Canoe Country ~ The Making of Canada

Author Roy MacGregor starts off his book with his own personal experiences canoeing.  This leads on to stories of the conservationist Grey Owl, and how Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau's love of canoeing would lead to the development of Canada's Heritage River System.  Canoeing enthusiast Bill Mason, of course must play an integral part in any discussion of canoeing in Canada.  Mason once told Trudeau that the canoe should have been on the Canadian flag instead of the maple leaf.

The original canoeists were the voyageurs who could paddle 130 kilometres in a day, taking a pipe break every hour, plus cross portages with two ninety pound packs several times.  In hopes of saving General Gordon in Khartoum, the British called upon Canadian voyageuers to paddle soldiers up the Nile.  Unfortunately they arrived too late.  These voyageuers were not true voyageuers, but were river raftsmen as the use of the canoe had virtually died away by this time.

Canoeing can be dangerous.  A spill is scary, but for some it can be deadly as the author points out with the case of Blair Fraser.

One must not forget that women like to canoe, too.  Numerous women are listed as avid paddlers.  Even families have trekked across this nation by canoe.  It is not a pastime just enjoyed by men alone.  There were many people who explored and opened up this country using the canoe.  One of the most influential was David Thompson.  Throughout his explorations and mapping he was joined by his wife, Charlotte Small.

MacGregor concludes his book with a discussion of the Canadian Canoe Museum in Peterborough, and its importance to the story of the canoe.  A book well worth reading for fans of canoeing.  It makes you want to get out on the water and go canoeing!

Behold a Pale Horse

Sister Fidelma's plans for returning home to Hibernia via Massila have been put on hold in Genoa due to her ship running aground.  While in Genoa, she befriends an abbot by the name of Ado.  He and his companions, Brother Faro and Sister Gisa, know her former teacher Brother Ruadan.  He is on his deathbed in an abbey outside Genoa.  Since she has time on her hands, she asks to travel with her new friends to see him.

While enroute, Fidelma hears what must be a conspiracy of sorts, and it possibly involves Sister Gisa.  Later, at the abbey Brother Ruadan warns Fidelma of evil within the abbey.  Is he in delirium, or is there in fact a problem at the abbey?  Also at the abbey is a young prince and his nurse.  It is while the abbey is at the evening meal when the belligerent bishop of Placentia barges in.  His Christian sect is at conflict with the sect of the abbey.

The following morning Fidelma is informed that Brother Ruadan has died.  When she views the body, she sees evidence that he has been murdered, but who can she share this with?  Brother Eolann is also from Hibernia, so Fidelma swears him into her confidence.  They travel up a mountain to a shrine behind the abbey.  There they find the remains of the nurse, and are subsequently taken hostage.  Fortunately they are freed, but that only creates more questions for Fidelma.

How will she solve this mystery before more deaths befall the abbey?  Once again author Peter Tremayne offers up numerous suspects before the story reaches its ultimate conclusion.  A very good read.

Fin Gall

Ornolf the Restless has taken his men a-Viking including his son-in-law Thorgrim Ulfsson, and fifteen year old grandson Harald Thorgrimson.  They have gained some prizes, which they are now taking to Dublin to sell.  On the way there they overtake a curragh, and in the ensuing battle, Thorgrim captures a bundle which contains a crown.  However, he doesn't let his shipmates know that he has it.

When the Norwegians arrive in Dublin, they discover that it is no longer a Norwegian possession, but rather a Danish one.  The Norwegian crew get drunk and Magnus Manusson takes the ship from Thorgrim.  All of the other men, who survive a minor skirmish, are imorisoned with Thorgrim.

Mael Sechnaill Mac Ruanaid rules in Tara.  He is supposed to receive the crown of the three kingdoms, however news is brought to him by an injured nobleman that Northmen had taken it from them in a battle at sea.

Morrigan, who is a young healer and slave to Orm, who controls Dublin, is also a spy for Mael Sechnaill.  She has been helping to heal the injuries of the Norsemen.  Magnus thinks it is so that he can continue his brutal interrogation of them.  She has other ideas in mind.  Morrigan helps the prisoners escape by sea, however she also arranges for the injured, including Harald, to be taken safely away by land.   She holds them in exchange for the crown, which she knows Thorgrim has safely hidden away somewhere.

Can Thorgrim retrieve the crown without endangering his crew and his son despite being shadowed along the shore by Magnus?  Will Harald survive the fever which grips him?  Is it possible for the Irish to have an alliance with the Norse?

Although author James L. Nelson gets the story off to a slow start, it does become quite a rollicking novel.  I quite enjoyed it.  A quick, good read.

The Missing and the Dead

DS Logan McRae's recent successes have landed him a 'development opportunity' - in Banff.  It has put him back in uniform, something he really didn't want.   A bust of a user has turned up information that there has been a new shipment of drugs into the area.  McRae's team is about to go on a drug raid when a call comes in of a young girl found dead in the swimming pool.

McRae is not impressed when the Major Investigations Team is sent from Aberdeen to take over the case.  His life becomes worse when a case he is a key witness for goes south because of his procedural errors.  As a result, the criminal is likely going to walk. Meantime there is lots of regular police work for McRae and his team to do.

A minor drug bust turns into a major success for McRae's team.  However, they seem to have trampled on a larger investigation and the leader of that team of investigators is out to have McRae's head served up on a platter.

Although McRae continues to achieve successes with various cases, much to the chagrin of his superiors, he also continues to run afoul of them.  Will he be able to jail the pedophile ring?  And can he shut down the newly formed drug ring without losing his own job?  Author Stuart MacBride has the reader turning pages in another of his thrillers.  I was unable to put the book down.

Before Bethlehem

After seeing the stoning death of a woman accused of adultery, James is confused by the laws of God.  He wonders to his father why the man accused wasn't also put to death by the priests.  The following day, James' father, Joseph is ordered by Herod Antipas to travel to Tiberius to help build the new city he is constructing.  He is to be there in four weeks.

Later that same day, Nicodemus, one of the priests comes to Joseph and tells him that the rabbi wants to see him.  The rabbi insists that in order to protect Joseph, he must work for him.  He also must marry a young woman by the name of Mary.  Joseph, being a widower, consults with his family.  The family supports Joseph, especially when the realisation comes to them that Mary is a chosen one of God.  Joseph sees the marriage as God's will.

The family sees the kind of justice dispensed by the Romans, such as crucifixion.   It inspires fear in them.  Some time later, an angel visits Mary and announces that she is to bear a child.  She is to name the child Jesus.  However, this news creates conflict within the family.  It is decided that Joseph and Mary must move to Bethlehem.  Joseph's sons Jude and James travel with them.

As the child is born, a bright light occurs in the sky to the east.  Shepherds come to tell that they had seen a host of angels telling of the birth of a saviour.  Nicodemus comes to Joseph and tells him that he, Mary and the child must escape to Egypt because King Herod is enraged that a saviour has been born.

A good quick read by author James Flerlage to enjoy on Christmas Eve.

Never Somewhere Else

DCI William Lorimer has three gruesome murders on his hands.  Three young women have been strangled, scalped and their bodies left in St. Mungo's Park.  Solomon Brightman, a psychologist has been brought in to help with the investigation.  When a fourth murder is attempted and ends in failure, Lorimer goes on TV appealing for help.

Solomon is sure that the killer only had the intention of killing one of the victims.  The other two were intended as a smoke screen, to make the police think that they had a serial killer on their hands.  An old ambulance turns up burned out in the countryside with a body inside.  Such an ambulance had been seen in the area the bodies were found.  It turns out that the ambulance has a connection to one of the victims.

That same victim is an art student, and amongst her art portfolio, Solomon discovers a drawing of the man who been inside the burned out ambulance.  Furthering his investigation, he speaks to the victim's mentor and gets a list of male acquaintances.  Later that evening he is attacked in his home and the list is taken.

Throughout, reporter Martin Enderby is doing his own investigation into the murders.  His latest report in the paper seemed to have too much information in it.  He is brought in for questioning.  Both Lorimer and Solomon agree that this isn't the killer.  Then who is?

Author Alex Gray has the reader invested right to the last pages wondering who the killer is.  Well written and a page turner.  I look forward to the sequels.

Snow White Must Die

DI Pia Kirchoff And Detective Superintendent Oliver von Bodenstein have been called out to a serious motor vehicle accident.  It appears that a woman may have been pushed off an overpass onto a passing vehicle below.  Further crashes occurred as a result.  Why would someone want to push her onto the oncoming traffic?  It is quickly determined that the victim is the mother of Tobias Sartorius who was just released from prison after spending ten years there for the murder of two girls.

A little earlier a skeleton had been found in a disused tank.  DNA determined that it belonged to one of the two girls.  As DI Kirchoff studies the files on the Sartorius case, she can't help but feel something is amiss.  Will more come to light when she recognises the man who pushed Sartorius' mother off the bridge, or will the village only put up more barriers to the investigation?

The inquiry takes a sudden turn when a seventeen year old girl goes missing in the same village as the previous two had.  Is it the same scenario all over again?

The seventeen year old missing girl, Amelie Frohlich, had indicated to Tobias that she had been given pictures from when the murder occurred.  When a police officer turned up to get the pictures, her stepmother didn't raise any questions.  However, later when speaking to Kirchoff and Bodenstein it appears that the police officer wasn't a police officer in fact.

Author Nele Neuhaus presents several possible suspects as this murder mystery rapidly picks up its pace.  Twists and turns abound with plenty of surprises.  A thoroughly excellent read, which I found hard to put down. I'm looking forward to the sequels.

When the Eagle Hunts

It is winter in Camulodunum and the Roman legionaries are bored with inactivity.  Centurion Macro has led his optio, Cato to a couple of bars and subsequently a couple of brawls.  Meantime General Plautius is planning his next move with Vespasian, the commander of the Second Legion.

