Prances and bubbles along with the gay insouciance of a compulsive storyteller

Mary Wesley is high-spirited and inventive, and keeps her wayward plot moving forward at a spanking pace

Wesley's narration is as fast and surprising as ever; her subplots are well worked out and rich in detail

A charming love story and social comedy

Once again she deploys her admirably comic skill to good effect; puncturing the pompous, exposing humbug, nudging our perceptions in the direction of the absurd

'An epic adventure...a book with a texture as rich as cut velvet, and a storyline as detailed as a Bruges tapestry. Patrick O'Brian may no longer be with us. But Mallinson has obviously taken up the historical baton'

'Treads a middle course between the subtleties of O'Brian and the simplicities of Cornwell...An exciting, fast-moving story, full of bloody hacking with sabre and tulwar, which can at the same time be reflective and thoughtful about its setting and situation'

'Rarely does one read the same book twice in one week. Mallinson writes with style, verve and the lucidity one would expect from a talented officer of l'arme blanche...His breadth of knowledge is deeply impressive even if it is modestly entwined in the fabric of this epic narrative. Kick on, Captain Hervey, we cannot wait for more'

'Splendid news...Captain Matthew Hervey of the 6th Light Dragoons and ADC to the Duke of Wellington is back in the saddle...A marvellous read, paced like a well-balanced symphony. This is more than a ripping yarn...I look forward enormously to hearing more of Hervey's exploits; he is as fascinating on horseback as Jack Aubrey is on the quarterdeck'

Charming, funny and poignant. But also profound, heartbreaking

Keyes at her best: capturing everyday voices with humour and empathy with writing that you'll devour in a weekend. Just pure and simple joy

High quality entertainment

It takes real talent to make a reader laugh and cry … the story will stay with you long after you've read the last page

Keyes writes brilliantly, as always, about love, grief, jealousy and friendship

The jokes are as good as ever, Keyes' large cast of Irish and American characters fizz and crackle off the page. High quality entertainment

The novel is a rare blend of genres, a richly enjoyable satire and an inspirational tale of one woman's triumph over despair