Picture a British storyteller who swapped a finance desk for the battlefields of the Victorian era—meet Paul Fraser Collard! This historical fiction maestro has thrilled readers with his swashbuckling Jack Lark series, blending gritty warfare with the cunning of a roguish hero. With a childhood steeped in war films and Commando comics, Collard’s tales pulse with adventure and historical intrigue.
Collard’s knack for bringing 19th-century conflicts to life has earned him comparisons to Bernard Cornwell, captivating fans who crave action-packed stories with a side of historical grit. Let’s dive into the life, works, and lasting spark of this modern master of military fiction!
The Making of Paul Fraser Collard
Born in 1973, Paul Fraser Collard grew up in 1970s Britain, where his love for military history bloomed. As a kid, he devoured Sharpe novels, watched classics like Zulu, and played soldiers with friends, reenacting battles from his favorite war films. This passion led him to win an Army Scholarship and train at Sandhurst, but love intervened. Choosing a life with his future wife over a military career, Collard pivoted to finance, working in London’s bustling City. Yet, in his thirties, a restless urge to create sparked his writing journey, launching a second career as a historical novelist.
Paul Fraser Collard’s Unforgettable Stories
Collard’s Jack Lark series, starting with The Scarlet Thief in 2013, follows a cunning imposter navigating the brutal wars of the 19th century. Jack, a low-born Londoner, rises through guile and grit, embodying the rogue-turned-hero archetype. In The Scarlet Thief, set during the 1854 Crimean War, Jack seizes a chance to escape his orderly role, leading to a chaotic battle at the Alma River. The Maharajah’s General (2013) takes him to India, where he trains a maharajah’s army while dodging betrayal.
The Lone Warrior (2015) plunges Jack into the 1857 Indian Mutiny, escorting a young woman amidst Delhi’s siege, while Diamond Hunter (2022), the 11th book, explores South Africa’s diamond mines in 1871. Collard’s style—vivid, fast-paced, and meticulously researched—brings battles to life with visceral intensity. His themes of identity, ambition, and survival resonate, earning praise for evoking ‘the horror of that era with great brio’ (The Times).
With 11 novels and three novellas by 2022, Collard’s series spans the Crimean War, American Civil War, and beyond, each book a standalone adventure tied by Jack’s relentless spirit. Fans of Bernard Cornwell and Simon Scarrow find Collard’s blend of historical detail and pulse-pounding action irresistible.
Why Paul Fraser Collard Matters
Paul Fraser Collard has carved a niche in historical fiction, reviving lesser-known 19th-century conflicts with flair. His Jack Lark series, dubbed ‘Sharpe meets the Talented Mr. Ripley,’ offers a fresh take on the military hero, blending moral complexity with thrilling escapades. Readers and critics, from Anthony Riches to Parmenion Books, laud his ability to make history ‘blaze across the pages,’ inspiring a new generation to explore Victorian warfare.
Collard’s dual life as a City worker and novelist adds intrigue, proving passion can fuel a second act. His work invites readers to grapple with the cost of ambition and the chaos of war, cementing his place among historical fiction’s rising stars.
- Birth Year: 1973
- Key Works: The Scarlet Thief (2013), The Maharajah’s General (2013), The Lone Warrior (2015), Diamond Hunter (2022)
- Genre: Historical and Military Fiction
- Hometown: Kent, England
Snag The Scarlet Thief and dive into Paul Fraser Collard’s thrilling world of Victorian rogues and battlefields!