Genre: Historical Mystery
Setting: England, 1086AD, twenty years after the Norman conquest of England.
Edward Marston is one of my favorite authors. He writes in a wonderfully readable style. His characters have wit, and intelligence. His plots are tangled yet believable. But what I most enjoy is his dialog. Marston's characters banter in a witty and fun style that makes you laugh to yourself and read on. The dialog alone makes his novels worth reading.
Marston is the author of four different mystery series. His Elizabethan mysteries are centered around a troupe of actors in Elizabethan England. They feature Nicholas Bracewell who is the stage manager for the troupe. The Christopher Redmayne series take place in London after the great fire of 1666. The Inspector Colbeck novels follow the adventures of Colbeck as he investigates crimes committed on Victorian railways.
The Ravens of Blackwater is the second in Marston's Domesday mystery series. After the Norman conquest of England, William the Conqueror sent out investigators to assess the ownership of all the lands of England. This information was compiled in the Domesday book so that taxes could be properly assessed. His main characters, Ralph Delchard and Gervase Bret, are commissioners who are appointed to look into the serious irregularities that come to light during the compilation of the Domesday Book.
In this novel, Delchard and Bret are sent to Essex to investigate the land holdings of a local Norman bully. Hamo FitzCorbucion steals from his neighbors, and tortures his slaves. He uses force to take what he wants. When Delchard and Bret arrive they find that Hano' heir has been murdered. The local nuns are harboring a secret. And the local crazy man may hold the solution to the murder in his muddled brain. In order to complete their Domesday investigations, they must find the solution to the murder mystery.
I found this novel to be a real page turner. Marston forwards the plot with an easy to read style. And, I am always looking forward to some of that fantastic dialog.
The Ravens of Blackwater
The first novel of the series, The Wolves of Savernake
Monday, August 29, 2011
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Death of a Squire by Maureen Ash
Genre: Historical Mystery
Setting: England, 1200AD.
Since the DaVinci code came on the scene, the Knights Templar have been the subject of many historical novels. Many of these novels focus on the destruction of the Knights Templar by the King of France and the search for the Holy Grail.
Maureen Ash's novel is the second in her Templar Knight Mystery series. Her novels are set in the early 1200s, about 100 years before the fall of the Templars. Her main character, Bascot de Marins is a Templar Knight. He is newly returned form the crusades. Upon his return he discovered that his entire family has died, leaving him alone. During the battles of the crusades, de Marins had been captured by the enemy. He had suffered torture and had lost one of his eyes. While returning to England, de Marins had acquired a servant, Gianni, who is a mute. Bascot's order has sent him to Lincoln to rest and recover his physical and mental health.
While at Lincoln, de Marins has proved himself helpful as an investigator of untimely deaths. In this novel, the castle of Lincoln is expecting a visit from King John in a matter of days. A squire is found hanged in the nearby forest. As de Marins investigates, he discovers that the squire is disliked by his fellow squires, and by many of the local lasses. A rumor surfaces that the dead squire may be linked to a possible revolt against the king. De Marins needs to solve the mystery and refute the rumor before the king arrives.
During the investigation, Gianni is kidnaped by local outlaws. This leads Bascot de Marins to question his vows as a Templar Knight, and explore his paternal feelings toward his young servant.
I enjoyed this book. Ash's writing style moves the plot along and provides just the right amount of description. She tangles the plot in a way that keeps you guessing until the end of the story. I am planning on reading more books from this series.
Death of a Squire
The first book in the series, The Alehouse Murders
Setting: England, 1200AD.
Since the DaVinci code came on the scene, the Knights Templar have been the subject of many historical novels. Many of these novels focus on the destruction of the Knights Templar by the King of France and the search for the Holy Grail.
Maureen Ash's novel is the second in her Templar Knight Mystery series. Her novels are set in the early 1200s, about 100 years before the fall of the Templars. Her main character, Bascot de Marins is a Templar Knight. He is newly returned form the crusades. Upon his return he discovered that his entire family has died, leaving him alone. During the battles of the crusades, de Marins had been captured by the enemy. He had suffered torture and had lost one of his eyes. While returning to England, de Marins had acquired a servant, Gianni, who is a mute. Bascot's order has sent him to Lincoln to rest and recover his physical and mental health.
