A Very Murdering Battle

January 1709 and Europe is in a deep freeze.  Daniel Rawson has been sent to Paris once again.  Having had some documents passed on to him, Daniel must now escape Paris.  It will not be easy in the cold, snowy days ahead.  However, nothing seems to stop Daniel and it isn't long before he is in The Hague, passing the information on to Marlborough, Captain General of the allied armies.

Returning to Amsterdam to see his fiancé, Amalia, Daniel is shocked when the tapestry that Marlborough had commissioned is stolen.  He is told by Marlborough to do everything that he can to retrieve it.  It isn't long before the thieves demand a ransom.  Daniel calls on his friend Sergeant Henry Walbeck to help him with his investigation.  The pair successfully recover the tapestry and take it to Marlborough who insists that Daniel accompany him as he takes it home to Blenheim.

Hopes for peace being negotiated end in the spring when France refuses the demands of the Allies.  Both sides prepare for more war.  Tournai is laid siege to by the Allies.  However, the French will not give in easily.  While the siege slowly progresses, Marlborough sends Daniel to spy out the city of Mons as the next potential site to attack.  He takes Rachel Rees along.  He pretends to be a priest and she his sister grieving the loss of their father in Mons.

Successfully having besieged Tournai, Marlborough turns his attention to Mons.  However, the French have other plans and have sent General Villar to do battle with the Allies.  At Malplaquet, the French definitely hold the upper hand, ambushing the British in the centre and hiding behind stout defences on the flanks.  In this battle, which Marlborough called a "very murdering battle", losses would be high on both sides, however larger for the Allies, thus giving the French further hope of continuing the war.

Author Edward Marston has written an engaging historical novel based on facts.  A good, quick read.