Shortly thereafter, the Second Legion marches out of Camulodunum.  Cato is happy to be away, while Macro is upset at leaving the beautiful Iceni, Boudica behind, despite having parted on bad terms.  The legion was off in search of Caratacus and his army of Britons.  The legion sets up a camp south of the Tamesis, and it is there that they receive news that a fierce sect of the Druids has the wife and children of General Plautius.  The Romans have been given 30 days to exchange their Druid hostages for Plautius' family.

When Cato and Macro volunteer to try to rescue Plautius' family, they are shocked to see that the two Britons who will be guiding them are Boudica and Prasutagus, her body guard.   Travelling into enemy territory could mean certain death for all four of them.

A search of an encampment and a sacred grove turn out to be fruitless.  The only remaining possibility is an armed fortress.  Can the quartet get the captives and return them safely without endangering all in the process?  Once again author Simon Scarrow has written an engaging historical novel of the beginnings of the Roman conquest of modern day England.  This is a book, which was hard to put down.  I look forward to reading the sequels.

Outlaw

Alan Dale has used his thieving skills as a lad to help his mother and himself survive under the brutal regime of the local sheriff.  One day he is caught and is about to be punished with the loss of his hand.  Fortunately he escapes, only to be taken to Robin Hood by his mother, who asks the outlaw to take the lad under his protection.  Robin agrees, however Alan is shocked when he sees how Robin's men administer his Justice.

Deep in Sherwood Forest, Alan's training begins.  It is not just the skills of a warrior that he is taught, but French and Latin.  He was learning to be a gentleman as well as a warrior.  There Alan also discovers a love for music.  After a summer of intensive training, Alan is physically changed.  Unfortunately Friar Tuck informs him that the village Alan came from has been destroyed by the sheriff, and his mother was killed in the raid.

Shortly after Christmas, the hideout and the people within are destroyed by the sheriff.  Fortunately Alan was away and was warned by a young girl by the name of Goody.  He and his musical mentor escape with the girl.  Rescued by Robin, Alan needs to get back into fighting condition.  Later he and his two friends are sent with Marie-Anne to Winchester, where she is a lady in waiting to the queen.  Before they leave, Robin gifts Alan with a flute.

Alan also has another role in Winchester, as a spy for Robin.  He discovers that the Sheriff of Nottingham wants to marry Marie-Anne.  Can Robin, Alan and the rest of his outlaw band save her from this ignominious end?

Author Angus Donald has put a new face to the Robin Hood I've read about and watched in movies in this fast paced, action filled novel.  A good, quick read.

The King's Spy

It is 1643 and civil war haunts England.  Fortunately the town of Romsey hasn't seen a lot of it.  However, with increasing tension both Royalist and Parliamentary soldiers have recently visited the small town causing grief and destruction.  In the midst of this a visitor from the king stops by Thomas Hill's humble bookshop.

The king wants Thomas to use his mathematical skills to be his cryptographer, and after careful thought, Thomas agrees to travel to Oxford.  It is only when he is well on the way to Oxford that he is told that the man he is replacing has been murdered.  Upon arrival in Oxford, Thomas discovers that his mentor is virtually blind, however his mind is as sharp as ever.

Thomas is quickly put to work decoding some messages.  It doesn't take him long, and he soon starts to establish characteristics to each code writer.  Thomas also meets an intriguing young widow plus an angry young man who is upset because he had to give up his room to Thomas.  What roles will these two play in Thomas' time in Oxford?

Thomas finds the work tedious and boring until one day an intercepted parliamentary message is handed to him to decrypt.  It becomes evident quickly that this will not be an easy message to break.  Unfortunately after struggling to decrypt the message for some time, Thomas' mentor is murdered, and his room ransacked.  Thomas is arrested and charged with the murder of his friend.  It isn't long before he succumbs to gaol fever.

Saved from the gaol, Thomas does manage to decrypt the message, which threatens the queen.  Who can he trust with it?  Who can he trust with anything?  Is the king trustworthy?

Author Andrew Swanston has written a fast paced novel, full of murder, mystery and intrigue.  I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to reading the sequels.

Conquest

Hereward has been banished as an outlaw by King Edward the Confessor.  Hereward finds solitude in the western forest of England.  There he also meets an old man, who tasks him with finding his daughter and asking of her The Talisman.  Hereward is then to go in search of his own destiny.

In his quest he meets Gruffydd ap Llywelyn, King of the Welsh and serves him at the Battle of Hereford against the forces of King Edward.  He also makes friends with Martin and Einar.  It is in Hereford that he finds Torfida, daughter of the old seer.  He discovers that she also has the sight.  After the battle, the four new friends head westward.  Hereward wants to get to Dublin before winter arrives.  The following year the four friends travel to Scotland to help Macbeth.  Unfortunately for Macbeth that was to come to naught.

The quartet's travels take them on to Northern Europe where both Einar and Martin find wives and Torfida and Hereward marry.  They then travel south to Constantinople, and across to Rome where they meet the pope.  He blesses the couple, but not the talisman that Hereward wears.

Serving in southern Italy, Hereward learns new tactics.  The group gains a new friend in Alphonso of Granada.  But, Hereward is drawn to the north by rumours of threats to England.  In Rouen, they enter the service of William, Duke of Normandy.  However, they are not totally happy there, for they know he has laid claim to the throne of England once Edward dies.

Hereward is struck by the brutality of the Norman Duke, so when the opportunity to join Harold Godwinson as he returns to England, the group jumps at it.  Edward is on the verge of death and England teeters on the brink of civil war shortly after their return.  Edward died early in 1066, and the Witan declared Harold king.  William was enraged and planned an invasion, while Tostig, Harold's estranged brother plotted with Hardarda to invade the north with his Vikings.  Harold had to prepare for invasions to the north and south.

Late in September, Hardarda invades and takes York.  Harold gathers a small force and marches north to do battle.  Just outside York at Stamford Bridge, Harold is outnumbered four to one, but achieves a decisive victory.  Within a short time he is informed of William's invasion on the south coast.  He heads to London to meet with his earls, who suggest caution.  However, Harold wants to rid England of the Norman scourge as soon as possible.

Harold has the height of land at Senlac Ridge, but unfortunately the battle does not go his way.  William ensures that he is brutally killed.  Hereward is grievously injured attempting to protect his king, and fortunately he is taken from the battlefield by his three friends.  Once recovered, Hereward and the group of friends move to Spain, but minus Torfida who has taken ill.

The group leads a quiet life in Spain, but before long, Hereward is called back to England to lead an uprising.  Will the tactics he learned in Spain help him put Prince Edgar on the throne of England? Or is it just total futility?

Author Stewart Binns has written an intriguing novel based on little known historical fact.  It was a book that had me engaged from start to finish; I could not put it down.

The Devil's Workshop

It is late at night when DI Walter Day is called to his office because five murderers have made a brazen escape from Bridewell Prison.  Commissioner Sir Edward Bradford wants the escapees captured as quickly as possible.  He assigns many of his force to the manhunt, however he assigns Day and DS Hammersmith to investigate the goings on at the prison.  Day's former mentor and now retired DI Adrian March offers to help.  Bradford is sure that the escape was carefully planned and includes someone inside the prison.  He also informs the trio that one of the escapees is a man Day and Hammersmith had put away last year.

At the prison, the warden is adamant that there were only four escapees, however a clerk is sure there is a fifth.  Unfortunately he has no records to identify the man.  The trio follow some clues to a tea shop where they find a man bound and gagged.  One of the escapees has been found, but why was he bound and gagged?

Further investigation leads Day and March to catacombs beneath a church.  There March springs a surprise on Day.  Unfortunately for the pair of them, they become entrapped.  Meantime Sergeant Hammersmith comes to the realisation that Day's wife, Claire, is also in danger.  Will he be able to protect her and will Day succeed in escaping his predicament?

Author Alex Grecian has plenty of tension building up in this murder mystery and a few surprises before the conclusion.  An intense, page turning read.

The Strangled Queen

Philip IV is dead!  Long live Louis X!  In their prison Marguerite, wife of Louis and Blanche, his sister-in-law believe that they will now be released.  Marguerite believes that she is now Queen of France.  She is surprised when Robert of Artois arrives and offers her the chance of freedom if she accepts an annulment.  Unfortunately Artois is unable to get her to agree.

Now that Louis is king, he needs a new queen.  The council has proposed Clemence of Hungary.   However, before he can marry her, he must be rid of Marguerite.  In order for that to occur, a new pope was required, so one of his councillors was sent to hurry the conclave along.

Set aside by the new king's council, Monseigneur de Marigny begins to plot against the new king and council.  He sends a letter to Edward II of England.  He also schemes to delay the conclave from choosing a new pope.  Charles of Valois, uncle to the king, was now in charge of an empty state treasury.  How will he find the money necessary to operate the state?

The royal court is rife with schemes and counter schemes as this novel by Maurice Druon moves on to its ultimate conclusion.  Well written and well researched; a very good read for the fan of historical novels.

Kiya: Hope of the Pharaoh

Naomi has been taken by the pharaoh's men to become another wife for Pharaoh Akhenaten.  However, Queen Nefertiti could be a threat to Naomi, so Horemheb, an adviser to the pharaoh offers a deal to her.  Be a spy amongst the women for him and he will protect her.

After many rituals, Naomi is declared ready to be the pharaoh's fifth wife.  She is renamed Kiya.  Kiya wonders how she will be able to keep her Jewish God in her heart with so many false gods around her.  Kiya's wedding night doesn't go off as planned and she worries about having displeased the Pharaoh.

Kiya also has to tread carefully around Nefertiti.  Fortunately she seems to have made a good impression on Akhenaten, and the other wives and concubines.  Her friendship with Horemheb grows, too.  Meantime she discovers that one of her guards us also Hebrew.  She is attracted to him, but that could prove to be dangerous.

