The King’s Scarlet
Royal Marine Captain Thomas Pennywhistle, along with his sidekick Sargent Dale, are sent on a secret mission into the Spanish interior with a written message from Vice-Admiral Martin for General Wellington. It is 1812, and the English army is attempting to dislodge the French army from Spanish soil. Unfortunately, prior to his mission, Pennywhistle trusted the wrong contact and is betrayed, resulting in useless maps, and is now trapped behind enemy lines.
Pennywhistle rescues a young Spanish woman named Juanita from the clutches of French soldiers. She is familiar with the territory and volunteers to help him locate General Wellington. He also takes on Sergeant Juan Morales, from a local Spanish regiment, to assist him in moving through the French-held land. Meanwhile, the French begin a massive manhunt, trying to capture Pennywhistle and obtain his message.
This novel is Book II in the Pennywhistle series. I didn’t read the first book, and never felt that I needed to. This novel is an excellent depiction of the Peninsular War, with striking comparisons to Bernard Cornwall’s Sharpe series. The characterizations are excellent, clearly defined, realistic, and credible for the time period. The battle scenes are gripping, while the protagonist is constantly faced with danger throughout every chapter. Highly recommended reading for Napoleonic War enthusiasts.
