A body has been discovered on the edge of the Thames, and Commander William Monk has begun his investigation. He discovers that the victim has been strangled and is a notorious criminal; one who preys on young boys and provides them for the entertainment of wealthy men.
At first his investigation leads him to arrest a man who is eventually shown to be innocent of the murder. However, the source of his information, a prostitute, is shortly murdered afterwards. Monk's investigation leads to another arrest; this time of a wealthy, well known personage. He is the father-in-law of his and his wife's friend Oliver Rathbone.
The ensuing trial creates tensions amongst family and friends. Will their relationships withstand the trial.
Author Anne Perry has done an excellent job in putting the reader in the midst of 19th Century London with its crimes and courts. A good read.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Shroud of Dishonour
A prostitute has been lured to her death. Not an event of major consequence in 13th century Lincoln, except that it occurred within the confines of the Templar chapel! Bascot de Marins is asked to investigate by the preceptor.
It isn't long after this that another prostitute is murdered, this time in her own home. The method of murder is the same; strangulation by a garotte. The interesting thing about both murders is that 30 silver pennies are found with the bodies. Only with the latter body is a Templar cross cut into the woman's breast.
Is someone out to tarnish the reputation of the Templar Knights who take an oath of poverty and chastity? de Marins needs to discover the murderer before the contingent of knights can leave for Portugal to fight the Moors there.
Another murder attempt is made on a former prostitute, but she manages to escape and in the process stabs the suspect in the leg twice. Unfortunately she didn't see who the attacker was. However, de Marins now has someone to look for. Unfortunately the suspects that he and others have in mind don't have a limp! What is he to do?
You can find out the conclusion of this book by Maureen Ash by picking it up and reading it!
It isn't long after this that another prostitute is murdered, this time in her own home. The method of murder is the same; strangulation by a garotte. The interesting thing about both murders is that 30 silver pennies are found with the bodies. Only with the latter body is a Templar cross cut into the woman's breast.
Is someone out to tarnish the reputation of the Templar Knights who take an oath of poverty and chastity? de Marins needs to discover the murderer before the contingent of knights can leave for Portugal to fight the Moors there.
Another murder attempt is made on a former prostitute, but she manages to escape and in the process stabs the suspect in the leg twice. Unfortunately she didn't see who the attacker was. However, de Marins now has someone to look for. Unfortunately the suspects that he and others have in mind don't have a limp! What is he to do?
You can find out the conclusion of this book by Maureen Ash by picking it up and reading it!
Monday, December 26, 2011
Shatter the Bones
Stuart MacBride is an ace author at creating a lot of tension in his novels and this one is no exception.
DS Logan McRae is involved in the investigation of a kidnapped mother and child. They had become famous for their singing on a reality show. Now their lives were in jeopardy as the kidnappers threatened to kill them if the ransom wasn't paid within their deadline.
As usual, McRae manages to get sidelined from the main investigation by another investigation. Drugs are involved and after making an arrest others are coming after him and his girlfriend, Samantha, threatening "consequences" if he doesn't return the drugs. McRae has his hands full and when his home is fire-bombed, Sam is injured in a fall attempting to escape the flames.
The tension builds as Mcrae slowly, but efficiently works on the clues unknowingly presented by the kidnappers leading to an explosive finish.
DS Logan McRae is involved in the investigation of a kidnapped mother and child. They had become famous for their singing on a reality show. Now their lives were in jeopardy as the kidnappers threatened to kill them if the ransom wasn't paid within their deadline.
As usual, McRae manages to get sidelined from the main investigation by another investigation. Drugs are involved and after making an arrest others are coming after him and his girlfriend, Samantha, threatening "consequences" if he doesn't return the drugs. McRae has his hands full and when his home is fire-bombed, Sam is injured in a fall attempting to escape the flames.
