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Allan Mallinson Books in Order

20 Books
3 Series & collections
1999 – 2020 Published
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How to Read the Matthew Hervey Series

If you love historical military fiction with unparalleled cavalry detail, Allan Mallinson’s Matthew Hervey series is a must-read. The series follows the career of Matthew Hervey, a fictional officer in the 6th Light Dragoons, from the battlefields of Europe to colonial conflicts across the globe during the 19th century. Fortunately for readers, the publication order matches the internal chronological order of Hervey's life, making the reading path straightforward.

Recommended Starting Point

You should absolutely start with the first novel, A Close Run Thing. Published in 1999, it introduces a young Cornet Hervey at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. Reading from the beginning allows you to watch Hervey grow from a junior officer navigating his first command into a seasoned leader grappling with the strategic, political, and moral realities of the 19th-century British Army. Starting mid-series is not recommended, as character arcs, recurring relationships, and professional promotions build directly from book to book.

Matthew Hervey Books in Reading Order

Here is the complete sequence of the Matthew Hervey novels in both their publication and chronological order:

  1. A Close Run Thing (1999) – The series kicks off at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. Young Cornet Matthew Hervey must navigate the horrors of the battlefield and the immediate aftermath of Wellington's historic victory.
  2. The Nizam's Daughters (2000) (Also published as Honorable Company) – Set in 1816, Hervey is dispatched to India, where he is thrust into the complex political intrigues and regional rivalries of the Nizam's court.
  3. A Regimental Affair (2001) – The setting shifts to Canada in 1817–1818. Hervey faces harsh winter conditions, local unrest, and personal dilemmas that test his honour and loyalty.
  4. A Call to Arms (2002) – Set between 1819 and 1820, this installment takes Hervey to the Cape Colony in South Africa and then to Portugal, dealing with border skirmishes and brewing civil unrest.
  5. The Sabre's Edge (2003) – Set during the First Anglo-Burmese War (1824–1826), Hervey is sent to India and Burma, facing brutal jungle warfare and tactical challenges.
  6. Rumours of War (2004) – Set in 1826, Hervey travels to Portugal to support the regent amidst civil war threats. The story heavily features flashbacks to his early years and the Battle of Corunna in 1809.
  7. An Act of Courage (2005) – Set during Christmas 1826, Hervey is imprisoned in the fortress of Badajoz, Spain. The book is rich with flashbacks to his time in Wellington's Peninsular Army, detailing the infamous Siege of Badajoz (1812).
  8. Company of Spears (2006) – Moving to 1827, Hervey is sent back to South Africa, where he encounters the rising power of the Zulu nation and must navigate complex tribal politics.
  9. Man of War (2007) – Set in late 1827, this novel places Hervey in the Mediterranean, leading to his involvement in the famous naval Battle of Navarino.
  10. Warrior (2008) – Set in 1828, Hervey returns to England, where he deals with peacetime military politics, horse breeding, and the domestic social changes of the era.
  11. On His Majesty's Service (2011) – Set in 1831, Hervey finds himself back in Portugal, caught in the midst of the Liberal Wars (the War of the Two Brothers).
  12. Words of Command (2015) – Set in 1832, Hervey is present during the Siege of Antwerp in Belgium, witnessing the transition of European warfare.
  13. The Passage to India (2018) – In 1835, Hervey returns to the sub-continent, facing new colonial tensions and administrative duties.
  14. The Tigress of Mysore (2020) – Set in 1837, the final book in the series sees Hervey in Mysore, India, confronting rebellion and wrapping up his long career.

Chronology and Historical Settings

Allan Mallinson's novels cover a fascinating era of transition for the British Army, spanning from 1815 to 1837. After the defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo, the Army shifted focus from massive European campaigns to policing a growing global empire. The series tracks these shifts geographically: Europe, North America, India, Burma, and South Africa. The heavy inclusion of flashbacks in books like Rumours of War and An Act of Courage also extends the chronological scope back to the early Peninsular campaigns of 1809–1812.

Allan Mallinson's Non-Fiction and History Books

As a retired Brigadier of the British Army, Mallinson is also an accomplished military historian. His non-fiction works provide excellent companion reading to his novels, offering deep historical context for the battles and regiments depicted in the Hervey series. They should be read in any order, though they are listed here by publication date:

  • Light Dragoons (2006) – A history of the cavalry regiment in which Mallinson served, mirroring the traditions of the fictional 6th Light Dragoons.
  • The Making Of The British Army (2009) – A comprehensive survey of how the British Army was forged into a professional force.
  • Great Commanders of the Modern World, 1866-Present Day (2009) – An anthology analyzing the leadership and strategies of prominent modern commanders.
  • 1914 (2013) (Also published as 1914: Fight the Good Fight) – An award-winning history of the outbreak of the First World War and the British Expeditionary Force.
  • Too Important for the Generals (2016) – An insightful critique of military leadership during the Great War.
  • Fight to the Finish (2019) – A detailed account of the final years of World War I.

What to Know Before You Start

Mallinson is frequently compared to Patrick O'Brian, the legendary author of the Aubrey-Maturin series. While O'Brian did for the Royal Navy what C.S. Forester did before him, Mallinson does the same for the British Cavalry. The tone is cerebral, meticulous, and highly authentic. The books focus heavily on equine husbandry, veterinary care, tactical maneuvers, and regimental politics. If you are looking for fast-paced, Hollywood-style battle action, the deliberate and detailed prose of Mallinson might feel slow, but for historical purists, his works are second to none.

Frequently Asked

QWhat is the recommended starting point for the Matthew Hervey series?

You should start with the first novel, A Close Run Thing (1999). The series is best read in publication order, as the narrative progresses chronologically with Matthew Hervey's life and military career starting from the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.

QDoes the chronological order differ from the publication order?

No, the publication order matches the chronological order of Hervey's career. However, books like Rumours of War and An Act of Courage include significant flashbacks to earlier conflicts, such as the Peninsular War between 1809 and 1812.

QAre the Matthew Hervey novels standalone reads?

While each book features a self-contained campaign or crisis, the character development, military promotions, and ongoing relationship subplots mean the books are much more rewarding when read in order.

QDid Allan Mallinson serve in the military?

Yes, Mallinson served in the British Army for 35 years, rising to the rank of Brigadier. His direct experience in command and his time serving in cavalry regiments lend deep authenticity to the series' details.

QIs the Matthew Hervey series complete?

Yes, the series currently concludes with the 14th novel, The Tigress of Mysore (2020), which leaves Hervey's career at the dawn of the Victorian era in 1837.

QHow does Allan Mallinson's work compare to Patrick O'Brian's?

Like O'Brian's naval series, Mallinson's books are highly researched, historically accurate, and detail-rich. The main difference is the focus; Mallinson brings the same depth to the 19th-century British cavalry that O'Brian brought to the high seas.