Kydd

Britain has just declared war on revolutionary France.  The Royal Navy needs men for its ships.  Thomas Kydd is amongst those pressed into service.  He is hauled off for service on the Duke William.  It doesn't take long for him to find out that life on board a navy ship is both brutal and demanding.  The first day is spent learning the ropes and parts of the ship.  His crew mate, Joe Bowyer takes him under his wing and begins to teach him his new jobs and the layout of the ship.  Unfortunately Kydd has a run in with petty officer Elkins, who seems determined to make his life hell.

Right after arriving in Portsmouth, the captain informs the crew that they will be sailing immediately once provisions are loaded on.  There is to be no shore leave.  He then informs the crew that he has been recalled to London and First Lieutenant Tyrell will be in charge.  The crew is mutinous.  The marines on board put thoughts of mutiny from action, but not mind.  The following day, Kydd sees the use of the cat of nine tails used to punish a man for fighting.  Tyrell is not going to allow anyone to challenge his authority.

Kydd's education comes thanks to Bowyer; how to climb up the ropes and how to tie knots.  The pace of his education quickens as the ship leaves the port.  The first day out, the captain begins training the crew on the guns.  The lessons continue when a gale comes out of the west.  Later, Kydd loses his good friend, Bowyer to an accident.  However, he discovers a new friend in Nicholas Renzi.

Adventures galore plus more education await Kydd and his friends in this naval novel.  A rollicking good read, however many of the naval terms used left this landlubber wondering what was meant.  I do look forward to reading the sequels in this series.

A Terrible Beauty

Detective Superintendent Katie Maguire has been called out to a farm where the skeletons of several people have been discovered where a new foundation is being excavated.  The pathology team discover something weird, a doll-like figure attached to the thigh bones.  Is it a mass execution or individual burials?  And, why are the bones all jumbled about?

Dr. Reidy, the pathologist, informs Maguire that the bones have been buried for quite some time.  They are all female and the flesh was scraped off of the bones.  Does this suggest cannibalism?  Possibly.

Maguire is given an oral history of the killings which occurred back just prior to the Easter Uprising.  She sets DI Liam Fennessy to researching the missing women and also checking if they might have any living relatives for DNA comparisons.  Further research points to an ancient cult.  Despite being told that the case is shelved due to its age, and being handed another more current one to attend to, Maguire continues to work on the case.

It isn't long after this that the same farmer makes a grisly discovery.  A body that has been mutilated in the same manner, with body parts being attacked by crows.  It doesn't take long to identify the victim, and her track through Ireland up until she disappeared.  Now to find the killer.

Seemingly to have caught the killer, Maguire is hesitant to announce that they have him when another girl goes missing.

Author Graham Masterton has written an horrifying murder mystery.  Just when you think you know who the killer is, another potential suspect is presented.  I had selected this book on the basis of it being a murder mystery, but after reading it, I realise that it really is a book of the horror genre.  This is not a book for the squeamish.

The Devil in Marshalsea

Thomas Hawkins is in debt, however offered the chance to get out of it partially by paying off half of it, he gambles and wins ten pounds.  Unfortunately on his way home he is waylaid and robbed.  It isn't long before he is in chains and on his way to Marshalsea Gaol.

Hawkins is shocked at what he finds inside.  Not only is it filthy, but everything is going to cost him.  How will he manage on the little funds that he has available?  Samuel Fleet, an old hand in the prison takes an immediate interest in Hawkins.  Is this a good thing or a bad one?

The first day he is informed of a murder that had occurred recently within the prison's walls.  Surprisingly Hawkins looks very much like the victim.  Apparently the ghost of the victim still haunts the prison.  Many in the prison feel that Fleet was responsible for the murder.  Later that day he meets William Acton, the man in charge.  Acton is beating a 13 year old boy when Hawkins meets him.

Hawkins finds himself placed in the same cell as Fleet, who everyone regards as a killer.  The following morning the pair are informed of a visitation by a ghost to the prison during the night.  The lad who saw the ghost informs Hawkins that the ghost has summoned him for a visitation the following night.

Hawkins is asked by a friend to investigate the murder; or is it a suicide as Acton claims it to be?

Author Antonia Hodgson has done a superb job of describing the squalor of life in Marshalsea Gaol during the 18th century.  She presents plenty of potential killers, but the reader is left wondering right up to the last minute.  A thoroughly good and enjoyable read.

Lamb to the Slaughter

A retired colonel has been shot dead at his home.  Is it was because he was opposed to the superstore that was going to be coming to Kirkluce?  DI Marjory Fleming immediately begins her investigation.

At the same time some young men on motorbikes have been terrorising an elderly woman on her farm.  DS Tam MacNee, although still in sick leave, tries to reassure her.  He also tries to get information on the murder investigation, which he is not supposed to have.  He also silently works on the investigation on his own, which he is not supposed to be doing.

Fleming is thrown for a loop when a young man shows up in her office announcing that he is the grandson of the victim.  Later that evening one of the boys who had been hassling the elderly woman was shot in the back when they went out to hassle her again.  Could the two killings be related?  As the investigation progresses, suspects are eliminated.  Would the killer be found soon enough or would there be another killing?

Author Aline Templeton has written another superb murder mystery with a very surprising twist at the end.  A thoroughly enjoyable read, leaving me looking forward to the sequel.

Fields of Death

It is 1809 and Napoleon is marching into Austria with his army; his objective - Vienna. At the same time General Wellesley is in Portugal on his way into Spain.  When he encounters his Spanish allies, he is less than impressed by the state of their army.  Having prepared for a battle after being told that the Spanish would be there, Wellesley is frustrated when they don't show up.  He decides to let the Spanish fight on their own.

After the Spanish are badly beaten by the French near Madrid, the two armies agree to take a stand together.  The British take the brunt of the French attack and are able to rebuff them.

In July, Napoleon is in Austria.  In order to get at the Austrians he must cross the Danube.  When he does, battle ensues.  After much tooing and froing, the French army wins the battle a Wagram, a very costly battle.  Victorious, Napoleon imposes a peace on the Austrians, which includes a size restriction on the Austrian army.

On the home front, Napoleon is in need of an heir.  Josephine is beyond child bearing years, so Napoleon divorces her an arranges to marry Marie-Louise of Austria.

In the new year, in Portugal, the British army is in winter quarters.  Wellesley has been named Viscount Wellington as a result of his major victory in Spain.  However, the powers that be in London aren't sure that they want to maintain an army on the continent.  What can Wellington do to convince them that this is the start to the defeat of Napoleon?  By September, French forces were in Portugal.  The British bloodied them and retreated to a stronger position.  Wellington's plans to effectively weaken the French army was well in place.  Early in 1811, an uneasy truce exists between the two armies, and then suddenly the French retreat.  Wellington immediately sets out in pursuit.

In March of 1811, Napoleon welcomes a son as his heir.  However, Napoleon has other matters on his mind.  He needs to continue to finance his war with Britain, and what he feels is an inevitable war with Russia.  But first Wellington must be made to pay on the peninsula.

By the spring of 1812, plans were well underway for the invasion of Russia.  Men were pulled out of the peninsula to help bolster the massive army Napoleon envisioned.  Not only French troops would be involved, but Napoleon forced the countries under his control to provide men and supplies.  Napoleon will be in command of over half a million men by the time the invasion commences.

In the middle of 1812, President Madison of the USA declared war on Britain.  Wellington knew that troops would now be siphoned off to defend Canada.  Would he be able to maintain the war on the peninsula as a result?  A victory at Salamanca for the British sends the French army reeling in retreat.

At the same time, Napoleon's advance towards Russia gets bogged down by alternating mud and dust.  The Russians burn crops as they retreat.  As a result, Napoleon's Grand Army diminishes in size.  On September 7, the French win a costly battle at Borodino.  The road is open to Moscow.  By the middle of September Napoleon is in Moscow, but it is burning.  The Russians refuse to negotiate.  By October the temperature was dropping, the men of the Grand Army lacked winter clothing and the cavalry's horses were in bad shape.  On the 19th, Napoleon decided to retreat.

In Spain, Wellington has liberated Madrid, but the French tenaciously hang on to the northern parts.  As the French mass their army together, Wellington is forced to give up Madrid.  However, no battle ensues as winter closes in.

As Napoleon retreats, men die by the hundreds from hunger, freezing to death and hit and run tactics of the Cossacks.  Early in December Napoleon leaves the Grand Army and heads for Paris where there are those who believe he has died.

Early in the spring of 1813, Wellington is preparing to take the war to the French on the peninsula.  He knows that Napoleon was defeated in Russia, and is struggling to form an army in the north, drawing troops from the peninsula.  On June 13, Wellington has a massive victory over the French at the little village of Vitoria.  He now intends to chase the remains of the French right into France.

Mid-July finds Napoleon in Dresden.  He has negotiated an armistice with Prussia and Russia.  Prince Metternich of Austria is serving as the go-between.  Napoleon determines the terms unacceptable, and finds out from Metternich that Austria is prepared to step in on the side of the allies if he does not accept the terms.  Due to Napoleon's stubbornness, that is exactly what happens.  The allies began to push the Grand Army back towards France.

By the beginning of 1814, Napoleon had been offered peace.  The British and Austrians offered him France's original borders and the opportunity to keep his throne.  However, Napoleon felt that due to Russia and Prussia wanting rid of him, he could still split and defeat the alliance against him.  But it was not to be.  By April, Paris had fallen.  The allies offer Napoleon the right to retain the title of emperor as long as he abdicates.  He can keep 1 000 soldiers, but he will be exiled to the island of Elba.

