It is July 1936 in Dublin, and Fingal O'Reilly has just graduated from
medical school landing a job in the tenements of Dublin. It is exactly
where he wants to be a doctor. He is immediately dropped in the deep
end upon his arrival by Doctor Phelim Corrigan. Fingal is suspicious of
Corrigan's methods, but everyone sings his praises. Following his
interview with Corrigan, Fingal's mind is changed.
Fingal is able
to convince his classmate, Charlie Greer, to join him in the practice
with Doctor Corrigan. That would ease the workload. Unfortunately it
is at this time that Fingal's father passes away,
Working
conditions were different then; one of the surgeries Fingal is involved
in was done at the home of the patient. This is the same era as Hitler,
Mussolini and the Spanish Civil War. Fingal's girlfriend, Kitty, is
concerned about all the orphaned children in Spain as a result of
Franco's policies. Although Fingal learns a lot working in the
tenements of Dublin, how long will his job last when its funding comes
from the Irish Sweepstakes and Britain has outlawed its sales there? Can he maintain the love of Kitty when he is so very busy?
Throughout
the novel, author Patrick Taylor, intersperses Fingal's story of 1936
with his current situation of 1965 when he was bringing a young woman,
Doctor Jenny Bradley, into the practice. It was not easy for a woman at
that time to be accepted as a doctor, but she was slowly impressing the
locals. Will Fingal be able to keep her involved in the practice?
Taylor's
story telling is both informative and amusing. You can tell that he
enjoys telling a story, leaving the reader with a smile on their face. I
highly recommend the series.
Sunday, October 18, 2015
Friday, October 16, 2015
The Chalice of Blood
Brother Donnchad has been found dead in his cubicle with stab wounds to
his back.l at the abby of Lios Mor. The confounding thing is that his
cell was locked from the inside. The abbot requests that Sister Fidelma
be sent to investigate. She readily agrees. However, the king agrees
to send her on the condition that she take Brother Eadulf to aid with
the investigation. The two had recently had disagreements and had gone
their separate ways.
Eadulf reluctantly agrees to go along. The king assigns Gorman to travel with them as a guard. It is fortunate that he does travel with, because he prevents them from being killed in an ambush.n later at the abbey, Fidelma learns that the steward, Brother Lugna, was not in favour of her being sent for. He is sure that the monks could have handled the situation by themselves.
One of the first things of note at the abbey is the new construction of stone buildings. Eadulf and Fidelma wonder where the funds for such a building project has come from. In the course of the investigation, they find out that the steward has told the monks to limit the amount of information that they pass on to the pair of investigators.
Soon after that a visitor comes to Lios Mor, requesting Fidelma arbitrate in a robbery of books. As the group returns to his community, they see warriors leaving and shortly thereafter see that the library is on fire. Is this a precursor to all out war amongst the tribes of this part of Ireland? Will Fidelma and Eadulf be able to resolve this crisis and solve the murder before things escalate? In order to solve this conundrum, Fidelma needs to find the key evidence.
Author Peter Tremayne has written an excellent murder mystery set in the first millennium at a time when the church was still finding its way. Potential suspects are thrown up to the reader with the real culprits left to the very end of the story. Well worth the read.
Eadulf reluctantly agrees to go along. The king assigns Gorman to travel with them as a guard. It is fortunate that he does travel with, because he prevents them from being killed in an ambush.n later at the abbey, Fidelma learns that the steward, Brother Lugna, was not in favour of her being sent for. He is sure that the monks could have handled the situation by themselves.
One of the first things of note at the abbey is the new construction of stone buildings. Eadulf and Fidelma wonder where the funds for such a building project has come from. In the course of the investigation, they find out that the steward has told the monks to limit the amount of information that they pass on to the pair of investigators.
Soon after that a visitor comes to Lios Mor, requesting Fidelma arbitrate in a robbery of books. As the group returns to his community, they see warriors leaving and shortly thereafter see that the library is on fire. Is this a precursor to all out war amongst the tribes of this part of Ireland? Will Fidelma and Eadulf be able to resolve this crisis and solve the murder before things escalate? In order to solve this conundrum, Fidelma needs to find the key evidence.
Author Peter Tremayne has written an excellent murder mystery set in the first millennium at a time when the church was still finding its way. Potential suspects are thrown up to the reader with the real culprits left to the very end of the story. Well worth the read.
Monday, October 12, 2015
The Hidden Child
Patrik Hedstrom is on the first day of his paternity leave from his job
with the police. While out walking his one year old daughter, he
happens on police cars going to the scene of a dead body. Despite his
misgivings, he goes to the scene. It turns out that Patrik's wife,
Erica, had been to the house to get some information about a Nazi medal
her mother owned from the victim. The police determine that the victim
has been murdered.
Three months later, an elderly woman dies in suspicious circumstances. As a young girl she was friends with the first victim. Erica had visited this woman earlier in a quest to know more about her mother. Erica is interested to learn that both victims were friends of her mother. While she continues to research into her mother's past, the police continue with their investigation into the two deaths. Even though Patrik is supposed to be on leave, his colleagues ask for his expertise.
