Sharpe's Honor (Sharpe, #16)

Title: Sharpe's Honour (Sharpe, #16)

Author: Bernard Cornwell

Published in: 1985

Date read: 31st March 2018

Score: 4/5

Genre: Historical fiction

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"Sharpe's Honour" by Bernard Cornwell, published in 1993, is the seventh novel in the Richard Sharpe series. Set in 1813 during the Peninsular War, this book sees Major Richard Sharpe embroiled in a high-stakes espionage plot, framed for murder, and forced to clear his name while facing execution and the machinations of a powerful, seductive French spy.

The story begins with Sharpe in London, ostensibly on a mission for Wellington, but soon finds himself entangled in a web of intrigue. He is abruptly accused of murdering a French agent in a duel, a crime he vehemently denies but for which evidence is cleverly planted against him. This accusation is not just a personal attack but part of a larger, more sinister plot orchestrated by his formidable enemy.

The true antagonist is the stunningly beautiful, intelligent, and utterly ruthless French spy, Madame Anne Camaret. She is a master manipulator, pulling strings behind the scenes, using her charm and cunning to ensnare powerful men and undermine the British war effort. Camaret has orchestrated the frame-up to discredit Sharpe, knowing his reputation and loyalty to Wellington.

Sharpe is swiftly condemned and sentenced to death by hanging. He faces the ultimate humiliation and loss of his hard-won military career. However, he manages a daring escape with the help of his loyal sergeant, Patrick Harper, and a small group of trusted allies.

Now a fugitive, Sharpe must clear his name and expose the real conspiracy. His quest for justice takes him from the grimy streets of London back to the battlefields of Spain, where the war against the French is raging. He pursues Camaret, determined to unravel her plot and prove his innocence, all while dodging both British authorities who seek to apprehend him and French agents who want him dead.

The narrative is a thrilling cat-and-mouse game, with Sharpe constantly on the run, relying on his wits, his fighting skills, and the unwavering loyalty of his Chosen Men. He delves into the world of espionage, uncovering layers of deception and betrayal within both the British and French intelligence networks.

Themes explored include:

• False Accusation and Injustice: Sharpe's desperate fight against a rigged system.
• Espionage and Deception: The hidden war of spies and counter-spies.
• Honour and Reputation: Sharpe's relentless drive to restore his name.
• Seduction and Manipulation: Madame Camaret's dangerous power over men.
The climax brings Sharpe to a direct confrontation with Madame Camaret, where he must not only expose her treachery but also survive her final, desperate attempts to silence him. "Sharpe's Honour" is a fast-paced and personally intense adventure, showcasing Sharpe's resilience and his unyielding commitment to justice, even when the odds are stacked against him.

Comments:
I read all of the Sharpe books in chronological order, one after the other. When I have looked back, I have not separated them at all unless there is a specific thing to add which will be after saying that I suddenly loved historical fiction and anything that Bernard Cornwell writes.

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)