Sharpe's Havoc.

Bernard Cornwell. 2003. Read by Patrick Tull. Recorded Books. 9 tapes. 12.5 hrs. 1-4025-4373-5. $72.00. Vinyl; plot, reader notes. SA

This bloody, bawdy history of the career of Lieutenant Richard Sharpe finds our hero fighting French troops in Portugal in 1809. Besides trying to save his own life, he must find and rescue the enormously wealthy 19-year-old daughter of a dead British wine merchant. The silly girl has run off just as the French attack, and she and Sharpe are soon behind enemy lines. He has been ordered to take along Colonel Christopher, a supercilious fellow, to find the girl, but the colonel orders him off the job. Of course, Sharpe ignores him, and a good thing too. Christopher, hoping to inherit her money, has convinced the girl of his undying love and traps her in a loveless and phony marriage. He also sides with the French. After the usual chase, bombardments, bayonets, and bullets, Sharpe saves the day and the French are on the run out of Portugal.

Cornwell's series is vividly written, violent and realistic, with believable characters and plenty of action. The novel is narrated by Tull, who needs no introduction to audio book listeners. His deep, rich voice with its unique use of pauses is well known and highly praised. Cornwell and Tull are a winning combination. Janet Julian, Grafton, MA