The tension builds as Mcrae slowly, but efficiently works on the clues unknowingly presented by the kidnappers leading to an explosive finish.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Fuherer, Folk and Fatherland ~ A Soldier's Story
As a Canadian, I never really knew the stories from the "other side" when it comes to World War II, but this personal biography of Albin Gagel is very descriptive. It outlines the situation in Germany following World War I and the build up to World War II by the Nazis.
Albin Gagel was born in 1918, so by the time Hitler rose to power he was a young man. He would go on to serve in the Wehrmacht, which did not require the men to be members of the Nazis. Gagel served in France and Norway before being sent to the Eastern Front. He did not revel in the killings, he only wanted to survive, especially more so once he met his future wife Gisela.
War on the Eastern Front was hell, especially during the bitter winters for which the German soldiers were not prepared. Once the Russians began to push back things got worse. Gagel was wounded, but once he was recovered he was sent back leading a company of misfits.
When the war was over he was captured, but well treated by the Russians. Realising that he could be shipped eastward to a labour camp, he made good his escape and returned home. There he discovered that the Americans were treating the Germans very poorly. His brother came home nearly starved to death by the Americans who had held him prisoner. Another brother told him that the Canadians and British who had held him captive treated him fairly and fed him well.
Following the war Western Germany was in dire straits until the Russians blockaded Berlin. As a result of the Marshall Plan things improved, however Gagel and his wife didn't want to be on the front line should war break out again. They looked to emigrate; would it be America, land of the free? Since the Americans continued to conscript soldiers they decided against that country because they didn't want their young son involved in war. Australia was too far away. Canada seemed wide open and a land of opportunity, so that is where they finally emigrated to.
This is a well written story that gets the reader right into the war, understanding how the individual soldier felt. You experience the battles and deaths alongside Gagel. It is a book that should be read by any student of history, especially those who study World War II.
Albin Gagel was born in 1918, so by the time Hitler rose to power he was a young man. He would go on to serve in the Wehrmacht, which did not require the men to be members of the Nazis. Gagel served in France and Norway before being sent to the Eastern Front. He did not revel in the killings, he only wanted to survive, especially more so once he met his future wife Gisela.
War on the Eastern Front was hell, especially during the bitter winters for which the German soldiers were not prepared. Once the Russians began to push back things got worse. Gagel was wounded, but once he was recovered he was sent back leading a company of misfits.
When the war was over he was captured, but well treated by the Russians. Realising that he could be shipped eastward to a labour camp, he made good his escape and returned home. There he discovered that the Americans were treating the Germans very poorly. His brother came home nearly starved to death by the Americans who had held him prisoner. Another brother told him that the Canadians and British who had held him captive treated him fairly and fed him well.
Following the war Western Germany was in dire straits until the Russians blockaded Berlin. As a result of the Marshall Plan things improved, however Gagel and his wife didn't want to be on the front line should war break out again. They looked to emigrate; would it be America, land of the free? Since the Americans continued to conscript soldiers they decided against that country because they didn't want their young son involved in war. Australia was too far away. Canada seemed wide open and a land of opportunity, so that is where they finally emigrated to.
This is a well written story that gets the reader right into the war, understanding how the individual soldier felt. You experience the battles and deaths alongside Gagel. It is a book that should be read by any student of history, especially those who study World War II.
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Murder for Christ's Mass
A body is found at the base of a quarry wall on Christ's Mass day. It was discovered under a bank of snow, so must have been there for a few days since the blizzard that had struck four days before. The death was not caused by a fall because there is a knife wound through the heart.
Basot de Marins is asked by the castellan and sherrif of Lincoln to investigate. His servant Gianni discovers an ancient coin above the quarry where the body fell from. It is in excellent shape, but is from the reign of Stephen. It should have been turned in long ago to be melted down to form coins of the current reigning monarch, John. Is it evidence of a treasure trove that rightly belongs to King John? Did the murder occur because of the trove? de Marins has his work cut out for him.
