Book Tour: The Deserter by Wayne Turmel
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The Deserter
A Tale of the Foreign Legion
by Wayne Turmel
February 9th - 20th, 2026
Publication Date: January 15th, 2026
Publisher: Achis Press
Pages: 295
Genre: Historical Fiction / Historical Adventure
Algeria 1908.
Gil Vincente is a Boer War veteran, broken and adrift on the rough streets of Marseille. Desperate, he seeks discipline and renewed purpose in the unforgiving ranks of the French Foreign Legion. At first, he finds it, but not for long. When a treacherous soldier frames him for murder, it forces the new legionnaire to run for his life.
Now Gil must fight to clear his name while pursuing the real killer through the rugged Atlas Mountains. With the Legion on his heels and time running out, will he find justice or be forever branded a coward and deserter?
Praise for The Deserter:
'The Deserter evokes classic blood-and-sand adventures like Under Two Flags and Beau Geste. With meticulous research and compelling characters, Turmel has brought the desert saga back to thrilling life.'
~ Frank Thompson, author of The Compleate Beau Geste
'A two-fisted historical adventure that weaves visceral action, rugged landscapes, and raw emotional depth into a haunting tale of honor, betrayal, and the elusive hope of redemption.'
~ David Buzan, bestselling author of In the Lair of Legends
My Review
Author Wayne Turmel returns to his historical fiction roots after a brilliant foray into urban fantasy. The Deserter is an intense story set in Algeria in 1908. We meet Gil Vincente in Marseille, France, running for his life, as he signs up for the French Foreign Legion and immediately finds himself on a freighter bound for a port on the Algerian coast. This is not Vincente’s first foray into military life as he served during the Boer Wars in South Africa. And the legion offers him something he desperately needs in his chaotic life: order, structure, and regimen. He keeps his head down, trains hard and tries his best to remain aloof from the men in his regiment, a mixed bag of Europeans running from their own personal demons.
Turmel’s passion for this project is evident in the meticulous research and attention to detail. The descriptions of the Algerian towns, the forts, life in the French Foreign Legion drop the reader right into the action. What I really enjoyed was the character development as Gil and his squad mates face the harsh realities of war in a desert where the enemy included the unforgiving landscape and the blazing sun. When Gil is assigned to care for the mules on which the legion depends, he bonds with the ornery creatures in a way he can’t with the men who march beside him. In the end, it’s his need for order that is his undoing in a dramatic final scene.
The Deserter harkens back to an earlier age of military historical fiction when there was no glory in war, only survival. This is not a fun read, but it is gripping and I know I’ve got a good book in my hands when I want to start looking up details to learn more about the action. I would recommend this gritty book to lovers of military history, who fell in love with the French Foreign Legion and enjoy a superbly researched tale.
I give this book 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐stars
Turmel’s passion for this project is evident in the meticulous research and attention to detail. The descriptions of the Algerian towns, the forts, life in the French Foreign Legion drop the reader right into the action. What I really enjoyed was the character development as Gil and his squad mates face the harsh realities of war in a desert where the enemy included the unforgiving landscape and the blazing sun. When Gil is assigned to care for the mules on which the legion depends, he bonds with the ornery creatures in a way he can’t with the men who march beside him. In the end, it’s his need for order that is his undoing in a dramatic final scene.
The Deserter harkens back to an earlier age of military historical fiction when there was no glory in war, only survival. This is not a fun read, but it is gripping and I know I’ve got a good book in my hands when I want to start looking up details to learn more about the action. I would recommend this gritty book to lovers of military history, who fell in love with the French Foreign Legion and enjoy a superbly researched tale.
I give this book 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐stars
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Wayne Turmel
Wayne Turmel is a Canadian ex-pat now living and writing in Las Vegas. He’s the author of seven novels, the latest is The Deserter- a Tale of the Foreign Legion. His short stories have earned critical acclaim, including nominations for the prestigious Pushcart Prize. Turmel's longer works delve into the rich tapestries of history and the thrilling depths of urban fantasy, inviting readers into meticulously crafted worlds. At times humorous, sometimes dark but always with a careful eye for dialogue and detail. He lives with his wife, The Duchess, and Mad Max, most manly of poodles.
Thank you so much for hosting Wayne Turmel today, and for your wonderful review of his new novel, The Deserter. I'm thrilled you enjoyed the story.
ReplyDeleteTake care,
Cathie xo
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