Genre: Historical Mystery
Setting; England, 1377
I just read an excerpt of this novel. Based on the first two chapters, this will be a fantastic novel. The complete novel should be published later this year.
Hayes has based the novel on a curious event in history. In 1377 the village of Duns suffered a terrible disaster. There was a fire that killed five young boys. In their grief, the town's people look for someone to blame. They become convinced that the Jews were responsible for the deaths. The men of the town decide to take the bodies of the boys to the king and ask for justice.
The parent of one of the dead boys, Mear, is a mute. The story is told through Mear's eyes. Mear soon finds a clue that the deaths may not have been an accident. Mear decides to go on the journey. Will Mear unravel the mystery and discover the truth of the boys deaths? Will Mear be able to communicate to the others about what is found? And will Mear reveal to us the secrets that she hides from the other town's folk?
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Saturday, March 24, 2012
A Shot Rolling Ship by David Donachie
Genre: Nautical Fiction
Setting: England and France in the early 1793, during the French revolution.
This is the second novel in Donachie's John Pearce series. John Pearce is the son of Adam Pearce who is a fiery public speaker. His subjects are freedom, liberty, and the end of the monarchy. After the beginning of the French revolution, Adam Pearce becomes even bolder in his speeches against the king. When he oversteps the patience of the government, a warrant is is issued for the arrest of Adam, and his son John. Adam flees to France and John flees from English government agents.
In the first Pearce novel, By the Mast Divided, Pearce and several acquaintances are illegally pressed into naval service. Having grown up listening to his father's philosophy about individual liberty, Pearce chafes against the tyranny of life aboard an English warship of the 18th century. Pearce and his friends form a group called the Pelicans, named after the inn where they were captured. Pearce promises to get the Pelicans their freedom. Just before they can set foot on English soil and regain their freedom, they are transferred onto another English ship and sent back out to sea.
In this novel, Pearce continues to try and gain freedom for the Pelicans. Pearce senses that the HMS Griffin is not a happy ship. There are very few chances to capture enemy shipping and gain prize money. Additionally, the ship is captained by a lieutenant who views the post as a dead end for his career. A natural leader of men, Pearce begins to foment disobedience among the crew. Adding to Pearce's need to get off the ship is the knowledge that his father has been imprisoned in France and is in danger of the guillotine.
The title of the novel refers to a practice of unhappy British seamen. They would sneak up to the main deck in the dark of the night. There they would set a cannon ball rolling on the deck. The sound of the shot rolling would be heard all through the ship. And as the ship rocked in the night, the cannon ball would present a danger to anyone who happened to be on deck.
Expecting to be punished by the captain, Pearce is confused when his efforts are seemingly ignored. When the Griffin returns to port, the captain solves his problem with Pearce in an unusual way. Instead of punishment, he promotes Pearce to midshipman, and gives Pearce permission to leave the ship. The sight of Pearce leaving the ship as an officer destroys Pearce's credibility with the Pelicans.
Pearce then travels to France to attempt to save his father from the guillotine. Will he be able to save his father? And what does he learn along the way about freedom, liberty, and leadership?
John Pearce is an interesting character. He is a natural leader of men. However, he often causes problems for himself due to his forthright manner.
This series extends to eight novels. One can see the rise of Pearce from an impressed seaman, to an officer. He will continue to try to get justice for his fellow Pelicans, and retribution against officers who have treated him unfairly. I look forward to reading the next installment of the series.
A Shot Rolling Ship - John Pearce #2
By the Mast Divided - John Pearce #1
Check out my eBook
Setting: England and France in the early 1793, during the French revolution.
This is the second novel in Donachie's John Pearce series. John Pearce is the son of Adam Pearce who is a fiery public speaker. His subjects are freedom, liberty, and the end of the monarchy. After the beginning of the French revolution, Adam Pearce becomes even bolder in his speeches against the king. When he oversteps the patience of the government, a warrant is is issued for the arrest of Adam, and his son John. Adam flees to France and John flees from English government agents.
In the first Pearce novel, By the Mast Divided, Pearce and several acquaintances are illegally pressed into naval service. Having grown up listening to his father's philosophy about individual liberty, Pearce chafes against the tyranny of life aboard an English warship of the 18th century. Pearce and his friends form a group called the Pelicans, named after the inn where they were captured. Pearce promises to get the Pelicans their freedom. Just before they can set foot on English soil and regain their freedom, they are transferred onto another English ship and sent back out to sea.
