Anarchy

Harold of Hereford has just turned 18.  He wants to learn more about the world.  Fortunately, due to an inheritance, he is able to hire a sergeant-at-arms, Eadmer, two men-at-arms and a groom.  But first he must look into his own roots.

From England to France and on to Venice, the group travels.  There Harold, now known as Hal, hopes to be knighted by the Doge.  But before he can meet the Doge, his little group become marines.  Unfortunately the Doge would die before he could knight Hal. However, the new Doge knights him and assigns him and his crew the task of helping to escort a young lady, Livia, to the Holy Land and her marriage to an older man.

Enroute the ship is struck by a storm, flounders and sinks.  Several survive including Hal, his crew, Livia and one of her maids.  However, will they survive the gruelling conditions on land?  Only Hal, Livia and Eadmer would make it.  Just before their arrival in Antioch, it is learned that Livia's betrothed is already married.  Livia decides to confront him, but that only endangers her and Hal's crew.

Hal's next adventure finds him becoming a member of the Knights Templar.  Eadmer continues to serve in his role as his sergeant.  After a couple of years the two return to Europe to spread the works of the Knights Templar.  A stop in France allows Hal to purchase land which had once belonged to his family.  Moving on to England, he finds that his mother had recently died.  It isn't long before the pair are on the run.  Hal decides this time to travel to Constantinople.

Returning to England, the pair take on aliases; Robyn of Hode and William of Scaerlette.  They offer their services to Empress Matilda.  Matilda is the daughter of King Henry of England, who Hal had caused problems for earlier in part due to his heritage.  What sort of trouble is this going to cause the pair?

When Henry suddenly dies, Matilda assumes that she will become Queen of England.  However, her cousin, Stephen immediately goes to England and convinces the nobility that Henry had declared him to be heir on his deathbed.  What can Matilda do?

Author Stewart Binns continues to relate the story of the civil war that ensued in England as Matilda and Stephen tried to gain control of that country.  In time, Matilda's son, Henry would become Henry II.  Binns' story is a very good read, fascinating for fans of historical fiction.

Broken Silence

DI Jack Brady has been called out to a murder scene by DCI Gates.  Brady is in rough shape having survived a gunshot wound to his leg, but not the divorce papers handed to him by his wife.  He has been down and out for months.  His DS, Harry Conrad has picked him up very early in the morning.  Can they get back to a good working relationship?

Arriving at the scene, they find that a girl has been strangled and then her face smashed beyond recognition.  Brady is sure that she knew her killer.  When he gets to the police station, he meets with DI Matthews, who had been taken off the case.  Matthews lets him know that he had been with the girl earlier in the night.  He asks Brady to help him.

DCI Gates tells Brady that he is bringing in Dr. Amelia Jenkins, a psychologist to help with the case.  Brady is unsure as to what she can offer, but reluctantly goes along.  The pathology report indicates that the victim, although only 15, had been sexually active.  It is also determined that she was likely sexually abused as a child.  Naturally Brady's thoughts turn to her stepfather, but a photograph in her bedroom also seems to point a finger at her maths teacher.

Author Danielle Ramsay puts together a gripping murder mystery that the reader will find hard to put down.  Surprises await as DI Brady investigates leading to a shocking conclusion.  I'm going to be looking for the next books in this series.

Kingdom

1306, Perth, Scotland; one of Edward's armies has taken over the city.  Aymer de Valence is killing townspeople one-by-one hoping to draw the new king of Scotland, Robert Bruce into battle.  Bruce is nearby, but unfortunately for him, his plans are abruptly put aside when his army is attacked and virtually destroyed by Valence.

Now The Bruce must flee with the remnants of his army and their women.  Will anywhere in Scotland be safe for them?  Those that are captured, including members of Robert's family, come under the brutal retribution of Edward.  Some are executed, some jailed, some put into cages, including Bruce's daughter Marjorie.

Devastated, Robert must either give up his dream of being the king of Scotland or choose to rebuild his army.  He chooses the latter, and begins an invasion of his own country.  Will he be successful?  The death of Edward in July 1307 changes things.  Edward II isn't as interested in continuing the fight of his father in the north.  He has other pressing concerns.  This frees up The Bruce to take on his Scottish enemies before turning on England.   Men swarm to his banner.

As Robert's victories mount, he comes to the realisation that he doesn't want his reign to be brutal like that of Edward's.  He leans towards leniency.  A treaty is reached with the English.  Unfortunately they still have Robert's wife, daughter and sisters, plus many castles.  How will, or can Robert effect the release of those he loves?  Author Robyn Young has written an exciting historical novel of how Robert the Bruce took the throne of Scotland and secured it for the Scots in this third of a trilogy about Bruce.  Well researched and written.  For fans of Scottish history, and fans of historical fiction, an excellent read.

