The South Essex is to be disbanded due to dwindling personnel. This doesn't make sense as the entire 2nd Battalion is in England and accepting new recruits. Sharpe and Harper head to England to work out what is going on and save the regiment. They may need to take drastic measures in the course of their investigations.

Another excellent episode of Sharpe. A change of setting in that there is very little in the way of battle scenes: most of the action occurs back in England and involves skulduggery at a high level. Quite intriguing plot and Sharpe and Harper's undercover work is very entertaining.

There's a few overly gung ho scenes, especially towards the end, but for the most part it's a solid, highly entertaining adventure.

Richard is told that his battalion is to be dissolved - the men are to be sent elsewhere due to the fact new recruits are lacking at home. Sharpe and Harper are determined to find out why so they go back to England and uncover profiteering racket and it becomes a political explosion.

8.5/10.