While at Lincoln, de Marins has proved himself helpful as an investigator of untimely deaths. In this novel, the castle of Lincoln is expecting a visit from King John in a matter of days. A squire is found hanged in the nearby forest. As de Marins investigates, he discovers that the squire is disliked by his fellow squires, and by many of the local lasses. A rumor surfaces that the dead squire may be linked to a possible revolt against the king. De Marins needs to solve the mystery and refute the rumor before the king arrives.
During the investigation, Gianni is kidnaped by local outlaws. This leads Bascot de Marins to question his vows as a Templar Knight, and explore his paternal feelings toward his young servant.
I enjoyed this book. Ash's writing style moves the plot along and provides just the right amount of description. She tangles the plot in a way that keeps you guessing until the end of the story. I am planning on reading more books from this series.
Death of a Squire
The first book in the series, The Alehouse Murders
Friday, August 19, 2011
Sharpe's Triumph by Bernard Cornwell
Genre: Historical Fiction, Military Fiction
Setting: India, 1803
Bernard Cornwell is the author of the Sharpe novel series. These novels follow the career of Sergeant Richard Sharpe in the British army. Sharpe's Triumph is the second novel of the series.
In this novel Sharpe is the only survivor of a massacre. The attack is lead by the ruthless Major Dodd. Dodd is a traitorous British officer who has sold his services to a local Indian prince.
Sharpe teams with Colonel McCandless to pursue Dodd. In the pursuit of Dodd, Sharpe and McCandless join the army of Sir Arthur Wellesley, the future Duke of Wellington. (Wellington will be the victorious general at the Battle of Waterloo.)
Sharpe himself is pursued by the evil Sergeant Obadiah Hakeswill. Hakeswill hates Sharpe because of the events in the first novel. Hakeswill has falsely obtained a warrant for the arrest of Sharpe. His plan is to arrest Sharpe and then kill him.
Sharpe is not a perfect hero. He can be gallant and heroic. But he can also be ruthless and cruel. Although he is only a sergeant, Sharpe dreams of returning to England as an officer - an impossible dream in British army of the early 1800s.
The British army in the early nineteenth century was a hard, cruel, deadly experience. Cornwell's novel gives us a glimpse into the gritty reality of that era.
Sharpe's Triumph
The first book of the series, Sharpe's Tiger
Setting: India, 1803
Bernard Cornwell is the author of the Sharpe novel series. These novels follow the career of Sergeant Richard Sharpe in the British army. Sharpe's Triumph is the second novel of the series.
In this novel Sharpe is the only survivor of a massacre. The attack is lead by the ruthless Major Dodd. Dodd is a traitorous British officer who has sold his services to a local Indian prince.
Sharpe teams with Colonel McCandless to pursue Dodd. In the pursuit of Dodd, Sharpe and McCandless join the army of Sir Arthur Wellesley, the future Duke of Wellington. (Wellington will be the victorious general at the Battle of Waterloo.)
Sharpe himself is pursued by the evil Sergeant Obadiah Hakeswill. Hakeswill hates Sharpe because of the events in the first novel. Hakeswill has falsely obtained a warrant for the arrest of Sharpe. His plan is to arrest Sharpe and then kill him.
Sharpe is not a perfect hero. He can be gallant and heroic. But he can also be ruthless and cruel. Although he is only a sergeant, Sharpe dreams of returning to England as an officer - an impossible dream in British army of the early 1800s.
The British army in the early nineteenth century was a hard, cruel, deadly experience. Cornwell's novel gives us a glimpse into the gritty reality of that era.
Sharpe's Triumph
The first book of the series, Sharpe's Tiger
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Red Inferno: 1945 by Robert Conrad
Genre: Alternate History
Alternate History is one of my favorite genres of literature. In this genre, the author picks a critical moment in time to change. And then describes how history would have been different.
