A Close Run Thing (The Matthew Hervey Adventures: 1)

As a fan of Sharpe I had to try Malllinsons debut novel about Matthew Hervey, a coronet of the light dragoons (coronet is (similar to ensign, lowest commissioned rank). Being a cavalry officer himself, Mallinson created a suspenseful story set during the British advance into France in 1814 and the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. Thrown into the mix are some troubles in Herveys' homeland, but mainly in Ireland, as well as - of course - a love interest for the protagonist. I found the novel to be interessting, but a bit slow-going and action-lacking at times. As a reader and fan of Cornwells Sharpe series I was a bit disappointed that Hervey seemed to receive extra commands - albeit interesting ones - when the heat of the battle or skirmish was reached and could therefore not take a major part in the actual battle or fighting action. Nonetheless it was a good read.