Bibliography

Date first published	1994
ISBN Number	0 006 17919 3
Page Count	493 p/b
h/b= hardback : p/b= paperback

Storyline

The Civil War is getting on for a year old. A long time when both sides thought it would take one good battle to finish the matter. However neither side seems prepared to push for the final victory, although the North are starting to gain the advantage. McClellan, however refuses to make the final push to Richmond and finish the matter for fear that his army is out numbered.

Starbucks fortunes are also on the turn, for Faulconer, has returned to the Legion, and has ejected Starbuck. Starbuck's problems get very much worse when he is picked up for being a Northern spy. Tortured, he refuses to admit anything (especially as he has nothing to admit), and watches the bundled hanging of the spy ring which Adam Faulconer has been dealing with.

Rescued from prison, Starbuck is sent on a mission to the Northern ranks to sow disinformation, and also try to gather information about the spy operating in the South. Starbuck is trapped by his friend Delaney, another Northern spy. Fortuitously he escapes from McClellans camp just before his cover is blown, and flees back to the safety of the Southern army.

Adam Faulconer is horrified to find Starbuck back, and apparently with evidence of his spying, and so Starbuck is back with his company to fight again.

Review

Whilst I can see why I enjoyed the first of the series, this second book seems to be rather lifeless. Whilst their is a battle, it doesn't really take off, and I assume that it is because the real battle fizzled out. Yet what action there is just doesn't get the blood flowing, which is unusual as a Cornwell battle scene is usually very well done.

Having read the second book, I'm still not sure that I like Starbuck enough to care what happens to him, but perhaps that will change. The other problem that I have with the book is the fact that he is taken out of his setting. This happened with Sharpe a few times, and the stories never quite worked, especially the story where he is sent back to his native town to quell the riots (Sharpe's Justice).

The first story set about introducing several characters, Adam, Faulconer, Pecker and Truslow, but we don't get to learn more of these characters, as they are all virtually missing from the book. The Starbuck novels can be compared to Sharpe without Harper, you need a friendly foil, and Truslow is the faithful companion. Hopefully we will see more of the Legion in the next book.

The book is not a bad book, just not up to the high standards that you expect from this author, although he has set himself a truly awesome reputation with some of his later books.

Oh and have you guessed who Colonel Lassan is?

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