In Red Inferno, the critical moment is near the end of World War II. The Allied and the Russian Armies are approaching Berlin. Stalin wants to limit Allied influence in Europe. He has received covert intelligence about the atomic bomb in development in America. Stalin sees that he has a window. If he attacks immediately, and swiftly, he might conquer all of Europe before the atomic bomb is operational. Thus, his army attacks the American army outside of Berlin.
Conroy weaves a story using multiple characters. Some are real figures of history, some are fictional. The novel is a nice easy read. Each page furthers the plot. His descriptions of the horror of war are realistic without being overly graphic. While there are scenes of sex and rape, Conroy has avoided being overly graphic here as well. In the end, it all hinges on if, when, and where the atomic bomb is used.
This is Conroy's fifth Alternate History novel. Every one has been an enjoyable read.
Red Inferno: 1945
Conroy's First novel: 1901
Alternate History is one of my favorite genres of literature. In this genre, the author picks a critical moment in time to change. And then describes how history would have been different.
In Red Inferno, the critical moment is near the end of World War II. The Allied and the Russian Armies are approaching Berlin. Stalin wants to limit Allied influence in Europe. He has received covert intelligence about the atomic bomb in development in America. Stalin sees that he has a window. If he attacks immediately, and swiftly, he might conquer all of Europe before the atomic bomb is operational. Thus, his army attacks the American army outside of Berlin.
Conroy weaves a story using multiple characters. Some are real figures of history, some are fictional. The novel is a nice easy read. Each page furthers the plot. His descriptions of the horror of war are realistic without being overly graphic. While there are scenes of sex and rape, Conroy has avoided being overly graphic here as well. In the end, it all hinges on if, when, and where the atomic bomb is used.
This is Conroy's fifth Alternate History novel. Every one has been an enjoyable read.
Red Inferno: 1945
Conroy's First novel: 1901
Sunday, August 7, 2011
The Dove of Death by Peter Tremayne
Genre: Historical Mystery
The Dove of Death is the 18th novel in Peter Tremeyne's Mysteries of Ancient Ireland series. This story takes place in the year 670AD.
The main character is Sister Fidelma. She has a very complex life. She is a trained advocate of the law. She is a nun. She is the sister of King of Ireland. She is married to a monk: Brother Eadulf. (The rules about celibacy were different 1300 years ago!) And she is mother to their child Alchu.
Ancient Ireland had a well defined set of rules, laws and courts. Fidelma is trained to the second highest level of lawyer, just below judges. This means she is often called upon to solve mysteries, especially those surrounding untimely deaths. Often, her husband and partner work together to unravel mysteries. But make no mistake, Fidelma is in charge. Eadulf is is Watson to Fidema's Sherlock.
In the Dove of Death, Fidelma and Eadulf are returning to Ireland by sea. Their ship is attacked by pirates commanded by a masked villain dressed in white. During the attack, Fidema's cousin is killed. Fidelma and Eadulf wind up on shore with no immediate way home. They must discover the identity of the leader of the pirates. As they investigate, several more murders occur. How many will die before Fidelma solves the mystery and finds justice for her slain cousin?
The Dove of Death
The first book in the series: Absolution by Murder
The Dove of Death is the 18th novel in Peter Tremeyne's Mysteries of Ancient Ireland series. This story takes place in the year 670AD.
The main character is Sister Fidelma. She has a very complex life. She is a trained advocate of the law. She is a nun. She is the sister of King of Ireland. She is married to a monk: Brother Eadulf. (The rules about celibacy were different 1300 years ago!) And she is mother to their child Alchu.
Ancient Ireland had a well defined set of rules, laws and courts. Fidelma is trained to the second highest level of lawyer, just below judges. This means she is often called upon to solve mysteries, especially those surrounding untimely deaths. Often, her husband and partner work together to unravel mysteries. But make no mistake, Fidelma is in charge. Eadulf is is Watson to Fidema's Sherlock.
