The scarlet thief

the long version

"1854: The banks of the Alma River, Crimean Peninsula. The Redcoats stagger to a bloody halt. The men of the King's Royal Fusiliers are in terrible trouble, ducking and twisting as the storm of shot, shell and bullet tear through their ranks. Jack Lark has to act immediately and decisively. His life and the success of the campaign depend on it. But does he have the mettle, the officer qualities that are the life blood of the British Army? From a poor background, Lark has stolen a rank and a position far above his own and now he faces the ultimate test."--Publisher description.