One of Heyer’s earlier historical novels – rather too much action for my tastes, and a huge number of dull and irrelevant people in the first chapter.

Nonetheless, the main character, Captain Jack Staple, is an excellent creation: large, adventurous, loyal and impulsive. He befriends a scared child looking after a toll-gate and lands himself in considerable danger in a very exciting climax.

Three and a half stars, really – Georgette Heyer’s writing is always good, and the romance part, albeit low-key, is nicely done. A bit over-violent in places for my taste, though.

I last read this in 1995 and had forgotten most of it, other than the climax scene.