Jason has come to the court in Mycenae requesting funding for a trip to
Colchis in search of gold. He gets the financial support he needs in
return for half the gold acquired. Hercules is to be included amongst
the crew, much to the chagrin of Jason.
Meantime Agamemnon is shocked to learn that he and his brother, Menelaus
have a different father than the one they have grown up believing is
their father. Artreus is actually their grandfather, and he has plans
to usurp the throne and make Agamemnon his heir.
Before that is to happen, Agamemnon must join Diores in putting Diores'
new estate to rights. Therefore his military training is out on hold
while he learns other things. After an encounter with Dionysus,
Agamemnon returns for further training with Atreus. Agamemnon earns his
greaves when he follows Atreus in a night invasion of Midea.
When Jason returns with gold aplenty, Mycenae sees the value of building
a fleet of ships. Later, after a battle lost and Agamemnon and
Menelaus return to Mycenae to find their uncle, Thyestes, bedding their
mother. Atreus is summoned, and with a large army takes Mycenae and the
throne, but not before Thyestes can escape. Peace ensues. Trade
prospers, and Agamemnon travels to Troy to set up a route through the
Hellespont. There he meets Hector, who impresses him.
A siege of Thebes failed, so Atreus decided to send Agamemnon to Sparta
to try and forge an alliance. There Agamemnon met Helen and
Clytemnestra. The alliance with Sparta would lead to a city state
alliance.
When Atreus and his wife are murdered, Agamemnon tries to take the
throne, but some of the councillors revolt, therefore Agamemnon and
Menelaus must flee Mycenae for Thyestes now has control of Mycenae.
Thyestes immediately came into conflict with Troy, which was the start
of the Trojan War. Sparta is the safest place for Agamemnon and
Menelaus.
Agamemnon marries Clytemnestra and Menelaus seeks the hand of Helen.
Menelaus also seeks the kingship of Sparta by marriage to Helen. What
does the future hold for these four? Author George Shipway brings to
life the people of a bygone age in an excellent story. It reminded me
of the stories I had read and studied as a lad in school. A good read
for fans of historical fiction. There is more to come in the sequel,
"Kings in Splendour".
Monday, November 2, 2015
Friday, October 30, 2015
The Black Country
Inspector Walter Day, and Sergeant Neville Hammersmith have been called
from The Yard to Blackhampton to aid in the investigation of a missing
boy and his parents. One of the interesting things Day learns almost
immediately is that the first wife of the missing man had disappeared a
few years earlier.
At the inn that evening, the vicar's wife surreptitiously hands him a ten word cryptic note that implies that 'she' is buried beneath the floor. But which floor? When the two men sit down to supper in Day's room, Hammersmith is sure that the food has been drugged. The two detectives begin to search the woods that evening with the help of Constable Grimes, and a visiting birder. When Day becomes separated from the others, he sees an apparition. Is it truly an man or is it something else?
The following day, Dr. Kingsley arrives to help with the investigation. At the same time, Hammersmith falls ill. Day finds out that the community has been struck down by an illness of some sort when he goes to the church, which has been made into a makeshift hospital. Hearing that all the people drank water from the same well, Dr. Kingsley is sure that they have typhoid.
Sadly, Day finds the body of the missing child at the bottom of the well. This news brings his mother out of hiding, followed by his father. The question now arises: who killed the lad and why? Author Alex Grecian has lots of action left in the plot and a surprising murderer. An entirely good, quick read.
At the inn that evening, the vicar's wife surreptitiously hands him a ten word cryptic note that implies that 'she' is buried beneath the floor. But which floor? When the two men sit down to supper in Day's room, Hammersmith is sure that the food has been drugged. The two detectives begin to search the woods that evening with the help of Constable Grimes, and a visiting birder. When Day becomes separated from the others, he sees an apparition. Is it truly an man or is it something else?
The following day, Dr. Kingsley arrives to help with the investigation. At the same time, Hammersmith falls ill. Day finds out that the community has been struck down by an illness of some sort when he goes to the church, which has been made into a makeshift hospital. Hearing that all the people drank water from the same well, Dr. Kingsley is sure that they have typhoid.
