Sharpe leads a party to exchange rifles for British deserters. He is dealing with Aztec-inspired Spanish partisans. Complicating matters is Wellington's cousin, with her daughter, who is searching for her missing husband.
When Sharpe is ordered to whip the King of Spain's Irish Royal Brigade into shape, he faces dissent from the men who believe the British are slaughtering their relatives in Ireland and a spy from within.
Sharpe is tasked to protect the most important spy in Lord Wellington's network, but domestic issues, a traumatized young girl, and possible French spies all threaten his success.
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 taking new recruits. Sharpe and Harper head to England to work out what is going on and save the regiment.
Wellington is about to invade France and is considering his options. Sharpe's regiment, under the command of a green Colonel, is sent to capture a French castle in the hope that the local population will rise up against Napoleon.
Sharpe is teamed with a Colonel he helped promote and they are tasked to destroy a powder magazine, but an alliance with the French may threaten their success. Meanwhile, Jane is wearying of the army life and Harper and Ramona are at odds.
Sharpe is framed as the thief who stole Napoleon's gold, and he must clear his name to avoid execution. Meanwhile, Jane - urged on by a friend - makes some questionable choices.
Napoleon has escaped from Elba and Britain is at war again. As Wellington's army assembles in Belgium, Sharpe, now a Lt. Colonel, is placed on the staff of the Dutch Prince of Orange, commander of a large portion of Wellington's army.
1817. Sharpe has retired from the army but is summoned by the Duke of Wellington for an important mission. An agent in India has gone missing while trying to track down a traitorous British officer. That agent is Patrick Harper.