Lieutenant-Colonel Sharpe is a man with a reputation. Born in the gutter, raised a foundling, he joined the army twenty-one years ago, and it’s been his home ever since. He’s a loose cannon, but his unconventional methods make him a valuable weapon. The storyline was brilliant and fascinating you won't want to miss this novel!

Another - perhaps the last? - episode in Cornwell's series of novels about Richard Sharpe, Well-written, believable, page turner about the aftermath of Waterloo, and events in France. All the characters are rounded, believable whether heroic, cowardly, honourable or not.

Most of the background events are true, or have an element of truth about them, so this is the best of historical fiction, and highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for an ARC.

Mr Sharpe you have been missed!

I have previously read the Sharpe series of books a few years ago, and whilst I struggled to remember what had happened to the main characters in Sharpe's Waterloo, there was enough reference to bring it back to my memory.

The author has crafted another signature novel in the series, and I thoroughly loved being transported back into the past again.

Whilst marching to Paris after the Battle of Waterloo, is tasked with a new mission by the Duke of Wellington to find out who wants to assassinate him and stop him.

This leads to some twisting and turning as the story moves along at pace, with Sharpe having to rely on his wits and his friend Pat!

If you are a fan of the Sharpe books or even historical fiction, then this is highly recommended for you.

I was provided a free ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in return for my honest review.

I got Sharpe’s Assassin by Bernard Cornwell. From NetGalley for a fair and honest review.

Sharpe’s Assassin is the latest in the book in the Sharpe Series by Bernard Cornwell.
The Novel is set straight after the Battle of Waterloo, where the Napoleon has finally been defeated.
Although there are remnants of the French Army that want exact revenge on the victorious allies.
With this in mind the Duke first orders Sharpe to free an important prisoner, from a fortified castle and then got to Paris and stop any revenge attacks on the Allies.

It’s been a few years since I read the any of the books in the Sharpe Series, and even longer since Bernard Cornwell has written one, so it was with great delight when I saw a new one was out.
Now there was some trepidation in starting this book as there are times when a writer goes back and writes a book from a series which he has not written in quiet a while, then the quality suffers.
However, with Bernard Cornwell and Sharpe’s Assassin, I was not disappointed.
Though I would not say this is the best Richard Sharpe novel, it is the type of writing and format of all those classic books, action throughout the book.
Which readers of those original books will enjoy.
In addition to this with Tom Harper in the story and the way he and Sharpe, get on really made the book for me.
All in all, I would defiantly recommend the novel to people who have read previous books in the series as well as new readers, as the books can be read as standalone novels.
So, give Bernard Cornwell’s latest novel in the Richard Sharpe series Sharpes Assassin a go.

Lieutenant-Colonel Sharpe thought the Battle of Waterloo is the end of his war. He’s longing for the simple life in Normandy with Lucille and their son. But Wellington has one more battle for Sharpe. An English prisoner is being kept in the citadel of Ham, and Wellington wants him freed. Bonaparte is still at large after fleeing the battlefield, but there are whispers that La Fraternite’, a loyal group of men to Bonaparte, who have vowed to fight to the bitter end, are planning an assassination attempt on Wellington himself. The war may be over, but Sharpe has one more battle to fight.

REVIEW: As I flick through to the first page, the theme tune from the televised series is being played in my head. With the first dialogue all I can hear is Sean Bean’s voice as the roguish British soldier, Sharpe. Along with the Irish brogue of Sargent Pat Harper played by Daragh O'Malley, and it feels like old friends are back with a new tale to tell. I always find it intriguing after watching an adaptation of a book, the actors who play the characters, always take on the persona in my imaginings when reading the next book in the series. And its no different with this latest instalment in the saga.

Once more the indomitable Sharpe (Sean Bean) is called on to do the dirty work only a rogue could do so well. Ordered to capture a citadel on a fools errand, Sharpe has to use guise and cunning to capture it, without the risk of losing any more of his battalion.
But his battle is only partly done. After freeing the English prisoner, Sharpe now finds himself, along with Harper, a Mister Fox and only a dozen men, left to infiltrate Paris, discover the identities of La Fraternite' and stop any assassination attempt from occurring. All the while protecting Mister Fox as he tries to identify stolen art the French have stolen.
During this Sharpe encounters a member of La Fraternite' who is the mirror image of Sharpe in cunning and ruthlessness. How do you defeat an opponent that you admire? That is the conundrum facing Sharpe.
Cornwell once more used his mastery to draw you back into Sharpe's life and left you rooting for this extraordinary man, who despite his humble beginnings is more of a gentleman than the officer's he’s surrounded by. Who can't help rooting for the underdog who rises above it all?