It isn't long after consummating her marriage that Kiya falls pregnant.  This news is sure to aggravate Nefertiti's jealousy.  Nefertiti tries to rid herself of both Kiya and Horemheb by accusing them of having an affair.  Fortunately Akhenaton doesn't believe her.  Later, Kiya is delivered of a healthy son, who Akhenaton names Tutankhamen.

Nefertiti is a constant threat, while Kiya is torn about her feelings for Akhenaton and those around her, especially since her Hebrew faith means so much to her.  How can she protect them, yet not hurt them nor herself in the process?

Author Katie Hamstead has written an interesting novel about the times of the pharaohs of Egypt.  One will have to get the sequels to see where it goes.  A quick read.

The Regiment

It is 1899 and Second Lieutenant Murdoch Mackinder has just been posted to Cape Town, South Africa with the Royal Western Dragoon Guards.  As a newly minted Lieutenant, Mackinder needs to earn the respect of his men, some of whom had served under his late father.

In Cape Town, Mackinder and his captain, Holt meet a young German by the name of Paul Reger.  He is a Prussian reservist, also in the cavalry, so the men hit it off well.  Because Kaiser Wilhelm is a grandson of Queen Victoria, Germany is regarded as a friendly nation and Reger has the opportunity to see Mackinder's troop drilling.  It isn't long after this that the Guards are sent north.

Murdoch's first skirmish with the Boers results in his horse being shot out from under him.  However, he stands firm in the face of fire.  Unfortunately in the next skirmish, his good friend, Captain Tom Holt is killed.  This creates a resolve in young Mackinder to kill Boers in return.  The following day, the British try to force a night crossing of the river where Holt was killed.  They are met by murderous fire from the Boers, who are entrenched.  The British are unable to move, and there seem to be no alternative plans.   Murdoch is disappointed with the British leadership.

After the mess near Kimberley, the British government decides to put Field Marshall Roberts in charge with General Kitchener as his chief of staff.  The cavalry was now reorgaised under the leadership of General Sir John French and Colonel Douglas Haig. By 1901, unable to complete the war against the Boers, Kitchener orders concentration camps to be established.  This forces the Boers into guerrilla warfare.

Following a skirmish where his horse is shot out from under him, Mackinder is taken prisoner.  The man leading the group which has taken him prisoner is his German friend, Paul Reger.  Fortunately a young woman helps him escape, but the way she is treated upon his return results in him distrusting his superior officers.  He is sent back to England where he returns to his old training grounds to teach the lessons learned to new recruits.

Changes were in the works for the army after the war.  Gone were the red uniforms in favour of khaki.  Machine guns were more prevalent, and volley shooting done away with.  New alliances were being formed, Germany was no longer the friend on Britain.  Unfortunately a training accident results in injuries to Mackinder.  He decides convalesce in South Africa to rid himself of some demons preying on his mind.

Having returned from South Africa, now Captain Mackinder, is sent with a troop to Somalia to aid in eliminating a mullah who was causing problems there.  That was not the only problem as heat stroke and insect borne diseases were common.  Mackinder is severely wounded in a skirmish and as a result invalided back to Britain to recover.  Shortly afterward Mackinder marries a young American girl by the name of Marylee.  When they return from their honeymoon, he discovers that he has been appointed major.

As Mackinder's family grows, so do tensions in Europe.  Tensions are also rising in Ireland over home rule, so the regiment is sent to Ireland as a show of force.  The assassination of the archduke of Austria would change things altogether.  When Germany invades France through Belgium, Britain declares war and Mackinder's regiment is ordered to Le Havre in France.

Author Christopher Nicole has written an excellent historical novel, which I couldn't put down.  It is well researched and presented.  I'm looking forward to the sequel.

Brass in Pocket

In the middle of the night, DI Ian Drake is awoken by a call telling him that two police officers have been shot to death in the Crimea Pass.  The car that picks him up also picks up DS Caren Waits on the way to the scene.  Suspiciously, traffic cones had been set out by someone creating the number four around the scene.

Within a short time, it comes to the attention of the investigating team that the two victims had been bullies, also that one of them had been the recipient of death threats as a result of his treatment of one person in particular.

That evening DC David Howick is assaulted while making an arrest of a potential suspect with DC Gareth Winder.  Later at the post-mortem, evidence of a taser being used on one of the officers comes to light as does the fact that they were killed by crossbow bolts.

In hopes of advancing the investigation, Superintendent Price brings in a profiler, which does not impress Drake.  Shortly after this a politician is killed atop Snowdonia.  The team does get a vague description of the suspect, but Drake is sure it is a disguise.  Under the body is found the number three.  The investigation becomes personal when a picture of the politician and his family is mailed to Drake's parents.

After his father's doctor is murdered, someone breaks into Drake's house and leaves a bottle in each of his daughters' bedroom with lyrics from The Police "Message in a Bottle".

At this point author Stephen Puleston picks up the pace of the story.  Possible suspects are arrested, but what they tell him doesn't bring conclusion to the mystery.  The real suspect comes as a surprise.  All-in-all a good read, hard to put down.  I'm looking forward to reading the sequels.

An Irish Country Doctor in Peace and at War

It is Kinky O'Hallaran's wedding and the local women are arguing over which flowers to use in the church.  Of course Dr. O'Reilly is able to settle the dispute.  Dr. Barry Laverty is now a partner and Dr. Jenny Bradley is operating wellness clinics for women.

Usual, author Patrick Taylor intersperses his 1960s Dr. O'Reilly with his past self.  In this case, it is 1939 and he has just become engaged to Deirdre Mawhinney, a newly qualified midwife.  Unfortunately Hitler's invasion of Poland changes their plans and O'Reilly is called up to serve as a surgeon aboard HMS Warspite.  His first operation is not for a war wound, but rather appendicitis.

It was that naval experience that helped O'Reilly diagnose an illness in the stepson of Kinky after they had helped her settle in with her new husband.

O'Reilly's war would take him back and forth across the Atlantic on convoy duty, a battle on the coast of Norway and to the Mediterranean.  It would also delay his marriage to Deirdre.  The horrors of war live and die with O'Reilly through his postings. However, he gains valuable knowledge and experience in short order.

Once again, author Patrick Taylor has written an engaging and at times amusing story about Irish country life.  Before the reader knows it, the book is done and you are looking forward to picking up the next in the series.  An excellent read.

The Hangman's Song

DCI Jo Dexter and DI Anthony McLean with their team have been watching a ship in port anticipating that it is going to be dropping off some illegal cargo.  When a supply van pulls up, McLean realises that it is actually being loaded up with illegal human cargo.  Why are sixteen prostitutes being shipped out of country?  Usually human smugglers are bringing them in, but now they are taking them out.

While doing the paper work on the bust, McLean receives news that Emma, his girlfriend has awoken from her coma.  Unfortunately when he arrives at the hospital she doesn't recognise him.

While up to his eyeballs in paperwork, he is asked by DC MacBride to check out a suicide.  McLean agrees with the DC's assessment that there is something fishy about it.  However both get a bollocking from Acting Superintendent Duguid for not writing it off as a suicide.  Later DS Ritchie adds her voice to the suspiciousness of the incident. When the three officers attend the post mortem, the pathologist furthers their suspicions with what he finds.

When a badly decomposed body turns out to be the pimp involved in the people smuggling scheme, McLean finds out about corrupt police ind the sex crimes unit, but what to do about it?  Meantime the two suicides must be tied together, but what is the connection, other than the use of hemp rope?  And where is the rest of the hemp rope that one of the suicides used?  Are there more suicides out there or to come as part of a suicide pact?

After a third apparent suicide appears, a specialist in knots shows McLean that they were all hangman's knots tied in exactly the same manner.  The pathologist also shows that the broken necks were on exactly the same vertebrae.

One of the prostitutes who has provided McLean with information is badly beaten and slashed.  He is sure that one of coppers in his unit is responsible, but how can he prove it?

Author James Oswald has plenty of twists, turns and surprises awaiting the reader in this murder mystery.  You will find yourself engrossed in the book; a real page turner.

Wall of Fire ~ The Battle of Vimy Ridge

Author Michael Krawchuk begins the story of Vimy Ridge by describing the conditions of trench life in The Great War as it was then known.  Life was dirty and dangerous.  New weapons such as the machine gun cut down swathes of men as they crossed No Man's Land.  Artillery was no longer at the front, but fired from behind the trenches.  Men could recognise the types of shells by their sounds as they flew overhead or were incoming.  Dead bodies were everywhere, and death was continually imminent.

Although artillery was long range, its range wasn't long enough to support the troops once they had advanced in the enemy's trenches.  Nor was it easy to move the artillery through the churned up battlefield.  As a result, the enemy was able to retake their trenches.  So why attack?  It was a matter of politics; the Germans had taken prime territory from France and Belgium.  Germany couldn't be allowed to control Europe.

Both the Germans and the French had large standing conscripted armies, whereas the British relied on their navy and a small volunteer, professional army.  It would take them a couple of years to build up a large volunteer army.  However, Britain did have a strong, loyal empire including Canada.  Unfortunately Canada's army was tiny, and it would take a couple of years to make a substantial contribution.

On July 1, 1916 the British started the Battle of the Somme, in part to alleviate the German pressure on Verdun.  Although it was carefully planned out, it went badly right from the start.  The artillery stuck to its predetermined schedule, and advances far ahead of the infantry.  The Germans were able to come out of their trenches and pour withering machine gunfire on the advancing infantry.  The shells that were supposed to destroy the barbed wire failed to do so and many men were hung up on it, badly exposed.  The 1st Newfoundland Regiment had 91% casualties.  It would be the worst day in history for the British Army.

