Genre: Historical Mystery
Setting Boston, 1869
First sentence: The first thing that struck Nell Sweeney about that morning's Daily Advertiser, even before the front page headline in inch-high type, was the illustration that accompanied it.
This novel is the third in P.B. Ryan's Guilded Age Mysteries series.
The main character of Ryan's novel is Nell Sweeney. She is the Irish governess to the Hewitts, a prominent Boston family. And she has a checkered past. Her husband is in prison. She herself once was a pickpocket. Nell must keep her past a secret or she would surely lose her position.
Her partner in her investigations is William Hewitt. Will is the estranged son of the Hewitt family. He is a recovering opium addict, a professional gambler, and the father of Nell's young charge, Grace.
In this installment of the series, a famous actress has been murdered along with her Irish maid. The police and several prominent Boston businessmen are eager to sweep the crime under the carpet. The deaths are assumed to be the results of a robbery gone bad, and the Irish maid is blamed for the crime.
It turns out that the Hewitt's buggy driver, Brady, is the the uncle of the accused Irish maid. He is sure that his niece is innocent. Nell assures him that she will uncover the truth.
Nell and Will begin asking questions. They soon discover that the actress had been intimate with many prominent Boston gentlemen. And that she had kept a record of their visits. Using the information in the "Red Book" she had supplemented her income by blackmailing her gentlemen visitors. And now the Red Book is missing.
Will Nell and Will discover the truth, find the Red Book, and exonerate Brady's niece?
P.B. Ryan is one of my favorite authors. In this novel she has created an interesting and intricate plot. I enjoyed trying to work out "who-dun-it". I solved the mystery just a few pages before the reveal. For me, it was a fun read that ended too soon.
I'll be downloading the next novel in the series soon!
Death on Beacon Hill
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Friday, September 28, 2012
Sunday, September 23, 2012
The Queen's Man by Sharon Kay Penman
Genre: Historical Mystery
Setting: England, 1193 A.D.
First Sentence: Do you think the King is dead?
This novel is the first in Sharon Kay Penman's Justin de Quincy mystery series.
Epiphany, 1193. Justin de Quincy finds himself on the road to London, alone, on a snowy morning. Suddenly, he encounters the scene of a crime. A pair of outlaws are attacking a man and a boy. Justin comes to the victims' aid. He chases off the outlaws. Unfortunately, the man has been dealt a fatal blow. His last words to Justin are: "You must deliver this letter to the Queen."
The Queen is Eleanor of Aquitaine. The King is her son, Richard the Lionhearted. No one knows the whereabouts of Richard. It is feared that he may be dead. If so, his brother John may claim the throne.
Justin takes it upon himself to deliver the letter to the Queen. Before delivering the letter, he reads it. He discovers that Richard is alive and being held for ransom.
Eleanor is impressed with Justin's courage and honesty. She makes him a Queen's Man and asks him to investigate the murder. She wishes to know if the killing was ordered by John, or another of the enemies of England.
As Justin investigates the murder, he finds that several of the victim's family had motives for his death. Justin also finds himself more embroiled in the intrigues of court politics. Along the way he finds friendship, love, and betrayal from some unlikely sources.
Will Justin solve the murder, and prove himself worthy of being a Queen's Man?
I found this novel to be an enjoyable read. Penman's description of life in England in the 12th century seem accurate and realistic. The characters have realistic personalities with good and bad sides. And the plot, like real life, doesn't end with a perfect solution.
Overall, a nice enjoyable read.
The Queen's Man
Check out my eBook!
Setting: England, 1193 A.D.
First Sentence: Do you think the King is dead?
This novel is the first in Sharon Kay Penman's Justin de Quincy mystery series.
Epiphany, 1193. Justin de Quincy finds himself on the road to London, alone, on a snowy morning. Suddenly, he encounters the scene of a crime. A pair of outlaws are attacking a man and a boy. Justin comes to the victims' aid. He chases off the outlaws. Unfortunately, the man has been dealt a fatal blow. His last words to Justin are: "You must deliver this letter to the Queen."
The Queen is Eleanor of Aquitaine. The King is her son, Richard the Lionhearted. No one knows the whereabouts of Richard. It is feared that he may be dead. If so, his brother John may claim the throne.
Justin takes it upon himself to deliver the letter to the Queen. Before delivering the letter, he reads it. He discovers that Richard is alive and being held for ransom.
Eleanor is impressed with Justin's courage and honesty. She makes him a Queen's Man and asks him to investigate the murder. She wishes to know if the killing was ordered by John, or another of the enemies of England.
As Justin investigates the murder, he finds that several of the victim's family had motives for his death. Justin also finds himself more embroiled in the intrigues of court politics. Along the way he finds friendship, love, and betrayal from some unlikely sources.
Will Justin solve the murder, and prove himself worthy of being a Queen's Man?
I found this novel to be an enjoyable read. Penman's description of life in England in the 12th century seem accurate and realistic. The characters have realistic personalities with good and bad sides. And the plot, like real life, doesn't end with a perfect solution.
Overall, a nice enjoyable read.
The Queen's Man
Check out my eBook!
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Iron Grey Sea: Destroyermen by Taylor Anderson
Genre: Alternate History
Setting: An alternate Earth during the World War II era.
First Sentence: The sky was corroded lead, cold and gray with splotches of white.
