The Twisted Sword

The eleventh Poldark novel takes place entirely within the tumultuous year of 1815, and while not all of it concerns war, the conflict on the continent is certainly central to the telling of the tale in this penultimate book in the series. While the apparent surrender of Bonaparte is celebrated across Europe, the French tyrant plots to break his word and return from exile on the island of Elba. Unaware of the imminent re-appearance of this foe, the Poldarks, like their countrymen, mark the coming of peace with parties and gladness of heart. Geoffrey Charles reflects on his years in the army and speaks of his pride in having seen the war through to its conclusion. Even Jeremy, stationed across in the Low Countries, returns home to Cornwall and at last is married to his great love, Cuby Trevanion. Ross and Demelza are overjoyed for their son and wish him and his bride the deepest of happiness. All seems too well, and it does not last, of course. As England rejoices, Bonaparte sneaks back into France and reignites his adopted nation in vicious anti-British militancy. At the head of an army bent on revenge, he marches north, and now the English scramble to again field a force to meet him. The newlywed Jeremy abruptly leaves a shocked Cuby behind, and is accompanied to the front lines by his veteran cousin Geoffrey Charles, as they begin a hasty journey toward destiny at a Belgian town called Waterloo.