The Scarlet Thief: Battle of the Alma, 1854 cover art

The Scarlet Thief: Battle of the Alma, 1854

Jack Lark, Book 1

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The Scarlet Thief: Battle of the Alma, 1854

By: Paul Fraser Collard
Narrated by: Dudley Hinton
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About this listen

1854: The banks of the Alma River, Crimean Peninsular. The Redcoats stagger to a bloody halt. The men of the King's Royal Fusiliers are in terrible trouble, ducking and twisting as the storm of shot, shell, and bullet tear through their ranks.

Officer Jack Lark has to act immediately and decisively. His life and the success of the campaign depend on it. But does he have the mettle, the officer qualities that are the life blood of the British Army? From a poor background Lark has risen through the ranks by stealth and guile and now he faces the ultimate test....

©2013 Paul Fraser Collard (P)2013 Headline Digital Action & Adventure Fiction Historical Fiction

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Critic reviews

"This is a brilliant debut and I look forward to reading more of Jack Lark!" (Bernard Cornwell)
All stars
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What a brilliant book. I shouted out load on the train this morning 'get up Jack' 😊 to the dismay of my fellow travellers. Can't wait to download the next installment.

Absorbing and brilliant

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Told in the first person..
After the rave reviews I felt a little deflated setting my expectations too high. BUT saying this the reality of the Crimean war shines through, you are there on the battle field, smelling seeing breathing the sheer horror of the era.
I wanted more from Jack or maybe just from the surrounding characters a little more exploration of their lives as a few piqued my interest.,lets just say it's a lot just for one character to carry the whole storyline even though his is a good story with a cheeky ending that made me smile. A solid four stars and I will keep a definite look out for more from this author.

Enjoyable..

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It’s a combination between Sharpe and Flashman and couldn’t be better if I be damned by god

Sharpe + Flashman

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I was pleasantly surprised with this book. A great hero, exciting battle scenes and an interesting premise. I took a chance on it because it was recommended on Twitter, I'm really glad that I did, I've already downloaded the next three books in the series. A great narration by Dudley Hinton too. I'm looking forward to following Jack Lark around the empire....

Sharpe with a touch of Flashman!

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I really enjoyed this fast paced story which grabbed my attention from the first chapter. There is plenty of action and a well developed lead character who is flawed but likeable.

I finished this in just a couple of days and will definitely be reading/listening to the next books. I'm l
ooking forward to seeing this series develop.

Sharpe meets the Talented Mr Ripley

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If you liked Sharpe then you will like this. Set in thr Crimea with vivid descriptions, strong characters and a gripping story line it's a great read. Only moan is that the sergeant figure from the past surfaces just as it does in Sharpe which, in my view, detracts.

Rattling good story, shame about the sergeant

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This was my first listen to this series. Hugely enjoyable book with a slightly different take to other historical novels.

Hugely enjoyable listen

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I loved the "Sharpe" series and, having finished all of those, thought I would give this a try.

I found this book a bit lacking in depth. The other characters weren't fleshed out enough and although the battle scenes were engaging, they felt a bit glossed over somehow.

It also seemed a bit "by-the-numbers" at times. Especially the interactions with the bully of a sergeant.

Somewhat entertaining, but a bit predictable.

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What did you like most about The Scarlet Thief?

As its mid-19th century British army, and shows things have not improved much since the days of Waterloo

What did you like best about this story?

How the incompetence of the Army commanders shone through. Along with the Hero is not some uber warrior death machine....

Which character – as performed by Dudley Hinton – was your favourite?

Slater, as he got the evilness of the character bang on

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The death of Tommy Smith.

Any additional comments?

Unfairly the hero in this good series could be compared the a certain other hero of a slightly earlier period. Yes I am talking about a certain Richard (You bloody bastards) Sharpe. Jack Lark is different, more moral in some ways. Ok he stole his commission (big plot point ops). But certainly no less a hero. In fact could be said in more than one way he is better. As debut novel its a cracker, rips along at pace and the final battle scenes are fanstaic in the way the horror of 19th century warfare is conveyed, along with how bad the british officers behaved to each other much less the men under them.
Jack lark I shall be hearing more of your exploits without doubt. I have the books just the audio books make work less of a dragg...

Its Not Sharpe, Its different

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really enjoyed this book! I listen to audio books every day going to work and although I try to concentrate on absorbing the story I confess my attention sometimes wavers. Not this one! its a highly entertaining story with great characters and a brilliant narrator that brings the story to life.
this is a series I recommend!

listen to this book!

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