DS Rachel Tracey has just read a letter to DCI Gerry Heffernan, which
claims that a man in prison was wrongly imprisoned some time ago.
Heffernan isn’t interested, but when Tracey mentions it to DI Wesley
Peterson, he expresses interest in following it up.
Later that day Heffernan and Peterson are called out to a nearby
shopping centre where the manager has received a letter indicating that
some product within the store has been tampered with. However, the
letter didn’t demand a ransom of any sort.
At this same time, Dr. Neil Watson has a crew of archeologists digging
in a field, which could contain a plague pit. Unfortunately, some rogue
diggers are trying to steal things from the field at night, and in
order to protect the dig, Watson has started sleeping in a tent there.
One night he is struck over the head when he goes to check on some
noises he heard.
A day or two later a more recent body is found in the plague field. Do
they have a murder on their hands? Colin Bowman, the pathologist,
quickly assures Peterson that it is indeed a murder.
As the investigation progresses, links appear between the cases, but how
can they be neatly tied together? It will take some time for Peterson
and his team to come to the correct conclusion.
Author Kate Ellis has some surprises up her sleeve in this murder
mystery. The plague pits were real things in the fourteenth century as
multitudes of people quickly died from the plague as was the real
background to a couple of the murders Ellis has appear in her story. A
good read.
Saturday, February 16, 2019
Friday, February 15, 2019
Careless Love
Detective Superintendent Alan Banks and DS Winsome Jackman are attending
the scene of an automobile accident, which had happened a few days
earlier. However, there is now the body of a young woman sitting in the
driver’s seat. How had she come to be there well after the police had
initially been on the scene?
It doesn’t take long to identify the body. She was a nineteen year old student at the local college. The autopsy reveals that she had died from an overdose of sleeping pills, but had not died at the scene where she was found. Suicide or was she killed?
A few days later DI Annie Cabbot and DC Gerry Masterson are attending an accident on Tetchley Moor where a man has died from an apparent fall. The question is, why would a man wearing a suit and brogues have been out walking on the moor?
From Cabbot’s father’s partner, they get an idea of who might be involved. Zelda is someone who easily recognises faces and she puts Banks and Cabbot on a trail, which could possibly lead to the person involved. However, they also learn that there is a criminal gang involved in sex trafficking. It turns out that the man involved is someone who both Banks and Cabbot had dealt with in the past.
When the male victim is identified, the police are sure that they have a crime on their hands. Is it connected to the case of the young woman? Both deaths are under suspicious circumstances. A week later, Banks meets with his old friend DCI Ken Blackstone from West Yorkshire about another suspicious death of a young female student. On her phone is the name of the first victim, but the number isn’t hers.
However, as the investigation progresses, tenable links are discovered. Those links are meshed together by author Peter Robinson to create a iron clad case against the criminal behind the killing. Robinson has written another of his classic whodunnits, and in closing the novel gives a hint of what is to come in the next novel.
It doesn’t take long to identify the body. She was a nineteen year old student at the local college. The autopsy reveals that she had died from an overdose of sleeping pills, but had not died at the scene where she was found. Suicide or was she killed?
A few days later DI Annie Cabbot and DC Gerry Masterson are attending an accident on Tetchley Moor where a man has died from an apparent fall. The question is, why would a man wearing a suit and brogues have been out walking on the moor?
From Cabbot’s father’s partner, they get an idea of who might be involved. Zelda is someone who easily recognises faces and she puts Banks and Cabbot on a trail, which could possibly lead to the person involved. However, they also learn that there is a criminal gang involved in sex trafficking. It turns out that the man involved is someone who both Banks and Cabbot had dealt with in the past.
When the male victim is identified, the police are sure that they have a crime on their hands. Is it connected to the case of the young woman? Both deaths are under suspicious circumstances. A week later, Banks meets with his old friend DCI Ken Blackstone from West Yorkshire about another suspicious death of a young female student. On her phone is the name of the first victim, but the number isn’t hers.
However, as the investigation progresses, tenable links are discovered. Those links are meshed together by author Peter Robinson to create a iron clad case against the criminal behind the killing. Robinson has written another of his classic whodunnits, and in closing the novel gives a hint of what is to come in the next novel.