Wellington is in Toulouse when news of Napoleon's abdication arrives.  Along with it comes news that Louis, brother of the late king is to become the new king of France.  In May, while in Paris news arrives for Wellington that he has been appointed the ambassador to France and also been made the Duke of Wellington.  In London, the crowds were full of adulation for the conquering hero.

Returning to Paris via Brussels, Wellington takes note of a small village that has open ground and a sloped hill.  He takes note of Mont St. Jean and the village behind it called Waterloo.  Back in Paris, Wellington is aware of the undercurrent of feeling against the return of a Bourbon king.  In January of 1815, Wellington was sent to Vienna to serve as the British representative at the Congress, which was planning the future of Europe.  Shortly afterwards, news arrives of Napoleon's escape from Elba.  Is he headed for Italy or France?  A few days later it is learned that he is in France, headed to Paris to reclaim his throne.   The leaders scramble to assemble their armies.

By April, Napoleon was in Paris.  He sent messages to the leaders of Europe promising peace despite them branding him an outlaw.  He was repeatedly rebuffed.  Napoleon orders France to mobilise.  He intends to attack into Belgium where he considers the two weakest armies are; the British under Wellington and the Prussians under Blucher.  Early in June, Napoleon's army is at the border of Belgium.  He plans to strike at Blucher, heading towards Brussels through Charleroi.

In Brussels, Wellington finds himself with a mixed bag of troops.  Many of his men are green, some of his officers have been imposed upon him and King William of Holland reluctantly agreed to have his troops under Wellington's command.  On June 15, 1815, while attending a ball in Brussels, Wellington receives news from Blucher that Napoleon is advancing through Charleroi.

To the southeast at Ligny, Blucher sets up a defensive position to take on Napoleon.  It is heavy slogging for both armies.  Napoleon requests Marshall Ney to bring his army from  the crossroads at Quatre Bras to help in the battle, but Ney is unable to because he is fighting Wellington there.  Quatre Bras remains a stalemate, but the following morning Wellington is informed that Blucher was defeated at Ligny and has retreated to Wavre.  Wellington's only option is to retreat to Mont St. Jean near Waterloo.

By late morning of June 17, 1815, Napoleon finally made the decision to send Grouchy after Blucher.  Meantime, Napoleon headed to Quatre Bras where he finds Wellington in retreat and Ney doing nothing.  He orders Ney to advance, but it takes time for that to happen and the British retreat is orderly.  As the afternoon progresses, the air becomes heavy.  Late in the afternoon a thunderstorm arrived, helping to cover the British retreat and slow the French advance.

As Napoleon advances through the rain and dark, he discovers that Wellington has settled on a ridge for the night.  He tells his officers he intends to do battle in the morning.  At 11:00 a. m. on June 18, 1815 the French began the battle.  Author Simon Scarrow vividly describes the battle as the long hours went by, piling dead men upon dead men.  He concludes the story with what became of Napoleon and Wellington in the end.

This series is well told and well researched.  Scarrow does take some liberties, but that is allowed.  All-in-all, a series well worth the read for any fan of historical fiction.

Fire and Sword

It is late 1707 in Europe and Captain Daniel Rawson has just escaped from French soldiers with the help of a Flemish farm family.  When he returns to show his gratitude, he finds that their farm has been burned to the ground and that the responsibility lies with British cavalry.

Upon arriving in England, Daniel receives more bad news when he discovers that the Duke of Marlborough has resigned as has his good friend, Lord Godolphin.  The latter was responsible for funding the war against the French.  Fortunately it isn't long before they are reinstated.  Marlborough is shocked when Daniel informs him of the incident.  Unfortunately the same cavalry strikes again before long.

Back in Europe, Daniel returns to spying.  Unbeknownst to him it isn't long before his actions result in a senior French officer wanting to get him in chains.  As a result, Daniel's girlfriend, Amalia, is kidnapped and taken to the French camp.  Daniel receives a message that indicates that the French have her.  Can he facilitate her escape and not be caught in the process?  It won't be an easy process.

Author Edward Marston still has a major battle to tell of before this historical novel comes to a close.  Based on historical fact, this novel is a thoroughly enjoyable read.

Person or Persons Unkown

Jeremy Proctor is just returning from an errand for Sir John Fielding when a murdered young woman is discovered nearby.  Based on the questioning of witnesses, it is assumed that the killer is a soldier from the nearby barracks at the Tower.

With witness in hand, Fielding and Jeremy proceed to the Tower.  There two potential suspects are identified.  It turns out that they are brothers.  One of them seems to be the likely culprit after the other is questioned by Fielding.  Acting as coroner, Fielding holds an inquest.  Based on the evidence presented to the inquest, Fielding concludes that murder has been committed by a person or persons unknown.  So, who did commit the murder?

Jeremy has his suspicions, and sets about learning more about the fellow he thinks is responsible.

Less than a month after the first killing, a second woman is brutally murdered.  The autopsy performed by Dr. Donnelly, indicates that the killer has some knowledge of anatomy.  Not long after this, a third female victim is discovered, killed in the same manner as the first.  Then a fourth woman is found, eviscerated.  Is it a case of two killers or one with two different methods of killing? The butcher who found the third victim has gone missing; is he the killer?

More murder and mayhem ensue before author Bruce Alexander brings this historical murder mystery to a close.  A thoroughly enjoyable read.

Drums of War

It is 1705 and the Duke of Marlborough has plans to break through the French Lines of Brabant.  Successful in his strategy, Marlborough sets about consolidating his gains, much to the chagrin of some of his Dutch allies.  No matter the advantage the allies have, the Dutch seem to always back down.

Marlborough is concerned that a spy of his in Paris has been found out.  He decides to send Captain Daniel Rawson to bring him to safety, if he is still alive.  If not, there are others that must also be brought out.  The man he goes in search of is missing and the daughter frets for him.  It doesn't take Daniel long to find out that the missing man is in the Bastille.  Now, how to protect the daughter, and the two servants, and retrieve the man from the Bastille?

It is a struggle, but Daniel is successful in getting the prisoner free and the others back to The Hague.  Afterwards he spends time with Marlborough who is consolidating the alliance against the French.  Unfortunately after the winter break from fighting things have broken down and Louis XIV is now taking the fight to the alliance rather than maintaining a defensive stance.  Will the alliance be able to stay together?

Author Edward Marston has plenty of action remaining in this historical novel.  A very good read.

Centurion

Macro and Cato are still in Syria, where they are rebuilding the Second Illyrian cohort.   Macro wants his auxiliaries to be just as good as any legionnaires.  Cato is sure that war with Parthia is unavoidable, and when a Parthian army marches right up to Antioch, his suspicion is confirmed.  However, he still doesn't trust his leader, Governor Cassius Longinus.

However, rather than being sent to take on the Parthians, Macro and Cato are sent with two cohorts to put down an uprising in Palmyra. Cato is suspicious that this is Longinus' way of getting rid of the pair.  Can they make the long march through the desert safely, or will thirst or enemy attacks prevent them?

Attacked in the desert by rebel cavalry, the two cohorts are saved by a prince of Palmyra and his cavalry.  With combined forces, plans are made to infiltrate Palmyra.  Injured during the infiltration, Cato is treated by a young woman, who is the daughter of the Roman ambassador.  The two do not strike it off well.  Unfortunately, shortly after the Roman cohorts have fought their way into Palmyra, one of the king' sons is murdered.  Is it the other son?  Everyone now has to watch their backs as potential traitors abound, and at the same time they need to prepare to survive the siege.

Will this pair of centurions survive to fight another day?  Author Simon Scarrow 's historical novel is full of action and well based on historical fact.  A thoroughly good read.

The Lord Bishop's Clerk

England, 1143; Stephen and Empress Maud have been vying for the throne of England for some time now, and people are taking sides and switching sides as needs be.  The people at Pershore Abbey have concerns about one amongst them; the lord Bishop of Winchester is known to be a spy.  Can anyone trust him?  However, everyone is shocked when he is found inside the church by the master mason, the back of his head bashed in.

Moments later the sheriff arrives, on his way through. He decides to leave Hugh Bradecote and Serjeant Catchpoll to investigate.  Catchpoll is unsure of the ability of Bradecote, while the latter is bound and determined to catch the person responsible. The following day, Catchpoll points out to Bradecote that he has made a mistake during the questioning of one of the women by telling her what the murder weapon was.

As the pair question those at the abbey, they come to know more about the victim and that several of those questioned, had a clear dislike for the man.  Having spoken to everyone, the question arises, what next?

What next is that a second body is found.  The dead apprentice had been sent to get refreshments for the workers, and was found outside in the rain by the master mason, who had gone in search of him.  Bradecote is sure he knows who the killer is, but when a third body is found, he begins to doubt.

Author Sarah Hawkswood's medieval mystery was well written, and kept this reader involved and intrigued.  A thoroughly enjoyable read and I am looking forward to the sequel.

In The Darkness

Inspector Sejer has called his team together to review the case of a body found in the river.  Even after being missing for six months, they were able to identify it. Sejer wonders if the victim had anything to do with the death of a woman who had been killed a few days before this victim disappeared.

It is while visiting with the son of the victim that Sejer inadvertently learns that the victim was going to be selling his car to a woman.  How can he find out her name?  During the course of his investigation, Sejer discovers that a woman and child had seen the body and apparently phoned it in.  The trouble is, Sejer has no recollection of that call occurring.