The summer on the Somme was a time of attrition on both sides.  Attacks and counter attacks cost thousands of men on both sides.  In September the allies would introduce the tank with limited success.  That fall, the Canadians were taken out of the Somme and placed below Vimy Ridge where they began preparations for a spring assault.

Vimy Ridge has a gentle slope from the west to the crest in the east.  Below the crest is a sharp drop off to the Douai Plain.  The Germans were able to look down on their enemies.  The place their artillery below the crest.  Both the British and French had tried to take this stronghold to no avail.  The ridge was badly churned up by shell holes and trenches.  In some cases the trenches were close enough that opponents could here their opposition as they went about their routines.

Artillery played an integral part in the war.  After the Battle of the Somme, the British and Canadians had more guns, shells and fewer duds.  Spotters in balloons, planes and on the ground would offer a target to the gunners and telephone in corrections until the target was hit.

The winter of 1917 on Vimy Ridge was a time to use other weapons, such as rifle grenades, trench mortars and machine guns.  The Canadians were also adept at patrolling No Man's Land.  Different types of patrols had different purposes.  Above, airplanes were busy in reconnaissance missions, gathering information and taking photos of the German trenches.  Integral to the preparation for the spring battle were raids, which varied in size from a few men to several hundred.  The purposes behind the raids was multiple; to take prisoners, to gather information, to destroy the enemy's trenches and to develop coordination between the infantry and the supporting artillery.

The battle for Vimy Ridge was not a battle in isolation.  It was part of a larger allied plan intent on pushing the Germans out of France.  The Canadians developed a plan to use a creeping barrage of artillery fire that would advance about 100 yards ahead of the infantry.  It would lift and advance every five minutes, the the Canadians would enter the German trenches and kill any remaining enemy.  The Canadians also used their machine guns to good effect, firing over the heads of their own men, forcing any Germans who came out between lifts to keep their heads down.

Extensive training prepared the Canadians for the battle.  They rehearsed their objectives on land taped out to replicate German lines in platoon order.  The men were shown maps and given the opportunity to learn all the weapons in their platoon and continue to operate should their officers be killed.  Never before had soldiers been so prepared for a battle, they were going into battle as intelligent soldiers.

In the weeks preceding the attack on Vimy Ridge tunnels were dug under the ridge to hide and protect the soldiers.  Within the tunnels were dugouts and first aid stations.  Ammunition was brought up by night, including artillery shells and rifle rounds.  No Man's Land virtually became a possession of the Canadians.  For the German command, that didn't matter because, even though they knew that an offensive was coming at some time, they were sure that the ridge was impregnable.

The weather leading up to the assault was miserable; rainy, snowy and cold.  Despite that, the morale and the spirits of the 30 000 men who were about to attack was high. Each man was alone with his thoughts as Zero Hour; 5:30 a. m. April 9, 1917 approached.

The artillery barrage was intense, lighting up the sky making it impossible to hear.  However, the officers waved the men over the top.  The first wave of soldiers were to take their objective and the next wave would leapfrog them onto the next objective with a third and fourth wave doing the same until all objectives had been achieved.  The artillery barrage would 'stand' on a target and then advance after three minutes allowing the soldiers to advance.  This kept the Germans hunkered down.  Following the waves were soldiers whose responsibility was to mop up any Germans who survived the artillery and infantry.

The author goes on to describe the battle in detail, examining the actions of individuals and individual units as the battle progressed through the day.  By 7:30 a. m. the crest of the ridge in the centre was taken, and by 11:00 a. m. most of the right side objectives were secured.  Unfortunately on the left, Hill 145 was still held by the Germans, and they pressed home counter-attacks.  Losing the left side of the ridge could result in a catastrophe for the Canadians.

Fortunately a frontal attack later in the evening aided by a flanking attack helped to secure most of Hill 145.  The remainder of the hill and The Pimple would have to be secured the following day.  It was now time for the infantry to consolidate their positions and for the artillery to advance.  Hill 145 was secured on the 10th, but it wouldn't be until the 12th that The Pimple was in Canadian hands.  Where both the British and French had failed, the Canadians had triumphed.

But at what cost?  Almost 11 000 casualties, of whom almost 3 600 were dead.  Vimy Ridge was the first time the Canadians had fought together as an army.  They now had a Canadian commander in General Currie.  They developed an "esprit de corps", and through the remainder of the war would go on from success to success.  Vimy was the building block of nationhood for our young country.  Canada was one of the nations which would be involved in the Treaty of Paris.

Author Michael Krawchuk has written an excellent book about the Battle of Vimy Ridge.  It is very detailed and intense.  I have two concerns, however.  Firstly there could have been more maps detailing the phases of the battle, and the author should know that the past tense of lead is led.  There were a number of times lead was used incorrectly.  All-in-all a very good read for history fans and fans of Canadian history in particular.

The Ambleside Alibi

Simmy Brown has been asked by DI Moxon to establish an alibi for a man she had seen briefly in a cafe in Ambleside earlier that morning.  He had been brought in to the police station as a suspect in a murder case.  The following day, Simmy is a little unsure of the alibi.

Later a woman to whom Simmy had delivered flowers to with an unusual note, comes in requesting information about the person who had sent the flowers because they couldn't have come from who she thought that they had come from.  Simmy refuses to provide the information because she is concerned it might be part of a scam.

For some reason, Simmy is attacked and tossed in the stream in Ambleside.  She fortunately survives the fall and cold water, but with a cracked skull and a broken pelvis.  Why would anyone want to kill Simmy?

There are a lot of convoluted happenings before the crime is solved.  A quick read for fans of amateur sleuthing by author Rebecca Tope.

Warrior in Bronze - Agamemnon Book I

Jason has come to the court in Mycenae requesting funding for a trip to Colchis in search of gold.  He gets the financial support he needs in return for half the gold acquired.  Hercules is to be included amongst the crew, much to the chagrin of Jason.

Meantime Agamemnon is shocked to learn that he and his brother, Menelaus have a different father than the one they have grown up believing is their father.  Artreus is actually their grandfather, and he has plans to usurp the throne and make Agamemnon his heir.

Before that is to happen, Agamemnon must join Diores in putting Diores' new estate to rights.  Therefore his military training is out on hold while he learns other things.  After an encounter with Dionysus, Agamemnon returns for further training with Atreus.  Agamemnon earns his greaves when he follows Atreus in a night invasion of Midea.

When Jason returns with gold aplenty, Mycenae sees the value of building a fleet of ships.  Later, after a battle lost and Agamemnon and Menelaus return to Mycenae to find their uncle, Thyestes, bedding their mother.  Atreus is summoned, and with a large army takes Mycenae and the throne, but not before Thyestes can escape.  Peace ensues.  Trade prospers, and Agamemnon travels to Troy to set up a route through the Hellespont.  There he meets Hector, who impresses him.

A siege of Thebes failed, so Atreus decided to send Agamemnon to Sparta to try and forge an alliance.  There Agamemnon met Helen and Clytemnestra.  The alliance with Sparta would lead to a city state alliance.

When Atreus and his wife are murdered, Agamemnon tries to take the throne, but some of the councillors revolt, therefore Agamemnon and Menelaus must flee Mycenae for Thyestes now has control of Mycenae.  Thyestes immediately came into conflict with Troy, which was the start of the Trojan War.  Sparta is the safest place for Agamemnon and Menelaus.

Agamemnon marries Clytemnestra and Menelaus seeks the hand of Helen.  Menelaus also seeks the kingship of Sparta by marriage to Helen.  What does the future hold for these four?  Author George Shipway brings to life the people of a bygone age in an excellent story.  It reminded me of the stories I had read and studied as a lad in school. A good read for fans of historical fiction.  There is more to come in the sequel, "Kings in Splendour".

The Black Country

Inspector Walter Day, and Sergeant Neville Hammersmith have been called from The Yard to Blackhampton to aid in the investigation of a missing boy and his parents.   One of the interesting things Day learns almost immediately is that the first wife of the missing man had disappeared a few years earlier.

At the inn that evening, the vicar's wife surreptitiously hands him a ten word cryptic note that implies that 'she' is buried beneath the floor.  But which floor?  When the two men sit down to supper in Day's room, Hammersmith is sure that the food has been drugged.  The two detectives begin to search the woods that evening with the help of Constable Grimes, and a visiting birder.  When Day becomes separated from the others, he sees an apparition.  Is it truly an man or is it something else?

The following day, Dr. Kingsley arrives to help with the investigation.  At the same time, Hammersmith falls ill.  Day finds out that the community has been struck down by an illness of some sort when he goes to the church, which has been made into a makeshift hospital.  Hearing that all the people drank water from the same well, Dr. Kingsley is sure that they have typhoid.

Sadly, Day finds the body of the missing child at the bottom of the well.  This news brings his mother out of hiding, followed by his father.  The question now arises:  who killed the lad and why?  Author Alex Grecian has lots of action left in the plot and a surprising murderer.  An entirely good, quick read.

The Iron King

Philippe IV of France, also known as Philippe the Fair, has long envied the wealth and power of the Knights Templar.  To gain control of their wealth he has jailed many of them, including the Grand Master, Jacques de Molay.  Tortured, Molay admitted to crimes he and the Knights Templar had never committed.  When he is burned at the stake, Molay curses Phillipe, the Pope and Guillaume Nogaret, his torturer.

Meantime, two of Philippe's daughters-in-law are actively involved in adulterous affairs.  Isabella, Queen of England, and Phillipe's daughter is well aware of these affairs and intends to let her father know of them.  As a result of of torturing the lovers of the princesses, they were condemned to life imprisonment while the lovers were to be executed.

Within days of the execution, Pope Clement is dead.  Both Phillipe and Nogaret wonder who is next.  Not long after that, Nogaret is dead, too.  Will Phillipe die soon, too?  Will his line be accursed to to the thirteenth generation as all heard Molay state as he died in the fire?  Author Maurice Druon has written an excellent historical novel, which had me engrossed.  I'm looking forward to reading the sequels.