Before long, another murder occurs in a similar fashion. Is it tied to the first murder. Author Maureen Ash is excellent at giving clues to potential murderers. Each one could be the potential criminal, but surely only one is. The reader is left wondering along with the investigator de Marins.
An excellent historical "whodunit".
Basot de Marins is asked by the castellan and sherrif of Lincoln to investigate. His servant Gianni discovers an ancient coin above the quarry where the body fell from. It is in excellent shape, but is from the reign of Stephen. It should have been turned in long ago to be melted down to form coins of the current reigning monarch, John. Is it evidence of a treasure trove that rightly belongs to King John? Did the murder occur because of the trove? de Marins has his work cut out for him.
Before long, another murder occurs in a similar fashion. Is it tied to the first murder. Author Maureen Ash is excellent at giving clues to potential murderers. Each one could be the potential criminal, but surely only one is. The reader is left wondering along with the investigator de Marins.
An excellent historical "whodunit".
Friday, December 23, 2011
Bad Boy
Peter Robinson's DCI Alan Banks is on holiday in the United States when this thriller begins. His daughter's best friend is dating a "Bad Boy". Tracy actually fancies him, too, but knows her father wouldn't approve. Erin, her best friend, has a row with the bad boy, and takes his gun when she departs for home. Her mother discovers the gun. This sets in motion the action in the novel.
Bad Boy Jaff decides to run when Tracy tells him what happens. He takes Tracy with him, she thinking that it will be a fun adventure. It turns out otherwise when she takes him to her father's empty cottage.
Annie Cabbot, Alan's friend and colleague has taken on the responsibility of checking on his cottage and watering the plants. She discovers Tracy there and is suspicious; Jaff shoots her then runs with Tracy, who is now a hostage of his.
Banks comes home from the U. S. A., not knowing anything about the events. The ensuing days will turn deadly.
Robinson has once again written an excellent thriller. A book hard to put down.
Bad Boy Jaff decides to run when Tracy tells him what happens. He takes Tracy with him, she thinking that it will be a fun adventure. It turns out otherwise when she takes him to her father's empty cottage.
Annie Cabbot, Alan's friend and colleague has taken on the responsibility of checking on his cottage and watering the plants. She discovers Tracy there and is suspicious; Jaff shoots her then runs with Tracy, who is now a hostage of his.
Banks comes home from the U. S. A., not knowing anything about the events. The ensuing days will turn deadly.
Robinson has once again written an excellent thriller. A book hard to put down.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Empire of Silver
The sons of Genghis Khan begin the story in a fight for control of the vast Mongol empire created by Genghis. Ogedai is the one who gains control. He builds the city of Karakorum and expands the empire first to the east, taking vast lands belonging to the Chinese.
Next, he sends his general Tsubodai westward with the "Golden Horde" with several of Genghis' grandsons leading vast tumans. Their first capture is Moscow in winter time. Winter was a time normally that people didn't fight, but Tsubodai took advantage of the frozen land to quickly move on his enemies.
It was at the cities of Buda and Pest where the westward expansion halted. Guyak, the son of Ogedai was called back to Karakorum to become the next khan because his father had died. As he turned eastward he took the Mongol army with him. He was expecting to have to fight his uncle for the khanate.
One is left to wonder how far the Mongols would have ranged were it not for this death. What would have become of Europe?
For fans of historical novels, this is a great read. Author Conn Iggulden puts you right there in the battles with the fighters; you live the story.
Next, he sends his general Tsubodai westward with the "Golden Horde" with several of Genghis' grandsons leading vast tumans. Their first capture is Moscow in winter time. Winter was a time normally that people didn't fight, but Tsubodai took advantage of the frozen land to quickly move on his enemies.
It was at the cities of Buda and Pest where the westward expansion halted. Guyak, the son of Ogedai was called back to Karakorum to become the next khan because his father had died. As he turned eastward he took the Mongol army with him. He was expecting to have to fight his uncle for the khanate.
