The Essex Dogs had fought together in many battles for many different leaders. However those among them had died, or been lost and the group were separated. By fate they are brought back together to fight the Castilian’s who threaten to invade England. Great third instalment, which leaves you wanting more!

The third and probably final book in the Essex Dogs trilogy (no spoilers here). The remaining Dogs have been spread to the winds but fate and circumstances bring them together in a marvellous tale of derring-do featuring smuggling, piracy and war against the tricky Castilians as well as Loveday trying his hardest to settle down to a life of domestic normality after his soldiering exploits.

Of course he is drawn back into battle and leads his band of brothers once more. All the gang are here with Romford and a new character in the brilliantly drawn Rigby are back and the book is a glorious read particularly given the historical accuracy of the descriptions of time, place and people.

A rip-roaring series that I have greatly enjoyed.

Highly recommended.

I read all of the Essex Dogs so it’s no surprise that I enjoyed this one and hope for a fourth. It’s amazes me that this hasn’t yet been made into a TV show since it’s perfect for a swashbuckling, bloody drama with Loveday as a battered olden days Jack Reacher :)

Dan Jones has created a powerful set of characters in the Essex Dogs trilogy and in Lion Hearts, they are pulled together again for a final outing. I’m not a huge fan of this type of historical fiction, but I enjoyed the first book in the series because the period was really brought to life. I know little about this era and the battles, but had a strong sense of people, time and place, created by skilful descriptions and a rich narrative that takes the reader to the heart of every adventure. I became invested in their adventures and Lion Hearts is full of pirates, treasures and skullduggery, but there’s a human heart in each of those depicted. They’re not just a band of brigands; they have a clear moral compass, loyalties and loves and I’ve enjoyed this series immensely. My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley fir an early review copy.