When Women Were Warriors ~ Book I: The Warrior's Path

Tamras has been sent to Merin's fortress for what she thinks is to be training as a warrior, however Merin tells her that she is to start as a companion to a warrior by the name of Maara.  Unfortunately Maara doesn't want a companion.  She persists in helping Maara anyway.  When Maara is badly wounded, Tamras uses healing skills taught to her by her mother, helping the warrior to survive.

Merin asks Tamras to find out more about Maara because so little is known about her.  Merin is concerned that she may be a spy.  Tamras feels a loyalty to both women, so it is difficult for her to do as asked.  Once Maara becomes well enough, she begins to train Tamras in sword play.  She also takes Tamras into the wilderness to find her guardian spirit.

When Maara goes to the northern front on her own, the community is concerned that she may have taken information to the enemy.  Tamras believes that she will return.  When she does return, she is treated as a spy.  However, she provides information that tells of a threat to the community.  Merin warns her that if she has been false, then Tamras' life is forfeit.  Fortunately the information is true.

Wise beyond her years, Tamras provides advise to Merin, which she takes to heart.  During the ensuing winter, Maara teaches Tamras much about skills needed to be a warrior and how to survive off the land.  However, when spring arrived, so did a crisis for Maara.  How will she, Tamras and the community handle it?

Author Catherine M. Wilson has written a novel of a different time, of life, confusion and enlightenment.  At times she is wordy, and at times the story seems to lack direction, but she brings the meanderings back together.  A short, quick read.

The Painted Lady

Sarah Ann Ashby's mother was a harlot, and by the age of fifteen she too was offering her body to the men around her.   With the Battle of Waterloo complete, and her mother dead, Sarah decides to start a new life in Brighton, because there were no longer any soldiers in the area she had grown up in.

In Brighton, Sarah meets Lieutenant Stanville, newly home from Waterloo.  After a brief interlude of getting to know each other, Lieutenant Stanville introduces Sarah to Madge Perrin, a brothel keeper.  Madge quickly gets Sarah working.  She takes to the work with enjoyment.  It is to her that now Captain Stanville brings his younger cousin, Lord Denton for his sexual initiation.

David, Lord Denton has fallen in love with Sarah.  She is astounded at the wealth he has to hand.  He is convinced that she will marry him, however Sarah thinks otherwise.  He does manage to convince her to meet his parents, but she must not wear her paint and must dress accordingly.  However, Octavia Stanville, David's second cousin is not fooled by her.

In 1820, Lord Denton achieved his majority, so with his own finances at hand he convinced Sarah to join him on a tour of Europe.  Their idyllic love excursion comes to an end when Denton receives news that his father has died, he is now Lord Southbourne, lord of the manor and must return home.

Will Sarah be able to keep the love of Lord Denton once they get back to England?  What does the future hold for the two of them?  Author Richard Masefield has written a novel of sex and love that is a good quick read.

1914 (The War Years)

Fourteen year old twins, Danny and Charlie Keeton have set up a profitable business of buying cigarettes from fifteen year old Jack Warren, and selling them on.  They are keeping the profits to themselves, rather than sharing them with their family who live in poverty.  Unfortunately, the lads get pummelled by an Irish gang after selling cigarettes in their territory.

In August, the twins' elder brother, Michael married Sophie.  Their eldest brother William was able to be home from the army for the wedding.  The next day, Britain declared war on Germany.  A short time later, when an army recruiting drive comes to town, Michael joins up.  The twins' intellectual brother, sixteen year old Jacob fears that he will be the next to go.  As men disappear into the army, Danny and Charlie find themselves working twelve hour shifts at the mill.

When Jacob is handed a white feather, he doesn't know what to do.  However, he finally decides to sign up.  Danny goes with him and convinces Charlie to come with them, which turns Charlie against him.  At Etaples training camp, they meet an abusive Sergeant Braddock.  The young men are fortunate to have Corporal Dettmer on their side.  They are all shocked to find that Braddock is sent to the front with them.

It doesn't take long for them to learn the hell of trench war fare, the noise of the guns, the lack of sleep, the stench, the nightmares and the murderous over the top attacks.

A thoroughly good read that takes the reader up to the end of 1914.  Author James Farner takes the reader through the working conditions for the lower classes in Britain up to the beginning of stalemate of The Great War, that would endure for four years.  It is a quick read, but leaves the reader looking forward to the sequels and what will become of Danny, Charlie and their mates.

Dead on Demand

Edwin Murphy has been served divorce papers by his wife Eleanor, and then to top it off, he is fired from his position as editor of "The Impartial".  He is angered by it all, so he takes out an ad on the internet asking for someone to get rid of a package.

Although the system he used to get an assassin used a proxy, the young woman who responded also lived in London.  He offers to solve her problem if she solved his.  He wanted the job done in a week while he was in Vancouver for a job interview.  When he returns to London, a message awaits him with the information as to whom he was to snuff.

DCI David Morton has been assigned the case of an unidentified dead woman found in a park.  Shortly afterwards a missing woman is reported, one Eleanor Murphy.  Morton is suspicious of Murphy from the get go.

Murphy needs to eliminate the woman who killed his wife, just in case she might be able to identify him.  Just as a piece of glass shatters outward from the point of impact, Murphy's initial crime imitates that, and DCI Morton begins to put the pieces together.

One thing about dual authors is that you can tell when a new one has taken over the story line.  Thus it is with authors Sean and Daniel Campbell.  I also question some of the police procedures that they used in this murder mystery.  Also, numerous errors occur throughout, such as indicating that one killer had killed two people, when in fact he had killed three before killing a fourth.  A fair read.

Fingal O'Reilly, Irish Doctor

It is July 1936 in Dublin, and Fingal O'Reilly has just graduated from medical school landing a job in the tenements of Dublin.  It is exactly where he wants to be a doctor.  He is immediately dropped in the deep end upon his arrival by Doctor Phelim Corrigan.  Fingal is suspicious of Corrigan's methods, but everyone sings his praises.  Following his interview with Corrigan, Fingal's mind is changed.

Fingal is able to convince his classmate, Charlie Greer, to join him in the practice with Doctor Corrigan.  That would ease the workload.  Unfortunately it is at this time that Fingal's father passes away,

Working conditions were different then; one of the surgeries Fingal is involved in was done at the home of the patient.  This is the same era as Hitler, Mussolini and the Spanish Civil War.  Fingal's girlfriend, Kitty, is concerned about all the orphaned children in Spain as a result of Franco's policies.  Although Fingal learns a lot working in the tenements of Dublin, how long will his job last when its funding comes from the Irish Sweepstakes and Britain has outlawed its sales there?  Can he maintain the love of Kitty when he is so very busy?

Throughout the novel, author Patrick Taylor, intersperses Fingal's story of 1936 with his current situation of 1965 when he was bringing a young woman, Doctor Jenny Bradley, into the practice.  It was not easy for a woman at that time to be accepted as a doctor, but she was slowly impressing the locals.  Will Fingal be able to keep her involved in the practice?

Taylor's story telling is both informative and amusing.  You can tell that he enjoys telling a story, leaving the reader with a smile on their face.  I highly recommend the series.

The Chalice of Blood

Brother Donnchad has been found dead in his cubicle with stab wounds to his back.l at the abby of Lios Mor.  The confounding thing is that his cell was locked from the inside.  The abbot requests that Sister Fidelma be sent to investigate.  She readily agrees.  However, the king agrees to send her on the condition that she take Brother Eadulf to aid with the investigation. The two had recently had disagreements and had gone their separate ways.

Eadulf reluctantly agrees to go along.  The king assigns Gorman to travel with them as a guard.  It is fortunate that he does travel with, because he prevents them from being killed in an ambush.n later at the abbey, Fidelma learns that the steward, Brother Lugna, was not in favour of her being sent for.  He is sure that the monks could have handled the situation by themselves.

One of the first things of note at the abbey is the new construction of stone buildings.  Eadulf and Fidelma wonder where the funds for such a building project has come from.  In the course of the investigation, they find out that the steward has told the monks to limit the amount of information that they pass on to the pair of investigators.

Soon after that a visitor comes to Lios Mor, requesting Fidelma arbitrate in a robbery of books.  As the group returns to his community, they see warriors leaving and shortly thereafter see that the library is on fire.  Is this a precursor to all out war amongst the tribes of this part of Ireland?  Will Fidelma and Eadulf be able to resolve this crisis and solve the murder before things escalate?  In order to solve this conundrum, Fidelma needs to find the key evidence.

Author Peter Tremayne has written an excellent murder mystery set in the first millennium at a time when the church was still finding its way.  Potential suspects are thrown up to the reader with the real culprits left to the very end of the story.  Well worth the read.

The Hidden Child

Patrik Hedstrom is on the first day of his paternity leave from his job with the police.  While out walking his one year old daughter, he happens on police cars going to the scene of a dead body.   Despite his misgivings, he goes to the scene.  It turns out that Patrik's wife, Erica, had been to the house to get some information about a Nazi medal her mother owned from the victim.  The police determine that the victim has been murdered.

Three months later, an elderly woman dies in suspicious circumstances.  As a young girl she was friends with the first victim.  Erica had visited this woman earlier in a quest to know more about her mother.  Erica is interested to learn that both victims were friends of her mother.  While she continues to research into her mother's past, the police continue with their investigation into the two deaths.  Even though Patrik is supposed to be on leave, his colleagues ask for his expertise.

It is while Erica is in the cemetery visiting her parents' graves that an inspiration comes to her.  To confirm her idea, she needs the help of Patrik and his boss.  Family secrets will be revealed, but will all of the truth come out?  Author Camilla Lackberg uses flashbacks to help fill in the plot of this page turner.  A well written murder mystery, which you will have difficulty putting down.