In the Dove of Death, Fidelma and Eadulf are returning to Ireland by sea. Their ship is attacked by pirates commanded by a masked villain dressed in white. During the attack, Fidema's cousin is killed. Fidelma and Eadulf wind up on shore with no immediate way home. They must discover the identity of the leader of the pirates. As they investigate, several more murders occur. How many will die before Fidelma solves the mystery and finds justice for her slain cousin?
The Dove of Death
The first book in the series: Absolution by Murder
Thursday, August 4, 2011
A Play of Piety by Margaret Frazer
Genre: Historical Mystery
Margaret Frazer is one of my favorite authors. She is currently writing two historical mystery series. Each of her mystery series take place in rural England in the middle of the fifteenth century. The settings for the novels are far away from the squalor of the cities. In Frazer's England, life is well ordered. Her characters range from servants to lords and ladies. Frazer's writings style is easy to read. I find that I fly through the pages and get to the end too soon. Fraser's novels read as great historical fiction. Often the untimely death occurs in the last half of the book. This give us a chance to learn about the character and their lives.
Frazer's original series is the Dame Frevisse Medieval Mysteries. The main character is a nun at a small convent in rural England. Dame Frevisse is a distant relative of Geoffry Chaucer. She is inquisitive has a knack at unraveling untimely deaths.
Her second series is Joliffe the Player Mysteries. These stories take place in the same time period as the Dame Frevisse stories. Joliffe originally appeared as a character in one of the Dame Frevisse novels. In these stories , Joliffe is a player in a traveling troupe of actors. The troupe has recently become Lord Lovell's players. This gives the troupe more social status, but means that they must obey their lord's wishes.
In A Play of Piety, Joliffe has returned to England from France. He has been performing a secret service for Lord Lovell and the Bishop. Upon his return, he finds the troupe spending the harvest time in a small village. The leader of the troupe in in a hospital recovering from a severe case of arthritis. Joliffe is employed as a servant and helper in the hospital. The hospital has the misfortune of having an overbearing and demanding guest. When several people appear to have been poisoned, Joliffe begins to question who is trying to kill who, and why.
I can think of no better way to spend a quiet hour, than reading about Margaret Frazer's medieval England, Joliffe, and Dame Frevisse.
The first book of the Dame Frevisse Series is The Novice's Tale:
The first book of the Joliffe the Player Series is A Play for Isaac:
Margaret Frazer is one of my favorite authors. She is currently writing two historical mystery series. Each of her mystery series take place in rural England in the middle of the fifteenth century. The settings for the novels are far away from the squalor of the cities. In Frazer's England, life is well ordered. Her characters range from servants to lords and ladies. Frazer's writings style is easy to read. I find that I fly through the pages and get to the end too soon. Fraser's novels read as great historical fiction. Often the untimely death occurs in the last half of the book. This give us a chance to learn about the character and their lives.
Frazer's original series is the Dame Frevisse Medieval Mysteries. The main character is a nun at a small convent in rural England. Dame Frevisse is a distant relative of Geoffry Chaucer. She is inquisitive has a knack at unraveling untimely deaths.
Her second series is Joliffe the Player Mysteries. These stories take place in the same time period as the Dame Frevisse stories. Joliffe originally appeared as a character in one of the Dame Frevisse novels. In these stories , Joliffe is a player in a traveling troupe of actors. The troupe has recently become Lord Lovell's players. This gives the troupe more social status, but means that they must obey their lord's wishes.
In A Play of Piety, Joliffe has returned to England from France. He has been performing a secret service for Lord Lovell and the Bishop. Upon his return, he finds the troupe spending the harvest time in a small village. The leader of the troupe in in a hospital recovering from a severe case of arthritis. Joliffe is employed as a servant and helper in the hospital. The hospital has the misfortune of having an overbearing and demanding guest. When several people appear to have been poisoned, Joliffe begins to question who is trying to kill who, and why.
I can think of no better way to spend a quiet hour, than reading about Margaret Frazer's medieval England, Joliffe, and Dame Frevisse.
The first book of the Dame Frevisse Series is The Novice's Tale:
The first book of the Joliffe the Player Series is A Play for Isaac:
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