September 1810. Raids across the Straits of Messina to disrupt preparations for the French invasion of the island have been repulsed with heavy casualties. George Warne, a bright young British officer, suspects treachery back in Messina, and is ordered to investigate. Warne uncovers a shadowy underworld of spies, traitors and informers where nothing is quite as it seems and where danger lurks around every corner. If the long-threatened French invasion erupts will Sicily’s defenders be prepared?

‘Swashbuckling, suspenseful and elegantly plotted' VANORA BENNETT

'A cracking story … George Warne is a great addition to the roll-call of fictional soldier-heroes of the Napoleonic wars, from Sharpe of the Rifles to Hervey of the Light Dragoons. More please' DOMINICK DONALD