As his investigation continues, threads seem to connect to the mysterious woman.  He finds her after she has been attacked in her own home.  Taking her back to the police station, her story comes out.

Author Karin Fossum, tale of murder and greed gets off to a slow start, but once the mysterious woman's story begins to unfold, the pace picks up.  Fossum provides the reader with a surprising twist at the end.  A good read.

Lying Dead

A young mountain biker has crashed on a trail, and while looking for help has come across the body of a woman.  DI Marjory Fleming's quiet summer has come to an end.  It turns out that the victim is from Manchester, which is a long way to the south.

Fleming is just about to pass the investigation off to her Manchester counterparts following the morning briefing when DS Jon Kingsley walks in late.  He recognises the picture posted of the victim as a local woman.  She had apparently been a key witness is a previous case involving a substantial sum of money.  The other person involved had recently just been released from prison.  He was working nearby where the body was found and now he is missing.

However, it doesn't take long for DS Allen and DC Kingsley to find the suspect.  Unfortunately Fleming and DS MacNee have been sent to Manchester to liaise with the police there.  Allen and Kingsley use the bad cop - bad cop routine on him, but he remains silent.  Knowing that the pair are likely to botch up the questioning, Fleming orders DC Tansy Kerr to take over from them.

The day after returning from Manchester, Fleming has another murder on her hands.  Is it connected to the first one?  They have a prime suspect, but was he too drunk to have committed it?  Evidence points to it being about money, but who, amongst the many potentially involved could it be?

Author Aline Templeton is very good at building suspense and throwing in numerous red herrings as she creates her plot.  This one comes with a couple of surprises and a shocking conclusion.  Well written and will leave the reader looking forward to the sequel.

The Darkness and the Deep

DI Marjory Fleming has just welcomed a new DC to her team.  Jonathan Kingsley is a young Englishman on the fast track for promotion.  Fleming wonders how he will fit in in her Scottish community.  In addition to the new man on staff, Fleming was at odds with her DS, Tam MacNee.

On a dark, stormy night, the local lifeboat is called out to ensure a trawler doesn't crash into rocks.  While returning to base it crashes into rocks with the loss of two.  MacNee observes a green light where there shouldn't be one.  He secures the site.  Did someone intentionally want to wreck the lifeboat?  Sadly a third victim dies while in surgery.

The team is able to eliminate one potential suspect within a matter of hours.  However, Kingsley finds a valuable source of information, which he plans on keeping to himself as he goes about his part of the investigation.  Fleming decides to create a special team to work the investigation; MacNee, Kingsley and DC Tansy Kerr.  Each is tasked with particular people to question.

A week on and the team has nothing.  The night of the funerals the man who was supposed to have operated the boat is fatally run down by a car.  It would appear that he was the intended original victim, and that it was connected to the local drug scene.  Fleming is afraid that another death will occur before they catch the person responsible.

Author Aline Templeton, murder mystery is fast paced, tense and exciting.  DI Fleming isn't just a police officer, but also a woman who has family issues to contend with, thereby making her more human.  A very good read and I'm looking forward to the sequel.

Soldier of Fortune

Ten year old Daniel Rawson badly wants to join the rebel army and fight alongside his father against King James.  Unfortunately his father is taken prisoner following the Battle of Sedgemoor, which destroyed the rebel forces.  Daniel finds a soldier trying to rape his mother, and in defence of her he kills the soldier with his own sword.  Understanding what had gone really gone on, Lord Churchill rewards Daniel with the sword and frees him.  With his father executed for rebelling against the king, Daniel and his mother leave their farm.

Nineteen years later, Daniel is in the army and a spy in Paris.  He returns to England with information for his spymaster, the Duke of Marlborough.  It isn't long before they are off to Holland on their way to fight the French.  Unbeknownst to Daniel there is a pair of assassins following him.  However, when attempts are made on his life he hopes that he can get the assassin.  He is also plagued by a young girl who has followed him from London believing that she is in love with him.

He has to put these troubles from his mind as he goes into battle against the French.  Trials and tribulations await the young soldier in the coming days.  Will he and his companions survive the upcoming battle at Blenheim, where the French badly outnumber Marlborough's army?

Author Edward Marston has written an engaging and fast paced historical novel.  A good read.

Watery Grave

Lady Fielding's son, Tom, has just arrived home from the sea.  Young Jeremy Proctor is unsure what to make of him.  Judge Fielding is asked to sit on a court-martial of an officer from the ship that his stepson, Tom served on.  To begin Fielding and Jeremy visit the ship in question with an admiral to begin questioning two of the men involved.

Fielding and the admiral must also question the ship's surgeon, but he has transferred down to Portsmouth.  Therefore they travel there, and on the way are ambushed by highwaymen.  Fortunately the admiral is able to shoot one with his pistol.  In Portsmouth, Jeremy is captured by a press gang, but fortunately the lieutenant that had travelled with them just happened to come by and secure his release.

Later, Jeremy and Tom, while looking for a potential witness, come across the drowned body of a lieutenant from Tom's ship.  However, upon inspection of the body, they discover that the back of his skull has been crushed.  After a second witness is murdered, information that could besmirch the reputation of the Royal Navy comes to light.  Sir John Fielding is sure that the case is worse than first perceived.

Author Bruce Alexander sets about ensuring justice will be done in this murder mystery.  Many twists and turns are involved on the road to the final conclusion with a surprise at the end.  A very good read.

Fire and Sword

Paris, December 1804, and Napoleon has just crowned himself Emperor of France.  He had been elected emperor by a vast majority of the people of France.  By the spring of 1805, Austria is preparing for war.  Napoleon wants to head it off.  He also wants to keep Russia out of the mix.

In September of 1805, Arthur Wellesley returns to London a Major-General and a knight.  Meanwhile Napoleon has come to the realisation that an invasion of Britain is impossible.  He turns his attention to Austria.  Can he defeat Austria before they are joined by the Russians?  Surprisingly the Austrian army at Ulm surrenders before Russian troops can reinforce them.

In late October, Britain achieves a great victory over the French at Trafalgar, but at a terrible cost; Admiral Lord Nelson is killed.  By November, Wellesley is shipping out with an army to the continent.  Upon arrival he is informed of Napoleon's great victory at Austerlitz over the combined forces of Austria and Russia.  Wellesley and his army are recalled to Britain.

Back in Britain, Wellesley is disappointed to find that there are parliamentarians who are clamouring for peace with France.  He continues to train soldiers and lets his name stand for parliament.  He is also committed to marrying the love of his life, Miss Kitty Pakenham.  How much has she changed in the eleven years since he last saw her?

In France, Napoleon is looking to Prussia as his next enemy.  He must keep Russia out of any conflict, and Austria is already cowed.  A rapid advance into Prussia results in two victories at Jena and Auerstadt for the French.  However, the Prussians refused to surrender, retreating towards their Russian allies.  By January 1807, Napoleon and his Grand Army were forced to settle in for the winter in Warsaw.  There Napoleon encounters a young countess named Marie Walewska.  It isn't long before they are lovers.  The French senate has sent a delegation to Napoleon in Warsaw demanding that the war be brought to an end.

Napoleon has a costly victory over the Russians while Wellesley is appointed Chief Secretary for Ireland.  In June of 1807 Napoleon dictates his peace terms to Tsar Alexander.  It is also his intention to humble Prussia.  Now Britain is to be locked out of all European ports.  However, Portugal is refusing to participate in that action.  Napoleon threatens them with war.

At the end of July, Wellesley is ordered to take part in capturing the Danish fleet at Copenhagen.  Will Danish resistance prevent the British army from capturing the fleet before the French army arrives?

By Christmas of 1807 Napoleon's troops have captured Lisbon, but the royal family and the Portuguese navy has fled to Brazil.  He plans to foment dissent in Spain and then step in and take over.  The King of Spain and his heir are forced to abdicate.  Riots in Spain are ruthlessly put down by the French, and before long Napoleon's brother is appointed king.

By the middle of July, 1808 Wellesley had been appointed lieutenant-general and tasked with taking the war to Napoleon through Portugal.  However, upon arrival in Portugal, Wellesley receives communication that more troops will be coming and as a result a more senior officer will be in command.  Wellesley wins his first battle, but his senior officer decides to not follow up the success.  However, the French are prepared to quit Portugal as long as they get to keep their loot and the British ship them home.  Unfortunately, Wellesley's senior agrees to it.  Once news of the armistice reaches London, Wellesley and his two senior officers are recalled to explain themselves.

Having taken control of Madrid, Napoleon sets about pushing the British off the Iberian Penninsula, however his plans are frustrated when he hears news of a conspiracy against him in Paris.  He returns there immediately.

What does the future hold for these two leaders as they deal with a major crisis in their lives.  Once again, author Simon Scarrow has brought history to life.  For any fan of historical fiction and this period in particular, this is a very good read.  I'm looking forward to the concluding book in the series.

The Eagle in the Sand

Centurions Macro and Cato have just arrived in Jerusalem and immediately are involved in a scuffle breaking up an attack on tax collectors.  They have been sent there to win over the hearts and minds of the Judeans.  They also have another job, that of spies for Narcissus, who is the emperor's right hand man.

As they progress toward their next posting, the Roman force is attacked by brigands.  Cato is struck in the head and concussed.  His guide, Symeon, takes him to a small settlement, which houses followers of Jehoshua, who the Romans had recently executed.  Meanwhile Macro and the small force gallop on.  When Macro gets to the fort of Bushira, which he is supposed to take command of, he comes to the realisation that his orders are still in the saddle bag on the horse, which was killed under him.  What to do now?