VERDICT: 4****/5 A page turner from the start, filled with all the action you expect Cornwell’s books. I just wish Sean Bean was able to reprise his role of Sharpe, as this is one of Sharpe's adventures that deserves to be adapted.

Sharpe’s Fury in 2006 was, astonishingly, the previous Richard Sharpe book. What a delight to have him back after all these years.
This is set right in the aftermath of Waterloo (well worth reading that again before this, you don’t need to but it provides great context). Sharpe and his troops are burying their dead and coming to terms with Napoleon’s defeat. Expecting a rest they find the Duke of Wellington has further need of Sharpe’s unique skills. A nice touch that Wellington is very clear about Sharpe and how best to use him rather than looking down at him.
So Sharpe is spearheading the main army towards Paris, but has to break the journey for the “minor” impossible task of taking a castle and freeing an important prisoner. Once in Paris, he finds a very different mission and struggles to know who to trust in a city whose citizens have just lost a critical battle. And in Paris, there are danger around every corner, but then Sharpe has history as a street fighter….
The big question is whether the author has recaptured that special something after all these years, and fans will be delighted that he has. Sharpe is battle weary but we see plenty of reminders of him both as a character but an experienced and respected leader of men. Some nice glimpses and memories of previous characters along with reflection of the journey he and Pat Harper have been through.
Like all Sharpe novels it is a page turner and it was fantastic to have him back after all this time.

An exceedingly jolly jape. Once I received this I basically sat down and read this. Mumbling at anyone with the temerity to interrupt me.

I loved Sharpe the first time round (all 20 plus rounds come to think of it) and here Sharpe is back, with a son in tow and his delicious aristocrat partner. What is very clever in this novel is the way Bernard Cornwell manages to introduce enough of the back story into the novel without irritating you if you've read the series. I believe he does this so well you could read this as a stand alone novel and still enjoy it.

It's interesting that whilst there is an over arching story line about the plot to assassinate Wellington, it equally well could have been written as three stand alone long stories. Loads of action, killing and interesting forms of attack. Fast paced and exhilarating.

Thinking about Sharpe as I sit writing this I'm very much reminded of Hercules and the scale of his labours and the inventive way he solves them.

One of the reasons I have always loved these novels is that they are what I call 'twofers', ie great story and plot plus a good amount of history sprinkled in. I particularly loved the section in Paris where I discovered a whole series of facts I hadn't been aware of before, elephants, monkeys, ladders, second class medals and vine yards.

Wonderful to met Pat Harper again as well. All in all a rollicking read.

Nearly a teary reunion this, the joy of having Richard Sharpe back - and it was as though he’d never been away. Once again called upon by the Duke of Wellington, it’s mission impossible for Sharpe, who thankfully has Pat back with him. From freeing a Fox from a fortress to finding a revolutionary network in Paris this book has all the derring do that has captivated an army of followers of Sharpe and does not disappoint. Even a nice touch of revenge on the man who had him flogged. Brilliant book, brilliant series, can’t say fairer than that.

Hurrah! Sharpe is back!

It has been awhile and this book starts immediately after the Battle of Waterloo.

Sharpe and Harper are in fine form, with plenty of action to satisfy Sharpe fans. I was slightly worried this may have been a book to far for the Sharpe series, especially after such a long time since the last one. But no such worries as Bernard Cornwell knows how to write fast paced and enjoyable historical fiction.

If you love the Sharpe series you'll love this latest installment. Those that are new to Sharpe are in for a treat too.

After a long hiatus, Sharpe is back and in fighting form.