Sunday, February 10, 2019
The Mask of Command
It is 317 AD and Aurelius Castus is with Emperor Constantine in the east
where he and Licinius have just reached a new treaty after heavy
battling. Resting in camp, Castus learns that his wife, Sabina, has
recently died. He needs to get home to look after his wife’s will and
their young son.
Having returned home to Rome, Castus finds himself appointed to the head of an army headed to the northern frontier. He takes his son, Sabinus, with him and accompanied by Ganna, a slave woman who has been with his son since his birth.
Included in the cavalcade is Crispus, son of the emperor, Constantine. He is only fifteen and on his way to learn how to be an emperor. However, Crispus would not travel as far as Colonia Agrippina, where Castus would take up his appointment.
It doesn’t take long for Castus to realise that his posting is undermanned and that in reality it is a businessman by the name of Rufus that is really the power in the area and not the governor.
Within a day of arriving at Colonia Agrippina, the enemy have crossed into Roman territory and are on the march. Victorious in battle, Castus negotiates a treaty with the enemy. They provide him with hostages as a surety to peace. Will the peace hold and can trust the local business community, let alone his own troops?
Can Castus, his son, and Crispus survive in an environment of mistrust, and treachery on all sides? Author Ian Ross has plenty of action, double crosses and battles ahead for all in this intense historical fiction. Well written and thoroughly an enjoyable read.
Having returned home to Rome, Castus finds himself appointed to the head of an army headed to the northern frontier. He takes his son, Sabinus, with him and accompanied by Ganna, a slave woman who has been with his son since his birth.
Included in the cavalcade is Crispus, son of the emperor, Constantine. He is only fifteen and on his way to learn how to be an emperor. However, Crispus would not travel as far as Colonia Agrippina, where Castus would take up his appointment.
It doesn’t take long for Castus to realise that his posting is undermanned and that in reality it is a businessman by the name of Rufus that is really the power in the area and not the governor.
Within a day of arriving at Colonia Agrippina, the enemy have crossed into Roman territory and are on the march. Victorious in battle, Castus negotiates a treaty with the enemy. They provide him with hostages as a surety to peace. Will the peace hold and can trust the local business community, let alone his own troops?
Can Castus, his son, and Crispus survive in an environment of mistrust, and treachery on all sides? Author Ian Ross has plenty of action, double crosses and battles ahead for all in this intense historical fiction. Well written and thoroughly an enjoyable read.
Friday, February 8, 2019
The Divided City
Inspector Gregor Reinhardt is back in Berlin now that the war is over.
He has been called out to a building where the body of a man has been
found. Investigating further, Reinhardt discovers another body a few
floors up, inside an apartment. He calls for the American MPs to
attend. They were happy to say that it was a local problem, not needing
their attention.
Professor Endres, the pathologist, tells Reinhardt that both men were brutally attacked and that the second one was subsequently drowned by someone forcing water into his lungs. Moments after learning this, Reinhardt is hailed back to the I police station, where he is introduced to two people from the British sector and an American who he knows. The British tell the group that one of the victims was one of theirs who occupied a sensitive position and could not hold his liquor.
Reinhardt has questions about how quickly the Allies found out about the deaths. He prefers to investigate only the German victim, leaving others to investigate the Brit’s death.
Later Reinhardt is called out to investigate another death. Once again this is a former Luftwaffe pilot. Is there a link between the two? As his investigation progresses, he discovers that there is a link between the victims and others, and that is the outfit they served in during the war.
Shortly afterwards Reinhardt is surprised to find a Soviet MGB major awaiting him at his home. Major Skokov seems to know as much as Reinhardt does, and then he inquires about his Western Allies connections. Fortunately, and unbeknownst to Skokov, Reinhardt’s friend, Brauer is also staying in the same house and hears everything. He promises to watch Reinhardt’s back.
Reinhardt is further shocked when his son turns up on his doorstep. He had thought that Friedrich had been lost at Stalingrad. However, he had been made a POW. Reinhardt wonders if Friedrich had been turned by the Soviets.
When Reinhardt discovers the link connecting the victims, he finds an industrialist behind the group of veterans. Will there be more deaths to come? There are many more questions to answer, too.
