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Jack Windrush #3
Windrush - Blood Price
It's 1854, and the 113th Foot is commissioned to Sevastopol during the Crimean War. While the great storm of November 1854 rages, Jack and his friend Ben, a naval officer, are rescuing survivors from a wrecked ship.
Jack soon finds out that one of the survivors is Helen Maxwell, his former sweetheart. Soon after, Jack's unit finds themselves opposed by the Plastun Cossacks, and the siege of Sevastopol starts to take its toll. With British casualties mounting, Jack and his men need to take drastic measures to survive.
Windrush: Blood Price is the third novel in Malcolm Archibald's series of historical war novels.
Jack soon finds out that one of the survivors is Helen Maxwell, his former sweetheart. Soon after, Jack's unit finds themselves opposed by the Plastun Cossacks, and the siege of Sevastopol starts to take its toll. With British casualties mounting, Jack and his men need to take drastic measures to survive.
Windrush: Blood Price is the third novel in Malcolm Archibald's series of historical war novels.
284 pages, Paperback
Published May 11, 2021
About the author
Malcolm Archibald
154 books75 followersMy primary interest is historical, either fiction or non fiction, but I can enjoy most anything from Jane Austin to Kipling to J K Rowling. I have been very quiet on this site, but I think I might be a bit more active now.
I also enjoy the stimulation of meeting people and finding out about them.
I also enjoy the stimulation of meeting people and finding out about them.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
May 11, 2017
The first thought I had at the ending of the book was WOW! Malcolm Archibald is a teacher of history who blends his expertise into the process of creating characters and placing them into historical situations. His main character in this book, as the two previous iterations of the character, is Jack Windrush, a Lieutenant in the 113th Foot Regiment of the British Army. Jack is due a promotion in this book and finally gets it in the end but not before he goes through literal hell in the Crimean War, and the siege of Sebastopol. There are a number of returning characters in the ensemble created by Malcolm for this series. Each is a little more fleshed out, a little more understood, a little more human as each of the books unfolds. And they are common men, for the most part, doing uncommon deeds. Of course the uncommon deeds performed by the 113th are part of the charm of these three and particularly this book. I have read all three. I love the characters. I love the descriptions of the battles as only a historian with a knowledge of the battle field can offer. This is a great story written by a great writer. I will not give you more because it would in my judgment spoil parts of the story for you. Suffice it to say there are multiple switches, turns and surprises to read through. In the end my guess is you will really enjoy this book. Well done once again Malcolm and come on now, get the fourth out more quickly, man, as Jack might say.
February 19, 2025
The series is getting same-ey.
Jack's internal monologue considering upon mid-Victorian sensibilities - honour, courage, the class system, women, foreigners, can sometimes get in the way of decent story-telling, especially when he starts to ponder such things at improbably inappropriate times - like under fire.
The stories seem to rely on a lot of being foiled during a mission and then escaping quite easily from often formidable captivity.
I'm afraid I predicted all the twists that were supposed to keep you guessing in this one.
I haven't given up on Jack - I want to see him in the Indian Mutiny, but I am daunted to find there are now ten Windrush novels.
The fact that it's taken me a week to get through this one speaks volumes.
I think a sabbatical is in order.
Less than 3*
Jack's internal monologue considering upon mid-Victorian sensibilities - honour, courage, the class system, women, foreigners, can sometimes get in the way of decent story-telling, especially when he starts to ponder such things at improbably inappropriate times - like under fire.
The stories seem to rely on a lot of being foiled during a mission and then escaping quite easily from often formidable captivity.
I'm afraid I predicted all the twists that were supposed to keep you guessing in this one.
I haven't given up on Jack - I want to see him in the Indian Mutiny, but I am daunted to find there are now ten Windrush novels.
The fact that it's taken me a week to get through this one speaks volumes.
I think a sabbatical is in order.
Less than 3*
October 8, 2017
Enjoyable but a bit redundant.
I am enjoying the series but the author is getting a bit redundant with his constant reiteration of Windrush’s fall from grace and the poor reputation of the 113th. But I do enjoy the characters and the timeframe of the series of the mid 1800’s. The author does a good job of weaving the difficulties the British army and in fact all armies had in changing tactics to match new weapons technology. The three star rating is for the redundancy but it’s still a good light read.
I am enjoying the series but the author is getting a bit redundant with his constant reiteration of Windrush’s fall from grace and the poor reputation of the 113th. But I do enjoy the characters and the timeframe of the series of the mid 1800’s. The author does a good job of weaving the difficulties the British army and in fact all armies had in changing tactics to match new weapons technology. The three star rating is for the redundancy but it’s still a good light read.
March 31, 2019
Spy vs spy!!!
What an lively, engrossing third book in this series! And it's funny, too, as Jack and his regiment of misfits are tasked with extremely dangerous missions.
Jack's efforts are, as usual, underappreciated and/or dismissed as unimportant by the 1850's British military standards which is truly hard to understand.
Again, the descriptions of life in the Crimean army camps and the areas surrounding Sebastopol is so well written you feel my are there. Great writing.
Very impressive series and one I'll recommend to readers!
What an lively, engrossing third book in this series! And it's funny, too, as Jack and his regiment of misfits are tasked with extremely dangerous missions.
Jack's efforts are, as usual, underappreciated and/or dismissed as unimportant by the 1850's British military standards which is truly hard to understand.
