Garland picks up where Saratoga
(2005) left off, with his British Revolutionary War soldier heroes, Capt. Jamie Skoyles and Sgt. Tom Caffrey, imprisoned after being captured at the British defeat at Saratoga in 1777. They quickly escape and, with girlfriends in tow, head toward the British stronghold in New York City, but split up along the way. Once back with the British Army, Skoyles is ordered to infiltrate Gen. George Washington's headquarters at Valley Forge. Skoyles may be loyal to the king, but he also sympathizes with men who fight for freedom. Tormented by his conflicting feelings, he misleads both sides to protect a friend and American spy from discovery. Adding to Skoyles's dilemma is an old enemy, Maj. Harry Featherstone, who, furious that Skoyles has stolen his fiancée, is out for revenge. Ambushes, skirmishes, romance, treachery and betrayal dominate this colorful if not fully satisfying adventure tale; the cliffhanger conclusion is lacking and the suspense isn't as taut as it could be. However, the descriptions of colonial warfare and spy games are convincing. (Dec.)
