It's 1643 and England stands divided: King against Parliament, town against country, brother against brother.

For Captain Stryker, scarred veteran of the brutal wars in the low countries, the rights and wrongs of the Royalist cause mean little. Stryker's loyalty is to his band of soldiers - and to Queen Henrietta's beautiful but deadly agent Lisette Gaillard, who has gone into hiding with a man who holds the key to the king's victory.

In the bloody aftermath of the storming of Cirencester, Prince Rupert dispatches Stryker on a secret mission to find Lisette. Stryker vows to let nothing stand in his way - but to keep his word, he must face false imprisonment, survive a doomed siege and evade a fanatical assassin leaving a trail of bodies across the Midlands. And all while Parliament is closing its iron grip around the cathedral walls of Lichfield...

A gritty and authentic historical civil war adventure, this is perfect for fans of David Gilman, Giles Kristian and Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe.

Reviewers love Michael Arnold:

'A thumping good read... every last part of this book oozes authenticity.' Ben Kane

'I loved Sharpe. I am going to be equally at home with Captain Stryker.' Historical Novels Review

'You can smell the gunpowder and hear the cannon fire' Robyn Young

'A dark-hued romp, livid with the scents, sounds and colours of a country on the brink of implosion.' Daily Express

'Rollicking action and proper history... a cracking series.' Anthony Riches

'This is masterfully done.' The Times