Despite the French defeat at Waterloo, Lieutenant-Colonel Sharpe’s war has not yet ended. Wellington’s orders send him to Paris, but first he must break out an imprisoned spy, whose information is key to discovering a group of revenge seeking revolutionaries, intent on assassinating the Duke. But Sharpe wants the war to be done and return to Normandy with Lucille and his son. To keep fighting a war that is already won seems senseless, but fighting is in Sharpe’s blood. From his childhood, right through Flanders, India, Portugal, Spain and France, he has clawed his way from the gutters into the ranks, and now he must find these assassins and fight a monster, or die trying.

Long-standing readers of the series will know exactly what to expect, and won’t be disappointed. Of course, Harper accompanies our rogue hero; I have thoroughly missed reading these two! I love their friendship and the banter between them. It was interesting to follow Sharpe around 19th century Paris, which is vividly brought to life by the historical research. Cornwell also writes brilliant villains, and they come in the guises of both the French enemy, and as an unwelcome character from Sharpe’s past. There are also the usual foppish characters on Sharpe’s side who he finds infuriating, and the common soldiers—his own troops—who he is immensely proud of. Plus, there is a touching opening where Sharpe and Harper say goodbye to a friend, and a bloody good rifleman.

Cornwell gives enough backstory to the series so far, but readers new to Sharpe might benefit from holding back reading this novel and go first to some of the earlier books. I recommend Sharpe’s Eagle, the first written, or Sharpe’s Tiger, the first in chronological order. Long-term fans of the books will have no trouble, and it is a welcome addition to the series, and I hope there is more to follow.

Oh what a joy and a treat this was. Finally, Sharpe and Harper are back!

Picking up from where Sharpe’s Waterloo finishes, Cornwell throws Sharpe into a classic adventure in and around the streets of Paris. Its just Sharpe and Bernard Cornwell at their very best.

The plot is, as you would expect, extremely fast paced. With a host of familiar old faces, and some interesting new ones thrown in, Sharpe’s Assassin was exactly what I wanted it to be.

I’ve missed Harper’s jovial Irish wit, and Sharpe’s stubborn grumpiness. I’ve missed the way I smile from page to page when I read Richard Sharpe’s adventures. I wouldn’t say no to another Sharpe book next year, not by a long way.

Richard Sharpe is back!

It's been a while, but Richard Sharpe is back, and it's like he never left. "Sharpe's Assassin" is pure, classic Sharpe and fans will not be disappointed. Our favourite characters are all back, with an old nemesis, a new enemy, and some new friends all thrown together in the aftermath of the famous battle.

The book picks up directly after the events of "Sharpe's Waterloo", with Lieutenant-Colonel Sharpe and Harper sadly burying Dan Hagman. But they're not even done before Wellington sends Sharpe to Paris to help retrieve some prisoners vital to the cause. Napoleon might be down but he and his supporters are not out.

What follows is a tale that blends seamlessly with the saga fans love. The South Essex, as was, continues to follow Sharpe, even as he descends into the murky world of spies and conspiracies. Patrick Harper remains the true and strong friend that Sharpe depends on, as he struggles with the demands of a war he thought he was done with, and longs to return with his family to Normandy. Wellington remains the brusque, dour man we love, although his respect for Sharpe perhaps shines through a bit more now.

We have all the components of a fine Sharpe story - an impregnable citadel to breach, wrongs to right, battles we simply cannot win, but do, and a baddie, who turns out to be a decent guy. Through the clever use of conversation and musings, we even get a potted history of Sharpe's life so far, for the benefit of new readers. Cornwell's research is as spot-on as usual, and he's careful to separate fact from fiction in the afterword, for perfectionists.

Bernard Cornwell might well frown, but I simple cannot read a Sharpe novel now without hearing the voices of Sean Bean and Daragh O'Malley as Harper, and it adds an extra element to my enjoyment. No apologies.

"Sharpe's Assassin" is what fans old and new have been waiting for, and I can't recommend it highly enough. Form line and get stuck in!

An enjoyable read, which took a while to get me interested, but once into the novel I enjoyed it. Sharpe is a foundling, born in the gutter, but he rises from there to a career in the army. The Duke of Wellington asks Sharpe to do him a favour after Waterloo. The rest of the plot I cannot reveal without risking spoilers, but as I say, I enjoyed it when Sharpe got to Paris, and was really into it from that point onwards. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for giving me a copy of the book.