A Banquet of Consequences

DI Thomas Lynley is concerned about his sergeant, Barbara Havers.  She has been forced by their superior to dress more womanly or be transferred out of The Met.  Unfortunately Lynley feels that as a result she is no longer the good police officer she once was.

Out in Cambridge, a renowned author has passed away quite suddenly.  Her death affects many people.  The author's friend and editor asks to speak to Barbara about her friend's death as she feels that it is suspicious.  A second autopsy proves that the victim was poisoned.  When Barbara takes the autopsy report to the friend, she discovers that she too has been poisoned.  She begs Lynley to allow her to work on the investigation.  However, Superintendent Ardery is having none of it.

Fortunately for Barbara, Lynley is able to convince Ardery to allow her to go ahead with the investigation.  However, Lynley is to be in charge and Barbara is to have DS Winston Nkata as a minder.

Barbara and Winston travel to Shaftesbury to investigate that side of the murder while Lynley stays in London to facilitate the investigation there.  He also has to report regularly to Ardery as to whether Barbara is keeping her nose clean.  Is that something that Barbara can do?  Will she and Winston be able to come up with enough evidence in the limited time Ardery has allowed?

Author Elizabeth George uses the first third of her mystery establishing the background and setting the scene.  Enough potential suspects are presented in that portion of the book, one would think the solving of the mystery would be easy for the two detectives.  However, George makes a true mystery seemingly unsolvable, and yet comes up with a surprising conclusion.  Well written and hard to put down.

The Frozen Shroud

About 100 years ago a woman had been brutally murdered on Ravenbank.  Her ghost is always seen on Halloween.  Just five years ago a young woman was brutally murdered in a similar fashion.  Following an invitation to a Halloween party, and being told about the two murders, Daniel Kind is surprised to find that in both cases, the alleged killer died within a day of the murders.

Meantime, DCI Hannah Scarlett has her hands full with the men in her life.  She doesn't know what to think of her friendship with Daniel; she and her DS Greg Wharf, are on the verge having sex when her former lover, Marc walks in on them.  He turns around and leaves, but crashes his car further down the road.  Wharf is the one who finds it.

The following morning, Hannah's good friend, Terri is found battered to death on Ravenbank.  Terri's former boyfriend had been threatening her, he was seen in the area last night and now he seems to have disappeared.  The police are looking for him.

When the ex-boyfriend is apprehended, he denies the killing.  DCI Fern Larter, the SIO is beginning to believe him.  So, who is responsible for the most recent murders?  A jealous lover?  Or someone else?  Meanwhile, through his research, Daniel is able to solve the original murder.  Could it have some influence on the current murder?  Will Hannah or Fern be able solve the murder of Terri before there is another?

Author Martin Edwards presents plenty of suspects in this mystery with a surprising conclusion.  A very good read.

Ten Lords A-Leaping

Father Tom Christmas has unfortunately sprained his ankle after jumping out of an airplane as part of a fundraiser for his church's new roof.  Lady Fairhaven has offered to host him and his daughter for the weekend while he recovers.  He questions his decision to stay once he sees the animosity between various members of the family.

The following morning while exploring the labyrinth for a bit of peace and reflection, Tom come across the body of Lord Morborne.  He has been strangled.  Awaiting the police, Tom notices marks on the bodies of various guests at the house, which point to their possible transit through the branches of the labyrinth.  However, when the police question everyone, they all seem to have plausible excuses and a potential witness to their whereabouts.

A day later, one of the possible suspects is found murdered in his workshop.  Why would this person be killed when the police had him in their sights?  Author C. C. Benison then offers up more potential suspects, and provides a surprising conclusion.  A good, quick read.

Dying in the Dark

A woman has been brutally murdered along the towpath in Whitebridge on an autumn evening.  Chief Inspector Charlie Woodend and his team of DS Monica Paniatowski and DI Bob Rutter have commenced the investigation .  The following morning the woman is identified when she doesn't show up for work.

Rutter and his wife, Maria, have been having marriage difficulties recently, and that evening Maria has asked Charlie to come and chat.  Unfortunately when he arrives, the house explodes.  Maria is killed and Bob has been taken in for questioning.  As much as Charlie wants to prove Bob innocent, he is not going to be allowed to.  But, when was the last time Charlie did as he was told?

Monika discovers a diary in the flat of the first victim.  A clue jumps out at her, which put together with something that Charlie discovers points to a connection between the two victims.  How will they gather enough evidence to prove Bob innocent?  Then their theory seems to have been tossed out the window.  Author Sally Spencer has a huge surprise in store for the reader.  This was a book I couldn't put down, reading it from cover to cover non stop.

Eve of Destruction

Harry Devlin's latest case is intriguing him more and more.  A client has come to him requesting information about a divorce.  He had tapped his home phone and discovered that his wife is having an affair.  Harry is sure that he recognises the man's voice, but who is it?  Also, who is calling, but not talking?

