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Published by McBooks Press
Distributed by Simon & Schuster
Table of Contents
About The Book
In the tradition of Patrick O’Brian’s adventure novels and C.S. Forester’s Horatio Hornblower series, A Shred of Honour is an epic of eighteenth-century warfare that introduces Lieutenant George Markham of His Majesty’s Royal Marines.
Irishman, papist, reputed coward: Markham is a man with something to prove. The death of his commander—killed by a lucky French musket ball to the throat—provides him with a chance to lead his men to glory. But it’s not that easy. Markham, a foot soldier by training, is no sailor, and he is suddenly left with a band of surly, disgruntled conscripts under his command. The salty marines aboard the frigate Hebe deride his ignorance and undermine his authority. The soldiers from Markham’s old regiment who have been transferred to the Hebe blame him for the fact that they now must spend their days crammed on a ship.
Worse, as the winter of 1793 comes, Markham and his troublemaking men must face the expansive terror of Revolutionary France. The fighting takes Markham to the city of Toulon, where he makes the acquaintance of a French soldier named Napoleon Bonaparte.
Acclaimed author David Donachie follows Markham through bloody battles, lively seductions, fights with superiors, and run-ins with French spies to offer a stirring tale of derring-do that heats the blood and fires the imagination.
Irishman, papist, reputed coward: Markham is a man with something to prove. The death of his commander—killed by a lucky French musket ball to the throat—provides him with a chance to lead his men to glory. But it’s not that easy. Markham, a foot soldier by training, is no sailor, and he is suddenly left with a band of surly, disgruntled conscripts under his command. The salty marines aboard the frigate Hebe deride his ignorance and undermine his authority. The soldiers from Markham’s old regiment who have been transferred to the Hebe blame him for the fact that they now must spend their days crammed on a ship.
Worse, as the winter of 1793 comes, Markham and his troublemaking men must face the expansive terror of Revolutionary France. The fighting takes Markham to the city of Toulon, where he makes the acquaintance of a French soldier named Napoleon Bonaparte.
Acclaimed author David Donachie follows Markham through bloody battles, lively seductions, fights with superiors, and run-ins with French spies to offer a stirring tale of derring-do that heats the blood and fires the imagination.
Product Details
- Publisher: McBooks Press (September 8, 2023)
- Length: 320 pages
- ISBN13: 9781493076123
Raves and Reviews
The action rises to a grand and bloody climax of fire, murder, and hairbreadth escape.
– Roland Green, Booklist
The plot complications are worthy of Baroness Orczy or either Dumas. . . . There is plenty of swashbuckling action and gory detail.
– Publishers Weekly
Swashbuckling novels have a long history, from The Three Musketeers through Raiders of the Lost Ark. . . . A Shred of Honour is a worthy entry in the field. . . . [Donachie’s] attention to historical detail is commendable and adds to the excitement, making Markham himself a memorable character.
– The Denver Post
A fine addition to the currently popular historical-adventure genre.
– Huddersfield Examiner
The best since the Hornblower series if you like salty seadog tales.
– Cambridge Evening News
You can smell the salt water and gunpowder.
– Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Readers of the Horatio Hornblower or Patrick O’Brian sea stories will enjoy another of [Donachie’s] rousing Markham of the Marines series.
– The Stuart News (FL)
Like Bernard Cornwell and his celebrated hero Sharpe, [Donachie] has found a happy hunting ground—and he even dares to introduce Napoleon and Nelson as supporting players to his hero.
– The Sunday Mercury
This swashbuckling tale . . . moves at a cracking pace, alternating between hard-fought battles, political intrigue and acts of treachery. . . . The most fascinating aspect of the book is detailed insight into the late-eighteenth-century battle strategies.
– Aberdeen (Scotland) Press & Journal
Markham has all the flawed genius of his literary ancestors and his success in action at the siege of Toulon seems likely to propel him to further adventures. . . A good read.
– Evening Press & Star
Excellent book for those armchair sailors who like nothing better than reading about the blood and thunder action days afloat in Nelson’s navy. . . . First-rate action.
– Bolton Evening News
Markham has style, panache, quick wits and a talent for violence—what more could you ask of a historical man of action?
– Northern Echo
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