It is while Erica is in the cemetery visiting her parents' graves that an inspiration comes to her. To confirm her idea, she needs the help of Patrik and his boss. Family secrets will be revealed, but will all of the truth come out? Author Camilla Lackberg uses flashbacks to help fill in the plot of this page turner. A well written murder mystery, which you will have difficulty putting down.
Three months later, an elderly woman dies in suspicious circumstances. As a young girl she was friends with the first victim. Erica had visited this woman earlier in a quest to know more about her mother. Erica is interested to learn that both victims were friends of her mother. While she continues to research into her mother's past, the police continue with their investigation into the two deaths. Even though Patrik is supposed to be on leave, his colleagues ask for his expertise.
It is while Erica is in the cemetery visiting her parents' graves that an inspiration comes to her. To confirm her idea, she needs the help of Patrik and his boss. Family secrets will be revealed, but will all of the truth come out? Author Camilla Lackberg uses flashbacks to help fill in the plot of this page turner. A well written murder mystery, which you will have difficulty putting down.
Sunday, October 11, 2015
The Traitor's Mark
Thomas Treviot has sent his man, Bart Miller, to Johannes Holbein for a
design Treviot needed for his goldsmithing. Unfortunately all he got
back was a young lady with a note indicating that Bart had been involved
in a fight at Holbein's place and subsequently been arrested. It also
appears that Holbein has disappeared.
Later Treviot is fearful when his presence is required by Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury. However, Cranmer puts his mind at rest when he indicates that he too, is concerned about the welfare of Holbein. However, Treviot is informed of conspiracies, which threaten Cranmer. He is told that he must be a spy to find out about these conspiracies.
Treviot has Holbein's and Bart's children safely ensconced at his residence in Kent. At least he thinks they are. The children are taken, along with their governess, while Treviot is away at a meeting. Has his host been involved in the kidnapping? As Treviot continues his investigation and works to protect those close to him, he finds himself drawn into a political and religious whirlpool.
It would appear that all is lost when Holbein is captured by ruffians loyal to religious conspirators. It is certain that Holbein has gone to his death. Meantime, the religious strife seems to worsen.
Will the capture of the leader of the murderous gang be enough to free Treviot and his friends of his troubles? Will it point to the people responsible for much of the religious strife, or just prolong the agony? Author D. K. Wilson has woven an excellent story of murder plus political and religious intrigue during Tudor times. It is an excellent read for fans of historical fiction.
Later Treviot is fearful when his presence is required by Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury. However, Cranmer puts his mind at rest when he indicates that he too, is concerned about the welfare of Holbein. However, Treviot is informed of conspiracies, which threaten Cranmer. He is told that he must be a spy to find out about these conspiracies.
Treviot has Holbein's and Bart's children safely ensconced at his residence in Kent. At least he thinks they are. The children are taken, along with their governess, while Treviot is away at a meeting. Has his host been involved in the kidnapping? As Treviot continues his investigation and works to protect those close to him, he finds himself drawn into a political and religious whirlpool.
It would appear that all is lost when Holbein is captured by ruffians loyal to religious conspirators. It is certain that Holbein has gone to his death. Meantime, the religious strife seems to worsen.
Will the capture of the leader of the murderous gang be enough to free Treviot and his friends of his troubles? Will it point to the people responsible for much of the religious strife, or just prolong the agony? Author D. K. Wilson has woven an excellent story of murder plus political and religious intrigue during Tudor times. It is an excellent read for fans of historical fiction.
Monday, October 5, 2015
The Black House
DI Fin Macleod has been sent from Edinburgh to his home, the Isle of
Lewis, to help with an investigation into a murder he was investigating
on the mainland just before the tragic death of his so. He is welcomed
in Stornoway by DS George Gunn, however, not by DCI Tom Smith, who had
also been sent up from the mainland to run the investigation.
As DS Gunn drives Macleod around his former home, memories come flooding back. His investigation leads him to a childhood friend, whose daughter had been allegedly raped by the victim. He also meets with an animal rights protester who had been beaten up by the victim. Could either of these men have killed the man and then hoisted him to a rafter?
The more Macleod investigates, the more about his own past comes to light. Yet will that past continue to haunt him as the investigation progresses? Author Peter May has written a fast paced, riveting murder mystery, which will keep the reader engrossed.
I initially read this book a few years ago, and upon reading it a second time, I found that author Peter May really spoke to me on a personal level.
As DS Gunn drives Macleod around his former home, memories come flooding back. His investigation leads him to a childhood friend, whose daughter had been allegedly raped by the victim. He also meets with an animal rights protester who had been beaten up by the victim. Could either of these men have killed the man and then hoisted him to a rafter?
The more Macleod investigates, the more about his own past comes to light. Yet will that past continue to haunt him as the investigation progresses? Author Peter May has written a fast paced, riveting murder mystery, which will keep the reader engrossed.
I initially read this book a few years ago, and upon reading it a second time, I found that author Peter May really spoke to me on a personal level.
