Traitor's Game
(Soldier Spy Book 1)
By Rosemary Hayes
Publication Date: 16th September 2024
Publisher: Sharpe Books
Page Length: 158 Pages
Genre: Historical Fiction / Historical Thriller
1808
Captain Will Fraser has just returned from the Front in the Peninsular War. He is disgraced and penniless, the victim of a conspiracy led by a jealous and influential officer. Fraser has been falsely accused of insubordination and cowardice and dismissed from his regiment.
Fraser and Duncan Armstrong, his wounded Sergeant, arrive in London to seek out Will’s brother, Jack, who works for King George’s Government.
But Jack has disappeared. He vanished from his lodgings a week ago and no one has seen him since. Friends and colleagues are baffled by his disappearance as is the young woman, Clara, who claims to be his wife.
Then Will is viciously attacked, seemingly mistaken for his brother, and only just escapes with his life. When news of this reaches Jack’s colleagues in Government, Will is recruited to find his brother and he and Armstrong set out to follow a trail littered with half-truths and misinformation.
For their task is not quite what it seems.
Will closely resembles his brother and it becomes evident that he is being used as a decoy to flush out Jack’s enemies. These are enemies of the State, for Jack Fraser is a spy and his colleagues believe he has uncovered evidence which will lead to the identity of a French spymaster embedded in the British Government.
Will’s search leads him to France but in this murky world of espionage, nothing is straightforward.
The soldier turned spy must unmask a traitor, before it's too late.
Will Fraser, former captain of the Highland Light Infantry, returns to England with his character much maligned. Dishonourably discharged from the military, stripped of his rank and pension, Will faced the daunting task of rebuilding his life. Having only a few coins in his pocket, he makes his way to Drury Lane, where his brother Jack resides. But when he arrives, he discovers with horror that Jack has disappeared, his whereabouts unknown. It is as if he has vanished.
Uncertain of his next move, Will seeks out Sergeant Duncan Armstrong. Armstrong has also been discharged from the Army, but on medical grounds, his reputation remains unblemished. Despite the disgrace Will endured, Armstrong’s loyalty to his former captain remains unwavering. He immediately offers his assistance in trying to find out what has happened to Will’s brother.
On his journey back to Drury Lane, after he meets with Armstrong, Will is assaulted by two brutal thugs. He is stabbed in the arm, but thanks to his military training, he breaks free from his attackers and flees the scene. Afterwards, he considers the attack. He has very similar features to Jack and he cannot help but wonder if this attack was meant for Jack and if so, what has Jack gotten himself into?
“Traitor's Game (Soldier Spy Book 1),” penned by Rosemary Hayes, delivers a thrilling historical experience. Hayes’ unforgettable plot examines the intricate field of espionage and the complexities of loyalty. The story is captivating, the writing is clear and concise, the characters are compelling, and the setting is beautifully detailed. Hayes has written something fresh, vibrant and unputdownable.
Hayes’s work deserves the highest praise, as she crafts relatable and appealing characters while vividly portraying the era’s inherent dangers. While the war with Napoleon’s army rages, Will is about to face a new type of conflict, one where the enemy is not standing in a neat column formation. In this world of espionage, Will is plunged into a realm where deception reigns supreme and no one, not even those who appear beyond suspicion, can be trusted. Will’s desperation to find his brother, and his skills in battle, make him the perfect protagonist for this story - if anyone can find Jack, it will be Will. While Will might not be a trained spy, his sharp mind and military background allow him to go undercover. He uses his uncanny likeness to his brother to gain access to the same social circles as his brother moved in, but the charade is difficult to maintain as he’s completely in the dark about past conversations his brother had with the people he meets. Indeed, he had no knowledge that his brother was involved with espionage in the first place! Will is the epitome of bravery and courage, and he is a character that a reader can readily connect with. The story’s momentum comes largely from his narrative, making the novel a compelling read indeed.
Will’s behaviour throughout the book raises questions about his dishonourable discharge from the army. Although there are suggestions of a conspiracy, the truth behind his dismissal remains elusive. This, the author has done on purpose and to good effect. Will’s quiet suffering is palpable, and the reader understands that his apparent acceptance of what happened to him is nothing but a thin veneer masking a profound wound, which makes his character even more appealing.
Sergeant Duncan Armstrong is a character whose loyalty to Will is absolute, and for that reason, the reader takes him into their heart. Although Armstrong may appear unrefined and has only one arm, hence his being discharged from the Army, he’s incredibly brave, and despite his humble beginnings, he possesses sharp intelligence, much like Will. His ability to extract information from people without them knowing is quite remarkable. Armstrong's character also brought some lighter moments to the story, giving the reader a pause from the taunt tension and intrigue.
James Montagu adds another layer of complexity to the narrative. In contrast to Will, James resides in Knightsbridge, he is affluent and endowed with every social privilege. He also has something in common with Jack, they both work for King George’s Government. Montague is an intriguing character, and he has informants everywhere. However, even he has no idea where Jack is. Montagu’s character, shrouded in intrigue, leaves the reader wondering about his hidden depths, adding a layer of mystery that intensifies their interest even as the search for Jack progresses.
The narrative revolves around locating Jack. The other characters in this novel such as Will and Jack’s wife, Clara, offer extensive information about him before the reader finally encounters him. Jack is contributing to his country in a way unlike his brother, but no less significant. He’s painted as a man of great integrity and a skilled professional as well as a loving husband and proud brother. Jack's character is revealed through others’ opinions of him, and the reader’s fondness for Jack stems from the high regard he’s held in.
The historical detailing of this era has been beautifully portrayed. The depiction of Seven Dials, one of the most notorious slums in London in the 19th Century was particularly well drawn with all of its depravity. In comparison, the flamboyant James Montagu’s lavish lifestyle is a stark reminder of the differences between those who had and those who did not. Likewise, the portrayal of the smugglers' caves in Hastings was also wonderfully drawn.
Traitor's Game (Soldier Spy Book 1) by Rosemary Hayes is a tautly gripping thriller and it is just the right length to be read in an afternoon. The story is utterly sublime, brilliantly executed and featuring larger-than-life characters. This book is an enthralling read from beginning to end and it is one that comes highly recommended.
Review by Mary Anne Yarde
Yarde Reviews & Book Promotion
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Traitor's Game
Rosemary Hayes
Rosemary Hayes was brought up and educated in the UK but has also lived in France, America and Australia. She has a background in publishing, with Cambridge University Press and later running her own company, Anglia Young Books.
Rosemary has written over fifty books for children many of which have won or been shortlisted for awards and several translated into different languages.
She now writes historical fiction for adults and her first book in the genre, 'The King's Command', is a fast moving story of love, tragedy and flight at the time of Louis XIV's persecution of the Huguenots. The second, 'Traitor's Game' (the first book in the SOLDIER SPY trilogy) follows the exploits of Will Fraser, disgraced soldier, lover and reluctant spy during the Napoleonic Wars.
For many years Rosemary was a reader for a well known Author’s Advisory Service; she now runs creative writing courses for adults and workshops for both adults and children.
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