The Traitor's Mark

Thomas Treviot has sent his man, Bart Miller, to Johannes Holbein for a design Treviot needed for his goldsmithing.  Unfortunately all he got back was a young lady with a note indicating that Bart had been involved in a fight at Holbein's place and subsequently been arrested.  It also appears that Holbein has disappeared.

Later Treviot is fearful when his presence is required by Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury.  However, Cranmer puts his mind at rest when he indicates that he too, is concerned about the welfare of Holbein.  However, Treviot is informed of conspiracies, which threaten Cranmer.  He is told that he must be a spy to find out about these conspiracies.

Treviot has Holbein's and Bart's children safely ensconced at his residence in Kent.  At least he thinks they are.  The children are taken, along with their governess, while Treviot is away at a meeting.  Has his host been involved in the kidnapping?  As Treviot continues his investigation and works to protect those close to him, he finds himself drawn into a political and religious whirlpool.

It would appear that all is lost when Holbein is captured by ruffians loyal to religious conspirators.  It is certain that Holbein has gone to his death.  Meantime, the religious strife seems to worsen.

Will the capture of the leader of the murderous gang be enough to free Treviot and his friends of his troubles?  Will it point to the people responsible for much of the religious strife, or just prolong the agony?  Author D. K. Wilson has woven an excellent story of murder plus political and religious intrigue during Tudor times.  It is an excellent read for fans of historical fiction.

The Black House

DI Fin Macleod has been sent from Edinburgh to his home, the Isle of Lewis, to help with an investigation into a murder he was investigating on the mainland just before the tragic death of his so.  He is welcomed in Stornoway by DS George Gunn, however, not by DCI Tom Smith, who had also been sent up from the mainland to run the investigation.

As DS Gunn drives Macleod around his former home, memories come flooding back.  His investigation leads him to a childhood friend, whose daughter had been allegedly raped by the victim.  He also meets with an animal rights protester who had been beaten up by the victim.  Could either of these men have killed the man and then hoisted him to a rafter?

The more Macleod investigates, the more about his own past comes to light.  Yet will that past continue to haunt him as the investigation progresses?  Author Peter May has written a fast paced, riveting murder mystery, which will keep the reader engrossed.

I initially read this book a few years ago, and upon reading it a second time, I found that author Peter May really spoke to me on a personal level.

Hannibal - Clouds of War

After the battle of Cannae, Hannibal refuses to follow and destroy the Roman army, because he knows what it could cost his own army.  A little over two years later, he splits up Hanno and his two brothers, sending Bostar to Iberia, Hanno to Sicily and keeping Sapho by his side.

Unbeknownst to Hanno, his former owner and friend, Quintus has also been posted to Sicily.  When misfortune occurs for Quintus' sister and she receives a cryptic message from Hanno, she decides to travel to the toe of Italy to be near those that she loves.  More misfortune befalls Aurelia when the ship she is on is captured and she is enslaved and taken to Syracuse.  There she becomes a concubine to one of the rulers of the city.

Hanno accidentally discovers the position that Aurelia is in, and desperately manages get her released, but shortly afterwards is sent off to fight the Romans.  Foolishly she follows his battle group, thus endangering herself once more.  Fortunately they manage to escape, but the city they are in is threatened by the Roman army.  Will they find Aurelia's brother in the opposing army?  How long can Syracuse withstand the siege?

Author Ben Kane takes the reader one further step into the Second Punic War between Rome and Carthage, which results in the fall of Syracuse.  Quintus, Aurelia and Hanno survive this portion of the war and will live to fight another day in the next volume of this series.  As a fan of historical fiction, I look forward to reading it, too.

Corridors of the Night

Hester Monk is filling in for a nursing friend at the hospital when she is waylaid by a young girl.  The girl takes her to her brother who she claims is dying.  Hester administers water through the night to the lad and he seems to recover somewhat.  But, why are children in a soldiers' hospital?

Later, an older man comes in suffering from the white blood disease.  Hester is asked to serve as his nurse.  She is surprised to see that the doctor and his brother, a chemist are putting blood into the patient.  She realises that it has come from the young lad that she had helped earlier.  Will it help the patient?

Meantime, Hester's husband, William, is working on the river to break up a gun smuggling gang.  During the battle with the gunrunners, his mentor is killed.  Exhausted, Monk returns home, but Hester is not there, nor is she the following morning.  When he enquires at the hospital, he is told that she suddenly left.

Monk begins to search for Hester and fear that her life may be in danger.  He discovers that the patient, her daughter, the children and the chemist have all disappeared.  After discovering where Hester might be, Monk and some friends set out to retrieve her and the children.  Although Monk and his team manages to rescue Hester and the children, a court case looms now.  The chemist is charged with kidnapping, but can Oliver Rathbone prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Hester did not go willingly?

Other questions arise after the court case.  Is blood transfusion safe? Why does it save some and not others?  Why was the daughter of the first patient murdered and by whom?  Blood typing and transfusions wouldn't be successful until 1901.  Author Anne Perry has written a novel that shows how medicine and the courts must have struggled with the new concepts.  An entirely enjoyable read.

The Yard

It is London in 1889 and DI Walter Day has been called to his first murder scene.  Dr. Bernard Kingsley has identified the body in a trunk as another detective.  He scans the area and finds a thread and some needles, which he will use as part of his investigation into the death.

Shortly after this, Constable Hammersmith is led to the body of a child which was found wedged in a chimney.  The child was obviously left there by a chimney sweep after he had become lodged.  Hammersmith called for an inspector, but the one who came told him not to pursue the case.  Hammersmith tells Dr. Kingsley that he plans to carry on with the case.

With the aid of Inspector Blacker, Day begins going through the files of the murdered detective in the hopes that something will point them in the direction of the killer.  It is Blacker who discovers two similar cases, but are they the right ones?  Dr. Kingsley feels that they are two different killers.

Kingsley believes that finger marks could help solve the ongoing investigations.  He is in the process of showing Colonel Sir Edward Bradford, Head of the Metropolitan Police Force, and DI Day how finger marks are all dissimilar when DI Blacker informs them that the body of another policeman has been found.

Can DI Day and his team catch the murderer or murderers before another person falls victim?  Author Alex Grecian has written a tense thriller, set in a time when forensics were developing, which will have the reader turning the pages and not wanting to put this book down.  Absolutely riveting.  I can hardly wait to get my hands on the sequel.

No Known Grave

DI Tom Tyler has recently moved to Ludlow as part of putting his recent separation from his behind him.  He is just settling in when he is called out to a hospital for war victims.  A staff member and one of his sons have been shot to death.  A second son is in shock and hasn't spoken.  At the hospital, after viewing the scene of the murders, he discovers an open window, and a dead carrier pigeon.  It is carrying a cryptic message which states: "They had no known grave."

It appears that the patients in the hospital are either physically incapable of the murder or having mental difficulties due to their injuries.  Also, the grounds of the hospital are surrounded by a high wall.  An enigmatic letter arrives in the post addressed to Tyler and further confuses his investigation.

When one of the nursing sisters dies in suspicious circumstances while on night duty, Tyler can only assume that her death was caused by someone within the hospital because the grounds have been closely guarded by his constables. The coroner's report on the murders brings disturbing news.

Author Maureen Jennings has a few more surprises up her sleeve before concluding this wartime murder mystery.  An entirely good read.

Hannibal ~ Fields of Blood

Hannibal's army has advanced into northern Italy.  Unfortunately for Hanno, he has made a grievous error while on a reconnaissance mission, which has resulted in his capture.  His friend, Quintus, who is with the Roman army, has also made a foolish mistake and been wounded in the arm by an arrow.

Tides do turn and Hanno is rescued.  Quintus, on the other hand, is sent home by his father.  However, it is an order he disobeys, and instead joins an infantry unit.  There he immediately makes an enemy of one of his tent mates.  His life is further jeopardised when Hannibal sets up an ambush at Lake Trasimene.  Managing to survive, Quintus is part of the Roman army that dogs the army of Hannibal as it moves southwards.

Hannibal's army stops near a town called Cannae.  On one side are hills and the other a river.  The Roman army outnumbers Hannibal's army considerably.  Who will survive and what will it mean to the future of Rome and Carthage?  Author Ben Kane uses this momentous battle to conclude this particular episode of Hannibal's journey down the length of Italy.  It is explicit and graphic, but for a fan of historical fiction, it is an excellent way to finish.  I'm looking forward to the next book in this trilogy.

The Book of Souls

A man that DI Anthony McLean had put away some time ago has been killed in jail.  His style of murdering was particularly gruesome.  However, shortly after his death a new victim appears in what could be a copycat killing.  Or is it?

After a gruelling day at work, McLean comes home to find his apartment block on fire.  He attempts to save the elderly gentleman who lives across the hall from him.  Unfortunately the old man dies as do several others in the building.  McLean is put on leave as much for the inhalation of smoke as well as his connection to the aforementioned murder.  However, that leave is short lived when a second victim appears, killed in the same manner as the earlier one.

When a third victim is found, the Deputy Chief Constable interferes and puts Superintendent McIntyre in charge of the investigation and gives one of the cases to McLean's nemesis, DCI Duguid.  None of the three are impressed with the assignments.  Will the new teams be able to catch the killer before he kills again?  Author James Oswald creates an extremely exciting climax to this murder mystery.  A very good read that is hard to put down.

The Angel Court Affair

It is 1898, and the United States has declared war on Spain. An English woman, Sofia Delacruz, who has married a Spaniard is returning.  In hopes of preventing a conflict between Britain and Spain, Thomas Pitt of the Special Branch has been assigned the task of ensuring her safety and that of her acolytes.  However, when she disappears with two of her women assistants Pitt is sure that it was planned.