Sadly, Day finds the body of the missing child at the bottom of the well. This news brings his mother out of hiding, followed by his father. The question now arises: who killed the lad and why? Author Alex Grecian has lots of action left in the plot and a surprising murderer. An entirely good, quick read.
Monday, October 26, 2015
The Iron King
Philippe IV of France, also known as Philippe the Fair, has long envied
the wealth and power of the Knights Templar. To gain control of their
wealth he has jailed many of them, including the Grand Master, Jacques
de Molay. Tortured, Molay admitted to crimes he and the Knights Templar
had never committed. When he is burned at the stake, Molay curses
Phillipe, the Pope and Guillaume Nogaret, his torturer.
Meantime, two of Philippe's daughters-in-law are actively involved in adulterous affairs. Isabella, Queen of England, and Phillipe's daughter is well aware of these affairs and intends to let her father know of them. As a result of of torturing the lovers of the princesses, they were condemned to life imprisonment while the lovers were to be executed.
Within days of the execution, Pope Clement is dead. Both Phillipe and Nogaret wonder who is next. Not long after that, Nogaret is dead, too. Will Phillipe die soon, too? Will his line be accursed to to the thirteenth generation as all heard Molay state as he died in the fire? Author Maurice Druon has written an excellent historical novel, which had me engrossed. I'm looking forward to reading the sequels.
Meantime, two of Philippe's daughters-in-law are actively involved in adulterous affairs. Isabella, Queen of England, and Phillipe's daughter is well aware of these affairs and intends to let her father know of them. As a result of of torturing the lovers of the princesses, they were condemned to life imprisonment while the lovers were to be executed.
Within days of the execution, Pope Clement is dead. Both Phillipe and Nogaret wonder who is next. Not long after that, Nogaret is dead, too. Will Phillipe die soon, too? Will his line be accursed to to the thirteenth generation as all heard Molay state as he died in the fire? Author Maurice Druon has written an excellent historical novel, which had me engrossed. I'm looking forward to reading the sequels.
Saturday, October 24, 2015
When Women Were Warriors ~ Book I: The Warrior's Path
Tamras has been sent to Merin's fortress for what she thinks is to be
training as a warrior, however Merin tells her that she is to start as a
companion to a warrior by the name of Maara. Unfortunately Maara
doesn't want a companion. She persists in helping Maara anyway. When
Maara is badly wounded, Tamras uses healing skills taught to her by her
mother, helping the warrior to survive.
Merin asks Tamras to find out more about Maara because so little is known about her. Merin is concerned that she may be a spy. Tamras feels a loyalty to both women, so it is difficult for her to do as asked. Once Maara becomes well enough, she begins to train Tamras in sword play. She also takes Tamras into the wilderness to find her guardian spirit.
When Maara goes to the northern front on her own, the community is concerned that she may have taken information to the enemy. Tamras believes that she will return. When she does return, she is treated as a spy. However, she provides information that tells of a threat to the community. Merin warns her that if she has been false, then Tamras' life is forfeit. Fortunately the information is true.
Wise beyond her years, Tamras provides advise to Merin, which she takes to heart. During the ensuing winter, Maara teaches Tamras much about skills needed to be a warrior and how to survive off the land. However, when spring arrived, so did a crisis for Maara. How will she, Tamras and the community handle it?
Author Catherine M. Wilson has written a novel of a different time, of life, confusion and enlightenment. At times she is wordy, and at times the story seems to lack direction, but she brings the meanderings back together. A short, quick read.
Merin asks Tamras to find out more about Maara because so little is known about her. Merin is concerned that she may be a spy. Tamras feels a loyalty to both women, so it is difficult for her to do as asked. Once Maara becomes well enough, she begins to train Tamras in sword play. She also takes Tamras into the wilderness to find her guardian spirit.