When together at the fort, Macro and Cato are surprised at the attitude of the prefect to the brigands.  It appears that he is more interested in intimidating the locals rather than taking on the brigands.  Not a good policy in the eyes of several centurions.  What can they do in the meantime?  Things begin to spiral out of control for the two centurions.

Author Simon Scarrow has plenty of action and treachery to play out in this exciting historical novel set in the time just following the execution of Jesus.  A very good read.

Golden Lion

Hal Courtney and Judith Nazet have had a successful war fighting in Africa.  It is their plan to return to England to cash in their booty and pay off Courtney's crew.

Meanwhile, Angus Cochran, also known as The Buzzard, and sworn enemy of Courtney, is recovering from serious injuries inflicted upon his body in a naval battle with Courtney.  The Maharaj of Zanzibar has tasked Cochran with bringing the head of Courtney back to him or suffer beheading himself.

As they head south along the eastern coast of Africa, their ship is attacked by Dutch pirates.  Fortunately they defeat the attackers and gain a small ship as a result.  Aboard the ship is a prisoner, one William Pett, who claims to work for the East India Company.  As a result he is treated with respect by Courtney.  However, unbeknownst to those on board, Pett is an assassin.

Courtney now has two ships under his command, and heads for Zanzibar City to send information to England and to drop Pett off there.  Unfortunately while in the city, Judith is kidnapped.  How can Courtney save her and at the same time get himself, her and his two ships safely away?

Author Wilbur Smith along with co-author Siles Kristian have written a rollicking novel full of adventure.  It was an enjoyable read.

The Woman in Blue

Cathbad has been house and cat sitting for a friend when one evening the cat escapes from the house.  He follows it into a nearby graveyard where he sees a woman in white with a blue cloak.  Later that evening the woman is found dead in a roadside ditch.  DCI Harry Nelson and his team begin the investigation.  They find out that the woman had been a patient at a nearby rehab sanctuary.

The autopsy shows that there was cleaning fluid on the victim's hands?  Why would that be?  Nelson finds stone cleaning fluid near one of the headstones in the graveyard.

At the same time, Ruth Galloway, Nelson's forensic archeologist friend meets with a former classmate who is now a priest.  She has been receiving threatening letters.  Is it a coincidence, Nelson wonders, after Ruth speaks to him about them.  Ruth meets her friend who has come to the area to take a course.  The letters appear very threatening.

One evening Nelson's wife Michelle is attacked in a cemetery near where the victim had been found.   Fortunately she is not seriously hurt.  But later that same night one of the priests on the course with Ruth's friend is killed.  An interesting aspect of the victim is that she looks similar in appearance to both Michelle and the first victim.

Nelson is surprised when a suspect, who is a  patient at the rehab sanctuary confesses.  Has he got his man?  Or could the killer still be out there?

Author Elly Griffiths is very good at building suspense.  Once again she has done so in this murder mystery, which I am sure that you will enjoy.  I look forward to reading the sequel.

The King Without a Kingdom

France and England have been at war for 18 years.  King John is still a prisoner of England, and Europe has been devastated by The Great Plague.  The Cardinal of Perigord narrates the story of how King John II of France dithered and made stupid mistakes during his reign.  His decisions would lead to his capture at the Battle of Poitiers.

Author Maurice Druon has written this work as a one sided conversation on the part of the cardinal.  I must admit, that while the story is well outlined, I did not feel that it was  not well told as compared to the previous books in this series.  All-in-all, rather a disappointment.

Murder in Grub Street

Sir John Fielding has apprenticed young Jeremy Proctor to a printer on Grub Street.  However, just before Jeremy is to move in with the printer's family, the family and apprentices are all murdered in their beds.  The alleged killer has been caught red handed.   Sir John proceeds to the site of the grisly murders with the help of Jeremy.  He is puzzled by the fact that there were boot marks in the blood at the scene, yet the alleged killer did not wear any.

The day following the massacre, Fielding, in his role as magistrate holds an inquest.  The previous night, the suspect had given a different name than his true name when arrested.  When called before the inquest he gives a third name, and soundly defends the accused in third person.  Fielding consigns him to Bedlam.

Now that Jeremy has no place to go, Fielding offers the lad a place in his own household.  Jeremy continues running errands and doing other odd jobs for the household as he had in the past.

The case of the multiple murders seems to have been forgotten until the Lord Chief Justice brings the issue to the attention of Fielding.  The two justices meet with the accused in Bedlam, where he seems to have come to his senses.  He requests to be brought to trial because he is sure that there was a gang of three men who committed the murders.  But, how will Fielding be able to prove it in court?

As evidence is gathered, Fielding comes to the conclusion that it is all circumstantial, and therefore a trap must be set to get the perpetrators.

Author Bruce Alexander has put together an historical murder novel, which is slow to get off the ground, but which has plenty of action at the climax.  Lots of time is spent building up the case, but all-in-all a good read.

Cold in the Earth

In Galloway, DI Marjory Fleming has a bully on her staff.  DS Conrad Mason manages to have an excuse for his actions, and promises that it won't happen again.  He's a good cop, and Fleming doesn't want to have him disciplined.  The force is going to be busy with an outbreak of foot and mouth disease that is spreading rapidly across the UK.  Fleming's husband is a sheep farmer, and this could prove to be costly for them.  Mason's uncle and mother's herd of cattle are in the same jeopardy.

At the same time Laura Harvey is looking for her long lost sister.  An article she writes for a newspaper about her sister brings plenty of reaction; one from a man who claims to have known her 15 years earlier.  That man is Conrad Mason's cousin, Max.  However, she doesn't trust him.  Laura has become obsessed with finding her sister, so she heads off to Scotland.

She is surprised when she runs into Max in the hotel she chooses to stay in.  There she learns that the cattle are being destroyed on the farm belonging to Max's father who had a stroke upon learning that his cattle were infected.  Conrad is shocked when he meets Laura because she looks so like he older half-sister who he knew when she worked on the farm.

In order to bury Mason's cattle, a pit is dug, but in doing so, a body is found.  Because the body could potentially be Conrad's aunt, Fleming has to take him off active duty as he is a potential suspect.  However, when being routinely questioned, Laura reconises a piece of evidence that points to the body being that of her sister!  Fleming's investigation is suddenly thrown into disarray.

Aline Templeton is a new author to me, and as I started to read this murder mystery, I wasn't sure what I was getting into.  Templeton took two strands and neatly wove an excellent mystery together.  The main protagonist, DI Fleming, has a tough case to handle besides the rough spot that her personal life is going through.  Templeton has made her very human.  A top notch read.  I'm looking forward to reading the sequel.

The Generals

France 1795, and Napoleon Bonaparte would rather be leading one of the armies fighting France's enemies than putting down the citizens of France who object to the way the new regime is treating them.  The royalists take advantage of this situation.  Before long the leaders of the government are hemmed in at the Toulieres.  Napoleon takes charge and with the help of cavalry Major Murat, he gets some small cannons to defend the palace.  The ensuing result is a massacre when musket balls and grape shot rip through crowd.

Bonaparte is promoted to general and becomes the talk of Paris.  One person who comes to his attention as a result is Madame Josephine Beauharnais.  Because of his rising popularity in Paris, Napoleon is ordered to take command of the army in Italy, but not before he has married Josephine.

Meanwhile Arthur Wesley has returned to Dublin where he hopes for promotion, and the hand of Kitty Packenham.  Neither seems to be in the stars.  The next thing he knows is that he is being shipped out to the West Indies to take the war to the French in their colonies.  But even that is not to be as a storm forces his convoy back to Southampton.  There he finds that he has now been ordered to Calcutta.

It doesn't take Napoleon long to gain success in northern Italy.  The Austrians retreat and the army of Piedmont beg for an armistice.  However, the Directory back in Paris doesn't want him to have success.  He had been sent to Italy in the hopes that it would be the end of him.  However, success in Italy causes Napoleon to set his sights on Vienna.  Unfortunately the Army of the Rhine doesn't operate according to plan.  Napoleon strikes an advantageous treaty with Austria.

It takes six months for Wesley and his troops to reach India.  He is shocked at the squalor he finds upon arrival.  He is informed that not only is Britain at war with France, but now Holland and Spain have joined against Britain.  Shortly after arrival Wesley is tasked with planning an invasion of Manila.  After all his work planning, the command is taken away from him by a general.  But before the flotilla can reach Manila, a message is received that Austria is out of the war!  The flotilla turns back to Calcutta in order to protect the East India Company from uprisings that might occur.

Back in Paris, Napoleon begins to bring together like minded men.  He plans a war with Britain, taking the war to them in all of their colonies followed by an invasion of the island.  To do that, the British navy must be beaten and Napoleon must ensure that he has made a strong name for himself.  With that in mind, he convinces the Directory to assemble an army to invade Egypt.

A few days into the Egyptian and the Heat has gotten to his men; they are on the verge of mutiny.  Napoleon convinces them to march on to the Nile.  There his army runs into Murad Bey and his army of thousands of Marmalukes.  The French are victorious; now to march north to Cairo.  After Cairo falls, Napoleon learns that Josephine has a lover; angered and unable to confront her, he dedicates his life to achieving his goals.  He brutally begins to attack the remaining enemies, only to find out that his army is now utterly alone because the British navy has destroyed the fleet that brought the army to Egypt.