Saturday, October 3, 2015
Hannibal - Clouds of War
After the battle of Cannae, Hannibal refuses to follow and destroy the
Roman army, because he knows what it could cost his own army. A little
over two years later, he splits up Hanno and his two brothers, sending
Bostar to Iberia, Hanno to Sicily and keeping Sapho by his side.
Unbeknownst to Hanno, his former owner and friend, Quintus has also been posted to Sicily. When misfortune occurs for Quintus' sister and she receives a cryptic message from Hanno, she decides to travel to the toe of Italy to be near those that she loves. More misfortune befalls Aurelia when the ship she is on is captured and she is enslaved and taken to Syracuse. There she becomes a concubine to one of the rulers of the city.
Hanno accidentally discovers the position that Aurelia is in, and desperately manages get her released, but shortly afterwards is sent off to fight the Romans. Foolishly she follows his battle group, thus endangering herself once more. Fortunately they manage to escape, but the city they are in is threatened by the Roman army. Will they find Aurelia's brother in the opposing army? How long can Syracuse withstand the siege?
Author Ben Kane takes the reader one further step into the Second Punic War between Rome and Carthage, which results in the fall of Syracuse. Quintus, Aurelia and Hanno survive this portion of the war and will live to fight another day in the next volume of this series. As a fan of historical fiction, I look forward to reading it, too.
Unbeknownst to Hanno, his former owner and friend, Quintus has also been posted to Sicily. When misfortune occurs for Quintus' sister and she receives a cryptic message from Hanno, she decides to travel to the toe of Italy to be near those that she loves. More misfortune befalls Aurelia when the ship she is on is captured and she is enslaved and taken to Syracuse. There she becomes a concubine to one of the rulers of the city.
Hanno accidentally discovers the position that Aurelia is in, and desperately manages get her released, but shortly afterwards is sent off to fight the Romans. Foolishly she follows his battle group, thus endangering herself once more. Fortunately they manage to escape, but the city they are in is threatened by the Roman army. Will they find Aurelia's brother in the opposing army? How long can Syracuse withstand the siege?
Author Ben Kane takes the reader one further step into the Second Punic War between Rome and Carthage, which results in the fall of Syracuse. Quintus, Aurelia and Hanno survive this portion of the war and will live to fight another day in the next volume of this series. As a fan of historical fiction, I look forward to reading it, too.
Corridors of the Night
Hester Monk is filling in for a nursing friend at the hospital when she
is waylaid by a young girl. The girl takes her to her brother who she
claims is dying. Hester administers water through the night to the lad
and he seems to recover somewhat. But, why are children in a soldiers'
hospital?
Later, an older man comes in suffering from the white blood disease. Hester is asked to serve as his nurse. She is surprised to see that the doctor and his brother, a chemist are putting blood into the patient. She realises that it has come from the young lad that she had helped earlier. Will it help the patient?
Meantime, Hester's husband, William, is working on the river to break up a gun smuggling gang. During the battle with the gunrunners, his mentor is killed. Exhausted, Monk returns home, but Hester is not there, nor is she the following morning. When he enquires at the hospital, he is told that she suddenly left.
Monk begins to search for Hester and fear that her life may be in danger. He discovers that the patient, her daughter, the children and the chemist have all disappeared. After discovering where Hester might be, Monk and some friends set out to retrieve her and the children. Although Monk and his team manages to rescue Hester and the children, a court case looms now. The chemist is charged with kidnapping, but can Oliver Rathbone prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Hester did not go willingly?
Other questions arise after the court case. Is blood transfusion safe? Why does it save some and not others? Why was the daughter of the first patient murdered and by whom? Blood typing and transfusions wouldn't be successful until 1901. Author Anne Perry has written a novel that shows how medicine and the courts must have struggled with the new concepts. An entirely enjoyable read.
Later, an older man comes in suffering from the white blood disease. Hester is asked to serve as his nurse. She is surprised to see that the doctor and his brother, a chemist are putting blood into the patient. She realises that it has come from the young lad that she had helped earlier. Will it help the patient?
Meantime, Hester's husband, William, is working on the river to break up a gun smuggling gang. During the battle with the gunrunners, his mentor is killed. Exhausted, Monk returns home, but Hester is not there, nor is she the following morning. When he enquires at the hospital, he is told that she suddenly left.
Monk begins to search for Hester and fear that her life may be in danger. He discovers that the patient, her daughter, the children and the chemist have all disappeared. After discovering where Hester might be, Monk and some friends set out to retrieve her and the children. Although Monk and his team manages to rescue Hester and the children, a court case looms now. The chemist is charged with kidnapping, but can Oliver Rathbone prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Hester did not go willingly?
Other questions arise after the court case. Is blood transfusion safe? Why does it save some and not others? Why was the daughter of the first patient murdered and by whom? Blood typing and transfusions wouldn't be successful until 1901. Author Anne Perry has written a novel that shows how medicine and the courts must have struggled with the new concepts. An entirely enjoyable read.
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