Barton Hall, Sofia's cousin suggests to Pitt that the threat to her could actually be from Spain rather than here in England.  Sergeant Brundage, Pitt's second-in-command, suggests that it is possible that there is a conspiracy of sorts at work, but how to discover is the question.

Things go from bad to worse when Pitt and Brundage discover the bodies of the two women assistants in a family home of Sofia's, but no Sofia.  Worse is yet to come when Pitt receives a letter from a man claiming to have abducted Sofia, and making demands that Pitt is unsure that he can follow through on.

Victor Narraway, Pitt's former Special Branch boss, and his wife Vespasia agree to travel to Spain to investigate the Spanish side of the case.  They bring Sofia's husband back to England with them in the hopes he can help to save Sofia.  But will Pitt and his team be able to get to her in time?

A good story by author Anne Perry, however I found that she was too wordy in places, which detracted from the story line.  It is almost as if Perry had a certain word count that she had to meet for this book and she was putting in filler.  A disappointment in that case.

Fires of Alexandria

Heron is a talented manufacturer in Alexandria. She has taken over the business of her dead twin brother after his passing, however she passes herself off as him by wearing clothes that hide her sex.  One of her inventions fails in a temple after it has been tampered with.  Will she have to flee the city with her niece, Sepharia, to avoid her debts?

Fortunately a man from the north, Agog, has provided her with enough coin to keep the money lender at bay.  Agog wants her to create a mechanical army and he p revises a down payment.  She is unsure of where to start with this challenge.  Another way out of the debt is provided when an unknown benefactor offers funds to find out who truly set the fire to Alexandria's library 100 years earlier.

Agog and Heron make an unlikely team, however their partnership is very effective in getting things done.  Agog is pleased with the progress that is being made in his plans, while Heron is pleased to be out from under the yoke of uncompromising debt.

However, plans never seem to go as made, and that is the case for Heron.  On the other hand, Agog's plans work well.  Although this novel is a work of historical fiction, it also has bits of science fiction woven in.  The reader needs to be prepared for that.  A good read, but with reservations.

In Search of Revolution

It is February of 1918, and in Copenhagen, young Zacharias Nielson, has decided to go to Finland to help the communists take over.  His best friend, Ansgar Christensen is trying to persuade him to not go.  When he joins the Red Army in Finland, Zacharias learns that not all have the same ideals as he does.  Some are fighting for an independent Finland, others are fighting for communist ideals.

By March, after some basic training, Zacharias and his new best friend, Ville, find themselves in the heat of the action.  Action by Zacharias gets him commended, however, later her is shot in the calf.  Whole in the hospital, Zacharias becomes friendly with one special nurse, Raisa.  When the White Guard win the war, Raisa invites Zacharias to share her tiny apartment with her.  She also finds him a job in a factory.

Meantime, back in Copenhagen, Ansgar has joined the Danish army.  Fortunately Denmark doesn't have to enter the war.  With the war's end, Zacharias heads home to Denmark, however not to the home of his parents, but rather to the pig farm belonging to the parents of Ansgar.  He enjoys his work on the farm, however the happiness is disrupted by news from the army that Ansgar has gone AWOL.  Later a letter arrives from Raisa telling Zacharias that Ansgar is now with her.  He decides to return to Finland.

Raisa and Ansgar happily welcome Zacharias back, but when he hears Ansgar's story conflict arises between the two, but Raisa is able to quell it.  However, Ansgar and Zacharias are at political odds.  Zacharias decides to head to Russia to allow Raisa and Ansgar to become a couple.  They do get married, but Ansgar's political activities put a strain on the marriage.

It didn't take Zacharias long to become disillusioned with life in the new Soviet Union, so he fled back to Finland.  In 1939, he returns to his friends and turns away from his communist ideals.  It is there that his cousin, Line finds him.  She has left her abusive husband.  Now there are four people living in the tiny apartment.  The invasion of Poland creates renewed tensions amongst the four, mores when Ansgar joins the Finnish army.

As the war widens, tensions amongst the four grow, leading to Line and Ansgar leaving. In Helsinki Ansgar becomes involved in smuggling weapons into Finland.  In 1941 Germany invades the Soviet Union; Finland follows suit. As the Soviet-Finnish front stagnates, Ansgar and his new comrade in arms, Hillar join the German army at Leningrad.  Now he finds himself on the opposite side to his best friend, Zacharias.  Originally at political odds, yet still friends, will their friendship stand the test of time and war?

Author Christopher Fischer's novel is more about relationships than the story of two wars and revolution.  It was a good, enjoyable read.

The First Horseman

Thomas Treviot, a goldsmith in the city of London has had a series of bad things that have gone wrong in his life recently.  However, shortly after this, he is abducted and a ransom demanded for his release.  Can life get any worse?

Meantime, Henry VIII has decided to begin taking over the smaller monasteries as a way of getting badly needed funds.  Because of Treviot's position as a goldsmith, he is required to attend the execution of Queen Anne.  What happens there brings further trouble to his life.

Later, on his way to early mass, Treviot hears a loud noise.  He is unsure what it is, and advances further down the dark street to find his friend, Robert Packington lying dead on the street.  Witnesses say that a foreigner called out to him, pointed something at him, after which a loud noise ensued and the victim fell down dead.  The physician called indicates that the victim was shot by a man using a wheellock.

Treviot begins to wonder if he was the intended victim, or was it because of something Packington knew and was planning on telling Treviot?  He intends to find out why and who was behind the murder.  He goes into the stews of London to find out who the assassin is, but in doing so he puts his own life into jeopardy.

The coroner's inquest returns a verdict of death by persons unknown.  Treviot is warned off his investigation.  Things go from bad to worse when an attempt is made on his life, and a short time later when he is arrested for suspected heresy.  However, before he can be brought to trial, he is released by Thomas Cromwell, who has a task for him to perform.

Treviot's investigation leads him into trouble, and potential disaster for himself and those around him.  How will he stay out of trouble?  Author  D. K. Wilson presents a good story, based on a real crime, involving real people during the reign of Henry VIII.  A good read for fans of historical fiction, and I look forward to the sequel.

A Cotswold Mystery

Thea Osbourne is house sitting for a couple who have taken s holiday in India.  Their granny lives next door, but is suffering from the beginning of dementia.  Granny is wondering why her neighbour, Julian hasn't shown up to visit her.

The evening after Thea arrives, Jessica , her daughter, arrives to visit.  Jessica discovers a dead man in Julian's house.  Jessica is a probationary police officer and to her eye, the death seems suspicious. She calls it in.

Her suspicions prove correct when the body is found to have a stab wound in the back.  Jessica is given the opportunity to take in the post mortem; her first.  It creates more questions in her mind.  Both women are shocked when they discover a knife in a hallway cupboard drawer.  It appears to have blood on it.  A further shock comes when they find a coat in Granny's house with what appears to be blood stains on it.

Jessica's suspicions are further aroused when a van carrying soil has an accident nearby.  When they check out an old archeological dig, they determine that new digging had been going on there.  Is it connected to the death of Julian, who was an archeologist?

Author Rebecca Tope presents numerous suspects in this murder mystery, and a surprising conclusion.  A quick read.

Hanging Hill

The body of Lorne Woods has been found along the towpath on the outskirts of Bath.  DI Zoe Benedict and DI Ben Parris are leading the investigation.  Zoe doesn't agree with the presentation made by forensic psychologist, Debbie Harry, however, Ben does to an extent.  They start the investigation along different lines as a result.

Meanwhile, Zoe's niece Millie has gotten herself into debt with a local drug pusher.  Her mother, Sally is also experiencing financial woes.  Although Zoe and Sally have not seen each other for some time, this cause will bring them back together.

Zoe develops ideas which are completely divergent from the rest of the team about the evidence gathered from Lorne's crime scene.  She wonders if Lorne's death might be associated with a local producer of porn, however he seems to have disappeared.  Zoe finds herself tied up with a larger investigation as she probes deeper into the disappearance of the porn producer.  It seems that her hands are tied.

Can Zoe solve the crime before the killer strikes again?  Author Mo Hayder maintains the fast pace of this murder mystery right through to the surprising conclusion.  This is a book that you will not want to put down.  An intensely good read.

Hannibal ~ Enemy of Rome

Teenagers Hanno and his best friend, Suniaton have skipped out on a meeting in Carthage to go fishing.  Having filled their boat with tunny, they drink some wine in celebration and fall asleep.  Unfortunately for them a storm comes up and sweeps them further out to sea.

Meantime in Italy, 16 year old Quintus is out to prove he is a man by tracking and killing a bear.  His 13 year old sister Aurelia is jealous, thinking that she could do the same.  Quintus is successful and as a reward, he is given the opportunity to buy a slave in Capua.  His new slave's name is Hanno.  In the coming weeks each would save the other and forge a special bond.

While Hanno is making a new friend, his father and brothers are taking part in a siege led by Hannibal on one of Rome's allies.  Before long, Rome and Carthage have declared war on one another.  Quintus' father has joined Scipio preparing to fight Hannibal, who manages to escape into the Alps.  Quintus manages to gain the release of Suniaton, who has been injured in gladiator fighting.  Unable to join Hanno in an escape to Carthage, he suggests that Quintus and Hanno go in search of Quintus' father.

As they go north and Hannibal's army advances through the Alps how will the friendship of these two unlikely friends be tested?  Will it stand the test of time?

Author Ben Kane leads the reader through the struggles of Hannibal's army as it makes its march through the Alps and into northern Italy and the ensuing fight between his army and that of Rome.  Well written, intense and a worthy read for any fan of historical fiction.

Dead Man's Grip

Detective Superintendent Roy Grace is at the maternity ward with his fiancé, Cleo, when he gets a call from his DS Glenn Branson about a possible hit and run fatality.  The driver of the articulated lorry has been driving over his hour limit, the driver of the car breathes over the limit and the white van, which hit the young cyclist has disappeared.