Author Luke McCallin provides those answers for Reinhardt near the end of this thriller. He shows how the war left Berlin divided amongst the Allies, and at the same time pitted them one against the other. A thoroughly enjoyable read, which brings to a conclusion this trilogy.
Professor Endres, the pathologist, tells Reinhardt that both men were brutally attacked and that the second one was subsequently drowned by someone forcing water into his lungs. Moments after learning this, Reinhardt is hailed back to the I police station, where he is introduced to two people from the British sector and an American who he knows. The British tell the group that one of the victims was one of theirs who occupied a sensitive position and could not hold his liquor.
Reinhardt has questions about how quickly the Allies found out about the deaths. He prefers to investigate only the German victim, leaving others to investigate the Brit’s death.
Later Reinhardt is called out to investigate another death. Once again this is a former Luftwaffe pilot. Is there a link between the two? As his investigation progresses, he discovers that there is a link between the victims and others, and that is the outfit they served in during the war.
Shortly afterwards Reinhardt is surprised to find a Soviet MGB major awaiting him at his home. Major Skokov seems to know as much as Reinhardt does, and then he inquires about his Western Allies connections. Fortunately, and unbeknownst to Skokov, Reinhardt’s friend, Brauer is also staying in the same house and hears everything. He promises to watch Reinhardt’s back.
Reinhardt is further shocked when his son turns up on his doorstep. He had thought that Friedrich had been lost at Stalingrad. However, he had been made a POW. Reinhardt wonders if Friedrich had been turned by the Soviets.
When Reinhardt discovers the link connecting the victims, he finds an industrialist behind the group of veterans. Will there be more deaths to come? There are many more questions to answer, too.
Author Luke McCallin provides those answers for Reinhardt near the end of this thriller. He shows how the war left Berlin divided amongst the Allies, and at the same time pitted them one against the other. A thoroughly enjoyable read, which brings to a conclusion this trilogy.
Sunday, February 3, 2019
Blind Fury
DCI Mike Lewis, DI Anna Travis and DS Paul Barolli are on the scene
where the body of a young woman has been found alongside the M1. Lewis
says that it reminds him of two previous cases. The first woman had
been identified as a prostitute, but as yet the second victim had not
been identified. Would they be able to identify the third?
A man who is a prisoner writes to Travis suggesting that he might be able to help. He had been imprisoned by her, so why would she accept his help? However DCS Langton insists that she meet with him. Barolli feels that the prisoner is providing them with valuable information, but Travis feels contrary.
After some time, they are able to identify the victim as a Polish woman who had worked for an American couple as an au pair. She was an illegal immigrant. Shortly after this, the third victim is identified. She too, was Polish.
However progress is limited, so Langton warns Lewis that his team will be cut back and he has limited time to get a result. A break occurs when a woman comes in and informs Lewis and Travis that three victims had worked for her. But that still doesn’t give them a suspect.
When they do finally get a suspect, they have no evidence. How can they get the evidence? Author Lynda La Plante has an interesting way of serving up the culprit plus a shocking conclusion to the story. Well written and hard to put down. A real page turner.
A man who is a prisoner writes to Travis suggesting that he might be able to help. He had been imprisoned by her, so why would she accept his help? However DCS Langton insists that she meet with him. Barolli feels that the prisoner is providing them with valuable information, but Travis feels contrary.
After some time, they are able to identify the victim as a Polish woman who had worked for an American couple as an au pair. She was an illegal immigrant. Shortly after this, the third victim is identified. She too, was Polish.
However progress is limited, so Langton warns Lewis that his team will be cut back and he has limited time to get a result. A break occurs when a woman comes in and informs Lewis and Travis that three victims had worked for her. But that still doesn’t give them a suspect.
When they do finally get a suspect, they have no evidence. How can they get the evidence? Author Lynda La Plante has an interesting way of serving up the culprit plus a shocking conclusion to the story. Well written and hard to put down. A real page turner.
Saturday, February 2, 2019
The Vows of Silence
A young newlywed has been shot to death in her own flat for no apparent
reason. Detective Chief Superintendent Simon Serrailler has taken
charge of the case.
Several days later there is another shooting. As Serrailler approaches the scene, his sister calls to tell him that her husband has collapsed at home. Two women have been shot, the dead one a bride-to-be, the other a friend is in serious condition. She would die overnight in hospital.
