Rome's Sacred Flame

At the age of sixty-three, Vespasian has been appointed the governor of Africa.  Nero has also given him the task of arranging the release of hundreds of Roman citizens who are enslaved far to the south.  He is to do that or never return to Rome.

In his quest he meets Decianus, who had violated and robbed Boudicca, and left Vespasian for dead in Britain.  It is Decianus who Vespasian has to deal with to get those enslaved back.  It is not going to be easy because of the animosity between the two men.  Although it was easy to gather up the slaves, the return trip is full of treachery.  Will they make it across the desert if their water supplies are destroyed?  Fortunately, they do make it, but Decianus manages to escape to Rome. 

A year later, back in Rome, Vespasian finds that Decianus has taken the glory of returning the slaves for himself and told numerous other lies about Vespasian.  He also discovers that Nero has become even more egregious in his behaviour.

It is a hot, dry summer.  The aqueducts barely bring a trickle of warter to the city.  Then, just after the Ides of July, a fire breaks out in the Circus Maximus.  Meanwhile to the south of the city Nero takes part in a singing competition with his lyre.  Evidence points to Nero having ordered the fire to be set so that he can build a grand new city.  But, will anyone challenge him on it?  Despite graffiti throughout Rome, Nero’s minions begin to deflect the blame for the fire to a cult, who follow the teachings of a certain Christus.

How many people will die as a result of Nero’s mania?  Can his actions be stopped by an attempt to overthrow him?  Author Robert Fabbri’s novel is full of action and corruption, which was rampant in Rome at the time.  This is a thoroughly enjoyable read for fans of historical fiction.  I found it hard to put down.

The Death Season

DI Wesley Peterson and pathologist Dr. Colin Bowman have been called to a local hotel where a man has been found dead in his room.  The attending physician had deemed the death suspicious.  The following day, Dr. Bowman confirms that the man had been murdered by a sharp instrument punched up into the back of his brain.  The following day, DCI Gerry Heffernan discovers a cold case involving the victim.  His DNA had been found on a child he had killed in 1979.

When Wesley and Gerry go out to the cottage where their prime suspect lives, they discover that it has been broken into.  Then not far away, they find the body of the woman who lives there.  However, her elderly mother is missing.  Did she get away during the break-in?  Was the dead woman killed during the break-in?  They are shocked when the elderly woman in a freezer in an nearby shed.

Connecting with a retired colleague, Gerry learns that the deceased woman at one time was the girlfriend of the dead man.  Could they have a revenge killing on their hands?

Meanwhile, archeologist, Dr. Neil Watson’s team has found the skeleton of a child inside an old ice house they are excavating.  The medical anthropologist is sure that the child was murdered, based on the way it was laid out and other evidence.

Then a potential witness is attacked.  He is stabbed by what Colin Bowman suggests is the same weapon, which killed the first victim.  Due to the fact that he is in a coma, Wesley is unable to question him.  With the murderer still at large, can Wesley find him before he strikes again?

Author Kate Ellis has a really twisted plot that relates to previous events related to the current murder and in a way is connected to what Watson has discovered in conjunction with his new girlfriend, Lucy.  Ellis also provides a few surprises before concluding this very good read.

The Summer Queen

Upon the death of her father in 1137, Eleanor was elevated to Duchess of Aquitaine.  Her father also made provision for the thirteen year old girl to marry Louis, Prince of France, in his will.  One day she would be a queen.  However, part of the deal was that Aquitaine was to remain independent of France.

Upon meeting Louis’ contingent, Eleanor quickly realises that Archbishop Suger is going to be an ally or a formidable foe; Louis seems to defer to him.  The marriage is quickly consummated, and the new couple begin their progress to Paris.  However, before they can get there, news of the death of Louis’ father arrives.  Their slow journey is sped up.  In Paris, Eleanor finds the mother of Louis, Adelaide, to be overbearing.  However, she will not let her get in the way of who she really is.

Unfortunately, Eleanor miscarries their first child, at the same time that the people of Aquitaine rise up against their new duke and duchess.  Louis quickly puts down the uprising.  It isn’t until several years later that Eleanor is able to conceive again.  The child is a girl.

In 1147, Louis and Eleanor set out to Antioch as part of the Second Crusade.  Eleanor looks forward to seeing her uncle Raymond who is in charge there.  It will not be an easy trip for either.  Upon arrival at Antioch, Eleanor asks Louis for an annulment to their wedding.  Louis refuses and forces her to join her in his trek to Jerusalem.

Upon returning to Europe, Louis has consented to the annulment, however the Pope refuses to grant them one.  With the birth of a second daughter, Louis decides that an annulment is necessary.  As progress is made towards the annulment, men begin to see Eleanor as on object of desire; they want her so that they can possess Aquitaine.    In order to protect herself and Aquitaine, Eleanor agrees to marry Henry, Duke of Normandy, a man nine years her junior.

Henry is preparing to invade England, because he plans to take the throne he regards as his.  However, those plans are set aside when the French attack him because he and Eleanor had not asked Louis permission to wed.  Will Louis defeat the newly wedded couple or will they withstand his onslaught?  And what of their desire to become the king and queen of England?  Can Henry beget a son with Eleanor?

These questions are to be answered in the remaining pages of this novel by author Elizabeth Chadwick.  Well written, it presents the early life of Eleanor of Aquitaine well, and in the end leaves the reader wanting to know what will happen in the next two books of this trilogy.  A very good read for fans of historical fiction.

