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[McArthur & Co / McArthur, 2003.]

"Officer. Mohawk. Lover. Spy." That's what the book cover says about Jack Absolute, and it was enough to intrigue me to read this third book by C. C. Humphreys, author of The French Executioner and Blood Ties. The cover illustration didn't hurt, either. There's something to be said about a handsome native of Cornwall decked out in a red uniform, drawing a sword.

At last-a very good Revwar novel where the sympathetic main character is on the British side!

There are a lot of good things about this book-it's a satisfying read. Jack is no Harry Flashman, but he does manage to entangle himself in more dangerous exploits than in any other novel I've read recently. The best part is that the characters in the book, on both sides, don't walk about with the weight of history on them. They don't know how this damned war is going to turn out, and most of them are more concerned about their own careers and off-duty entertainment than any idealistic philosophies. How refreshing!

After all, how many heroes elude execution by hiding in a full barrel of beer and complain about the lack of Colonial brew-making expertise?

Seriously, Humphreys has peopled his story with good and bad on both sides, from smarmy Loyalist to heroic Scots-born Rebel. Jack is always a good Brit. He sympathizes with his Colonial brothers to an extent, but he'll fight to bring them back into the British fold.

Outside of Jack, the book is loaded with full-bodied characters. John Burgoyne is perhaps best drawn. Humphreys obviously admires him, and the person we read about jumps off the page, full of self-confidence, swagger, and joie de vivre. On the other hand, Ate, Jack's Mohawk "brother," barely avoids a stereotypical "noble savage" persona, but his Shakespeare-cracking one-liners are at least original. And not many Iroquois read "Clarissa" on campaign.

There is also an endearing Edward Pellew, a shallow, snobbish Benedict Arnold, a rather bland Joseph Brandt, and a charming but scheming John André whose actions at book's end grossly conflict with his historical realities. But never mind, each and every character is fully drawn and vivid.

Especially our poor Tarleton. Ban's bad rep follows him here. Even his own British brother has condemned him with words! Perhaps Humphreys, himself a London-based actor (and schoolboy fencing champion and fight choreographer!) knows Jason Isaacs and got misled. Unfortunately, Ban comes off as a villain in his own army, a young pit bull being led by the nose through the machinations of the story's real villain, a sadistic German nobleman. Ban is depicted as a cruel bully, a bruiser of women and -- a duelist! Those who know Tarleton's life story know that he probably was a young pit bull, potentially cruel at times, but he was against dueling and there's no evidence of any battery of women, ever.

On the plus side, Humphreys describes Tarleton most vividly. Ban truly is a wonderful character-he's just not true to life in some respects. If there is anything new about the character, it is that he is portrayed as very, very young. Compare that with The Patriot and it's somewhat refreshing.

The other character of note, the love interest Louisa, comes across initially as another of those "spunky gals" who manage to combine incredible beauty, charm, and fashion moxie with a penchant for expert horsemanship, an appetite for squirrel, and a yen for pioneering. I was not taken with her at all until the end, which is gut-wrenching. When the pieces all fall together around her, the plot finally works and works well.

This is after a great deal of suffering on Jack's part. He goes through the middle of the book getting bitten by a rattlesnake, shot, stabbed, slashed, and so forth. Yet there are wonderful descriptions of hand-to-hand combat, sword/saber/knife fights, and a marvelous recount of the battles that made up the Saratoga campaign.

It is overall a tale of Revwar espionage involving a sect of the Freemasons, the Illuminati. But it's the characters who really make the book work. This is not surprising when one considers that the author is also an actor and playwright, who himself portrayed Jack Absolute and considers him an alter ego. I finished the book with affection for both Jack and Humphreys. I hope there is a sequel. I hope Humphreys studies up on Tarleton. I can just picture Jack in Charleston.

The book is available easily through either the UK or Canadian Amazon website. It's a great, fast, well-written read. And for once, the hero wears a red coat.