Bow Street Runner Henry Morton is called upon when a guest shows up dead
at Lord Darley's one evening. Morton is not convinced when the doctor,
who just happened to show up, states that the young man had died as a
result of asphyxiation from his own vomit.
Morton is told by the
chief magistrate to not investigate any further into the young man's
death. However, his fiancé wants to know more and pays Morton to
investigate. It is discovered, during the course of his investigation
that the young man had been to a house of ill repute earlier in the
evening of his death.
As Morton continues with his investigation
his life is threatened a couple of times. He also discovers that one of
the other Bow Street Runners is corrupt and may be running the house of
ill repute. He now has to gather the proof. Unfortunately he is
foiled, and arrested for possession of stolen goods which are discovered
in his home.
Will he be able to prove his innocence while jailed
or will the hangman's noose be tied around his neck? Author T. F.
Banks has written an engaging mystery set at the time of Wellington's
victory at Waterloo.
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Friday, May 11, 2012
A Darker Night
Sub-Inspector Max Romero and his friends are alerted by a dog barking in
pain only to discover the body of an ex-con. Romero is not convinced
the death is the result of a heart attack. Nor is he convinced, as is
his superior, that the first person on the scene is responsible.
In addition to the investigation into the death, Romero is assigned duty on a conference being held in Granada. His task is to find out if there will be any violence planned. While there he meets Margarita, an attractive young woman, and they develop an intimate relationship.
Margarita is the daughter of a wealthy businessman with whom she does not see eye-to-eye with. He is involved in some shady real estate business that is trying to take land in order to build a huge hotel complex. Evidence points to the possibility the death of the ex-con might be tied in to the land grab.
Romero's investigation is hindered at many points, so he accuses a fellow officer of corruption. As a result, Romero is suspended from duty, but however is picked up by an Anti-Corruption squad, which is investigating the real estate group and Romero's police force.
The investigation takes some dramatic turns, which leave Romero reeling. "A Darker Night" is an intense thriller by P. J. Brooke.
In addition to the investigation into the death, Romero is assigned duty on a conference being held in Granada. His task is to find out if there will be any violence planned. While there he meets Margarita, an attractive young woman, and they develop an intimate relationship.
Margarita is the daughter of a wealthy businessman with whom she does not see eye-to-eye with. He is involved in some shady real estate business that is trying to take land in order to build a huge hotel complex. Evidence points to the possibility the death of the ex-con might be tied in to the land grab.
Romero's investigation is hindered at many points, so he accuses a fellow officer of corruption. As a result, Romero is suspended from duty, but however is picked up by an Anti-Corruption squad, which is investigating the real estate group and Romero's police force.
The investigation takes some dramatic turns, which leave Romero reeling. "A Darker Night" is an intense thriller by P. J. Brooke.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Why Mermaids Sing
When a body is found near Westminster Hall,
Sebastian St. Cyr is asked by the magistrate to investigate. It is the
second body in recent months to have been found in similar
circumstances; bled and mutilated. St. Cyr is unsure as to whether he
will take on the investigation until the father of the victim tells him
to stay out of it.
Aided by his young protege, Tom, St. Cyr sets out to investigate.
Meantime his girlfriend Kat has been threatened by Lord Jarvis; turn over the French spymaster or she will be in trouble. She is unsure as to what she should do. What would Sebastian do to her if he ever found out?
As St. Cyr continues his investigation, despite being warned off, Kat's life is tossed and turned upside down like a small boat in a storm. As St. Cyr proceeds with his investigation, he discovers things that tie people together. People who had barely survived a sinking ship and actions that have led to the death of many sons.
Author C. S. Harris builds the suspense well in this thriller and leaves the reader with several surprises.
Aided by his young protege, Tom, St. Cyr sets out to investigate.
Meantime his girlfriend Kat has been threatened by Lord Jarvis; turn over the French spymaster or she will be in trouble. She is unsure as to what she should do. What would Sebastian do to her if he ever found out?
As St. Cyr continues his investigation, despite being warned off, Kat's life is tossed and turned upside down like a small boat in a storm. As St. Cyr proceeds with his investigation, he discovers things that tie people together. People who had barely survived a sinking ship and actions that have led to the death of many sons.
Author C. S. Harris builds the suspense well in this thriller and leaves the reader with several surprises.
Conscience on Trial
This is an excellent book on Stalin's Soviet Union. It outlines how 14 people were arrested for their religious beliefs, tried and sentenced summarily.
In 1952 fourteen poor, barely literate Seventh Day Adventists were tried for advocating pacifism and refusing to work on Saturdays. Author Hiroaki Kuromiya has carefully gone through the police and court documents to reveal how the defendants were arrested and charged with the above crimes. In many cases the recorded charges were made days after the actual arrest. Police interrogations would appear to have possibly included tortures of some sort (although nothing is recorded).
When the trials occurred, those charged recanted their original guilty pleas. However, the short trials still found all guilty. And each was sentenced to lengthy times in the gulags.
This book gives a real good snapshot of the Stalinist police state. Well worth the read for those interested in the history of the former Soviet Union.
In 1952 fourteen poor, barely literate Seventh Day Adventists were tried for advocating pacifism and refusing to work on Saturdays. Author Hiroaki Kuromiya has carefully gone through the police and court documents to reveal how the defendants were arrested and charged with the above crimes. In many cases the recorded charges were made days after the actual arrest. Police interrogations would appear to have possibly included tortures of some sort (although nothing is recorded).
When the trials occurred, those charged recanted their original guilty pleas. However, the short trials still found all guilty. And each was sentenced to lengthy times in the gulags.
This book gives a real good snapshot of the Stalinist police state. Well worth the read for those interested in the history of the former Soviet Union.