Heartstone

Matthew Shardlake has been called to Hampton Court by Queen Catherine.  He is unsure what to expect because the last time he had worked for the queen he had run into difficulties.  This time he is asked to take on a case of an orphan who has had his inheritance taken from him.  The boy’s former tutor had set the case in motion because of what he felt was the injustice being done to the boy.  Unfortunately, the tutor had recently committed suicide.  The tutor’s mother has turned to the queen for help, and she now wants Shardlake to act as the lawyer on behalf of the deceased tutor.

It isn’t long into the investigation when Shardlake is threatened and warned off taking the case any further.  Meantime, Jack Barak, Shardlake’s right hand man has gotten himself conscripted.  His wife, Tamasin is seven months pregnant.  Shardlake does his best to stop the conscription.  Fortunately, the judge in charge of the case orders that Shardlake and Barak go to Hampshire to further investigate the case.  However, the other lawyer, Dyrick and his man Feaveryear are also to be in on the investigation.

Since their destination is not far from the home of Ellen, a patient held at Bedlam, Shardlake also plans to check into the reason for her being incarcerated there.

The March south is no easy slog.  Fortunately, the party meets up with a contingent of archers going to Portsmouth to see off the threatened French invasion, thereby having priority to get through.

When they get to Hoyland, the family seems to be cooperative, however Shardlake notes that they appear to be afraid; of the peasants in the area, of Shardlake and of themselves.  While examining the woods possessed by the lad they are representing, an arrow is shot at Shardlake and Barak.  Fortunately, it missed.  The following day Shardlake travels alone to Rolfswood, home of Ellen.  What will he learn there, and will it be of any help to her?

Later in Portsmouth, doesn’t really get any answers to his queries, but he does find some interesting news about Ellen.  Can he believe it?

The day before Shardlake and Barak are to leave their host puts on a deer hunt.  While the hunters are out chasing the deer, the wife of their host is murdered.  Several are quick to condemn a local villager who opposes the lord taking common land.

How many more deaths are there going to be before Shardlake can solve the cases he has on his plate?  Author C. J. Sansom has a number of surprises up his sleeve as he keeps the reader engaged in this thriller.  A thoroughly enjoyable read and hard to put down.

The Crow Trap

Rachael had gone out to Baikie’s Cottage to do some mapping with students but first she planned a restful weekend with her friend Bella.  Unfortunately out in the shed, she found Bella had hung herself.  Bella had had enough of looking after Dougie after his stroke.

Rachael wants to know the reason behind Bella’s suicide.  She talks with her mother about it.  However, her mapping assignment must come first.  She has two other women working on the mapping; Anne and Grace.  As time goes by the pair don’t get along.  Then one evening, Grace doesn’t come back from her mapping excursion.  The following morning she is found dead.

Detective Inspector Vera Stanhope shows up with her sergeant Joe Ashworth to conduct the investigation into Grace’s death.  Her first task is to learn what the women had been doing at Baikie’s Cottage. Had Grace been killed as some part of industrial intimidation?  However, Anne and Rachael refuse to leave, which fits into Stanhope’s plans perfectly.  Rachel quickly realises that they are decoys.  Rachel is also sure that the deaths of Bella and Grace are related.  How can she and her mother, Edie prove it?

It isn’t until the last quarter of the novel that author Anne Cleeves truly introduces DI Vera Stanhope.  Stanhope seems to be a plodding detective, however she does get the job done in her own steady way.  This is a new series for me, and I’m unsure how it will go.

The Durham Deception

Tom and Helen Ansell are attending a seance.  The medium tells Tom that his deceased father has a warning for him of danger by some woods near a dangerous stretch of water.  Suddenly one of the guests informs the medium that he is a policeman and that charges could be pending over what the medium has prophesied.

Why had the pair gone to the seance in the first place?  Helen’s mother is worried that a charlatan is in the process of conning her older sister in Durham out of her life savings.  He apparently has told Helen’s aunt that her deceased father has told the aunt to treat him as a son.

A couple of weeks later, Tom is assigned the task of going to Durham to take an affidavit from a magician regarding the authenticity of the Lucknow Dagger.  Taking Helen with him will allow them to get two things done there.  However, when he tells her, she informs him of a strange man who had been asking questions about lawyers in their area of London and also tells him of a man who had been standing outside their home for some time.  Tom is worried about that.

In Durham, Tom and Helen meet Eustace Flask, protege of her aunt.  Neither trust him, but can’t prove anything.

They also meet Major Marmont, a magician, and the man that Tom was sent to prepare the affidavit for.  Marmont has tried to make Flask look like a buffoon.

Later Flask would be found dead, with Helen standing over him and her hands covered in blood.  After Helen has been being taken in by the police, Tom is sent for.  She tells her story to him about finding the dying Flask.  Moments later Superintendent Harcourt informs them that evidence has been brought to light that exonerates her.  He shows them the Lucknow Dagger and a letter, which is either written by an illiterate or someone wanting the police to believe that they are.  Helen is released from custody.

However, unbeknownst to the pair, their lives are in danger and a detective from Scotland Yard is on his way to inform them of the threat.  Will they survive the threat to their lives, and will the detective get to Durham in time to prevent their demise?

Author Philip Gooden’s novel is a fun, quick read.