Sharpe's Havoc
Richard Sharpe and the Campaign in Northern Portugal, Spring 1809
By Bernard Cornwell 

     It is always a treat to read another Sharpe novel and here he is, back in fighting form the way we love him best, with his faithful Greenjackets and the battles of the Peninsular War. He is given the simple-sounding task of locating Kate Savage, for although her mother had chosen to stay in the besieged city of Oporto, things have become impossibly dangerous. But Kate is in love, and it is her choice of man that is going to cause the biggest trouble of all.

     To say much more would spoil another rattling good yarn and as usual, Sharpe fights, plans strategies, makes friends and enemies and helps history be made in his own inimitable style. History is mixed with fiction seamlessly as Cornwell shows us he has done his homework. The thrilling battle scenes and tactile descriptions of rural Portugal in 1809 make it a tale for all those who like military novels, but there is far more appeal than that to this book.

     It is a tale for all those who like a good story, whatever their preference. It transcends genre; even people who don't normally read this type of thing will enjoy it, though there are even more things military here than in some other Sharp novels. You can search in vain for any hint of romance though; Sharpe is just too busy. Great stuff as usual. When is the next one coming out?