in the media: napoleon's spy

We were contacted by a publish to help support an upcoming book by the popular historical novelist Ben Kane.

The novel follows Matthieu Carrey, a half-English, half-French gambler who is blackmailed into spying within Napoleon’s Grande Armée during the disastrous 1812 invasion of Russia. Hoping to reunite with his lover in Moscow, Carrey becomes trapped in the brutal realities of war as the French campaign collapses under starvation, freezing temperatures, and relentless Russian attacks.

The novel mixes espionage, survival, and historical warfare, focusing less on grand strategy and more on the human suffering and chaos of Napoleon’s retreat from Russia. Ben Kane’s trademark detailed historical research and fast-paced storytelling make it an immersive historical adventure.

The cover photograph, captured by our own fusilier Charlie Richards, features longtime 21ème veteran Mark Page taking aim with his musket.

A huge thank you to both Ben Kane and Orion Publishing for using our photographs and for featuring a member of the 21ème as the hero image on the cover.

You can buy Napoleons Spy Here