It appears that they have a lunatic on their hands killing young women. There’s no doubt that he will strike again, but when and where? It doesn’t take long to find out. A young single mother is shot in her doorway. The investigation is getting nowhere.
As Serrailler’s team continues their investigation, they are hampered by an upcoming society wedding. In addition, Serrailler’s sister, Cat’s husband has been diagnosed with a brain tumour. It is a tough time for all involved.
Author Susan Hill has written an interesting novel that shows not just police procedure, but the human side of policing. Life can be harsh, and Hill delivers some extreme harshness in this novel.
Several days later there is another shooting. As Serrailler approaches the scene, his sister calls to tell him that her husband has collapsed at home. Two women have been shot, the dead one a bride-to-be, the other a friend is in serious condition. She would die overnight in hospital.
It appears that they have a lunatic on their hands killing young women. There’s no doubt that he will strike again, but when and where? It doesn’t take long to find out. A young single mother is shot in her doorway. The investigation is getting nowhere.
As Serrailler’s team continues their investigation, they are hampered by an upcoming society wedding. In addition, Serrailler’s sister, Cat’s husband has been diagnosed with a brain tumour. It is a tough time for all involved.
Author Susan Hill has written an interesting novel that shows not just police procedure, but the human side of policing. Life can be harsh, and Hill delivers some extreme harshness in this novel.
Master of Rome
The Roman legions have been destroyed just outside Tunis, those who
survived the slaughter have retreated to Aspis where the navy sits in
the harbour. There Atticus is in charge of the fleet. His friend,
Septimus, is a marine centurion, there to help, but what help can he be
when the Carthaginian fleet bottles them up in the harbour and their
army is advancing?
Fortunately the Roman fleet from Sicily arrives before the Carthaginian navy can attack the bottled up fleet. The Carthaginians are forced to retreat after a battle at sea, however, they have won a significant battle on land against the Romans.
Consul Paullus decides to take the victorious fleet to Sicily and engage the Carthaginian army there. Atticus warns against it due to the possibility of severe weather. Paullus’ decision would be one that would lead to the destruction of many ships as a storm strikes the fleet before it can put into port on Sicily.
Because of what has happened to his old legion, the Ninth, Septimus decides to leave the ship and return to the army, now that the Ninth is being reformed. It causes grief between him and Atticus.
Atticus’ old enemy, Scipio, has been elected senior consul with the death of Paullus. Scipio decides to continue the war with Carthage. The first place to be attacked will be Panormus on the northwest coast of Sicily. Atticus will man the blockade while the Ninth and Second legions will march on the city. Although the legions are able to take the city, the weak Roman navy is badly damaged by the Carthaginian navy as it attempts to break out of the harbour.
Is this the end of the Roman navy? Author John Stack has battles remaining for both Atticus and the infant Roman navy; there is plenty of well written, exciting action in store for both Atticus and Septimus. This was a very enjoyable read, which I found hard to put down.
Fortunately the Roman fleet from Sicily arrives before the Carthaginian navy can attack the bottled up fleet. The Carthaginians are forced to retreat after a battle at sea, however, they have won a significant battle on land against the Romans.
Consul Paullus decides to take the victorious fleet to Sicily and engage the Carthaginian army there. Atticus warns against it due to the possibility of severe weather. Paullus’ decision would be one that would lead to the destruction of many ships as a storm strikes the fleet before it can put into port on Sicily.
Because of what has happened to his old legion, the Ninth, Septimus decides to leave the ship and return to the army, now that the Ninth is being reformed. It causes grief between him and Atticus.
Atticus’ old enemy, Scipio, has been elected senior consul with the death of Paullus. Scipio decides to continue the war with Carthage. The first place to be attacked will be Panormus on the northwest coast of Sicily. Atticus will man the blockade while the Ninth and Second legions will march on the city. Although the legions are able to take the city, the weak Roman navy is badly damaged by the Carthaginian navy as it attempts to break out of the harbour.
Is this the end of the Roman navy? Author John Stack has battles remaining for both Atticus and the infant Roman navy; there is plenty of well written, exciting action in store for both Atticus and Septimus. This was a very enjoyable read, which I found hard to put down.
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