At the first briefing of Grace's investigation team, they learn that the victim is the son of a New York mafioso.  At the second briefing, it is determined that Carly Chase, the driver of the car had not hit the cyclist.  After the meeting Grace meets with an angry ACC Rigg, who shows him a news article wherein the mother of the cyclist offers $100 000 for the identity of the driver of the white van.  Once again, Grace is sure that there is an insider in the police providing a newspaperman with information.

When the driver of the van and the van end upside down in the water, Grace wonders if the driver's dead man's grip on the steering wheel is truly the result of a suicide.  Shortly after this, another body turns up in a fish plant freezer.  This time it is the driver of the articulated lorry involved in the accident.  Grace sends Branson to tell Carly Chase that her life may be in danger, too because of these two deaths.  The police are prepared to put her and her son into protective custody.

Carly decides to go to New York to meet with the mother of the cyclist, and there is nothing Grace can do to stop her.  Will Carly's trip alleviate the situation, or make it worse?

Author Peter James' latest novel starring Roy Grace is fast paced and full of action.  It was hard to put down.  I thoroughly enjoyed the read.

Woodchurch

Alwyn Morgan is searching the rookeries of London for Derry Brewer.  He and his two cohorts break into the house of Thomas Woodchurch frightening Thomas' wife and daughters.  They discover a cache of gold, which they steal.  Thomas and his son Rowan come home later to the devastation.  Joan, Thomas' wife hands the two men their bows and sends them in search of the intruders.

Fortunately Thomas and his son know the rookeries well and are able to catch Morgan and his two cohorts.  Threatened with arrows, the three men return the gold.  Thomas sends his son to get his wife and daughters away while he goes in search of Brewer.

Thomas doesn't find Brewer, but finds his second in command, John Gilpin.  Unfortunately Thomas has led Morgan to Gilpin, and he is taken to the Tower.  Now, Brewer wants Thomas to get Gilpin out of the tower using his archery skills.  Can he do it?


A good short story by Conn Iggulden that fits in with "The War of the Roses ~ Trinity", well worth the read.

War of the Roses - Trinity

Derry, Henry VI's spymaster, has returned to Windsor Castle to find the king still in a stupor after fourteen months.  He reports to the king's wife, Margaret, that regretfully, the Duke of York is ruling the country in Henry's stead, quite well.

In 1454, conflict would break out between the Percy family and the Neville family.  It was a dispute that had been simmering for some time.  At Christmas of that same year, Henry arises out of his stupor and takes command of his nation once more.  While Henry governs, York and Salisbury conspire.  York is proud of his eldest son, Edward, yet he is angered at his wife's caring for his youngest, Richard because of his bent spine.

Henry decides that he needs to be seen by his people and begins a progress to the north towards York and Salisbury.  At St. Albans, he declares them traitors, so they besiege him in the town.  In the king's cortex is Jasper Tudor, his half-brother, and almost 100 Welsh archers.  In the ensuing battle, Henry is badly wounded, captured, and his forces lose the battle.  The Lancaster King is now under the power of the York family.  It isn't long before Margaret is able to sneak her husband away to Kenilworth Castle where she schemes to get him back in power.  Henry is convinced to issue Writs of Attainder against York and Salisbury.

Can Henry and Margaret hold onto the throne despite forcing these men into exile?  Author Conn Iggulden develops the story to a fever pitch as the Lancastrian and Yorkist families do battle for the future of England.  This historical novel is well researched and well written, leaving the history buff wanting more, and wanting to know what will come next.

Natural Causes

Tony McLean has just become a detective inspector in Edinburgh, when he is handed an unusual case.  A desiccated body has been found behind a bricked in wall. It would appear to be that of a young girl.  He and his DS, Bob Laird, aka Grumpy Bob, were on a robbery investigation when they were called away to the case.  The coroner, Dr. Cadwallader, suggests that the girl died somewhere between fifty and sixty years ago.

DC Stuart MacBride has been assigned to McLean's robbery investigation team and he immediately discovers similarities to previous robberies. Meantime Chief Superintendent McIntyre wants McLean to help DCI Duguid with an unusual murder case.  McLean can't help but feel if this particular investigation goes south, he becomes the patsy.  Fortunately the following day, Duguid tells him that the case has been solved.

McLean now focuses on the robbery investigation, but not for long as Duguid sends him out to another murder case.  However, that case is apparently solved the next morning when McLean shows up at the business partner of the victim to find him dead and a suicide note.  However, this doesn't sit well with McLean.

The bodies keep piling up, and one of them is the lawyer for McLean's grandmother who recently passed away.  Duguid wants to know why the lawyer had recently changed his will, leaving everything to McLean.  However, everything changes when an attempt is made on McLean's life.  Only for the sacrifice of a WPC did he make it out okay.

Author James Oswald has more deaths awaiting the reader plus several unusual twists before he reveals what is behind the deaths.  When I started to read this murder mystery, I wasn't sure whether it was something I was going to enjoy, however it wasn't long before the author had my attention.  A very good read, and I am looking forward to the sequels.

An Irish Country Wedding

Fingus O'Reilly is up in Belfast purchasing an engagement ring with his fiancé Kitty O'Hallorhan while his young protégé, Barry Laverty is back home in Ballybucklebo where their housekeeper Kinky Kincaid has come down with severe abdominal pain.  Laverty rushes her to the hospital in Belfast via ambulance.

Fortunately for the two doctors, ladies in the community bring them meals because they figure that the doctors will not know how to cook a meal for themselves.  However, after having surgery, Kinky takes a turn for the worse.  However, the wonder of drugs helps Kinky to recover, but she is lacking spirit, so Fingus asks her to plan his wedding.

As the wedding plans get underway, Barry finds himself thinking of the future as he plans to study gynaecology.  His thoughts are also confused by a new interest, the school mistress, Sue Nolan.  Meantime, both Barry and Fingal continue to do good works in the Balleybucklebo community.

Author Patrick Taylor has the reader smiling throughout this continuing story of a rural Irish doctor, and leaves you looking forward to the next in the series.  Thoroughly enjoyable.

The Beige Man

DI Irene Huss of Goteborg, is late getting to the morning conference where she and the other members of her team learn about a stolen car which was involved in a high speed chase.  During the chase the car hit a jogger.  Later the vehicle was torched by the two men who stole it.  While searching for them, police dogs discover the body of a young girl in a small root cellar nearby.

The pathologist informs the team the following morning that the girl had been sexually and physically abused.  The team also learns that the hit and run victim is a former cop.  In addition, another body was found in the area of the girl's.

Sure that they are on track of a human trafficker, Irene works with the Human Trafficking Unit in hopes of busting the pimp.  Unfortunately the pimp escapes before he can be captured.  Later, he dies in an automobile accident.

Due to the international implications of the human trafficking, Irene is called upon to travel to Tenerife to help with their end of the investigation.  There she will work with a DI Juan Rejon, who explains that murders in Tenerife would appear to have connections in Goteborg.  She is surprised when Rejon is unexpectedly taken off the case.  It isn't long after making her report that Irene finds that things are going terribly wrong.

Author Helene Tursten creates a dramatic conclusion to this thrilling page turner. I've become an avid reader of this Swedish author and look forward to the next book in this series.

Cold Sacrifice

DS Ian Peterson has been calked out late in the evening to investigate the stabbing death of a woman found sitting in a park.  He is not impressed by the husband's reaction to the news the following day.  

When a vital witness disappears, and the husband's car is stolen, it would appear that the finger is pointed more so at the husband as the killer.  Especially when it appears that the body of the witness pops out of the boot of the missing car when it is involved in a collision.  DC Polly Mortimer is assigned to help Peterson with the investigation.  Is she going to prove to be a help or a distraction to him?

They seem to catch a break when a lad is caught with the knife used in the murder of the first victim.  Unfortunately they can't pin ownership on anyone.  Shortly after that a third victim turns up.

Author Leigh Russell has a few surprises left in her pen for the reader before the story's climax is reached.  DS Ian Peterson's story is a spinoff of another series that the author had written previously.  Unfortunately I felt that this story was written by a first time writer who was developing her characters.  Further reading in this series will help to see how the main characters develop.

War of the Roses - Stormbird

England, 1443 and a young Henry VI is on the throne.  He is not battle hardened like his father.  He wants a truce with France.  His spymaster, Derry Brewer proposes Margaret of Anjou, but it will mean giving up Anjou and Maine.  William de la Pole, Duke of Suffolk is unsure about the plan because it means giving up so much.

Both Henry and Margaret are related to King Charles of France, and for their marriage to go ahead, there will have to be a dispensation from the pope.  For security reasons, Henry doesn't attend the wedding in Tours.  Suffolk serves as his proxy.  Richard, Duke of York is outraged at this treachery.  Could the truce be broken if the English in Maine and Anjou refuse to move peacefully?

It is quite some time before Margaret arrives in England and marries Henry properly.  Much to the chagrin of Derry, Margaret wants to be involved in the reading of the documents that Henry has been signing.  Meantime the English in Maine have decided to fight the French army that has already forced the English out of Anjou despite the truce.

Angered at the broken truce, Charles advances his French army into Normandy.  York has been sent to Ireland, so the defence of Normandy rests in the hands of Suffolk.    Suffolk doesn't have sufficient numbers of troops to defend Normandy because Henry needs troops to keep the peace at home.

With rebels on the outskirts of London, Margaret agrees that the ailing King should be sent to his castle at Kenilworth, however, she plans to stay and face the rebels.  Although she survives the rebels, will she, her sick husband and unborn child, and England survive the machinations of Richard of York?

Once again, author Conn Iggulden has written a brilliant historical novel.  It is well researched and presented.  As a fan of historical novels, I found the book hard to put down.  I'm looking forward to the sequel.