Charles Cordell has been a career soldier, military intelligence officer and diplomat on the ground in the Middle East, South Asia and North Africa. He has seen humanity at its best, its worst and its most desperate. His novels draw both on time spent on the fraying margins of civilisation and studies of the great political and religious crises of 17th century Europe.

"As only a soldier could, Charles Cordell does not flinch from drawing attention to the sheer terror of battle ... a gripping first book. I am certain there will be many more." Jeremy Ravenshaw Fowler, Adjutant General of the Sealed Knot Society; "A fast-paced read that brilliantly captures the fear, confusion and luck of battle." Lt Gen Richard Nugee CB, CVO, CBE; "Fast-paced and authentic ... with characters that are colourful and believable. There are not enough tales like this." Michael Arnold, author of The Civil War Chronicles and the Highwayman series.

Charles Cordell has been a career soldier, military intelligence officer and diplomat on the ground in the Middle East, South Asia and North Africa. He has seen humanity at its best, its worst and its most desperate. His novels draw both on time spent on the fraying margins of civilisation and studies of the great political and religious crises of 17th century Europe.

"As only a soldier could, Charles Cordell does not flinch from drawing attention to the sheer terror of battle ... a gripping first book. I am certain there will be many more." Jeremy Ravenshaw Fowler, Adjutant General of the Sealed Knot Society; "A fast-paced read that brilliantly captures the fear, confusion and luck of battle." Lt Gen Richard Nugee CB, CVO, CBE; "Fast-paced and authentic ... with characters that are colourful and believable. There are not enough tales like this." Michael Arnold, author of The Civil War Chronicles and the Highwayman series.

Charles Cordell has been a career soldier, military intelligence officer and diplomat on the ground in the Middle East, South Asia and North Africa. He has seen humanity at its best, its worst and its most desperate. His novels draw both on time spent on the fraying margins of civilisation and studies of the great political and religious crises of 17th century Europe.

"As only a soldier could, Charles Cordell does not flinch from drawing attention to the sheer terror of battle ... a gripping first book. I am certain there will be many more." Jeremy Ravenshaw Fowler, Adjutant General of the Sealed Knot Society; "A fast-paced read that brilliantly captures the fear, confusion and luck of battle." Lt Gen Richard Nugee CB, CVO, CBE; "Fast-paced and authentic ... with characters that are colourful and believable. There are not enough tales like this." Michael Arnold, author of The Civil War Chronicles and the Highwayman series.