Riding

by Malcolm Archibald

The successful smuggler, John Smith has become a highwayman to safeguard his inland trade. Riding the roads as the Yellowhammer, he makes both friends and enemies as he robs the rich and powerful.

Yet his old companion Bess is in danger when the eccentric Lady Charlotte finds out who she is, and Lord Fitzwarren employs a killer to hunt Smith down. In a story full of backstabbing, cheating and deceit, Smith is in danger of being outmaneuvered by an expert.

With the killer on his heels, Smith has to toe the line between survival and keeping Bess safe. But can he manage to escape with his life, and his fortune, as he turns from dancing on the waves to riding the king's highways?

A historical adventure set in 18th century England, 'Riding' is the second book in Malcolm Archibald's 'The Rise Of An English Lawbreaker' series.

332 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 5, 2022

About the author

My 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.

Reviews

[Berk Rourke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in what I hope is series starring John Smith. In the first story we learned he was hanged together with his father for horse theft. But before he choked to death, he was taken off the hanging tree and sent to the Navy. Then his ship sank, and his name, Watson, became John Smith. He learned to become a smuggler, a ship owener, businessman. In Riding he acquires many more titles, some describing a criminal, some describing royalty. As in the first book his plans are detailed, full of mischief and convoluted. As in the first novel he is involved with Bess, his ever-present lady, who becomes terribly important. The tale gives a view of the attitudes of commoners toward royalty in then Britain, and that of royalty toward commoners. It is filled with wonderful characters and derring do. The mastery of the times of the author, along with the language, and the humanizing of characters, is rife in all his works and certainly so in this wonderful book. Kudos for a piece of work well done, even down to the last page.

[Brian Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really entertaining read

This second book fearturing Malcolm Archibald's new 'hero' John Smith had me enthralled from start to finish. Not sure if I should call Smith a hero as he is a smuggler, a thief and occasionally, a highwayman. He does however have a heart and together with his partner, Bess, he seeks to right many wrongs, stands up for the poor and the oppressed and you can't help cheering for the man. Personally I think Smith is something of a genius creation by the author and I can wholeheartedly give the book a rousing 5 star rating. Three cheers for John Smith.