In this novel, Pearce continues to try and gain freedom for the Pelicans. Pearce senses that the HMS Griffin is not a happy ship. There are very few chances to capture enemy shipping and gain prize money. Additionally, the ship is captained by a lieutenant who views the post as a dead end for his career. A natural leader of men, Pearce begins to foment disobedience among the crew. Adding to Pearce's need to get off the ship is the knowledge that his father has been imprisoned in France and is in danger of the guillotine.
The title of the novel refers to a practice of unhappy British seamen. They would sneak up to the main deck in the dark of the night. There they would set a cannon ball rolling on the deck. The sound of the shot rolling would be heard all through the ship. And as the ship rocked in the night, the cannon ball would present a danger to anyone who happened to be on deck.
Expecting to be punished by the captain, Pearce is confused when his efforts are seemingly ignored. When the Griffin returns to port, the captain solves his problem with Pearce in an unusual way. Instead of punishment, he promotes Pearce to midshipman, and gives Pearce permission to leave the ship. The sight of Pearce leaving the ship as an officer destroys Pearce's credibility with the Pelicans.
Pearce then travels to France to attempt to save his father from the guillotine. Will he be able to save his father? And what does he learn along the way about freedom, liberty, and leadership?
John Pearce is an interesting character. He is a natural leader of men. However, he often causes problems for himself due to his forthright manner.
This series extends to eight novels. One can see the rise of Pearce from an impressed seaman, to an officer. He will continue to try to get justice for his fellow Pelicans, and retribution against officers who have treated him unfairly. I look forward to reading the next installment of the series.
A Shot Rolling Ship - John Pearce #2
By the Mast Divided - John Pearce #1
Check out my eBook
Friday, March 16, 2012
The Wolves of Savernake by Edward Marston
Genre: Historical Mystery
Setting: England in 1086, twenty years after the Norman conquest of England
This novel is the first of Edward Marston's Domesday series. When William the Conqueror became King of England, he sent investigators out to make a complete inventory of all land in the realm. The resulting document became known as the Domesday book. This novel takes place a few years after the initial investigation.
The main characters form a commission whose task is to clear up any inaccuracies and inconsistencies remaining from previous investigations. The commission is headed by Ralph Delchard. Ralph is a Norman soldier who fought with William at the Battle of Hastings. His steadfast leadership ensures victory of a legal nature. And he has an eye out for victory of a more feminine kind. Delchard is aided by Gervase Bret. Bret is a highly educated lawyer. A former monk, he is now betrothed to the lovely Alys. His trustworthy and chaste courtship of Alys makes him a target of Ralph's lusty jibes.
Just before the commission arrives, a local miller is found savagely murdered in Savernake forest. It appears that he has been slain by wolf. It just so happens that his complaints about the ownership of a tract of land have attracted the commission's interest. Soon the townspeople accuse a local witch who happens to have a dog as a familiar. Could it be that she has used some unearthly power to attack the miller?
As Ralph and Gervase investigate, they uncover forged documents and counterfeit coinage. When another man is slain in the forest by the wolf the mystery becomes even more tangled. Can Ralph and Gervase determine who the land belongs to, uncover who has been counterfeiting money, and solve the mystery of the wolf of Savernake?
This novel was an enjoyable read. One of the best parts of Marston's novels is his fantastic dialog. This novel didn't disappoint. The banter between characters makes them seem alive. I encourage you to try out one of Marston's novels just to get a taste of that great dialog!
The Wolves of Savernake
Check out my eBook
Setting: England in 1086, twenty years after the Norman conquest of England
This novel is the first of Edward Marston's Domesday series. When William the Conqueror became King of England, he sent investigators out to make a complete inventory of all land in the realm. The resulting document became known as the Domesday book. This novel takes place a few years after the initial investigation.
The main characters form a commission whose task is to clear up any inaccuracies and inconsistencies remaining from previous investigations. The commission is headed by Ralph Delchard. Ralph is a Norman soldier who fought with William at the Battle of Hastings. His steadfast leadership ensures victory of a legal nature. And he has an eye out for victory of a more feminine kind. Delchard is aided by Gervase Bret. Bret is a highly educated lawyer. A former monk, he is now betrothed to the lovely Alys. His trustworthy and chaste courtship of Alys makes him a target of Ralph's lusty jibes.
