Through hell and sand, they stand together.

As the dust settles on the first resistance to British rule in India, a new storm brews on the horizon. The Wellesley brothers strategise their next offensive, eager to support their new allies in the turbulent Indian subcontinent. Fresh troops arrive, injecting fervour and ambition into the ranks of the East India Company’s army. For Smudger Smith and his comrades, this means the promise of promotion—but it also heralds an unexpected conflict with a new officer whose shadow looms over their camaraderie.

With tensions rising and strife brewing from within, the bonds of brotherhood will be tested as accusations fly and loyalties fray. Against a backdrop of internal friction, Number 1 Platoon of the 1st Madras European Regiment stand on the brink of a pivotal moment in history. As they prepare for the climactic and bloody battle of Assaye, they confront not only their enemies on the battlefield but also the demons that threaten to unravel everything they hold dear.

The captivating third instalment in the best-selling East Indiaman series by Griff Hosker is perfect for fans of Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe books, C.S Forester and Colin Falconer.