One is left to wonder how far the Mongols would have ranged were it not for this death. What would have become of Europe?
For fans of historical novels, this is a great read. Author Conn Iggulden puts you right there in the battles with the fighters; you live the story.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Treason at Lisson Grove
Anne Perry's latest thriller starts with a chase through the streets of London. William Pitt and colleague are running after a man who has information that Special Branch is looking for. Unfortunately, the man they are chasing is murdered before they can apprehend him. The murderer runs off and the chase is on again; this time leading them across The English Channel to St. Malo.
Shortly thereafter Pitt's superior Victor Narraway is accused of embezzlement and relieved of his position. Before he departs for Ireland in search of redemption he must inform Charlotte Pitt of her husband's whereabouts in order that she won't worry. When she learns that Narraway is off to Ireland to gather evidence to exonerate himself, she offers to accompany him to aid him in his investigation. She would pretend to be his half-sister.
Why were Pitt and Narraway sent in opposite directions at a time when revolutionary radicals beginning to gain footholds throughout Europe? Could there be a traitor in Special Branch who wanted to eliminate the two most knowledgeable men from Special Branch so that they can take it over for their own nefarious purposes?
Once again, Anne Perry weaves an excellent thriller, set in Victorian England. Enjoy!
Shortly thereafter Pitt's superior Victor Narraway is accused of embezzlement and relieved of his position. Before he departs for Ireland in search of redemption he must inform Charlotte Pitt of her husband's whereabouts in order that she won't worry. When she learns that Narraway is off to Ireland to gather evidence to exonerate himself, she offers to accompany him to aid him in his investigation. She would pretend to be his half-sister.
Why were Pitt and Narraway sent in opposite directions at a time when revolutionary radicals beginning to gain footholds throughout Europe? Could there be a traitor in Special Branch who wanted to eliminate the two most knowledgeable men from Special Branch so that they can take it over for their own nefarious purposes?
Once again, Anne Perry weaves an excellent thriller, set in Victorian England. Enjoy!
Sunday, December 18, 2011
A Plague of Poison
Maureen Ash continues the work of Bascot de Marins in her third book of the "Alehouse Murders" series.
A young man dies as the result of poison intended for Nicolaa de Haye, castellan of Lincoln. Nicolaa didn't eat the cake intended for her because she had a sore throat. Unfortunately her maid passed the cake on to the victim, who was her intended. De Marins is asked to investigate.
A short time later three people in the town of Lincoln die from poison, which once again was intended for someone else. Honey is the source of the poison in both cases and comes from only one apiary. It doesn't take long for another victim to die as a result, this time at the priory.
The son-in-law of the apiarist is arrested and found guilty because of circumstantial evidence. De Marins has his doubts about the guilt of the man. He continues to investigate, and a vicious murder helps to prove his ideas, but now he must find the real culprit.
Another historical novel I am sure that fans of historical murder mysteries will enjoy.
A young man dies as the result of poison intended for Nicolaa de Haye, castellan of Lincoln. Nicolaa didn't eat the cake intended for her because she had a sore throat. Unfortunately her maid passed the cake on to the victim, who was her intended. De Marins is asked to investigate.
A short time later three people in the town of Lincoln die from poison, which once again was intended for someone else. Honey is the source of the poison in both cases and comes from only one apiary. It doesn't take long for another victim to die as a result, this time at the priory.
The son-in-law of the apiarist is arrested and found guilty because of circumstantial evidence. De Marins has his doubts about the guilt of the man. He continues to investigate, and a vicious murder helps to prove his ideas, but now he must find the real culprit.
Another historical novel I am sure that fans of historical murder mysteries will enjoy.
Death Comes to Pemberley
P. D. James has turned her pen to the writing of an historical novel in "Death Comes to Pemberley". This novel is a sequel to Jane Austin's "Pride and Prejudice", and James has written in the manner of Austin in creating this murder mystery.
