'Bon chance!' Indeed!

Rebellion: A Thriller in Napoleon's France by James McGee    

 Captured by the French in Portugal, and taken before Marshall Marmont, an English Intelligence officer (in uniform) is ill treated despite have given his parole. Enroute from Salamanca, in the Pyrenees the officer escapes.
Three years later, 1812, Bonaparte has decided to move on Russia leaving certain Parisian factors seeing this as an opportunity to end his regime. 
Bow Street Runner Matthew Hawkwood is about to be thrust into the political turmoil of Paris. It seems tension seethes below the facade of acceptance of Bonaparte as Emperor. The British want to cash in on it.
A storm at sea as Hawkwood is crossing the English Channel was a realistically terrifying picture. I was there with Hawkwood staring out into the night at the watery inferno, lit by lightening, holding on afraid at the unholy magnitude of the sea at storm.
Disguised as an American in Paris, Hawkwood meets up with an old friend. Life certainly takes an even more interesting turn as the mission and old friends combine.
I liken Harkwood to other reluctant hero's like Bernard Cornwall's Sharpe or C.S. Forster's Horatio Hornblower. Englishman cut from the same cloth who have a duty to King and country to perform.
Action packed, historically accurate, stimulating and a grand adventure. A bonus for me is that the historical background brings gravitas to my understanding of the political times and conditions behind the regency romances of which I'm so fond. 
Sharply written, this thriller had me on the edge. 

A NetGalley ARC


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