The Highwayman Series: Book Three
"Arnold always writes a great adventure and this latest Highwayman instalment is the best yet." Jemahl Evans, The Last Roundhead
England 1656
For Major Samson Lyle, former solider in Cromwell's Roundhead army turned infamous outlaw, the Ironside Highwayman, trouble is never far away. It even follows him to the graveside of his beloved surrogate mother, Ursula.
When a thief steals a sacred bible from a band of mercenary sailors, their leader, the ruthless gun captain Marek, believes that Lyle is the culprit and exacts revenge by taking Ursula's son hostage. Lyle and his comrades, his trusted young ward Bella and the irascible former smuggler Eustace Grumm, must retrieve the bible to exchange for the boy's life.
To save an innocent and defeat Marek, the Ironside Highwayman must ride again.
Lyle and his companions track the Bible and its seven-fingered thief, Whisler, across England until he is captured by the highwayman's old nemesis, Colonel John Maddocks. But not all is as seems.
Conflict breeds treachery, as well as loyalty.
Can the highwayman defeat his new enemy while avoiding the bloodlust of his old one?
Recommended for fans of Giles Kristian, Bernard Cornwell and Richard Foreman.
Michael Arnold's interest in British history is lifelong, and childhood holidays were spent visiting castles and battlefields. He became a Sharpe junkie at the age of 13, and his particular fascination with the seventeenth century was piqued partly by the fact that his hometown Petersfield is steeped in the history of the period. Michael is the bestselling author of 'Traitor's Blood' and 'Assassin's Reign'. He is also the author of the short story 'Stryker' and 'The Angels of Death'.
Praise for Michael Arnold:
'You can smell the gunpowder and hear the cannon fire . . . Arnold's passion for the period suffuses every page' - Robyn Young, author of the Brethren trilogy
"Read this book for historical entertainment backed by extensive research of the time we and you will not be disappointed. Every major scene is based on fact, the feeling of the atrocious weather of the period, the fierce brutality of civil war and the fervour of both sides is apparent on virtually every page. I am certainly going to get the first book and am pleased that Mr Arnold has promised, 'Captain Stryker will return'." - John Ruse, English Civil War Society
"Captain Stryker is a character well able to attract readers on his own merits.... Many of the most famous engagements of the civil war are still to come, and the enigmatic Stryker's involvement in them promises much entertainment." - Nick Rennison, The Sunday Times