To begin her story, she briefly retells the story and recreates the characters in "Pride and Prejudice", only time has gone by; it is six years later and the Darcy household is preparing for their annual ball. Unbeknownst to them, Lydia plans on surprising them by turning up for the ball. On her way there with her husband, Wickham and friend, Captain Denny, Denny stops the coach and runs into the nearby woodland. Wickham follows and shortly thereafter shots are heard. Lydia screams for the coachman to continue on to Pemberley where the household finds her to be very distressed. After telling her story, Darcy and his friend Colonel Fitzwilliam set out to investigate. They discover Wickham kneeling over the body of Denny, decrying "I killed him, my only friend and I killed him."
From there the story ensues. An inquest, and a trial where much is revealed about what really caused the death of Captain Denny.
P. D. James at her best.
To begin her story, she briefly retells the story and recreates the characters in "Pride and Prejudice", only time has gone by; it is six years later and the Darcy household is preparing for their annual ball. Unbeknownst to them, Lydia plans on surprising them by turning up for the ball. On her way there with her husband, Wickham and friend, Captain Denny, Denny stops the coach and runs into the nearby woodland. Wickham follows and shortly thereafter shots are heard. Lydia screams for the coachman to continue on to Pemberley where the household finds her to be very distressed. After telling her story, Darcy and his friend Colonel Fitzwilliam set out to investigate. They discover Wickham kneeling over the body of Denny, decrying "I killed him, my only friend and I killed him."
From there the story ensues. An inquest, and a trial where much is revealed about what really caused the death of Captain Denny.
P. D. James at her best.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
The God of the Hive
Mary Russell and her much older husband Sherlock Holmes are involved in a murder mystery cum spy thriller once again.
The story begins in Scotland where Mary rescues her step-granddaughter from a possible death. While being flown southwards by an American pilot a sniper shoots at the plane wounding the pilot. Shortly thereafter the plane crashes. Fortunately all aboard are rescued by a mysterious Green Man.
Meantime Holmes is in the North Sea aboard a fishing boat with his badly wounded son and a lady doctor that they have abducted. Holmes heads for the safety of The Netherlands in order to find a place for his son to recuperate.
Down in London, Holmes' brother Mycroft has been taken captive by a mysterious personage who wants to take his place in the intelligence world.
Author Laurie R. King draws all of these threads together and weaves an entertaining story, one that I am sure that you will enjoy.
The story begins in Scotland where Mary rescues her step-granddaughter from a possible death. While being flown southwards by an American pilot a sniper shoots at the plane wounding the pilot. Shortly thereafter the plane crashes. Fortunately all aboard are rescued by a mysterious Green Man.
Meantime Holmes is in the North Sea aboard a fishing boat with his badly wounded son and a lady doctor that they have abducted. Holmes heads for the safety of The Netherlands in order to find a place for his son to recuperate.
Down in London, Holmes' brother Mycroft has been taken captive by a mysterious personage who wants to take his place in the intelligence world.
Author Laurie R. King draws all of these threads together and weaves an entertaining story, one that I am sure that you will enjoy.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Death of a Squire
Author Maureen Ash takes the reader to 11th century Lincoln, where Templar Knight Bascot and his young protege Gianni have come to live after Bascot's time away on crusade.
Squire Hubert is found hanging from a tree near the carcass of a poached deer. Did he surprise the poacher and die as a result? Bascot is assigned the task of finding the murder.
Gianni, being a mute, is thought also to be deaf by many, so he is able to listen in on many conversations. As a result of one such conversation he heads off on his own into the forest to gather information, which may help his master solve the crime. Unfortunately he is take captive by an outlaw gang. Could this outlaw gang, who want to exchange Gianni for one of their own, be responsible for the murder of Hubert?
In the meantime, the citizens of Lincoln are preparing for the visit of King John. Throughout the story there are plots within plots ~ a good historical murder mystery.
