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.
Friday, December 30, 2016
Monday, December 26, 2016
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.
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.
Saturday, December 24, 2016
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.
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.
Wednesday, December 21, 2016
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.
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.
Monday, December 19, 2016
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.
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.
Friday, December 9, 2016
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.
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.
Wednesday, December 7, 2016
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.
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.
Sunday, December 4, 2016
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.
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.
Friday, December 2, 2016
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)