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Rumours Of War
Rumours Of War
Mar 13, 2026 11:10 PM

Author:Allan Mallinson

Rumours Of War

Perfect for fans of Patrick O'Brian, Bernard Cornwell and CS Forester, another engrossing Matthew Hervey adventure from the pen of THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR Allan Mallinson.

"Captain Matthew Hervey is as splendid a hero as ever sprang from an author's pen." -- THE TIMES

"I enjoyed the adventure immensely...As compelling, vivid and plausible as any war novel I've ever read" -- DAILY TELEGRAPH

"With this intelligent but pacy book, Brigadier Mallinson stays well on course to be regarded as the landlubbers' Patrick O'Brian" - SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

"Highly enjoyable novel. Great story. Thoroughly recommend for lovers of adventure novels." -- ***** Reader review

"An amazing author with an extraordinary knowledge and ability to recreate the famous wars of the late 18 and 19th centuries. A really worthwhile read, as indeed is the whole series" -- ***** Reader review

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Portugal 1826: Newly returned from India, Matthew Hervey joins a party of officers sent to lend support to the Portuguese regent.

But the Peninsula is a place redolent with memories. For it was here as a seventeen-year-old cornet that Hervey had his first taste of military action: the French had forced the British army into humiliating retreat until, under the leadership of Sir John Moore, they made a defiant stand at Corunna.

As he prepares for battle once more, Hervey finds himself confronting ghosts from his past...

Rumours of War is the six book in Allan Mallinson's Matthew Hervey series. His adventures continue in An Act of Courage. Have you read his previous adventures A Close Run Thing, The Nizam's Daughters, A Regimental Affair, A Call to Arms and The Sabre's Edge?

Reviews

I enjoyed the adventure enormously...Mallinson's descriptions of what it's like to be on campaign are as compelling, vivid and plausible as in any war novel I've ever read

—— Daily Telegraph

With this intelligent but pacy book, Brigadier Mallinson stays well on course to be regarded as the landlubbers' Patrick O'Brian'

—— Sunday Telegraph

Mallinson's shrewd handling of the issues of discipline and tactics, the responsibilities of junior and senior command, and the self-esteem of the cavalry, reflect both his own professional experience and excellent historical judgement'

—— The Times

Mallinson writes in beautiful almost Jane Austen-like English and his command of history, military detail, horse-mastership ... polymathic.

—— Country Life

For me, the best insight into the process of dying comes from Leo Tolstoy in his short story, The Death of Ivan Ilych, which examines the life and death of the most ordinary man

—— Oliver James , Mail on Sunday

A fitting monument to Tolstoy's battles with what it is that makes us human

—— Philip Womack , Observer

A high adventure with any twists and turns

—— Derby Evening Telegraph

An entertaining book full of boyhood adventures, heroes and excitement

—— Caroline Davison , East Anglian Daily Times

Jonathan is already building up a strong fan base among young lovers of fantasy fiction and his latest novel will certainly not disappoint his young readers

—— Hertfordshire Life

While it is a totally new direction and a different type of tale to what pulls you right in, proving that the cream will always rise to the top

—— www.sci-fi-london.com

This latest novel will certainly not disappoint his young readers

—— Hertfordshire Life

This is an entertaining book full of boyhood adventures, heroes and excitement

—— Bradford Telegraph and Argus

An author who can rightly be dubbed a master storyteller . . . Heroes Of The Valley is . . . epic, vibrant and colourful

—— Phil Hewitt , Bognore Regis Observer

It is every inch the assured and stunning debut that everyone suggests

—— Dovegreyreader.com

Wyld is a languorous writer with great skill in characterisation...will delight

—— Philip Womack , Sunday Telegraph

This is a young writer with talent to burn

—— Emma Hagestadt , Independent

Told with quiet, characterful poise, the noel succeeds in evoking not only Australia's epic geographical landscape, but its literary terrain too summoning echoes of some of that country's finest writers,

—— Hephzibah Anderson , Daily Mail

This is a highly accomplished first novel. Evie Wyld is not a show off writer. She has a clean, clear prose style which is exactly right in the service if her story, and the best ear for dialogue in a long time.

—— Susan Hill , The Lady

Wyld's debut novel dissects the misery that seeps inexorably from one generation to the next

—— Anna Scott , Guardian

Wyld can write very well, in a vivid descriptive style reminiscent of Tim Winton's.

—— Christina Koning , The Times

Wyld's superb skills at portraying a hot, dusty landscape and her psychological insight will pull you inexorably in.

—— Louise Doughty , Psychologies

Superb assured first novel about fathers and sons. Pitch-perfect prose

—— Woman & Home

A very impressive first novel. Wise and wry, it uses its Australian bush setting to great effect, Wyld's protagonists fleeing there from wars, both literal and familial. She writes great characters and makes you love them as she nails them.

—— Rachel Seiffert , Sunday Herald, Christmas round up

This is a sad yet beautiful story of fathers and sons, their wars and the things they will never know about each other

—— NI Homes
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