Again, the descriptions of life in the Crimean army camps and the areas surrounding Sebastopol is so well written you feel my are there. Great writing.
Very impressive series and one I'll recommend to readers!
October 1, 2026
This was one of those I can’t put it down, can’t stop talking about it, wanted to underline something on every page reads.
Dark fantasy can be hit or miss for me, but the depth of the characters, the twists and turns, and the very real emotions behind Ember’s (and other characters’s!) grief kept me much more hooked than similar reads.
Kudos to this author for creating something beautiful, meaningful — and somehow also so fun and funny. Would recommend to truly anyone.
Thank you to VL for the ARC!!
Dark fantasy can be hit or miss for me, but the depth of the characters, the twists and turns, and the very real emotions behind Ember’s (and other characters’s!) grief kept me much more hooked than similar reads.
Kudos to this author for creating something beautiful, meaningful — and somehow also so fun and funny. Would recommend to truly anyone.
Thank you to VL for the ARC!!
April 17, 2019
Jack Windrush is still in the Crimea perfecting his soldierly skills, trying to reconcile with his brother and romancing the woman he hopes to marry. Another fast paced, well written, engaging story of the British war in the Crimea in the 1850's.
March 16, 2021
This guy writes almost as good as Bernard Cornwall. It’s been a while since I read his last book but was able to pick up on it right away. This one involved the Crimea war. Very descriptive, good story line, now I want to know what happens to the brother.
June 22, 2021
Consistent, quality writing, highly recommend
The first three of the Windrush series have drawn me in to the mid nineteenth century British Army. Reminiscent of Bernard Cornwell’s Sharpe series, Windrush will also be remembered by military history fans for years to come!
The first three of the Windrush series have drawn me in to the mid nineteenth century British Army. Reminiscent of Bernard Cornwell’s Sharpe series, Windrush will also be remembered by military history fans for years to come!
October 22, 2024
Continued Excellent Series
This, the third book of the series, continues with nonstop action. The books are hard to put down and I find myself looking forward to the next book in the series.
This, the third book of the series, continues with nonstop action. The books are hard to put down and I find myself looking forward to the next book in the series.
April 12, 2025
I am enjoying this series so far, this time we are still in the Crimea and its the siege of Sevastopol that is the center and meat of the story. Daring Do's and gallant soldiers, nasty foreigners and intrepid women as always in these sort of stories but for the uninitiated there is a loose history of this Victorian conflict devastated by disease and incompetent leadership
July 23, 2017
Well written
Story told of a period that I personally knew little and yet was critical to the future both of Europe and the United States.
Story told of a period that I personally knew little and yet was critical to the future both of Europe and the United States.
May 13, 2018
A war action in a different time
Much different tactics than were usual at that period of time. The development of a group of soldiers similar to what we know as Delta today
Much different tactics than were usual at that period of time. The development of a group of soldiers similar to what we know as Delta today
June 4, 2018
Enjoyable reading.
This story had lots of unexpected twists and turns, made it an excellent read. Well worth the price and good value.
This story had lots of unexpected twists and turns, made it an excellent read. Well worth the price and good value.
August 25, 2018
Another title that I have enjoyed from this author. Historical fiction at its best.
January 27, 2021
This is the third book I have read from the series and all are cracking reads. Battle and bloodshed, intrigue and family conflict; an evil enemy and brave soldiers - what more could you want?
February 15, 2022
History
Nice nice mix of history and fiction. The characters are interesting and a comment on the rankers. I will read all of this series.
Nice nice mix of history and fiction. The characters are interesting and a comment on the rankers. I will read all of this series.
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August 25, 2020Purchase Verified Format: Kindle Version
A series of deadly battles
Whenever I start reading one of Malcolm’s Windrush books I am lost in admiration at the wealth of knowledge built into the creation of his characters that blend so effortlessly in the history presented. This even more evident with his latest offering, ‘Blood Price’.
Accompanied by his faithful team of regulars from the notorious 113th Foot Regiment - ‘the baby butchers’- Jack Windrush finds himself at the forefront of a bid to outsmart the Russian Cossacks in the Siege of Sevastopol. Refused promotion to Captain, Lieutenant Windrush survives a series of deadly battles to be picked for special training and sent capture his old adversary, an American renegade called Anderson, who has sided with the Russians.
Uncovering a plot to assassinate a high profile British officer, Jack is ordered to help scotch their plans in a succession of brutal and bloody fights where no quarter is given. Another brilliant war story from the author and thoroughly recommended.
A series of deadly battles
Whenever I start reading one of Malcolm’s Windrush books I am lost in admiration at the wealth of knowledge built into the creation of his characters that blend so effortlessly in the history presented. This even more evident with his latest offering, ‘Blood Price’.
Accompanied by his faithful team of regulars from the notorious 113th Foot Regiment - ‘the baby butchers’- Jack Windrush finds himself at the forefront of a bid to outsmart the Russian Cossacks in the Siege of Sevastopol. Refused promotion to Captain, Lieutenant Windrush survives a series of deadly battles to be picked for special training and sent capture his old adversary, an American renegade called Anderson, who has sided with the Russians.
Uncovering a plot to assassinate a high profile British officer, Jack is ordered to help scotch their plans in a succession of brutal and bloody fights where no quarter is given. Another brilliant war story from the author and thoroughly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews