John Russell
has been in Berlin for a decade by early 1939. He has a son with his
German ex-wife. For the most part he is happy, he sees his son
regularly and he has a beautiful girlfriend. However, life in Nazi
Germany is not as happy as the Germans portray. Jews are being sent off
to concentration camps for no reason at all. Life is becoming
regimented and certain things are becoming harder to come by.
Life
changes for Russell when a fellow journalist supposedly commits
suicide. He had been working on a story that the Nazis didn't want to
get out, and Russell was privy to the basic information that the Nazis
planned to euthanise those who were mentally handicapped.
In
addition, the Soviets have asked Russell to write a series of stories
for Pravda that would tell the Soviets about the Third Reich. He is
about to become entangled in the world of espionage. How can he stay in
Germany, help his Jewish friends and keep his son and girlfriend safe,
and be a spy all the while maintaining his front as a legitimate
journalist? Fear of the Gestapo was constant.
As I started
reading "Zoo Station" I wasn't sure that it was going to be a good read,
but David Downing does a tremendous job building the story and tension.
I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Trick of the Light
Letters from the past, a murdered Confederate soldier in Leith, seances, brothels at war, Arthur Conan Doyle and monsters in the night are all in the mix in this Inspector McLevy mystery.
Madame Jean Brash has a new competitor in the brothel business, known as The Countess. Two of her magpies have flitted over to Jean. The Countess will not countenance this and a fierce rivalry ensues that will lead to violence and death.
A robbery at the friend of Doyle's mother result in the introduction of Doyle to Inspector McLevy. Doyle is a fan of 'deduction' and requests to tag along during the investigation.
When a businessman is found murdered, Doyle is able to tell McLevy that the victim had caused the medium, Sophia Adler, to scream and faint during a seance. Another murder puts Jean right in the mix as the main culprit.
It is up to Inspector McLevy to either tie all of these leads together or rather unravel the whole mess. Author David Ashton does a fine job of leading the reader on a merry chase.
Madame Jean Brash has a new competitor in the brothel business, known as The Countess. Two of her magpies have flitted over to Jean. The Countess will not countenance this and a fierce rivalry ensues that will lead to violence and death.
A robbery at the friend of Doyle's mother result in the introduction of Doyle to Inspector McLevy. Doyle is a fan of 'deduction' and requests to tag along during the investigation.
When a businessman is found murdered, Doyle is able to tell McLevy that the victim had caused the medium, Sophia Adler, to scream and faint during a seance. Another murder puts Jean right in the mix as the main culprit.
It is up to Inspector McLevy to either tie all of these leads together or rather unravel the whole mess. Author David Ashton does a fine job of leading the reader on a merry chase.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Blood Wedding
Leila is a young Moslem woman from Scotland doing research on the
Spanish Civil War in Spain. When her body is discovered the local
police look to blame her sometimes boyfriend, a Moslem lad, who is
working at the local Moslem retreat for up and coming Moslem
businessmen.
Sub-Inspector Max Romero from Granada is inclined to disagree, feeling that the lad is not someone the police should be investigating. Meantime he is also involved in working with the Spanish anti-terrorist group. Feelings are running high against the Moslem community because of the war in Iraq. As the investigation is progressing, the local police brutally beat the prime suspect in hopes of gaining a confession.
The head of the ant-terrorist group orders a raid on the retreat. In the ensuing raid one of the young men is shot and later dies. Hoping to keep bad news at bay, pornography is planted on a computer at the camp by the police.
Shortly afterwards the prime suspect in Leila's murder commits suicide. The local police are convinced that his suicide is evidence of his guilt. Romero is not convinced. Will further investigations prove him right despite being told not to by his superiors?
A good mystery by author P. J. Brooke, however, I was disappointed with the editing.
Sub-Inspector Max Romero from Granada is inclined to disagree, feeling that the lad is not someone the police should be investigating. Meantime he is also involved in working with the Spanish anti-terrorist group. Feelings are running high against the Moslem community because of the war in Iraq. As the investigation is progressing, the local police brutally beat the prime suspect in hopes of gaining a confession.
The head of the ant-terrorist group orders a raid on the retreat. In the ensuing raid one of the young men is shot and later dies. Hoping to keep bad news at bay, pornography is planted on a computer at the camp by the police.
Shortly afterwards the prime suspect in Leila's murder commits suicide. The local police are convinced that his suicide is evidence of his guilt. Romero is not convinced. Will further investigations prove him right despite being told not to by his superiors?
A good mystery by author P. J. Brooke, however, I was disappointed with the editing.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
The Emperor's Assassin
England, the summer of 1815, Napoleon has been captured and is on a ship in Plymouth Sound. Hopefully peace will reign.
Unfortunately for Henry Morton, a Bow Street Runner, that is not to be the case, for the body of a young woman has been found. The coroner determines it is murder. With the help of his actress friend, Arabella Malibrant, Morton is able to determine that she is French. She is also the mistress of a French count. The count is Louis XVIII's ambassador to England. A few days later the count is also brutally slain. Are the deaths the work of French royalists or Bonapartists?
Spies are spying upon spies and reporting back to their masters in France. One group wants to ensure that a king remains on the throne of France while the other wants a Corsican to have a safe retirement in the country that was once her enemy, for English law could not prosecute Napoleon once he was on English soil. England is caught in the middle. Treachery, murder and mayhem ensue.
This is the first book of T. F. Banks I have read, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Unfortunately for Henry Morton, a Bow Street Runner, that is not to be the case, for the body of a young woman has been found. The coroner determines it is murder. With the help of his actress friend, Arabella Malibrant, Morton is able to determine that she is French. She is also the mistress of a French count. The count is Louis XVIII's ambassador to England. A few days later the count is also brutally slain. Are the deaths the work of French royalists or Bonapartists?
Spies are spying upon spies and reporting back to their masters in France. One group wants to ensure that a king remains on the throne of France while the other wants a Corsican to have a safe retirement in the country that was once her enemy, for English law could not prosecute Napoleon once he was on English soil. England is caught in the middle. Treachery, murder and mayhem ensue.
This is the first book of T. F. Banks I have read, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Friday, April 20, 2012
The Dead Hand of History
Monika Paniatowski has just been appointed Detective Chief Inspector of Whitebridge. She has earned her way up through the ranks, and on her first day she is presented with a gruesome case. A woman's hand has been discovered in town. Her team is in place, but one member, Sergeant Walker doesn't really want to help make it easy. It is 1973 and women just aren't promoted to such positions.
It isn't long before a man's severed hand is presented to the police. It had been discovered by a reporter who was provided with an anonymous note. This reporter also doesn't have much use for women being in positions of authority and before long he writes a news article condemning DCI Paniatowski for not making an arrest because the prime suspect is also of Polish background. This makes the DCI's work that much more difficult as she is now under pressure from her Chief Constable.
Author Sally Spenser has written a very good thriller here, full of clues, none of which point to the real villain in the story until Paniatowski pulls all them together in the final chapters of the book. A very good read.
It isn't long before a man's severed hand is presented to the police. It had been discovered by a reporter who was provided with an anonymous note. This reporter also doesn't have much use for women being in positions of authority and before long he writes a news article condemning DCI Paniatowski for not making an arrest because the prime suspect is also of Polish background. This makes the DCI's work that much more difficult as she is now under pressure from her Chief Constable.
Author Sally Spenser has written a very good thriller here, full of clues, none of which point to the real villain in the story until Paniatowski pulls all them together in the final chapters of the book. A very good read.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
The Calling
What person would tie up and gag a young woman and then leave her in a remote place to die from exposure to the elements?
This is the latest case put before the Cambridge police when a young woman is discovered to be missing. DC Kincaide seems to have the case all wrapped up after he charges her uncle with the murder. An anonymous phone call suggests looking at someone else and DC Gary Goodhew can't let that information go.
As Goodhew is putting together his case, author Alison Bruce introduces us to the the potential culprit and the issues that he has in his relationships with women. They are rough and dangerous for the women, but none of them has become a murder victim.
It is only when Goodhew finally meets the anonymous caller that he is able to piece together the connections between the culprit and his victims. Two near tragedies draw the story to its ultimate, fast paced climax.
A great read by author Alison Bruce.
This is the latest case put before the Cambridge police when a young woman is discovered to be missing. DC Kincaide seems to have the case all wrapped up after he charges her uncle with the murder. An anonymous phone call suggests looking at someone else and DC Gary Goodhew can't let that information go.
As Goodhew is putting together his case, author Alison Bruce introduces us to the the potential culprit and the issues that he has in his relationships with women. They are rough and dangerous for the women, but none of them has become a murder victim.
It is only when Goodhew finally meets the anonymous caller that he is able to piece together the connections between the culprit and his victims. Two near tragedies draw the story to its ultimate, fast paced climax.
A great read by author Alison Bruce.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
What Angels Fear
London, 1811; King George III is on the throne, but utterly mad. The Prince of Wales is about to be made regent. Great Britain is at war with France and there is a French spy in London.
Sebastian St. Cyr has been wrongly arrested for the brutal murder of a young actress. During the arrest he pushes back at one of the constables who pulls a knife and then accidentally stabs his fellow constable. St. Cyr finds himself accused of the stabbing, too. Fortunately he makes his escape.
Covered in the blood of the constable St. Cyr makes his way to the seedier part of London. At an in a young lad tries to pick his pocket and is caught. Tom, as the lad is known, is released and will become St. Cyr's right hand man as he goes about trying to prove his innocence and stay free of the law.
Author C. S. Harris writes this murder mystery like a compass gone wrong. In his investigations St. Cyr has several potential culprits, but when the evidence seems to point to one, new evidence points to another. It is only near the end of the story that we find the true culprit. Well written and enjoyable.
Sebastian St. Cyr has been wrongly arrested for the brutal murder of a young actress. During the arrest he pushes back at one of the constables who pulls a knife and then accidentally stabs his fellow constable. St. Cyr finds himself accused of the stabbing, too. Fortunately he makes his escape.
Covered in the blood of the constable St. Cyr makes his way to the seedier part of London. At an in a young lad tries to pick his pocket and is caught. Tom, as the lad is known, is released and will become St. Cyr's right hand man as he goes about trying to prove his innocence and stay free of the law.
Author C. S. Harris writes this murder mystery like a compass gone wrong. In his investigations St. Cyr has several potential culprits, but when the evidence seems to point to one, new evidence points to another. It is only near the end of the story that we find the true culprit. Well written and enjoyable.
Monday, April 16, 2012
The Siren
Alison Bruce's sequel to "Cambridge Blue" is another page turner.
Two young in Cambridge have a secret which will lead to the death of one of them. When the news of the death of a young man in Spain is broadcast they are in panic mode. That evening one of their houses goes up in flames and she dies within.
DC Goodhew happens upon the fire and is almost knocked to the ground by the young man who calls in the fire. While at the fire he meets the other young woman who is in a panic because her young son was with the other woman. When his body is not found in the remains of the house, and the dead woman's husband turns up missing, the Cambridge police realise they have a kidnapping and murder on their hands.
Now DC Goodhew, with the help of a new, and the not altogether co-operative WPC, Sue Gully, need to work together to unravel several crimes knotted together.
Lives are endangered and threatened as the story draws to its climax. A very good read and I am looking forward to the next installment.
Two young in Cambridge have a secret which will lead to the death of one of them. When the news of the death of a young man in Spain is broadcast they are in panic mode. That evening one of their houses goes up in flames and she dies within.
DC Goodhew happens upon the fire and is almost knocked to the ground by the young man who calls in the fire. While at the fire he meets the other young woman who is in a panic because her young son was with the other woman. When his body is not found in the remains of the house, and the dead woman's husband turns up missing, the Cambridge police realise they have a kidnapping and murder on their hands.
Now DC Goodhew, with the help of a new, and the not altogether co-operative WPC, Sue Gully, need to work together to unravel several crimes knotted together.
Lives are endangered and threatened as the story draws to its climax. A very good read and I am looking forward to the next installment.
Death and the Jubilee
Victoria's Jubilee is fast approaching, and London has to be prepared and secure for the celebration. However, some in Germany think that it is time to end Britannia's rule of the world must end. Secret societies exist to that end.
When a body without its head and hands is discovered in the Thames, Lord Powerscourt is called upon to help the police investigate. When it is discovered that the body is that of an influential banker, Powerscourt's investigation moves on to that family. Soon after, the family home goes up in flames and another body is found in the wreckage.
Compounding the investigation is the fear that some Irish radical might attempt to assassinate Victoria. Could the murders, the secret societies, the planned assassination attempt and the family all be tied together? What role does the family bank have to do in the whole scheme of things?
Kidnappings and gun running play an integral role in the story as villains attempt to bring down the most powerful nation on earth just before the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
Author David Dickenson has written a very good sequel to "Goodnight Sweet Prince".
When a body without its head and hands is discovered in the Thames, Lord Powerscourt is called upon to help the police investigate. When it is discovered that the body is that of an influential banker, Powerscourt's investigation moves on to that family. Soon after, the family home goes up in flames and another body is found in the wreckage.
Compounding the investigation is the fear that some Irish radical might attempt to assassinate Victoria. Could the murders, the secret societies, the planned assassination attempt and the family all be tied together? What role does the family bank have to do in the whole scheme of things?
Kidnappings and gun running play an integral role in the story as villains attempt to bring down the most powerful nation on earth just before the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
Author David Dickenson has written a very good sequel to "Goodnight Sweet Prince".
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Princes Gate
1940 London, the blitz hasn't struck yet, but England lives in fear of what Hitler might do. A scientist is run down by a hit and run driver on the darkened streets of London. Shortly thereafter a secretary from the American embassy is found floating in the Thames.
Thus starts the investigation into the murder of Joan Harris by DCI Frank Merlin and Sergeant Bridges. Both men had wanted to join up, but were unable to so this is their lot. Another inspector is given the task of investigating the hit and run. It isn't long after that one of the chauffeurs from the embassy is found murdered in his room. Are the three deaths tied together?
Mark Ellis' "Princes Gate" is his first novel, but it is very well written drawing the reader in quickly and maintaining interest. The reader is left wondering how the Ambassador Joseph Kennedy might be involved. What role does the seedy underworld of London have to do with it all? A great read that I am sure you will not be able to put down.
Thus starts the investigation into the murder of Joan Harris by DCI Frank Merlin and Sergeant Bridges. Both men had wanted to join up, but were unable to so this is their lot. Another inspector is given the task of investigating the hit and run. It isn't long after that one of the chauffeurs from the embassy is found murdered in his room. Are the three deaths tied together?
Mark Ellis' "Princes Gate" is his first novel, but it is very well written drawing the reader in quickly and maintaining interest. The reader is left wondering how the Ambassador Joseph Kennedy might be involved. What role does the seedy underworld of London have to do with it all? A great read that I am sure you will not be able to put down.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Fall from Grace
A warehouse on the quay has been burned. Within the remains of the building is found a body, and under the body an oil lamp. Arson! Inspector McLevy and Constable Mulholland are investigating. As the investigation proceeds, author David Ashton provides the reader with flashbacks to another case that McLevy had been investigating; the collapse of the railway bridge over the Tay.
Proof is provided that the owner of the building might be involved in the arson, but Mulholland strikes out on his own to confront the suspect. The suspect is a competitor for Mulholland's love, so his jealousy plays a part and as a result the suspect and his confederate flee.
How will McLevy rectify the situation and bring the culprits to justice? A rollicking tale of Edinburgh and its environs in the 1880s. Enjoy!
Proof is provided that the owner of the building might be involved in the arson, but Mulholland strikes out on his own to confront the suspect. The suspect is a competitor for Mulholland's love, so his jealousy plays a part and as a result the suspect and his confederate flee.
How will McLevy rectify the situation and bring the culprits to justice? A rollicking tale of Edinburgh and its environs in the 1880s. Enjoy!
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Cambridge Blue
It takes some time for the author, Alison Bruce to set the scene and develop the characters in "Cambridge Blue". A young woman is out walking her dog, off leash, when she is attacked by a man with a knife. In the ensuing struggle, she manages to slip the dog's choke chain over his head and strangle him. She then tumbles the body into the Cam.
Later, another young woman is asphyxiated in Cambridge by someone she knows, and the reader is left wondering, who is David?
DI Marks and his two DCs Goodhew and Kincaide set out to solve the latter murder. When a former schoolmate of Goodhew's points out that he and his friend knew the victim it would appear that the two murders are tied together, but how?
As the reader nears the climax of this novel, Bruce spins and twists the theories of DC Goodhew so much you wonder if you are being led down the garden path. The climax is both surprising and good.
Later, another young woman is asphyxiated in Cambridge by someone she knows, and the reader is left wondering, who is David?
DI Marks and his two DCs Goodhew and Kincaide set out to solve the latter murder. When a former schoolmate of Goodhew's points out that he and his friend knew the victim it would appear that the two murders are tied together, but how?
As the reader nears the climax of this novel, Bruce spins and twists the theories of DC Goodhew so much you wonder if you are being led down the garden path. The climax is both surprising and good.
Monday, April 9, 2012
Shadow of the Serpent
Inspector John McLevy is in charge of Leith, a suburb of Edinburgh. Victoria is on the throne, Disraeli her Prime Minister and an election has been called. Will Disraeli lose his position to William Gladstone? Victoria prefers Disraeli, but do the people?
A foul murder of a prostitute has been committed in Leith; she was struck down by an axe. McLevy and his constable Mulholland begin the investigation. Soon a second prostitute suffers the same fate. McLevy is now under pressure to find a serial killer. A young woman comes to him with information which points to a high ranking culprit; Gladstone himself! McLevy needs further information and proof. After watching Gladstone make a speech on the eve of the election, McLevy is prepared. He will follow Gladstone to gain the necessary proof.
Author David Ashton presents Victorian Scotland and England in vivid terms. He takes great effort to set up the crimes and the final climax. A good read.
A foul murder of a prostitute has been committed in Leith; she was struck down by an axe. McLevy and his constable Mulholland begin the investigation. Soon a second prostitute suffers the same fate. McLevy is now under pressure to find a serial killer. A young woman comes to him with information which points to a high ranking culprit; Gladstone himself! McLevy needs further information and proof. After watching Gladstone make a speech on the eve of the election, McLevy is prepared. He will follow Gladstone to gain the necessary proof.
Author David Ashton presents Victorian Scotland and England in vivid terms. He takes great effort to set up the crimes and the final climax. A good read.
Saturday, April 7, 2012
London Calling
As I started to read James Craig's "London Calling" I wasn't sure I would enjoy it. However, Craig's method of backtracking to the 1980's and interspersing it with the current date, was the author's way of establishing characters within the story.
It is modern times and the United Kingdom is on the verge of a general election. Edgar Carlton would appear to be set to be the next prime minister. His twin brother is his right hand man, and together they have established an impressive election machine. That is until some of their friends start to get murdered.
Inspector John Carlyle is tasked to investigate the first of the murders. He discovers as each new victim appears that each of the victims, plus the two Carlton brothers were members of the Merrion Club while at Cambridge. As each victim appears he is able to determine that the Carltons could be potential victims.
Back in the 1980's Carlyle was a young constable involved in controlling the riots that occurred as a result of the miners' strikes. It was there that he made friends with another police officer, Dominc Silver and enemy of another, Trevor Miller. Both of these men would leave the police force, one to become a drug lord and the other the head of security for the Carltons. Each will play an important part in Carlyle's investigations.
Power and money corrupts and author John Craig shows how it does in this thriller. Although, as I said, I was unsure whether I would enjoy the book, I did and I highly recommend it.
It is modern times and the United Kingdom is on the verge of a general election. Edgar Carlton would appear to be set to be the next prime minister. His twin brother is his right hand man, and together they have established an impressive election machine. That is until some of their friends start to get murdered.
Inspector John Carlyle is tasked to investigate the first of the murders. He discovers as each new victim appears that each of the victims, plus the two Carlton brothers were members of the Merrion Club while at Cambridge. As each victim appears he is able to determine that the Carltons could be potential victims.
Back in the 1980's Carlyle was a young constable involved in controlling the riots that occurred as a result of the miners' strikes. It was there that he made friends with another police officer, Dominc Silver and enemy of another, Trevor Miller. Both of these men would leave the police force, one to become a drug lord and the other the head of security for the Carltons. Each will play an important part in Carlyle's investigations.
Power and money corrupts and author John Craig shows how it does in this thriller. Although, as I said, I was unsure whether I would enjoy the book, I did and I highly recommend it.
Friday, April 6, 2012
Cold Cruel Winter
This is Chris Nickson's sequel to "The Broken Token", which I had finished earlier. I had enjoyed it so much I decided to read the sequel immediately.
Winter has set in solidly in Leeds in 1732; many people are dying of the cold. On his rounds John Sedgewick finds a body, which really doesn't surprise him because of the cold. However, when he turns the body over he discovers that a large patch of skin has been removed from his back. The body is of a well known Leeds wool merchant.
It isn't long after this that Constable Nottingham receives a book that outlines the murder and the reason for it. The murderer has long standing grievances against the merchant. Nottingham is shocked when he finds out that the book has been bound with the skin of the merchant! The book also states that it is the first of four volumes. Nottingham has suspicions who the murderer is and when he reviews the case in question, he knows whose skin two of the other three volumes will be bound with. Who can the fourth victim be?
He sets his men to watching the potential victims in hopes of catching the murderer. However, Nottingham's mind is not fully on the case because recently his eldest daughter has died. She had been married for a short time before dying. Grief has bothered Nottingham since.
Nickson has done a superb job of gaining the reader's interest and holding it throughout this historical murder mystery. A book I could not put down until I was done reading.
Winter has set in solidly in Leeds in 1732; many people are dying of the cold. On his rounds John Sedgewick finds a body, which really doesn't surprise him because of the cold. However, when he turns the body over he discovers that a large patch of skin has been removed from his back. The body is of a well known Leeds wool merchant.
It isn't long after this that Constable Nottingham receives a book that outlines the murder and the reason for it. The murderer has long standing grievances against the merchant. Nottingham is shocked when he finds out that the book has been bound with the skin of the merchant! The book also states that it is the first of four volumes. Nottingham has suspicions who the murderer is and when he reviews the case in question, he knows whose skin two of the other three volumes will be bound with. Who can the fourth victim be?
He sets his men to watching the potential victims in hopes of catching the murderer. However, Nottingham's mind is not fully on the case because recently his eldest daughter has died. She had been married for a short time before dying. Grief has bothered Nottingham since.
Nickson has done a superb job of gaining the reader's interest and holding it throughout this historical murder mystery. A book I could not put down until I was done reading.
The Broken Token
Leeds, 1731 and Richard Nottingham is the Constable. John Sedgewick is his deputy. They have a town of about 7 000 people to keep safe from pickpockets and drunks fighting. But when a whore and her customer are murdered things take a whole new turn for the team. What shocks Nottingham the most is that the whore is a young woman who once worked as a servant for him. How had she come to be in this line of work? She had married well and moved away a few years back.
When another similar set of murders occur, it would appear that one of the local drunks is the prime suspect. But shortly after the drunk is arrested another set of murders occurs, obviously they have the wrong person under arrest.
As Nottingham and Sedgewick go about their investigation, we get an insight into their lives. Nottingham is happily married with two daughters, one of whom is a bit of a concern for her father. Sedgwick's marriage, on the other hand isn't quite so happy. Their stories give some humanity to this murder mystery.
Author Chris Nickson has portrayed 18th Century Leeds very well. If you are a fan of historical murder mysteries, you will enjoy "The Broken Token".
When another similar set of murders occur, it would appear that one of the local drunks is the prime suspect. But shortly after the drunk is arrested another set of murders occurs, obviously they have the wrong person under arrest.
As Nottingham and Sedgewick go about their investigation, we get an insight into their lives. Nottingham is happily married with two daughters, one of whom is a bit of a concern for her father. Sedgwick's marriage, on the other hand isn't quite so happy. Their stories give some humanity to this murder mystery.
Author Chris Nickson has portrayed 18th Century Leeds very well. If you are a fan of historical murder mysteries, you will enjoy "The Broken Token".
Thursday, April 5, 2012
From the Dead
DI Tom Thorne's life is just about to get very busy when a private detective presents him with evidence that a murdered man is still alive. Anna Carpenter has been investigating the death of this man on behalf of his wife, who has received photos in the mail showing him well and alive. Anna realises that she is in over her head, so goes to Thorne with the evidence.
Thorne is forced to allow Anna to accompany him on his investigations by his superiors. Shortly after interviewing the man, in prison, found responsible for the murder of Alan Longford he in turn is murdered by a fellow convict. It isn't long after that that the prison guard who had been there at the time of the prisoner's death is in turn killed.
Through further investigation and cooperation with the Spanish police, Alan Longford is found to be in Spain. How will Thorne be able to bring him back to England to face justice for the string of murders he is accused of?
Mark Billingham's thriller "From the Dead" is an excellent read. Face paced and hard to put down.
Thorne is forced to allow Anna to accompany him on his investigations by his superiors. Shortly after interviewing the man, in prison, found responsible for the murder of Alan Longford he in turn is murdered by a fellow convict. It isn't long after that that the prison guard who had been there at the time of the prisoner's death is in turn killed.
Through further investigation and cooperation with the Spanish police, Alan Longford is found to be in Spain. How will Thorne be able to bring him back to England to face justice for the string of murders he is accused of?
Mark Billingham's thriller "From the Dead" is an excellent read. Face paced and hard to put down.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Revenger
John Shakespeare has had a quiet five years since his last job as an intelligencer. He and his wife Catherine have a five year old daughter, Mary. John now runs a school for young orphan boys. But that quiet life is about to be disturbed.
He is requested by Lord Essex to find a young woman who may have returned to England from the colony established by Sir Walter Raleigh at Roanoke. Shakespeare doesn't know the reason why he is to look for the woman, and decides not to, until the strong man of Essex, a certain McGunn, threatens the life of Shakespeare's wife and daughter.
Within a short time, Shakespeare is also requested by Robert Cecil to investigate Essex himself. Essex is a threat to Good Queen Elizabeth. Shakespeare can't refuse this request, so he is now a double agent. He must keep one investigation secret from the other. And, on top of that, Topcliffe continues to threaten his wife, who is a Catholic in a protestant England.
How will Shakespeare manage to balance all of this without losing the lives of his loved ones, and his own life for that matter. This is an excellent historical murder mystery thriller by author Rory Clements, and I thoroughly enjoyed it as I am sure that you will, too.
He is requested by Lord Essex to find a young woman who may have returned to England from the colony established by Sir Walter Raleigh at Roanoke. Shakespeare doesn't know the reason why he is to look for the woman, and decides not to, until the strong man of Essex, a certain McGunn, threatens the life of Shakespeare's wife and daughter.
Within a short time, Shakespeare is also requested by Robert Cecil to investigate Essex himself. Essex is a threat to Good Queen Elizabeth. Shakespeare can't refuse this request, so he is now a double agent. He must keep one investigation secret from the other. And, on top of that, Topcliffe continues to threaten his wife, who is a Catholic in a protestant England.
How will Shakespeare manage to balance all of this without losing the lives of his loved ones, and his own life for that matter. This is an excellent historical murder mystery thriller by author Rory Clements, and I thoroughly enjoyed it as I am sure that you will, too.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
The Counterfeit Madam
Pat McIntosh's Gil Cunningham has a couple of mysteries placed on his plate in this novel and somehow both seem to be tied to each other. With the help of his wife Alys, Gil is able to solve the mysteries.
Recently counterfeit silver pennies have appeared in the Glasgow area. Obviously this does not make the merchants happy. Gil wants to investigate, but has been put off it by his Archbishop.
He, his wife and father-in-law for some time now, have been looking after an orphaned boy. John Semphill had offered to make him his heir, but now his wife's godmother has offered up some land and tenancies if the lad is no longer Semphill's heir. The hope is that Semphill's wife will provide him with an heir. Gil needs to investigate the properties to check the value first. While doing so, he is hit over the head and tossed in a burn. Fortunately for him, a woman in a nearby bawdy house saw it happen, and he is taken there to recover. A short time after that the godmother is killed. Are the two events tied together? How will Gil and Alys solve these mysteries? Read on!
Recently counterfeit silver pennies have appeared in the Glasgow area. Obviously this does not make the merchants happy. Gil wants to investigate, but has been put off it by his Archbishop.
He, his wife and father-in-law for some time now, have been looking after an orphaned boy. John Semphill had offered to make him his heir, but now his wife's godmother has offered up some land and tenancies if the lad is no longer Semphill's heir. The hope is that Semphill's wife will provide him with an heir. Gil needs to investigate the properties to check the value first. While doing so, he is hit over the head and tossed in a burn. Fortunately for him, a woman in a nearby bawdy house saw it happen, and he is taken there to recover. A short time after that the godmother is killed. Are the two events tied together? How will Gil and Alys solve these mysteries? Read on!
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