Fresh from the battle of Wateloo, Matthew Hervey, newly appointed aide de-camp to the Duke of Wellington, is sent on the most secret of missions to India. With the embers of war cooling to a precarious peace across Europe , Hervey must leave behind his newly affianced love, Henrietta, to travel across tempestuous seaas to an alien land which, unbeknownest to him, will test his mettle ot the very limits. The new Governor- General, Lord Hastings, seems intent on pursuing the opposite policy from that which the Duke's brother had so successfully employed a decade earlier. As tensions continue to rise unabated, the Duke believes thaa the new government, and court of directors of the Honourable East India company, will soon be forced to remove Hastings and place himself in the post. Hervey is sent in advance to scout out the Indian situation and make the essential contacts the Duke will need on his arrival. Hervey's destination is the province of Chinalpore, his mission to make contact with the Rajah, glean essential intelligence and forge lasting alliances. But the situation he finds is not as he expected. Chinalpore is in a perilous position, seemingly threatened from all sides . From the north come the roving band of Pindarees, renegade and bandits, who regularly make raids into the country. But more alarming still, on the western edge of the province are amassing the forces of the Nizam of Hydrabad, Chinalpore's expansionist neighbour, backed by his legendary cannons, the Nizam'a Daughter's , known and feared throughtout India. With little warining, Hervey finds himself drawn into a conflict as hot and fiery as that which he had so recently left in Belgium. Now, without the accustomed support of his dragon, Hervey must take a stand and decide where his loyalties lie in the coming conflict.
Industry Reviews
"A marvellous read, paced like a well-balanced symphony ... This is more than a ripping yarn...I look forward enormously to hearing more of Hervey's exploits; he is as fascinating on horseback as Jack Aubrey is on the quarterdeck." The Times "'This is an engaging work...The attention to detail is admirable'" Daily Express "Allan Mallinson's grasp of the technical side of his subject is effortless and impressive...The portrayal of the men of all ranks is excellent ...This promises to be an extremely enjoyable series" Spectator "Treads a middle course between the subtleties of O'Brian and the simplicities of Cornwell...An exciting, fast-moving story, full of bloody hacking with sabre and tulwar." Evening Standard "'O'Brian's equal in accurate knowledge of the equipment, methods, weapons and conditions of serve of the fighting men of whom he writes...An imaginative feat of high order, owning as much to thorough scholarship as it does to compassion and sensibility... Brilliantly conveyed'" Country Life