The William John Hazzard series

Journey from drizzly, 18th century Britain to sun-baked Egypt with The William John Hazzard series. Includes all three books; Napoleon’s Run, Lords of the Nile, and the 2022 Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize-longlisted Emperor of Dust.

Napoleon’s Run: London, 1798. Late one night, a junior naval officer at the Admiralty intercepts a coded despatch, marked with blood: Napoleon Bonaparte is about to launch the largest invasion fleet in history. England is vulnerable, bereft of allies, and the Sea Lords fear a direct assault on Britain. Admiralty Intelligence sounds the alarm and prepares to unleash Nelson and the Mediterranean squadron. But before they can, they need vital information. They need a special officer to uncover the destination of Napoleon’s armada they need Marine Lt William John Hazzard. Betrayed by the Admiralty at the African Cape three years earlier, Hazzard has vowed never to trust them again. Will he agree to help them?

Lords of the Nile: Malta, June 1798. Captured by the French after hurling himself into enemy ranks, Hazzard is now a prisoner of his arch-nemesis, spycatcher Citizen Derrien, but has uncovered the true purpose of Napoleon’s armada: the conquest of Egypt. If Hazzard can’t convince Admiralty Intelligence of a desperate plan, an ancient world will be lost for ever. But help comes from an unexpected quarter: a missing Admiralty agent As French cannons roar in the desert sands and the Mamluk cavalry sweeps in to attack, can Hazzard prevent a lost cause turning into tragedy?

Emperor of Dust: Egypt, September 1798. After tragedy at the Battle of the Nile, Hazzard is possessed by a dark vengeance: with the marines of 9 Company and their Bedouin allies he scours the Nile Delta for his nemesis, the French spy-catcher Citizen Derrien. However, among the sacred ibis and ever-shifting sands, Hazzard catches wind of the stirrings of revolt in Cairo. When riot explodes in the capital, Hazzard fears he is simply too late. Abandoned by the French Government, Napoleon and his army are now trapped in Egypt. When Bonaparte discovers that Al-Djezzar ‘the Butcher’ of Acre is gathering his forces to attack, he accepts the challenge. Riding with the Mamluk and the beautiful Shajar al-Durr, Hazzard engages French cavalry in the shadow of Ozymandias in ancient Thebes and the Admiralty calls upon him once more as Napoleon launches his bloody crusade on Syria and the Holy Land to become the new Emperor in the East.

These epic adventures with a new hero of Napoleonic fiction are perfect for fans of Bernard Cornwell, Simon Scarrow and C. S. Forester.

Praise for Jonathan Spencer

‘An outstanding novel Better than Sharpe, gripping and intense, Napoleon’s Run deserves to be a runaway success.’ Ben Kane, Sunday Times bestselling author of Lionheart

‘Hornblower meets Mission: Impossible. A thrilling, page-turning debut packed with rousing, rip-roaring action.’ J. D. Davies, author of the Matthew Quinton Journals

‘Outstanding… Packed to the gunwales with action, this fast-paced story introduces us to William Hazzard not only a convincing action hero, but also one who offers a timeless insight into loyalty, trust and honesty. A thumping read’ Chris Lloyd, author of The Unwanted Dead

‘Eloquently crafted and dripping with richly detailed historical and fictional characters a riveting tale of heartbreak, anguish, courage and love. Spencer is a master storyteller, captivating and entertaining.’ Quarterdeck on Emperor of Dust