Just before the commission arrives, a local miller is found savagely murdered in Savernake forest. It appears that he has been slain by wolf. It just so happens that his complaints about the ownership of a tract of land have attracted the commission's interest. Soon the townspeople accuse a local witch who happens to have a dog as a familiar. Could it be that she has used some unearthly power to attack the miller?
As Ralph and Gervase investigate, they uncover forged documents and counterfeit coinage. When another man is slain in the forest by the wolf the mystery becomes even more tangled. Can Ralph and Gervase determine who the land belongs to, uncover who has been counterfeiting money, and solve the mystery of the wolf of Savernake?
This novel was an enjoyable read. One of the best parts of Marston's novels is his fantastic dialog. This novel didn't disappoint. The banter between characters makes them seem alive. I encourage you to try out one of Marston's novels just to get a taste of that great dialog!
The Wolves of Savernake
Check out my eBook
Monday, March 12, 2012
In Her Name: Empire by Michael R. Hicks
Genre: Science Fiction
Setting: On several different planets in the distant future.
In Her Name: Empire is the first novel in Michael R. Hicks In Her Name series. The series now extends to seven novels.
The main character of the novel is a young orphan boy named Reza. Both of Reza's parents are killed in a desperate battle against the evil alien Kreelans. It seems that the Kreelans have very unique battle tactics that confuse human fighters. Additionally, humans have no information or understanding of the Kreelan culture. During the battle, Reza meets and wounds a Kreelan warrior priestess. The priestess gives Reza an identical wound, and allows him to live.
Reza then is sent to a planet where orphan children are exploited as slave laborers. There he becomes the leader of a group of orphans. He and his fellow orphans struggle against exploitation, and abusive adults. Just about the time they succeed in overcoming the horrible conditions of the planet, the Kreelans attack. The Kreelans kidnap a group of children, including Reza. It seems that the Kreelans are interested in discovering if humans are sentient enough to posses a soul.
Reza is then given to a young Kreelan girl. Her duty is to attempt to train Reza, whom she considers to be an animal. The remainder of the novel is the story of how Reza becomes the only human to understand Kreelan culture.
I really enjoyed this book. It was a real page turner. Hick's writing style makes the story easy to read and understand. In the Kreelans, Hicks has created an interesting alien culture. In the beginning, the Kreelans appear to be your standard evil aliens. Through Reza's eyes we discover that the Kreelans have an advanced society with literature, language and philosophy. With each turn of the page, Hicks draws us into the Kreelan's world. I wanted to read on to find out how Reza survives, and learn more about the Kreelans.
In Her Name: Empire
Check out my eBook.
Setting: On several different planets in the distant future.
In Her Name: Empire is the first novel in Michael R. Hicks In Her Name series. The series now extends to seven novels.
The main character of the novel is a young orphan boy named Reza. Both of Reza's parents are killed in a desperate battle against the evil alien Kreelans. It seems that the Kreelans have very unique battle tactics that confuse human fighters. Additionally, humans have no information or understanding of the Kreelan culture. During the battle, Reza meets and wounds a Kreelan warrior priestess. The priestess gives Reza an identical wound, and allows him to live.
Reza then is sent to a planet where orphan children are exploited as slave laborers. There he becomes the leader of a group of orphans. He and his fellow orphans struggle against exploitation, and abusive adults. Just about the time they succeed in overcoming the horrible conditions of the planet, the Kreelans attack. The Kreelans kidnap a group of children, including Reza. It seems that the Kreelans are interested in discovering if humans are sentient enough to posses a soul.
Reza is then given to a young Kreelan girl. Her duty is to attempt to train Reza, whom she considers to be an animal. The remainder of the novel is the story of how Reza becomes the only human to understand Kreelan culture.
I really enjoyed this book. It was a real page turner. Hick's writing style makes the story easy to read and understand. In the Kreelans, Hicks has created an interesting alien culture. In the beginning, the Kreelans appear to be your standard evil aliens. Through Reza's eyes we discover that the Kreelans have an advanced society with literature, language and philosophy. With each turn of the page, Hicks draws us into the Kreelan's world. I wanted to read on to find out how Reza survives, and learn more about the Kreelans.
