To my shame, what I know about the English Civil War can be written on the back of a postage stamp. If you suffer similarly, read this novella. Thankful Russell - nicknamed Angel for his fair complexion and good looks - is a nineteen year old raised on little love and lots of Puritan indoctrination by his elder sister. In a fit of pique and self-belief he joins the Parliamentarians as hostilities begin, and as a gentleman (sort of) gains a commission. It is as Lieutenant Russell that he finds himself and his men on the wrong end of a cavalry charge at the Battle of Edgehill, and his nickname, and almost his life, is lost.

MJ Logue is a cracking writer. Her easy style and rich language leads the reader into the duplicitious world of whore houses and staunch religious conformity, and on into the terror that is cannon-fire and hand-to-hand combat. I was there. What else is there to say? ( )