Sharpes Devil

Title: Sharpe's Devil (Sharpe, #22)

Author: Bernard Cornwell

Published in: 1992

Date read: 28th September 2018

Score: 4/5

Genre: Historical fiction

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"Sharpe's Devil" by Bernard Cornwell, published in 1992, is the thirteenth novel in the Richard Sharpe series. It stands apart from the main Peninsular War narrative, sending the veteran officer on a thrilling and dangerous adventure in South America in 1820-1821, well after the Napoleonic Wars have ended.

The story finds Colonel Richard Sharpe attempting to enjoy a peaceful retirement. However, his quiet life is shattered when he learns that his old and trusted friend, Patrick Harper, has gone missing. Harper, now a successful merchant, vanished during a trading voyage off the coast of Chile.

Driven by an unwavering loyalty to his former sergeant, Sharpe sets sail for the Pacific, determined to find out what happened to Harper. His journey takes him to the chaotic and volatile coast of South America, a continent embroiled in its own wars of independence against the Spanish Empire.

Upon arrival, Sharpe discovers that Harper has been captured by a ruthless and enigmatic pirate, El Diablo (The Devil). El Diablo is a former Spanish Royalist officer who, after the defeat of the Spanish forces, has turned to piracy and established a brutal reign of terror along the coast, operating from a secluded island stronghold. He is not just a pirate but a cunning and cruel individual with a personal vendetta against anyone associated with the British or the new independent governments.

Sharpe, once again, finds himself a soldier in a foreign land, facing unfamiliar enemies and navigating a complex political landscape. He encounters figures from the South American wars of independence, including the famous British naval officer Lord Cochrane, who is commanding a Chilean fleet. Sharpe offers his services to Cochrane, hoping to gain assistance in rescuing Harper.

The "devil" in the title refers primarily to El Diablo, the pirate, who embodies a dark and malevolent force, but also perhaps to the inherent ruthlessness and violence of the new world Sharpe finds himself in.

The novel is a thrilling blend of naval action, land-based commando raids, and a personal quest for vengeance and rescue. Sharpe must infiltrate El Diablo's island stronghold, contend with his sadistic crew, and outwit the cunning pirate himself. He faces incredible odds, relying on his years of experience, his deadly skills, and his unbreakable bond with Harper.

Themes explored include:

• Loyalty and Friendship: The deep bond between Sharpe and Harper.
• The Aftermath of War: How individuals adapt (or fail to adapt) to peace.
• Piracy and Colonialism: The brutal realities of the South American independence movements.
• Personal Vendetta: Sharpe's relentless pursuit of Harper's captor.
The climax involves a daring and brutal assault on El Diablo's fortress, with Sharpe leading the charge to rescue Harper and bring El Diablo to justice. "Sharpe's Devil" provides a thrilling, swashbuckling adventure that expands Sharpe's world beyond Europe, offering a final, satisfying chapter to his legendary career.

Comments:
This was a good book but I was very worried that he was now "flogging a dead horse" and that these books had ran their course. I was certainly wrong, not only because this is a good book and an enjoyable story, but also because lots of books have been added much later than this in between others that were published earlier.

Books that we've read by Bernard Cornwell (28):
Sharpe's Eagle (Sharpe, #8) (1981), Sharpe's Gold (Sharpe, #9) (1981), Sharpe's Company (Sharpe, #13) (1982), Sharpe's Sword (Sharpe, #14) (1983), Sharpe's Enemy (Sharpe, #15) (1984), Sharpe's Honour (Sharpe, #16) (1985), Sharpe's Regiment (Sharpe, #17) (1986), Redcoat (1987), Sharpe's Siege (Sharpe, #18) (1987), Sharpe's Rifles (Sharpe, #6) (1988), Sharpe's Revenge (Sharpe, #19) (1989), Sharpe's Waterloo (Sharpe, #20) (1990), Sharpe's Devil (Sharpe, #22) (1992), Sharpe's Battle (Sharpe, #12) (1995), Sharpe's Tiger (Sharpe, #1) (1997), Sharpe's Triumph (Sharpe, #2) (1998), Sharpe's Fortress (Sharpe, #3) (1999), Sharpe's Prey (Sharpe, #5) (2000), Sharpe's Trafalgar (Sharpe, #4) (2000), Gallows Thief (2001), Heretic (The Grail Quest, #3) (2003), Sharpe's Havoc (Sharpe, #7) (2003), The Last Kingdom (The Saxon Stories, #1) (2004), Sharpe's Escape (Sharpe, #10) (2004), Sharpe's Fury (Sharpe, #11) (2005), The Pale Horseman (The Saxon Stories, #2) (2006), Sword Song (The Saxon Stories, #4) (2007), Lords of the North (The Saxon Stories, #3) (2007)