Richard Sharpe, Patrick Harper, and Sweet William Fredrickson, c. 1814
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Oh, Sharpe, how do you do it? In every other book you are kicked out of the army and forced to clear your besmirched name. Enemies on all sides. Nowhere to turn. Nothing but kickin' butt and lovin' the ladies. Yee haw!
Sharpe takes part in the very bloody battle for Toulouse (10 April 1814), technically fought four days *after* Napoleon had surrendered in Paris. Good ol' Wellington took care of business, only to find that the war was over. Thus, the wonderfully successful British army from the Peninsular War was disbanded and scattered to the four winds. Some sailed home, some were assigned to the North American station, some shipped elsewhere. Many mustered out. Too bad, because Wellington is going to need another army before too long.
Sharpe and Fredrickson are set up by Pierre bloody Ducos, French intelligence agent and Napoleon traitor. Ducos wants ol' Sharpie to take the fall for some gold stolen from Bonie. Nice try, Ducos. It takes half the book, but Sharpe gets it sorted out.
Sharpe has major lady troubles in this one. His new wife robs him. His soon-to-be baby momma shoots him when they first meet. Always the ladies man, Richard.
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