In May of 1798, Wesley's brothers arrive in Calcutta, Richard having been appointed Governor General.  Arthur is quickly assigned the task of securing Hyderabad from the French.  He does it without bloodshed.  However, news is received of Bonaparte's success in Egypt, which creates a threat to India.  The brothers next look to securing Mysore.  Arthur is sent there with his regiment.  Upon arrival Arthur is informed of Nelson's destruction of the French fleet in Egypt.  Planning for taking Mysore commences at once.

Napoleon is not having success in Egypt converting the locals to France's side.  On a brighter note for himself, he has taken as mistress, the wife of one of his officers.  However, to the northeast in Syria, troops are gathering to fight Napoleon, and the Sultan of Turkey has declared war on France.  Napoleon's march toward Acre in Syria is not easy, especially when some of his troops come down with the plague.  With no success at the siege of Acre, Napoleon decides to return to Egypt.

The withdrawal to Cairo is punishing on Napoleon's army.  There are no ships available to help transport them.  Napoleon knows that the Directory has abandoned them.  He also learns that the Directory is losing the war in Europe.   He needs to get back to Paris.

In India, Wellesley is placed in charge of the Indian column marching on Mysore.  In the first action, he is wounded in the leg, but that doesn't stop him from continuing on.  When the battle is over and victory accomplished for the British, Wellesley is given the task of being Governor of Mysore.

Back in Paris, Napoleon falls to the wiles of Josephine once again.  He also becomes part of a plot to overthrow the government.  The coup is successful and Napoleon is appointed First Consul of the new consulate.  Napoleon immediately sets to work governing France.  He realises that he can't have peace with Britain and Austria.  Britain's navy prevents any possible invasion of the island nation, so he plans on defeating Austria first.  The two armies meet at Marengo.  The Austrians win the battle and Napoleon is forced to retreat, however as the retreat progresses, the Austrians follow.  Napoleon turns and faces them.  In the ensuing battle the Austrians are decimated.

Wellesley's military success in India leads to peace and prosperity.  He is next tasked with preparing an expedition to Java.  However, before that can get underway, he and his men are shipped off to Egypt.  On the way, his command is turned over to General Baird.  Baird asks Wellesley to become his chief of staff, to which he accepts.  Unfortunately, Wellesley comes down with a disease, which leaves him bed-ridden and he is unable to go on to Egypt.  When his health returns, he goes back to continue his work as governor of Mysore.

Having returned to Paris after Marengo, Napoleon sets about establishing peace with the nations of Europe and isolating Britain.  He wants time to rebuild his army.  At the same time it gives him the opportunity to make things better for the citizens of France.  This would include a new law code and an agreement with the church.  Britain agrees to a peace treaty in 1802.  In this period of peace, Napoleon arranges to have him elected, by the people, First Consul for life.

Napoleon is not only busy improving the lot of the French, he is also building up his army.  Britain responds with an enlarged navy.  Finally, Britain has had enough and declares war.

Back in India, Wellesley has achieved the rank of Major General, but his work is not done.  He still has rebellious leaders to put down.  The last battles exhaust him, but now Britain has added India to its empire.  He simply wants to return home to recover.

Author Simon Scarrow has written an intensely engaging historical novel.  The development of the two main characters makes the reader feel as if they knew them personally.  Well researched and well written, the avid historical fiction fan will not want to put the book down.

Love You Dead

Detective Superintendent Roy Grace has spent some time recovering from a shooting incident.  He is still after the man who shot him in the leg and escaped.  It appears that the French police have caught him, so he sends DI Glenn Branson to bring him back, providing the French will extradite him.

Shortly after that he gets a call from the United States asking for information on a woman, who may be mixed up in a Russian mafia killing.  She may have stolen thousands of dollars from a courier.  The American police are very interested in her, and she has given a Brighton address as her home.  One point of interest about the woman is that both her husband and recent fiancé died under unusual circumstances.  It also appears that the woman has disappeared upon returning to the UK.

Now back at work, Grace finds an unusual suspicious death case on his plate.  A petty criminal has been killed by a snake.  How could this have happened?  He puts together his investigative team.  He is surprised when a bit later an older man from Brighton dies on a cruise ship after it had docked at Mumbai.  The thing is, he died from the same snake venom the petty criminal had.  What are the odds of that?  More information that comes in points to a young woman who has married a few times, after which the husband shortly dies.  Does the team have a black widow on their hands?

Author Peter James' murder mystery is full of action and surprises.  It was a very good read.

The Physician

London, 1021 and nine year old Rob J. Cole's mother has passed away following a difficult childbirth.  Not long after that his father succumbs also after catching a fever while working in wet cold conditions. The Carpenter's Guild distributed the family's goods and children amongst themselves, but not Rob.  He was left alone for five cold days before a barber-surgeon shows up at the door and offers Rob an apprenticeship.

Nathan Croft had been an orphan like Rob, so he had an understanding of what Rob was going through.  Nathan's master, to whom he had been apprenticed to, had been murdered by a mob after being accused of being a witch.  He now simply called himself Barber, despite having learned many skills as a surgeon.  Barber not only provided surgery skills, but he also entertained the crowds and sold a medicine as they travelled the countryside. Neither time, Rob learns the entertainment side of the business, and then he begins to lead the medical side.

In Hereford, Rob gets the feeling that one of their patients is about to die.  He had had the same feeling when his parents were on the edge of death.  Barber quickly gets them out of Hereford because he doesn't want them accused of witchcraft.  By the age of 15, Rob is a big boy and has learned the trade well enough to earn a salary from Barber.

Shortly after Rob had turned 19, Barber suddenly died.  Rob inherited all of his possessions.  Rob decides that he would like to become a physician.  Unable to convince the best Jewish physicians to take him on, he decides to pretend to be a Jew and travel to Persia to learn at the feet of the best.  Travelling through France and Germany, Rob has a guide and translator, but as he enters Bohemia, he is on his own again.  Fortunately he is able to join a caravan later. The caravan includes a group of Jews, one of them agrees to teach Rob Parsi, the language of the Persians.  During the winter Rob begins to learn the ways of the Jews.  Once he arrives in Constantinople, he turns himself into a Jew, but promises not to forsake Jesus.

Rob's trials and tribulations don't end when he gets to his destination.  However, luck does swing his way and he wins his way into the school through the intervention of the Shah.  At the school Rob learns many aspects of being a physician, but he wants more.  He wants to be able to see inside the body, but that is not allowed, much to his chagrin.  Rob's studies are hard, but he does successfully become a physician.

However, would he ever return to his homeland?   During his training he had made good friends, and married.  Why would he want to return now?

Right from the opening sentence, author Noah Gordon had my attention.  I knew that I was in for a good read.  I found myself totally engrossed in this book, unable to put it down.  Fans of historical novels will undoubtedly enjoy the read.

Fatal Catch

It is a couple of weeks before Christmas and DI Andy Horton has been called down to the quay where a couple of fishermen have caught a plastic container with a severed hand inside.

The following day, the hand is identified through fingerprints to having belonged to a petty criminal.  Meanwhile the team is also on the lookout for a criminal who had failed to turn up for his court appearance.  Are the two cases connected?  And why has one of the fishermen gone missing?

Back at the office, Horton is informed that the victim was an informer, and the National Crime Agency is taking over the case.  Horton and his team can't believe the victim was an informer.

The next morning Horton is informed that the body of one of the fishermen has been found on his boat.  He appears to have died of natural causes.  While following up on the activities of the victim, Horton finds out about a death, which had happened in the area.  It seemed like a tragic accident, but pathologist, Gaye Clayton, does a post-mortem, which shows that the man had been murdered.  Is there a connection to the original victim?

The National Crime Agency team figures that they have the crimes all sewn up, but Horton doesn't accept it, despite being told to back off.

Author Pauline Rowson's murder mystery is fast paced and a great read.  It is hard to put down, and I'm hoping for a sequel.

Shallow Waters

The body of a young girl has been found in an alleyway on a cold October night.  DI Hannah Robbins and her team have been tasked with the investigation.  They start by visiting the known sex offenders in the city, but come up with nothing.  DNA matches to a 15 year old girl from Norwich, which is 120 miles away.

Robbins arranges for one of her team to liaise with the investigating team in Norwich. Meantime the team continues to check alibis of the sex offenders.  However, shortly afterwards the body of another young girl is found in similar circumstances.  This time the identity of the girl is determined quickly because the mother had gone to the paper upon hearing that a child had been found.  She claims that the police ignore her because she comes from a poor part of the town.  The reporter sent to the scene is Robbins boyfriend.

Just after visiting the mother of the newest victim, her house explodes.  Robbins and one of her DCs are outside in their car at the time and are injured.   Was it a gas explosion or had the mother been targeted?  As a result of the injuries sustained, Robbins is pulled from the investigation.  Fortunately she is able to convince her senior officer that she is still capable.

DNA evidence found on the body of the first victim points to the boyfriend of the mother of the second victim.  Now to track him down.  Once they have him in custody, his computer provides further evidence against him.  However, the computer forensic investigator discovers that there is another girl out there, imprisoned.  Can they get the perpetrator to provide them with the information as to where she is?  And can they get to her before she becomes the next victim?

Author Rebecca Bradley's story is a page turner, and shocking in its content.  The author is a retired police detective, so her knowledge of procedure is evident in the writing.  I found this book engrossing and hard to put down.