Sunday, May 6, 2012
City of the Dead
When the Grand Vizier's friend and foreman of the Pharaoh's pyramid
is found dead with his throat slashed, Khufu's pyramid is put in
jeopardy. The Grand Vizier, Hemiunu, wants to find the murderer, but he
can't stop the construction of the pyramid in order to investigate. He
also wonders about the significance of the death mask found on the
body and why a finger was taken from the body.
Further consternation occurs when the wife of the pharaoh is killed in a similar fashion. Why was one of their fingers taken? The Grand Vizier sets out to investigate. But he must first appoint a new foreman. The man chosen has a beautiful daughter who leads Hemiunu to The People of One God, a secret sect in Egypt.
When a third person is killed in a similar fashion, it is Hemiunu that comes under suspicion due to the whisperings of a priest in the ear of Khufu. Hemiunu is imprisoned. How will he secure his freedom and prove his innocence? Author T. L. Higley has done a fine job creating suspense in this thriller of ancient Egypt.
Further consternation occurs when the wife of the pharaoh is killed in a similar fashion. Why was one of their fingers taken? The Grand Vizier sets out to investigate. But he must first appoint a new foreman. The man chosen has a beautiful daughter who leads Hemiunu to The People of One God, a secret sect in Egypt.
When a third person is killed in a similar fashion, it is Hemiunu that comes under suspicion due to the whisperings of a priest in the ear of Khufu. Hemiunu is imprisoned. How will he secure his freedom and prove his innocence? Author T. L. Higley has done a fine job creating suspense in this thriller of ancient Egypt.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
The Astronomer
Amaury Faverges is a student of theology in Paris in 1534, a time when
the Catholic church is under siege from numerous Protestant factions.
When a friend of his is murdered, Amaury is asked by the Inquisition to
try to get inside the Lutheran movement to discover their plans.
One of his tasks is to attend a meeting where Jean Calvin was speaking. There he met a prostitute, Vivienne, with whom Amaury becomes enamoured. Following the meeting the man tasked with delivering messages on behalf of the Lutherans is murdered. Amaury is tasked with the job of delivering the messages, and Vivienne joins him.
He is shocked when he arrives at Nerac to discover the woman who was his first love is also there. When Amaury discovers his friend's murderer he is torn; does he kill him in retribution and risk his assignment or carry on as before?
In his search for evidence, Amaury comes across a document written by Copernicus, which presents evidence to show that the earth revolves around the sun. The earth is not the centre of the universe as claimed by the church! Unfortunately, Amaury is betrayed and arrested by the Inquisition. Beaten and in a dungeon he thinks all hope is lost until his former love, Helene rescues him.
Betrayed, Amaury realises that his friends in Paris are now in jeopardy, as is the astronomer who has proven the sun is the centre of the universe. He must travel to Paris and beyond to save their lives. Helene is willing to travel with him. Will they succeed?
Author Lawrence Goldstone has created an excellent thriller in "The Astronomer".
One of his tasks is to attend a meeting where Jean Calvin was speaking. There he met a prostitute, Vivienne, with whom Amaury becomes enamoured. Following the meeting the man tasked with delivering messages on behalf of the Lutherans is murdered. Amaury is tasked with the job of delivering the messages, and Vivienne joins him.
He is shocked when he arrives at Nerac to discover the woman who was his first love is also there. When Amaury discovers his friend's murderer he is torn; does he kill him in retribution and risk his assignment or carry on as before?
In his search for evidence, Amaury comes across a document written by Copernicus, which presents evidence to show that the earth revolves around the sun. The earth is not the centre of the universe as claimed by the church! Unfortunately, Amaury is betrayed and arrested by the Inquisition. Beaten and in a dungeon he thinks all hope is lost until his former love, Helene rescues him.
Betrayed, Amaury realises that his friends in Paris are now in jeopardy, as is the astronomer who has proven the sun is the centre of the universe. He must travel to Paris and beyond to save their lives. Helene is willing to travel with him. Will they succeed?
Author Lawrence Goldstone has created an excellent thriller in "The Astronomer".
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
When Gods Die
The Prince Regent has been found in a room in The Pavilion in Brighton
during a party he is hosting, holding a young noblewoman in his arms.
The problem is, a knife protrudes from her back. Sebastian St. Cyr has
been called upon to investigate.
A necklace found on the body turns out to have once belonged to St. Cyr's mother, but she had died at sea wearing that necklace. How could this be? As St. Cyr's investigation continues, evidence points to a possible conspiracy to replace the mad Hanoverian dynasty with the former Stuart line.
St. Cyr's investigation will lead to the uncovering of a new Gunpowder Plot and the arrest of his protege, Tom, on trumped up charges of theft. Tom will be sent to Newgate. Will St. Cyr find him before he is summarily hung?
St. Cyr's own life will be threatened a number of times, ruining his clothes each time much to the chagrin of his valet. As St. Cyr investigates this crime he will discover shocking information that will set him back, but will not prevent him from finding the murderer.
A good thriller set in Georgian England by author C. S. Harris.
A necklace found on the body turns out to have once belonged to St. Cyr's mother, but she had died at sea wearing that necklace. How could this be? As St. Cyr's investigation continues, evidence points to a possible conspiracy to replace the mad Hanoverian dynasty with the former Stuart line.
St. Cyr's investigation will lead to the uncovering of a new Gunpowder Plot and the arrest of his protege, Tom, on trumped up charges of theft. Tom will be sent to Newgate. Will St. Cyr find him before he is summarily hung?
St. Cyr's own life will be threatened a number of times, ruining his clothes each time much to the chagrin of his valet. As St. Cyr investigates this crime he will discover shocking information that will set him back, but will not prevent him from finding the murderer.
A good thriller set in Georgian England by author C. S. Harris.
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