Honour Be Damned: A Markham of the Marines Novel(Markham of the Marines)

The final volume in the Markham of the Marines trilogy Honour Be Damned finds the fiery British lieutenant George Markham in the waning days of the French Revolution. The revolution is turning in on itself—Robespierre has met the guillotine—but still the French fight on. After completing the siege of a French fortress in Corsica, Markham and his men are assigned to the sloop Syilphide under the impetuous Captain Germain. Before long, Germain's foolhardy hunt for glory throws Markham and his “Lobsters” into desperate ship-to-ship action. Fortunately, fighting hand to hand is what the battle-hardened Marines do best. Like Markham, Germain has been branded a coward, but in his zeal to restore his good name he sets Markham on another, more perilous venture. This time, Markham must go ashore to escort a group of French royalists on a secret mission. Dodging the French army patrols is difficult enough, but it is particularly hazardous because he is shackled with a French count, a devious Catholic prelate, a young lady, and their contingent of servants. But what is the secret prize they are hunting for? Why have they embarked on this fool's errand? Markham must answer these questions as he untangles the deceit and subterfuge all around him. And he must rely on the loyalty of his men and the ever-grudging assistance of Sergeant Rannoch to succeed in this most unusual and dangerous mission—one complicated by the unexpected arrival of a figure from Markham's past.

About the Author :
David Donachie was born in Edinburgh in 1944. He has always had an abiding interest in British naval history of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, as well as in military history, including ancient Rome, the Middle Ages, and the clandestine services during the Second World War. He has more than fifty published novels to his credit, with over a million copies sold. David lives in Deal, the historic English seaport on the border of the English Channel and the North Sea.

Review :
The action rises to a grand and bloody climax of fire, murder, and hairbreadth escape. In all, a highly promising launching. Swashbuckling novels have a long history, from The Three Musketeers through Raiders of the Lost Ark. . . . A Shred of Honour is a worthy entry in the field. . . . [Donachie’s] attention to historical detail is commendable and adds to the excitement, making Markham himself a memorable character. The plot complications are worthy of Baroness Orczy or either Dumas. . . . There is plenty of swashbuckling action and gory detail. The best since the Hornblower series if you like salty seadog tales. A fine addition to the currently popular historical-adventure genre. You can smell the salt water and gunpowder. Readers of the Horatio Hornblower or Patrick O’Brian sea stories will enjoy another of [Donachie’s] rousing Markham of the Marines series. Like Bernard Cornwell and his celebrated hero Sharpe, [Donachie] has found a happy hunting ground—and he even dares to introduce Napoleon and Nelson as supporting players to his hero. This swashbuckling tale . . . moves at a cracking pace, alternating between hard-fought battles, political intrigue and acts of treachery. . . . The most fascinating aspect of the book is detailed insight into the late-eighteenth-century battle strategies. Markham has all the flawed genius of his literary ancestors and his success in action at the siege of Toulon seems likely to propel him to further adventures. . . A good read with, one hopes, more to follow. Excellent new book for those armchair sailors who like nothing better than reading about the blood and thunder action days afloat in Nelson’s navy. . . . First-rate action. Markham has style, panache, quick wits and a talent for violence—what more could you ask of a historical man of action?