The Eagle's Prophecy

Centurions Marco and Cato have returned home to Rome, but have not been reassigned to any legion as yet.  They are running out of money, and hope that Cato's connection at the palace might find them a legion.  The pair are shocked one morning when Praetorian Guards crash into their little flat with swords drawn and escort them off to Narcissus.  They are expecting to be executed.

Narcissus doesn't execute them, rather he sends them on a secret and dangerous mission to recover three scrolls and a secret agent of Narcissus'.  At the same time, the pair meet their old nemesis, Tribune Vitellius.  Vitellius is to be in charge of their mission against pirates, and the pair were now part of the marines, much to the chagrin of Macro.

In Ravenna, a fleet is prepared under the orders of Vitellius.  Shortly after setting sail, and heavily loaded down, they encounter the pirate fleet.  After a destructive battle, Cato is sent back to Ravenna for reinforcements.  While in Ravenna, Cato tries to determine who might be passing information about the navy to the pirates.  It appears to be a conspiracy, but who is behind it?  He is unable to find anything out before he has to return with the reinforcements.

Before long, the fleet finds it has a new commander when the emperor sends Vespasian to take over command.  It is his intention to take the battle to the pirates.  He sends Cato and Macro overland to reconnoitre the pirate base.  Will Vespasian's plans be successful or will a traitor in their midst cause the plans to collapse?

Author Simon Scarrow's novel of Roman naval action is full from start to finish with rollicking fights and battles.  The fan of historical novels will thoroughly enjoy the read.  I found it hard to put down.

The Second Death

Eadulf and one of the king's bodyguards, Aidan, are returning to Cashel when they come across a group of wagons.  The last has just had a fire put out on it.  The driver, a young woman, has died as a result of the flames, and inside the wagon, Eadulf finds the body of a decomposing man.  They proceed on to Cashel to begin the investigation.

The following morning, Brother Conchobhar, the court physician, informs Fidelma that the woman had been poisoned.  The corpse that was inside the wagon also appears to have been poisoned.

Fidelma discovers a brand on the oxen indicating that they belong to a prince one doesn't want to cross.  She decides to search where the wagon came from.  In doing so with Eadulf, and two bodyguards, they enter a marshland.  Through his own curiosity, Eadulf becomes separated from the group.  Eadulf finds himself on a very dangerous adventure.

Meanwhile, Fidelma and her two bodyguards, Aidan and Enda find themselves in a bit of a stew.  Will either survive their ordeals?  Author Peter Tremayne has woven a plot full of twists and turns leaving the reader turning pages to find out what happens next.  A very good historical murder mystery, which is hard to put down.

The Ghost Fields

A digger has uncovered a plane in a field.  The pilot is still inside, so DCI Nelson calls his forensic archeologist, Ruth Galloway to have a look.  She notices that the pilot has a bullet hole in his head when so looks through the windscreen.  This is definitely a crime scene.  With the aid of the American Air Force, the body is identified.  He appears to be related to a local family.

The strange thing is that the pilot of this particular plane had ejected before the plane crashed and the body was supposedly someone who had gone down in a B17 at sea during the war.  The body is the brother to a man whose family owned the land where the plane was found.  Now, the daughter of the dead man wants to come from America.

Nelson requests Ruth to help him with the investigation.  They discover a recently turned over plot in the family's pet cemetery.  Could this be where the body had been?  Ruth does a bit of her own amateur sleuthing, but what can she turn up?

After the funeral of the dead man, his great-niece is attacked outside the family home.  Fortunately the blow to her head is not overly serious.  The following day, her brother finds human remains in one of his pig pens.  Nelson wonders at the connection.  At Halloween, one of Nelson's team, DS Dave Clough, is stabbed in the chest and left for dead.  Nelson is sure it is connect to the case they are working on, but how?

The human remains turn out to be related to the family at the centre of the investigation.  How was he killed?  Why was he killed?  Nelson is sure that the family is involved, but he has no evidence.

How will Nelson solve this murder case?  Will Ruth's forensic evidence be of any help?  Author Elly Griffths has written another fast paced action filled murder mystery that the reader will find hard to put down.  An enjoyable read.

The Lily and the Lion

Charles IV, the last of the cursed Capet kings, is dead.  In England, Edward III, at 16 is marrying the love of his life, Phillipa, who is but 14.  Isabella remains regent over these two with Mortimer at her side running the country.

France is without a male heir, so the peers of the realm must choose.  Bishop Orelton has arrived from England and proposed that Edward III is a direct male descendant and has the right to claim the throne of France!  However, Phillipe of Valois is appointed regent, and if the late king's wife delivers a girl in the next couple of months, Phillipe will become king of France.

Although Phillipe was king, it was actually Robert of Artois that did the governing.  However, Robert is not happy because he still doesn't control Artois, rather his aunt does. Big he can't get Artois by fair means, he will use foul.

Meanwhile in England, Mortimer is tightening his grip on power, much to the chagrin of parliament.  Edward III is angered when Mortimer and Isabella order the execution of his uncle without his knowledge.  Fed up with the way Mortimer is treating England, Edward orders the arrest of Mortimer.  Parliament orders his execution.

Back in France, Robert of Artois' scheming has caught up with him.  He flees France and is ostracised throughout Europe.

Robert's flight was not the beginning of the intrigue of which author Maurice Druon writes, but one of many within France and indeed internationally.  However, Robert's flight would lead to the beginning of the 100 Years War.  Well researched and written, this is a fascinating novel for fans of historical fiction.

Blind Justice

Having just turned thirteen, and newly orphaned, Jeremy Proctor finds himself in court, hauled in by a thief taker.  Fortunately the magistrate, who is blind, recognises the voice of the witness as another criminal and the boy is released into the custody of the court.  The court being the magistrate, Sir John Fielding.  After court is adjourned, Captain Benjamin Bailey, of the Bow Street Runners, gives Jeremy a tour of the area around Covent Garden.

Following evening, Bailey informs Fielding that there has been a shooting at Lord Goodhope's residence.  The pair take Jeremy along with them to the investigation.  It appears that Lord Goodhope has committed suicide, however his wife assures Fielding that he would never have done that.  It is Jeremy's observation on how clean the victim's hands are that sets Fielding off on further investigation.  He requests that a surgeon look at the body.

The surgeon, Dr. Donnelly, reports after performing an autopsy, that the victim had died as the result of a poison and not the gunshot.  Back at Lord Goodhope's house, Jeremy quite accidentally discovers a secret exit to the room in which the victim was killed.

Author Bruce Alexander completes this historical murder mystery with quite a surprise.  Fast paced throughout, this was a page turner and well worth the read.  I'm looking forward to the sequels.

The Hanging Girl

Carl Morck, Head of Department Q receives a call from a police officer asking for help on a cold case, but Morck refuses it.  Later he is told by his assistant, Rose, that the police officer has committed suicide.  With Assad, another of his assistants and Rose, he heads up to the island where the officer had worked.  The officer had become obsessed with a hit and run, which had resulted in the death of a young girl many years earlier.  He was positive that it was no simple hit and run, but was actually a murder.

The team is shocked to find the son of the officer has also committed suicide.  It is when they get to the first suicide's home that they find information pointing to a possible suspect in the hit and run case.  Now they just have to make sense of it.

As the investigation progresses, Morck and Assad are sure that the hit and run victim knew her killer.  It isn't until Morck's friend, Hardy, lends a helping hand to the case that they are able to come up with a name of a possible suspect.  Unfortunately it isn't enough.  Also, it appears that the suspect may have taken on a new identity.  As they piece the puzzle together, they find a professor of theology who taught the suspect.  They gain an insight into the mind of the man.

When they are presented with opportunity to confront the suspect, they meet a woman who seems to Carl to know something about the events of the past.  Could she possibly interfere in the investigation?

Adler-Olsen's side story seems out of place to begin with, however, as the team makes progress in their investigation, it begins to make sense as the author adds bit by bit to the story.  It is an intense story, that fires up right near the end with plenty of action.  A thoroughly good read.

Young Bloods

Born in Ireland in 1769 in Ireland, Arthur Wesley was not expected to live following his birth, but somehow he did.  He grew up a sensitive child, and learned to play the violin.  On the other hand, the young Corsican, Naboleone Buona Parte was healthy and strong from birth in the same year.  He grew up to be a strong child, wanting to be a soldier.  Both boys were sent off to school, away from their family.  Naboleone was sent to France, while Arthur stayed in Ireland until his father decided to move to London to get away from the troubles brewing in Ireland.

It is at the school in France that Naboleone becomes Napoleon, more in line with the French pronunciation.  It isn't long afterwards that Napoleon is sent to the military school in Brienne.  It is there that he develops a love of history and studies the battles of the ancient world.  However, it is difficult for the Corsican to fit in with the French aristocracy.

Unfortunately for Arthur, the smog of London was not good for his father's health, and it would kill him.  What will the future hold for the now impoverished family?

Fortunately for Napoleon, he is accepted into the Military School of Paris.  Arthur on the other hand is sent to Eton to further his education.  Napoleon finds out that he is to serve in the artillery, and he must learn from the bottom up, despite being a lieutenant.  However, he takes the opportunity to get to know the men and the job.

Arthur is not an academic and after three years at Eton, his studies end there.  He then spends some time in Brussels with his mother before ending up in a military academy in Angers.  In 1787, Arthur was gazetted as an ensign in the 73rd Highland Regiment.  It isn't long before he is sent off to Ireland.  It is while he is in Ireland that he hears of the troubles brewing in France.

