I received this as an e-book for free, as a Librarything Early Review program participant. I should start this review by saying I really like historical fiction. I found that there was really a William Walker and Henry Kinney who were filibusters in Nicaragua in the 1850's so I eagerly started the book once I received it.

I thought the book started well as James Steele was given his assignment by then British Prime Minister Palmerston to destabilize the presence of Americans in Nicaragua... specifically Henry Kinney at Greytown on the Mosquito coast and Willian Walker self proclaimed President of Nicaraga itself. The operation was to be covert.

However, as the book progressed I did not find that I particularly "liked" the character of James Steele. He was not diplomatic for sure but was given to spontaneous fights that certainly did not help his cause. He was a bull in a china shop rather than a covert agent. Where the word picture of England was well done and the characters believable, the word portait of life in Central America was vague and the battles not described well in my opinion. I did not get the feeling of participation in the story as I have felt reading Cornwell, Scarrow and Clavell and Iggulden as well as other author's works.

I felt disappointed in that I did not really learn much about life at that time or about the adversaries Walker or Kinney. There was no path to the story, it seemed to drift for me.

As a quick read work of fiction, it was ok but I was looking for more I suppose. ( )