When Maara goes to the northern front on her own, the community is concerned that she may have taken information to the enemy. Tamras believes that she will return. When she does return, she is treated as a spy. However, she provides information that tells of a threat to the community. Merin warns her that if she has been false, then Tamras' life is forfeit. Fortunately the information is true.
Wise beyond her years, Tamras provides advise to Merin, which she takes to heart. During the ensuing winter, Maara teaches Tamras much about skills needed to be a warrior and how to survive off the land. However, when spring arrived, so did a crisis for Maara. How will she, Tamras and the community handle it?
Author Catherine M. Wilson has written a novel of a different time, of life, confusion and enlightenment. At times she is wordy, and at times the story seems to lack direction, but she brings the meanderings back together. A short, quick read.
Friday, October 23, 2015
The Painted Lady
Sarah Ann Ashby's mother was a harlot, and by the age of fifteen she too
was offering her body to the men around her. With the Battle of
Waterloo complete, and her mother dead, Sarah decides to start a new life in Brighton,
because there were no longer any soldiers in the area she had grown up
in.
In Brighton, Sarah meets Lieutenant Stanville, newly home from Waterloo. After a brief interlude of getting to know each other, Lieutenant Stanville introduces Sarah to Madge Perrin, a brothel keeper. Madge quickly gets Sarah working. She takes to the work with enjoyment. It is to her that now Captain Stanville brings his younger cousin, Lord Denton for his sexual initiation.
David, Lord Denton has fallen in love with Sarah. She is astounded at the wealth he has to hand. He is convinced that she will marry him, however Sarah thinks otherwise. He does manage to convince her to meet his parents, but she must not wear her paint and must dress accordingly. However, Octavia Stanville, David's second cousin is not fooled by her.
In 1820, Lord Denton achieved his majority, so with his own finances at hand he convinced Sarah to join him on a tour of Europe. Their idyllic love excursion comes to an end when Denton receives news that his father has died, he is now Lord Southbourne, lord of the manor and must return home.
Will Sarah be able to keep the love of Lord Denton once they get back to England? What does the future hold for the two of them? Author Richard Masefield has written a novel of sex and love that is a good quick read.
In Brighton, Sarah meets Lieutenant Stanville, newly home from Waterloo. After a brief interlude of getting to know each other, Lieutenant Stanville introduces Sarah to Madge Perrin, a brothel keeper. Madge quickly gets Sarah working. She takes to the work with enjoyment. It is to her that now Captain Stanville brings his younger cousin, Lord Denton for his sexual initiation.
David, Lord Denton has fallen in love with Sarah. She is astounded at the wealth he has to hand. He is convinced that she will marry him, however Sarah thinks otherwise. He does manage to convince her to meet his parents, but she must not wear her paint and must dress accordingly. However, Octavia Stanville, David's second cousin is not fooled by her.
In 1820, Lord Denton achieved his majority, so with his own finances at hand he convinced Sarah to join him on a tour of Europe. Their idyllic love excursion comes to an end when Denton receives news that his father has died, he is now Lord Southbourne, lord of the manor and must return home.
Will Sarah be able to keep the love of Lord Denton once they get back to England? What does the future hold for the two of them? Author Richard Masefield has written a novel of sex and love that is a good quick read.
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
1914 (The War Years)
Fourteen year old twins, Danny and Charlie Keeton have set up a
profitable business of buying cigarettes from fifteen year old Jack
Warren, and selling them on. They are keeping the profits to
themselves, rather than sharing them with their family who live in
poverty. Unfortunately, the lads get pummelled by an Irish gang after
selling cigarettes in their territory.
In August, the twins' elder brother, Michael married Sophie. Their eldest brother William was able to be home from the army for the wedding. The next day, Britain declared war on Germany. A short time later, when an army recruiting drive comes to town, Michael joins up. The twins' intellectual brother, sixteen year old Jacob fears that he will be the next to go. As men disappear into the army, Danny and Charlie find themselves working twelve hour shifts at the mill.