Meanwhile in France, Napoleon is studying and learning all he can about he artillery.  He is also paying attention to what is happening on the political scene.  He is angered by the starvation he sees amongst the peasants.  Shortly after July 14, 1789 news arrives about the taking of the Bastille.  Will France now tear itself apart?  Because his loyalties are suspect, Napoleon is ordered to go on leave in Corsica.

Arthur is persuaded by his brother, William, to stand for parliament.  Having requested leave from the army, he is successfully elected as Member for Trim.  Napoleon takes on political action of his own in Corsica, becoming an active member of the radical Jacobin Club.  He attempts a coup in Corsica, but fails.  He is then ordered back to France.

By 1792, France has declared war on Austria.  And, surprisingly Napoleon is promoted to captain.  Unfortunately Prussia has joined the war against France.  When King Louis is executed on January 21, 1793, Napoleon realises that France will now have all of Europe against it.  Forced to return to Corsica, Napoleon ends up endangering his family, and they are forced to flee to France.

Meanwhile Arthur is deeply in debt and hopelessly in love with Kitty Pakenham.  Unfortunately, Kitty's brother denied Arthur any chance of marrying her.

In 1793, Napoleon is placed in charge of the artillery sieging Toulon, a royalist port in the south of France.  There he meets Sergeant Junot, who will aid him in the siege.  It is Napoleon's plan that results in the capture of Toulon.  As a result, the Committee of Public Safety appoints him brigadier; a very rapid rise through the ranks for the young man.

By 1794, the French were turning the tide against their enemies, and other Europeans were getting the revolutionary feeling.  Like the French, they wanted to be rid of their kings.  Therefore the British army found itself retreating before the French.  Arthur had purchased the rank of Lieutenant-colonel, and was frustrated by the retreat.  It is here that he gets his first taste of war.

Author Simon Scarrow has written a brilliant historical novel, which introduces the main protagonists, Napoleon Bonaparte and Arthur Wesley.  Scarrow has done in depth research and it shows in his writing.  I was thoroughly engrossed in the book, finding it hard to put down.  I am looking forward to the two sequels in this trilogy.

Shroud of Evil

DI Andy Horton is not impressed when he is tasked with gathering information on a missing man; a task a uniform could have looked after.  But, what DCI Bliss wants, DCI Bliss gets.  When the missing man's car is found, but nothing of the man, Horton's interest is piqued further.

A few hours later, Horton is called out to the Isle of Wight where the body of the missing man has been found, on a private beach of the powerful Lord Eames.  Interestingly, the body is wrapped in a sail.  Could the victim's death have anything to do with the case he was investigating?

The pathologist, Gaye Clayton, tells Horton that the victim had been shot by a pistol crossbow at close range.  Horton is surprised when he is told by his superiors that the investigation will be kept low key, but not surprised when he is told that Lord Eames has had some influence on that decision.  There are many things about the case that cause questions for Horton.

The next surprise comes when it is discovered that the victim's car entered the location where it was found after he was dead!  The murder of the first victim's client in the same fashion leads Horton to believe that there is more to this case than he originally thought.

Author Pauline Rowson has created a thriller, which leaves the reader wondering what's going on and where you are being led.  A very good read, and hard to put down.

Daggers and Men's Smiles

On the island of Guernsey, DI Ed Moretti and DC Liz Falla have been called to a film set because someone has viscously slashed a set of costumes with a dagger.  Later, a similar dagger has been thrown into the garden area where the author of the movie is staying.  Early the following morning, Moretti is called and informed that the location manager for the film is dead.

A few days later the author is found dead in a tunnel that had once been dug by German prisoners.  Alongside the body is another dagger; this one engraved in German.

Although the crimes have been committed on Guernsey, Moretti is sure that there is a connection to Italy, so he travels there in search of answers.  While there, a material witness is killed back on Guernsey.  Looking through the victim's possessions, Moretti comes up with a clue as to who could be behind the killings.

Author Jill Downie's murder mystery finishes with a lot of action at the end.  I found that her writing was full of material that seemed to be filler, however it was a good read.

The Payback

Dennis Milne has been given, what he hopes, is his last assassination assignment.

Meanwhile, back in England, DI Tina Boyd has been called out to what appears to be a suicide.  However, she is convinced that it is murder.  The victim had been a high profile journalist who had been gathering evidence on a well known, but seemingly Teflon-like criminal.  Boyd had been helping him gather the evidence.  When an attempt is made on her life that night, Boyd knows who was behind it, and sets out to return the favour.

Unbeknownst to Boyd, a man she needs to contact in Manila has just been killed by Milne.  Boyd decides to go to Manila, while Milne is assigned to kill her when she arrives.  Milne has his gun trained on her and then puts it down.  After some discussion the pair decide to team up and get the person behind all the killings.  But, can they trust each other?

The action is fast paced after the pair join up.  Murder and mayhem ensue as they pursue their goal.  They are surprised when they find out that the reason behind their objective isn't what they had thought, but something much more sinister.

Author Simon Kernick's third volume in this trilogy is both tense and exciting.  A very good read; hard to put down.

You Are Dead

A young man has just received an urgent phone call from his girlfriend, complaining about a man in their underground parking garage.  The call ends with her screaming.  Now the police are looking for her.  Meantime, Detective Superintendent Roy Grace and DI Glenn Branson are at the scene of a recently uncovered body.  This one has been dead for quite some time.  Unable to take on both cases at the same time, Geace assigns Branson to the body and takes on the missing person case himself.

The forensic pathologist confirms that the body is female, and that it had been reburied in its current site.  That means that Branson's team is going to have to look through the list of missing persons from quite some time ago.  During the autopsy on the remains, "U R Dead" is found marked on the skull.

The hairstyle of the abductee and another recent missing person are similar as are their hair colour and length.  Could there be a connection?  Surprisingly, Branson informs Grace that his victim's hair matches the other two.  Searching past missing persons, Branson finds documentation of another victim whose partially decomposed body was found with the"U R Dead" tattoo on it.  That victim looked like a dead ringer for the missing person Grace is looking for and the other missing woman!

Shockingly another young woman goes missing shortly afterwards.  And within hours after that, Grace receives information that his victim has been tattooed with "U R Dead"!

The two teams come to the realisation that they have a serial killer on their hands.  A special task force is formed to catch the killer.  The question is, will they get the killer before he strikes again?

Author Peter James' murder mystery is exciting from start to finish.  The reader is left with suspicions throughout, which build as the novel moves on.  An excellent read.

The Outcast Dead

Ruth Galloway has an interesting archeological discovery on her hands.  A body outside the castle in Norwich might be a famous murderess of children who was executed quite some time ago.  Meanwhile her friend, DCI Harry Nelson is investigating a modern potential child killer.  His friend, Cathbad, calls to tell him that Nelson's suspect is innocent and to warn him of convicting her.

When fibres are found in the mouth of the baby, suggesting the child had been suffocated, Nelson has the mother brought in for questioning.  The ex-husband comes in voluntarily.

Ruth is shocked when historian Frank Barker tells her that the murderess she is investigating, wore a silver medallion, because she found just such a medallion at the dig.

Nelson is surprised when the ex-husband, who is now a suspect, turns up in Ruth's house.  Naturally he expresses his innocence.  A short time later, Nelson's team is out into turmoil when a child is abducted from its home.  Fortunately the child is found safe and sound some time later, but who was the perpetrator?  The following morning the son of one of Nelson's team is taken by a woman with short hair from the babysitter.  She had presented a note to the babysitter making things appear real.

As the pages turn, the reader can't help but feel frantic.  The loss of a child is devastating, and author Elly Griffths makes the reader feel closely connected.  Possible suspects are presented, but the real one isn't revealed until late.  An intensely good read.

The Dungeon House

Les Bryant, a retired detective, has just informed the cold case team of DCI Hannah Scarlett, and DC Maggie Eyre of the disappearance of a fifteen year old girl, who has a connection to a murder-suicide that had occurred 20 years ago.  She is the second girl to go missing recently.  The other girl also had an indirect connection to the original murder-suicide

Scarlett remembers that her former mentor, Ben Kind, had felt that the case was not a true murder-suicide.  Why would a man kill the daughter he adored?  As Scarlett works her investigation into the cold case, she comes up with information that a bald person was seen running from the scene.  Could it have been a woman?

Evidence unearthed about the original case leads Scarlett and Bryant to find information about the current case of the missing girl.  Unfortunately a woman they want to speak to has also disappeared.  It is an offhand remark by Scarlett's boyfriend, historian Daniel Kind, that leads her and Bryant to what turns out to be a shocking conclusion.

Author Martin Edwards has written a real page turner.  The tension mounts with each page read.  Definitely hard to put down.

The She Wolf

No one has ever escaped the Tower of London, no one that is until Roger Mortimer manages to in 1323.  Having made his way to France, Mortimer is offered the opportunity to participate in a crusade being organised by the Count of Valois.  However, Mortimer had to play the waiting game.  The crusade was put on the back burner when a scheme to engage the English in a war was proposed.  Mortimer finds himself in a war against his own country.  A successful siege by the French results in the Duke of Kent, brother to King Edward, becoming a French hostage.

Pope John XXII is prepared to lay down rules of a truce between France and England.  He feels that Queen Isabella should come from England to broker the deal.  He is also no longer in favour of a crusade.  Upon arrival in Paris, Isabella asks for King Charles' protection.  She has no plans to return to England until the Dispensers are removed from power.  She begins a liaison with Mortimer.