Squire Hubert is found hanging from a tree near the carcass of a poached deer. Did he surprise the poacher and die as a result? Bascot is assigned the task of finding the murder.
Gianni, being a mute, is thought also to be deaf by many, so he is able to listen in on many conversations. As a result of one such conversation he heads off on his own into the forest to gather information, which may help his master solve the crime. Unfortunately he is take captive by an outlaw gang. Could this outlaw gang, who want to exchange Gianni for one of their own, be responsible for the murder of Hubert?
In the meantime, the citizens of Lincoln are preparing for the visit of King John. Throughout the story there are plots within plots ~ a good historical murder mystery.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Vices of My Blood
Author Maureen Jennings is very good at describing life in Toronto in the late 19th Century, both for the destitute, poor, and those well off in Detective Murdoch series.
Reverend Charles Howard has been found murdered in the office of his church by one of his parishoners. His watch and boots are missing. Is it a simple murder by some misbegotten soul who is so poor that he has stooped to killing the reverend to get the boots?
Murdoch's investigation will take him to the poor houses and workhouse of Toronto where he will meet tramps, plungers and prostitutes. During the investigation four more people die, asphyxiated by carbon monoxide. These three had connections to the poor reverend; could they somehow be connected to his murder? Murdoch now has five deaths to investigate; where will it take him?
This is a book I am sure that you will enjoy reading as did I.
Reverend Charles Howard has been found murdered in the office of his church by one of his parishoners. His watch and boots are missing. Is it a simple murder by some misbegotten soul who is so poor that he has stooped to killing the reverend to get the boots?
Murdoch's investigation will take him to the poor houses and workhouse of Toronto where he will meet tramps, plungers and prostitutes. During the investigation four more people die, asphyxiated by carbon monoxide. These three had connections to the poor reverend; could they somehow be connected to his murder? Murdoch now has five deaths to investigate; where will it take him?
This is a book I am sure that you will enjoy reading as did I.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
The Impossible Dead
Ian Rankin has written another fast paced thriller.
Malcom Fox and his "Complaints Department" have been asked to investigate whether cops have participated in the cover up of a corrupt colleague. Their investigation leads not just to a cover up, but conspiracy, and a long past death by car accident that actually could be a murder.
The investigation leads to the past when Scotland was in turmoil and separatists were involved in bombings and kidnappings. MI5 was following one of these groups. Could they have been involved in an assassination of the car accident victim? As Fox and his team investigate, more murders occur.
The reader is left turning pages to keep up with Fox and his team. I could not put this book down and spent a full day reading it in order to finish it.
Malcom Fox and his "Complaints Department" have been asked to investigate whether cops have participated in the cover up of a corrupt colleague. Their investigation leads not just to a cover up, but conspiracy, and a long past death by car accident that actually could be a murder.
The investigation leads to the past when Scotland was in turmoil and separatists were involved in bombings and kidnappings. MI5 was following one of these groups. Could they have been involved in an assassination of the car accident victim? As Fox and his team investigate, more murders occur.
The reader is left turning pages to keep up with Fox and his team. I could not put this book down and spent a full day reading it in order to finish it.
Empire
Author Steven Saylor continues his story of Imperial Rome begun in "Roma" with this novel, "Empire". He continues to follow the Pinarii family, their ups and downs, triumphs and tragedies through the rule of various emperors of Rome.
Saylor has researched the history well in order to tell the story of Rome. For those who enjoy historical fiction, this is a good read. For those who have been to Rome, you can follow the people of this novel in your mind's eye as they travel throughout the ancient city of Rome. The novel ends at the death of Hadrian; I am hoping that there will be a further sequel to this series.
Saylor has researched the history well in order to tell the story of Rome. For those who enjoy historical fiction, this is a good read. For those who have been to Rome, you can follow the people of this novel in your mind's eye as they travel throughout the ancient city of Rome. The novel ends at the death of Hadrian; I am hoping that there will be a further sequel to this series.
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