Captain Alatriste - first UK edition

by Arturo Perez-Reverte

Captain Alatriste is set in Madrid, Spain in the early 17th-century. The Spanish Armada had already been defeated but Spain was still the world's greatest superpower. The Captain is recently home from fighting in Flanders in the Dutch war for independence from Spain. He has come home because of a serious wound that has left him unfit for the military. However, and like many of veterans of Spain's wars, he is fit enough to eke out a meager living as something of a gun, or sword, or knife for hire. He collects debts, avenges the honor of cuckolded husbands, and even kills for the right price. He is very good at his job. The story is narrated by Inigo, the son of one of Alatriste's friends who died in combat while fighting alongside Alatriste. An excellent swashbuckler in the tradition of Dumas, this is purported to be the first in a series!

Book has black boards with the title in gold on the spine. Dust wrapper is price-intact at £9.99.