Edward becomes angry when his wife and son refuse to return to England.  Soon King Charles decides to send her home, however Robert of Artois warns her and Mortimer.  A short time later, Isabella, her son Edward and Mortimer invade England with a small force.  Will they be able to overthrow the king and the Dispensers?

Author Maurice Druon continues well researched his historic novels with this one.  It is a very good read, especially for fans of historical fiction.

Grail Knight

Richard is dead and King John has outlawed Robin of Locksley once again.  Robin wants Alan Dale to help him steal some valuable items from the local abbot, who had commissioned them from a local Jewish artisan, and was now refusing to pay for them.  At the same time, Alan is informed that the Knights Templar are planning vengeance on him due to a forged note, which robbed them of five hundred pounds of silver.  Alan was not the forger, nor the thief.

The theft is carefully planned and carried out.  However, it is as if the abbot had foreknowledge of the theft, because he was prepared for it.  Robin and Alan escape by the skin of their teeth.

A short time after the robbery, a group of Knights Templar come to arrest Alan at his home.  Fortunately another knight bears witness to the fact that Alan could not have stolen money from them.  Happy news arrives soon, when Alan's wife, Goody, informs him that she is pregnant.

After a late night attack on his home that destroys it and endangers the health of Goody, Alan teams up with Robin to get retribution from the man who had ordered it, and at the same time retrieve the Holy Grail. Alan is shocked and angered when Robin includes Nur in the group going to get the Grail.  She is the one who put the curse on Goody, but she is also the one who knows where the Grail is.

And so the quest begins.  It will bring trials and tribulations, battles and new friends.  But will they find the Grail?  If they do, can they get back to Goody with it in time to save her life?

Author Angus Donald has written an excellent historical novel full of action.   The search for the Grail is an all consuming event that occupied many a knight, and Donald's novel is a real page turner as he leads the reader in the quest.  A very good read.

The Murder Road

Newly promoted DI Ben Cooper has been called out to where a lorry has become lodged under a bridge.  DC Carol Villiers shows him the inside of the cab, which has a large amount of blood in it, but the driver is missing. Booth the retirement of Gavin Murfin, Ben had been hoping that Carol would be appointed his new DS, but he is surprised when DS Devdan Sharma appears at the scene to help out.

The community beyond the bridge is now completely blocked off because there is only the one road to it.  Ben is surprised to find that it isn't a close knit community, rather the members seem to be at odds with one another.

The following day, searchers find the body of the trucker hastily hidden underneath some rocks and bales.  Shortly afterwards, DC Becky Hurst calls Ben about an apparent suicide.  However, she feels that it might be related to the murder of the trucker.  Only by researching into the death of the suicide's wife is Ben's team able to find a connection.

Stumped, Ben turns to his former nemesis, DS Diane Fry.  She had always helped him to think things through.  Would her insight help?

Author Stephen Booth's mystery is actually two mysteries tied together, but it takes DI Ben Cooper some time to make the connection and unravel them.  Booth also comes up with a surprising twist at the end.  A good read.

The Treacherous Net

The bodies of two teenage girls have been found in the vicinity of Goteberg and DI Irene Huss, and DI Jonny Blom have been tasked with the investigation.  However, at the same time a call of a body at a building under demolition takes Huss and DCI Tommy Persson to that task.  It appears that the body of a man has been sealed in behind a chimney and become mummified.

Examination of one of the victim's computer reveals that she had been groomed by someone claiming to be a boy only a few years older than her.  Before long she had succumbed to his request for a nude picture of her.  Huss feels that this person could be grooming several young girls at the same time.  Are there other girls who have been raped, but not come forward because they are afraid?

Because of the heavy caseload, Huss' superintendent passes the mummy case on to the Cold Case Team.  Jens, in IT, discovers that the person doing the grooming has been in contact with a few other young girls.  He has been using a different name in each case.  Just before Huss is to go on vacation, the predator strikes again.  Fortunately an older sister had stepped in to prevent him from getting the girl.  Huss persuades the young girl, who is the only one to have seen him to provide a description.

When Asa Nystrom is brought onto the team, she and Huss hit it off immediately.  It isn't long before Nystrom has set the bait for the killer.  However, will the bait work, or will another girl end up being attacked?

Author Helene Tursten has written a brilliant thriller that brings to light threats of the modern age with internet activity.  In the background to the main story is how the cold case team solves the mummy case.  This is a real good read, a pager turner, which is hard to put down.

The Eagle's Prey

Centurions Cato and Macro are part of the Third Cohort, which has been tasked with blocking one of the fords, which lies between Caratacus and General Plautius.  The Roman army intends to end the rebellion for once and all.  En route to the Ford, the cohort comes across a fort, which has been decimated by a British force.  Maximus, the cohort leader, vows vengeance and leaves Macro to hold the ford while he and the rest of the cohort give chase.

Unfortunately for Macro, Caratacus and his army show up at the ford before Maximus and the rest of the cohort.  Will his simple defensive system in the river be enough to hold back the massive army?  Despite arriving late, the remainder of the cohort is unable to stop the massive British army.  Vespasian is naturally enraged.  Who will suffer the consequences?

General Plautius decides to hold an inquiry into how his plan failed.   Each of the centurions of the Third Cohort will be questioned.  Will each slough the blame off on another?  Will Macro be blamed because he was the first centurion to fight Caratacus?   In order to save his own skin, what will Plautius do?  He orders a decimation of the Third Cohort.  Cato is chosen as one to be decimated.

Macro and Cato's optio, Figulus, set a plan in motion to free Cato and the others, but where will they go?  Cato and the men escape to a nearby marsh that also conceals Caratacus.  This gives Vespasian an opportunity to save further decimation of his legion.  He sends Maximus' cohort off to take control of the area the escapees have gone to.  It isn't long before Maximus' brutality towards the native population shows.

Now, both Cato and Macro find themselves in a pretty mess.  Is it possible for each of them to extract themselves, and save the situation or are they doomed?

Author Simon Scarrow has once again written an exciting historical novel.  The complexities of life for the Roman army and the battle scenes are well described.  Well worth the read.

The Devil's Seal

Gorman, leader of the king's bodyguards, and two of his men, Enda and Dego, have come across the bodies of four men alongside the River Siur.  Two of the victims are monks.  Surprisingly one of monks is alive.

Meanwhile, back in Cashel, Eadulf has been summoned to the presence of Colgu.  He and his spiritual adviser want to know why a religious delegation is being thrust upon them by Rome and Canterbury.  When Eadulf goes to the chapel to speak to the religious envoy from his homeland, he finds the man has been murdered.

It turns out that the survivor of the attack on the Siur is Eadulf's younger brother, Egric.  Concerned over the death of the envoy, Fidelma and Eadulf begin an investigation.  They discover that the brother of the pope is going to be visiting Cashel shortly.  Could his visit be the reason for the killing?

A potential witness is murdered in the castle despite being under guard, and later an attempt is made on the lives of Fidelma and Eadulf.  What is the plan of the killer?

When the delegation arrives, they claim that they are there to discuss the possibility of the Archbishop of Canterbury overseeing the religious life of the island or possibly one of their own bishops doing that.  Fidelma is sure that this is not the reason that they are in Cashel.

How many more deaths must occur before Fidelma will be able to solve this mystery?  Author Peter Tremayne has written an intriguing mystery that isn't revealed until the closing pages of this novel.  A good read, a real page turner, with several surprises and which leaves the reader guessing right up to the end.

Death Surge

DI Andy Horton is sailing his yacht when he receives a distressing phone call from DS Barney Cantelli that his nephew, Johnnie, is missing.  Horton immediately turns his yacht back to port to begin searching for the man.

Europol agent Harriet Eames offers Horton help, but he is unsure as to whether he can trust her.  He feels that she is withholding information, despite providing him with some potential leads.

When a body is found, badly burned in a tunnel, Horton wonders if it is the missing man.  The evidence points to this being a murder.  Horton is shocked the next morning when the big guns are in attendance at the meeting.  They tell him and his team that Johnnie could be part of a jewelry heist team, which they had been investigating for some time.

As the team gets further into their investigation, it appears that there is a connection to Johnnie's old teenage gang.  One of the former gang is dead and two others have also suddenly disappeared.

Horton will solve the jewelry heist scheme, but that wasn't his intention.  He still needs to find Johnnie before he too, becomes a fatality.  Author Pauline Rowson has written a fast paced, action filled thriller that is hard to put down.  An excellent read.

Treachery at Lancaster Gate

An explosion in a house has killed two policemen and injured several others.  Thomas Pitt of the Special Branch isn't sure if it is one of the revolutionary groups in London or someone else involved.  Later, the wife of Pitt's former superior gives him the name of a young man who has something against the police.  Pitt feels obligated to check him out.

Shortly after that, Pitt is warned off him by his brother-in-law, who is a member of parliament.  Pitt's former DS and now inspector, Samuel Tellman feels that it is anarchists involved in the explosion and not something to do with his police force.  When he sets out to find out for sure, he finds signs of corruption.

On the morning of Christmas Eve, there is another bombing in the same area as the first.  Fortunately this time, the house was empty.  Pitt has a suspect in mind, but is unable to act on it just yet.  Meanwhile, Tellman has found more evidence of corruption amongst the police.  He stands up to threats because of his investigations.

Pitt is now sure that the bombings and the police corruption are tied together, but how will he be able to prove it?  It isn't until the case is in court that Pitt is able to present what he knows.

Author Anne Perry has written an interesting mystery based on conflicts of the late 19th century.  A good read.