Later Harry realises that the voice is that of a man who had spoken to him about headhunting.  He returns the call and speaks to the partner of the firm who turns out to be the wife of the headhunter.

As the tapes progress, the wife of Harry's client suggests murdering her husband to her lover.  Harry wonders if this could possibly be related to his client's recent food poisoning.  Later, the client's wife, her lover and his nanny are found murdered in his home.  Harry spends some time with his client, gathering material just in case he is charged with the murders.

Author Martin Edwards offers up four possible suspects for the killings.  First and foremost, the cuckolded husband. Secondly, the wife of the lover.  Third, the brother of  Harry's client, and lastly the former husband of the client's wife.  I was quite surprised at the ending of this murder mystery.  A very intriguing conclusion and a good read.

The Poisoned Crown

Clemence of Hungary is finally on her way from Naples to France to marry Louis X.  The trip is a treacherous one as her ship is battered by a storm and it constantly rains while she is on the road.  Meantime Louis prepares to attack his subjects to the north of Paris in Flanders, who refuse to submit to his rule.  Unfortunately rains prevent any battles.

The marriage of Louis and Clemence is a rushed affair so that he can have her as his Queen when he is coronated in Rheims shortly afterwards.  Now, due to the scheming of Robert of Artois, France is on the verge of civil war.  Louis must arbitrate.

At this time, Clemence learns of how Louis's first wife died.  She wants him to go on a pilgrimage with her to beg forgiveness.  After the pilgrimage to Amiens, the hope is that the queen will become pregnant.  Will the comet seen in the night sky augur well for the pair?  Or does it have other serious portents?

Once again author Maurice Druon has made historical fiction real.  His novel brings to life the royal family of France.  The trials and tribulations of Louis X are presented in a fascinating manner.   Well researched and documented.  A very good read.

Shadows of Sounds

DCI Lorimer has been called out to the Glasgow Symohony Orchestra where the body of the orchestra leader has been found in his changing room with his head bashed in, just prior to what was supposed to be a performance of the symphony.

The victim had plenty of homosexual connections within the orchestra.  Could one of them be the killer?  And why had the victim's bow been wiped clean?  The shocker comes when a newspaper article reveals that the victim was a cocaine user and seller of stolen instruments.

It isn't long after this that another musician's body is found in the basement of the music hall.  Then the case goes quiet.  But not Lorimer's life.  His superintendent collapses at work, and Lorimer is appointed acting superintendent.   The case drags on, so Lorimer is forced to ask for DNA samples from all members of the orchestra.

Author Alex Gray has a few surprises up her sleeve leading to the final conclusion of this murder mystery.  A good quick read.

The Seventh Trumpet

Tola has found the body of a young nobleman on his property.  He immediately goes to Cashel to get a Brehon.  Fidelma takes Eadulf to help her investigate.  If this nobleman is a member of a royal family, it could spell trouble.  Part of an envoy's wand is found with the body, ensuring a royal connection.  They take the body to a nearby church for burial.  However, the priest is not there, but at a nearby tavern.  He is falling down drunk when Fidelma's group arrives.  He passes out moments later, and is put to bed.

While discussing the case, a cousin of the priest arrives.  He asks to see him and is directed to the cottage where the priest was put to sleep it off.  A short time later the cousin returns to the tavern proclaiming that his cousin is dead.  Eadulf determines that the priest has been murdered.  The cousin is regarded as a potential suspect, but he escapes custody.  The chase is on.

On the trip following the escapee, Fidelma is kidnapped.  Eadulf and Gorman, one of the king's bodyguards go in pursuit.  Fortunately they do find, Fidelma, but she is near death.  Can Eadulf save her?  The team continue their search eastward and come upon a newly built fortress.  How did it come to be built without the knowledge and permission of Fidelma's brother?  Have they come upon a rebellion in the offing?

Author Peter Tremayne picks up the pace of this mystery at this point.  Can Fidelma solve this case before more trouble brews for her brother, the king?  Or will he have to fight his way through a mess?  Another excellent medieval thriller in this series by Tremayne.  A very good read.

The Nine Giants

Nicholas Bracewell has just learned that his theatrical company, Westfield's Men might lose the place their theatrical performances are put on.  The owner of The Queen's Head has been made a generous offer for the place.  While returning home, Bracewell and his ferryman encounter a body in the Thames.  As usual, the group's leading actor, Firethorn, has become enamoured of a female member of the audience.  What do all these things portend for Westfield's Men?

The house Bracewell is living in is torched.  Fortunately all inside are saved, as is the house due to the fast action of Bracewell and neighbours to put the fire out.  Bracewell is sure that the attack was meant for his landlady's apprentice, Hans.  He had been beaten earlier.  But why? Another attempt is made on Bracewell's life, but he manages to escape amidst the market turmoil.

Surprises are in store for the theatrical group.  Author Edward Marston quickens the pace in the last third of this novel.  A quick, amusing read.