In Her Name: Empire
Check out my eBook.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
The Council of the Cursed by Peter Tremayne
Genre: Historical Mystery
Setting: Seventh Century Europe
This book is the 17th novel in Peter Tremayne's Sister Fidelma mystery series.
In Sister Fidelma, Tremayne has created a seventh century super sleuth. Fidelma is an Irish religieuse of the Roman Catholic Church. She is also a highly trained and respected lawyer of Irish law. Additionally, she is the sister of the current king of Munster. She is aided in her investigations by her husband, Eadulf. Eadulf is a Saxon religieux and hereditary gerefa of Seaxmund's Ham. Together they have a son, Alchu. In the seventh century, the rule of clerical celibacy was not widely accepted. Monks and nuns often were married. And there were abbeys and monasteries in which men and women lived and worked together.
In this episode of the series, the Pope has called a conference of church leaders to discuss matters relating to standardizing Catholic rules and beliefs. Fidelma, with Eadulf, has been asked to attend to serve as an adviser to Irish abbots on matters of Irish law. Just a few days before their arrival, one of the Irish abbots has been brutally murdered. The scene of the crime seems to indicate that one of two different abbots must have committed the murder. The leader of the monastery asks Fidelma to investigate in order to determine which bishop is guilty of the crime.
What seems to be an open-and-shut case soon becomes very complicated. Fidelma soon begins to uncover a wider mystery concerning missing persons and slavery. There is another murder, and Fidelma finds herself in danger. Can Fidelma, with Eadulf's help, connect all the clues to discover who is behind the crimes she uncovers?
I really enjoy Tremayne's Sister Fidelma novels. When ever I buy one, it moves to the top of my "to read" list. The novels are well written and are easy to read. The plots are well tangled, and I rarely figure out who-dun-it until the last chapter. The best part of all is when Fidelma reveals her solution to the mystery. Tremayne does this by having Fidelma present a case in a trial like setting. Often, a seemingly insignificant clue becomes vital in solving the mystery.
Best of all, is the character of Fidelma herself. She is a strong female character in a leading role. She is educated, well trained, secure in her position, dedicated to the truth and does not suffer fools. She is one of my best loved characters.
The Council of the Cursed
The first novel of the series - Absolution by Murder
check out my eBook
Setting: Seventh Century Europe
This book is the 17th novel in Peter Tremayne's Sister Fidelma mystery series.
In Sister Fidelma, Tremayne has created a seventh century super sleuth. Fidelma is an Irish religieuse of the Roman Catholic Church. She is also a highly trained and respected lawyer of Irish law. Additionally, she is the sister of the current king of Munster. She is aided in her investigations by her husband, Eadulf. Eadulf is a Saxon religieux and hereditary gerefa of Seaxmund's Ham. Together they have a son, Alchu. In the seventh century, the rule of clerical celibacy was not widely accepted. Monks and nuns often were married. And there were abbeys and monasteries in which men and women lived and worked together.
In this episode of the series, the Pope has called a conference of church leaders to discuss matters relating to standardizing Catholic rules and beliefs. Fidelma, with Eadulf, has been asked to attend to serve as an adviser to Irish abbots on matters of Irish law. Just a few days before their arrival, one of the Irish abbots has been brutally murdered. The scene of the crime seems to indicate that one of two different abbots must have committed the murder. The leader of the monastery asks Fidelma to investigate in order to determine which bishop is guilty of the crime.
What seems to be an open-and-shut case soon becomes very complicated. Fidelma soon begins to uncover a wider mystery concerning missing persons and slavery. There is another murder, and Fidelma finds herself in danger. Can Fidelma, with Eadulf's help, connect all the clues to discover who is behind the crimes she uncovers?
I really enjoy Tremayne's Sister Fidelma novels. When ever I buy one, it moves to the top of my "to read" list. The novels are well written and are easy to read. The plots are well tangled, and I rarely figure out who-dun-it until the last chapter. The best part of all is when Fidelma reveals her solution to the mystery. Tremayne does this by having Fidelma present a case in a trial like setting. Often, a seemingly insignificant clue becomes vital in solving the mystery.
