Bibliography

Date first published	1989
ISBN Number	978 0 140 17724 4
Page Count	311 p/b
h/b= hardback : p/b= paperback

Storyline

When Johnny makes landfall, though, he finds that his return is eagerly awaited by some very unpleasant foes. After an attempt on his life, he realises that someone thinks a missing painting that belongs to the family is in his hands - and, worse, they are prepared to go to any lengths to get hold of it.

But as Earl of Stowey, Johnny has eight centuries of robber baron blood pumping through his veins. He won't let the family fortune fall into the hands of others without a fight, and whatever the cost.

Review

This book was written just after Sharpe's Rifles, the series that would make his name. As such it is quite an early book, and one where he is still finding his feet.

Having said that the book is nicely plotted, and has a good pace, in fact it works like many of his other books, some action, a lull before the next action. There are quite a few twists and turns, and it is only because of a sister confined to an institution that he decides to battle it out and give her a half decent life.

The characters are well drawn, and it is quite some way into the book, before it dawns, who stole the painting. You get to meet his sister - very uncaring, her alcoholic husband and a whole host of hangers on. The only thing that they care about is the painting and the money they could get. No wonder he went to sea.

The story is a clever who dunnit, with love won, almost lost and won again, and the bad guys all put away. No I'm not going to say who stole the painting, you will just have to read the book yourself.

So to conclude, a nicely paced and plotted book, set in the modern era. Go out and buy it.

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