SMOKE IN THE CYPRESS: A NAPOLEONIC OFFICER IN NEW ORLEANS by Owen Pataki

This review was published in the November 2025 issue of Historical Novels Review

Moreau, a one-armed veteran of Napoleon’s army, travels from France to New Orleans to retrieve the missing daughter of a wealthy Normandy family. However, Moreau’s mission is complicated by Britain’s assault on the city in late 1814, when he is snared into the conflict as a major in General Andrew Jackson’s army. The writing features immersive historical scene-setting on a frigate, in Crescent City taverns and nearby plantations and swamplands, and with battle scenes. Period politics are explored where city politicians are at odds with planters, in relations with corsairs, and in the often-desperate plight of freed and fugitive Black people.

Historical figure and pirate leader Jean Lafitte plays a significant role in Moreau’s mission. Internal narrative gives Moreau depth as he observes racial injustice and grapples with questions of morality and ponders notions of liberty. Contemporary racial injustices are portrayed, but dialogue spares the reader from bigoted vulgarities of the period. The story hits its stride as it unfolds during events leading to the Battle of New Orleans as the author’s interest in period military training and tactics comes through. Jackson’s patchwork force of regulars, buckskin-wearing Tennesseans and Kentuckians, Choctaws, pirates, and free men of color is rendered impressively. Moreau’s emotions are vivid as he endures intense battle scenes.

Protagonist Moreau brings to mind Bernard Cornwell’s Richard Sharpe character, who fought in Europe during the same period under the Duke of Wellington. Like Sharpe, Moreau is a hardened soldier who can conjure a clever scheme to turn the tide in battle. The story proceeds with brisk pacing, though some repetition of Moreau’s backstory is noticeable. A few significant story points are left unresolved, hopefully to be addressed in a sequel. A fine read for fans of military-focused historical fiction, like Cornwell’s Sharpe series.