Best of all, is the character of Fidelma herself. She is a strong female character in a leading role. She is educated, well trained, secure in her position, dedicated to the truth and does not suffer fools. She is one of my best loved characters.
The Council of the Cursed
The first novel of the series - Absolution by Murder
check out my eBook
Friday, March 2, 2012
Destroyermen: Firestorm by Taylor Anderson
Genre: Alternate History
Setting: A parallel version of Earth during World War II
Firestorm is the sixth novel in Anderson's Destroyermen series.
In early days of World War II, a Navy destroyer is locked in a life or death struggle with a Japanese battleship. In a last ditch attempt to escape, the USS Walker heads into a strange violent squall. When the destroyer emerges from the storm, its crew finds themselves in a very different world.
There they discover two nonhuman sentient races: the Lemurians, a relatively peace loving mammalian species, and the Grik, a violent reptilian species bent on conquering and consuming the Lemurians.
Eventually, they find that there are other humans who have entered this strange Earth at various times in the past. One group is descended from British explorers from the 18th century who now occupy what in our world is the Hawaiian islands. Another has its roots in Spanish explorers and missionaries from the 16th century. This group of humans have created a twisted religion formed from the marriage of the Spanish Inquisition and Aztec human sacrifice.
The crew of the Walker join with the Lemurians to help them survive the Grik onslaught. As the story progresses through Anderson's novels, the war with the Grik grows. A Japanese battleship has also entered this world. Its crew join with the Grik in order to fight and defeat the Americans helping the Lemurians.
In this novel the scope of the conflict has widened from Ceylon in the West, to the what we would call the California coast. In the West the battle with the Grik continues as the Grik become more technologically and mentally advanced. In the East, the Destroyermen, aided by the Lemurians, fight the evil Holy Dominion. There are defeats and victories as the war progresses. This novel is an interesting and exciting chapter in a fantastic Alternate History series.
I really enjoyed this book. I found it to be a real page turner. The battle scenes are exciting without excessive descriptions of blood and violence. And Anderson has created a memorable character in Chief Gunners Mate Silva. I like Anderson's writing style. It makes it easy to read and understand the plot.
I would make one suggestion to the author. As the series progresses there are many characters to keep track of. A list of the characters would aid the reader in remembering who is who.
Destroyermen: Firestorm
Into the Storm - the first book in the series.
Check out my eBook
Setting: A parallel version of Earth during World War II
Firestorm is the sixth novel in Anderson's Destroyermen series.
In early days of World War II, a Navy destroyer is locked in a life or death struggle with a Japanese battleship. In a last ditch attempt to escape, the USS Walker heads into a strange violent squall. When the destroyer emerges from the storm, its crew finds themselves in a very different world.
There they discover two nonhuman sentient races: the Lemurians, a relatively peace loving mammalian species, and the Grik, a violent reptilian species bent on conquering and consuming the Lemurians.
Eventually, they find that there are other humans who have entered this strange Earth at various times in the past. One group is descended from British explorers from the 18th century who now occupy what in our world is the Hawaiian islands. Another has its roots in Spanish explorers and missionaries from the 16th century. This group of humans have created a twisted religion formed from the marriage of the Spanish Inquisition and Aztec human sacrifice.
The crew of the Walker join with the Lemurians to help them survive the Grik onslaught. As the story progresses through Anderson's novels, the war with the Grik grows. A Japanese battleship has also entered this world. Its crew join with the Grik in order to fight and defeat the Americans helping the Lemurians.
In this novel the scope of the conflict has widened from Ceylon in the West, to the what we would call the California coast. In the West the battle with the Grik continues as the Grik become more technologically and mentally advanced. In the East, the Destroyermen, aided by the Lemurians, fight the evil Holy Dominion. There are defeats and victories as the war progresses. This novel is an interesting and exciting chapter in a fantastic Alternate History series.
I really enjoyed this book. I found it to be a real page turner. The battle scenes are exciting without excessive descriptions of blood and violence. And Anderson has created a memorable character in Chief Gunners Mate Silva. I like Anderson's writing style. It makes it easy to read and understand the plot.
I would make one suggestion to the author. As the series progresses there are many characters to keep track of. A list of the characters would aid the reader in remembering who is who.
Destroyermen: Firestorm
Into the Storm - the first book in the series.
Check out my eBook
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