When Jacob is handed a white feather, he doesn't know what to do. However, he finally decides to sign up. Danny goes with him and convinces Charlie to come with them, which turns Charlie against him. At Etaples training camp, they meet an abusive Sergeant Braddock. The young men are fortunate to have Corporal Dettmer on their side. They are all shocked to find that Braddock is sent to the front with them.
It doesn't take long for them to learn the hell of trench war fare, the noise of the guns, the lack of sleep, the stench, the nightmares and the murderous over the top attacks.
A thoroughly good read that takes the reader up to the end of 1914. Author James Farner takes the reader through the working conditions for the lower classes in Britain up to the beginning of stalemate of The Great War, that would endure for four years. It is a quick read, but leaves the reader looking forward to the sequels and what will become of Danny, Charlie and their mates.
In August, the twins' elder brother, Michael married Sophie. Their eldest brother William was able to be home from the army for the wedding. The next day, Britain declared war on Germany. A short time later, when an army recruiting drive comes to town, Michael joins up. The twins' intellectual brother, sixteen year old Jacob fears that he will be the next to go. As men disappear into the army, Danny and Charlie find themselves working twelve hour shifts at the mill.
When Jacob is handed a white feather, he doesn't know what to do. However, he finally decides to sign up. Danny goes with him and convinces Charlie to come with them, which turns Charlie against him. At Etaples training camp, they meet an abusive Sergeant Braddock. The young men are fortunate to have Corporal Dettmer on their side. They are all shocked to find that Braddock is sent to the front with them.
It doesn't take long for them to learn the hell of trench war fare, the noise of the guns, the lack of sleep, the stench, the nightmares and the murderous over the top attacks.
A thoroughly good read that takes the reader up to the end of 1914. Author James Farner takes the reader through the working conditions for the lower classes in Britain up to the beginning of stalemate of The Great War, that would endure for four years. It is a quick read, but leaves the reader looking forward to the sequels and what will become of Danny, Charlie and their mates.
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
Dead on Demand
Edwin Murphy has been served divorce papers by his wife Eleanor, and
then to top it off, he is fired from his position as editor of "The
Impartial". He is angered by it all, so he takes out an ad on the
internet asking for someone to get rid of a package.
Although the system he used to get an assassin used a proxy, the young woman who responded also lived in London. He offers to solve her problem if she solved his. He wanted the job done in a week while he was in Vancouver for a job interview. When he returns to London, a message awaits him with the information as to whom he was to snuff.
DCI David Morton has been assigned the case of an unidentified dead woman found in a park. Shortly afterwards a missing woman is reported, one Eleanor Murphy. Morton is suspicious of Murphy from the get go.
Murphy needs to eliminate the woman who killed his wife, just in case she might be able to identify him. Just as a piece of glass shatters outward from the point of impact, Murphy's initial crime imitates that, and DCI Morton begins to put the pieces together.
One thing about dual authors is that you can tell when a new one has taken over the story line. Thus it is with authors Sean and Daniel Campbell. I also question some of the police procedures that they used in this murder mystery. Also, numerous errors occur throughout, such as indicating that one killer had killed two people, when in fact he had killed three before killing a fourth. A fair read.
Although the system he used to get an assassin used a proxy, the young woman who responded also lived in London. He offers to solve her problem if she solved his. He wanted the job done in a week while he was in Vancouver for a job interview. When he returns to London, a message awaits him with the information as to whom he was to snuff.
DCI David Morton has been assigned the case of an unidentified dead woman found in a park. Shortly afterwards a missing woman is reported, one Eleanor Murphy. Morton is suspicious of Murphy from the get go.
Murphy needs to eliminate the woman who killed his wife, just in case she might be able to identify him. Just as a piece of glass shatters outward from the point of impact, Murphy's initial crime imitates that, and DCI Morton begins to put the pieces together.
One thing about dual authors is that you can tell when a new one has taken over the story line. Thus it is with authors Sean and Daniel Campbell. I also question some of the police procedures that they used in this murder mystery. Also, numerous errors occur throughout, such as indicating that one killer had killed two people, when in fact he had killed three before killing a fourth. A fair read.
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