A Good Soldier
By Richard Townsend Bickers
Calcutta, 1824. The 69th Regiment of the Bengal Army under Hugh Ramsey has just mutinied. Ramsey resigns his post to set off in search of his fortune along with two of his Sepoy’s. His trading partner, Angus MacLean, sends him on a danger filled journey to the distant state of Zafarala, ruled by a corrupt Muslim Nawab. Battling thugs and river pirates, he is joined by an American banking family, Henry, Constance and Ruth Whittaker who plan to persuade the Nawab to stop extorting money from the farmers in tax, and to invest it with them instead. His adventure also becomes embroiled with that of Shakuntala, a renowned dancer who was forced to run away after the death of her husband and is now returning. But when they arrive, the group are faced with strange and dangerous events that threaten their fortunes, and their lives. War is threatened from the neighbouring state, involving Ramsey’s old regiment. Can he prevent the initiating actions before it’s too late?
