napoleon’s defeat. It’s all good, solid ‘Boy’s Own’ stuff, though it doesn’t shy away from the brutality of 19th century warfare.
If you haven’t read Sharpe before this is probably not the best place to start. If you have you’ll know exactly what to expect and it doesn’t disappoint. Yes, it’s formulaic and a bit predictable but it’s still a cracking good read.
If you’re familiar with these books you’ll know there’s a formula. There will be an incompetent and/or cowardly officer, an ambitious young soldier or two, and the ever loyal Sergeant Harper. The story will climax in a set-piece battle against the odds in which Sharpe will triumph by a combination of skill, bravery and low cunning.
This book opens in the immediate aftermath of the battle of Waterloo, Sharpe and his men are sent into France to free a mysterious prisoner. The action then moves on to Paris, an uneasy and dangerous city in the wake of Napoleon’s defeat. It’s all good, solid ‘Boy’s Own’ stuff, though it doesn’t shy away from the brutality of 19th century warfare.
If you haven’t read Sharpe before this is probably not the best place to start. If you have you’ll know exactly what to expect and it doesn’t disappoint. Yes, it’s formulaic and a bit predictable but it’s still a cracking good read.
October 9, 2023
This is an action-packed tale that's a lot of fun to read. I'm obviously coming in in the middle of this tale of Richard Sharpe and his exploits. Still, it's easy to understand what's going on as this book is post-Waterloo and Sharpe finds more challenges on being ordered on into France. I did check out the author on Goodreads and find this series compared with Horatio Hornblower - which I very much agree with. Sharpe is a heroic character which is a character archetype that's much needed these days. (For modern readers, Captain Kirk is compared with Horatio Hornblower too - Kirk is just a version that's in outer space.) My rating is 4 stars for a great story that doesn't quite rise to what I seek (moral clarity for example) to give 5 stars.
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