Set in South Carolina from 1775 to 1779, this novel is the tale of Harry Latimer and Myrtle Cary, two lovers from opposing sides of the American revolution. Themes of duty and trust, appearance versus substance, abound in both the love story and the action (both before and after the start of the war).

Not being in the mood for a book that would depress me, I will admit to my shame that about a quarter of the way through, I skipped to the end to make sure that I would like the way the story came out. I should have trusted Sabatini! Knowing the ending did lessen some of the tension but I still found myself wondering about certain characters even so. ( )