This novel is the sixth in Anderson's Destroyermen series.
The Destroyermen series is about an American naval destroyer, the U.S.S. Walker, and its crew. During WWII the Walker enters a eerie storm and finds itself in a strange, alternate Earth.
There they discover the peaceful, intelligent Lemurians. The Lemurians are locked in a desperate war against the reptilian, carnivorous Grik. The Destroyermen decide to aid the Lemurians.
With each succeeding novel, Anderson reveals more of this strange version of Earth. Members of the Japanese navy have crossed over and joined with the Grik against the Americans and the Lemurians. Across the ocean to the East, the Destroyermen discover a group of humans who are descended from English explorers of the 1700's. Along with them is the evil Dominion. These humans descended from Spanish sailors of the 1600's practice a bloody mixture of Catholic and Aztec beliefs.
In this chapter of the series, the war is not going well. In the West, the Grik have become more crafty and intelligent. The Destroyermen's technological edge is being matched by the Grik who are aided by their Japanese allies.
In the East, the battle against the Dominion continues. Although the Dominion does not have advanced technology yet, they do have trained flying dinosaurs. And they are not afraid to use terrorist style attacks.
The main character, Captain Matthew Reddy, finds himself between the two theaters of war. When he receives the news that yet another Japanese warship has crossed over, he knows that it is up to him, and the Walker to meed the challenge.
This novel is full of action. There are desperate land, sea, and even air battles. There are some victories, and there are some defeats. And, Anderson's Earth grows larger as we learn of possible new allies for the Destroyermen.
I totally enjoyed this novel. It had a fast pace with lots of action. And I enjoyed reading about my favorite character, Dennis Silva. He always seems to be where he needs to be. And he doesn't let things like orders and rules get in the way.
I can't wait for the next installment of the series.
Iron Gray Sea
Check out my eBook!
Setting: An alternate Earth during the World War II era.
First Sentence: The sky was corroded lead, cold and gray with splotches of white.
This novel is the sixth in Anderson's Destroyermen series.
The Destroyermen series is about an American naval destroyer, the U.S.S. Walker, and its crew. During WWII the Walker enters a eerie storm and finds itself in a strange, alternate Earth.
There they discover the peaceful, intelligent Lemurians. The Lemurians are locked in a desperate war against the reptilian, carnivorous Grik. The Destroyermen decide to aid the Lemurians.
With each succeeding novel, Anderson reveals more of this strange version of Earth. Members of the Japanese navy have crossed over and joined with the Grik against the Americans and the Lemurians. Across the ocean to the East, the Destroyermen discover a group of humans who are descended from English explorers of the 1700's. Along with them is the evil Dominion. These humans descended from Spanish sailors of the 1600's practice a bloody mixture of Catholic and Aztec beliefs.
In this chapter of the series, the war is not going well. In the West, the Grik have become more crafty and intelligent. The Destroyermen's technological edge is being matched by the Grik who are aided by their Japanese allies.
In the East, the battle against the Dominion continues. Although the Dominion does not have advanced technology yet, they do have trained flying dinosaurs. And they are not afraid to use terrorist style attacks.
The main character, Captain Matthew Reddy, finds himself between the two theaters of war. When he receives the news that yet another Japanese warship has crossed over, he knows that it is up to him, and the Walker to meed the challenge.
This novel is full of action. There are desperate land, sea, and even air battles. There are some victories, and there are some defeats. And, Anderson's Earth grows larger as we learn of possible new allies for the Destroyermen.
I totally enjoyed this novel. It had a fast pace with lots of action. And I enjoyed reading about my favorite character, Dennis Silva. He always seems to be where he needs to be. And he doesn't let things like orders and rules get in the way.
I can't wait for the next installment of the series.
Iron Gray Sea
Check out my eBook!
Monday, September 10, 2012
Revelation by C. S. Sansom
Genre: Historical Mystery
Setting: London, 1543, During the reign of King Henry VIII
First Sentence: The high chandeliers in the Great Hall of Lincoln's Inn were ablaze with candles, for it was late in the afternoon when the play began.
This novel is the third in Sansom's Matthew Shardlake Mystery series.
The theme of this novel is madness. It is the time of the Protestant Reformation. Religious reform has embroiled London in a tangle of religious extremes. An unfortunate expression of personal beliefs could get one imprisoned, or even executed for heresy. Among the fervent believers are those who have become obsessed with the commands of the Bible.
Contrasted with the madness of some extremists, are those who suffer from psychological illness. Many of these are confined in Bedlam. Bedlam was London's hospital for the insane.
As the plot progresses, Shardlake encounters many different forms of madness. Shardlake is charged with defending a young man whose extreme religious obsession has caused him to be held in Bedlam. When one of Shardlake's friends is murdered, he joins the investigation for the killer. It soon becomes apparent that the killer is using the Book of Revelations as a guide for a series of gruesome slayings.
Will Shardlake find the killer before completes his evil plan? And will he be able to help his young client?
Sansom does a great job of bringing history to life. As Shardlake investigates the murders, we experience the city of London during the 16th century. Sansom's tale is a great historical novel, an intriguing mystery and an enjoyable read.
Revelation
Check out my eBook
Setting: London, 1543, During the reign of King Henry VIII
First Sentence: The high chandeliers in the Great Hall of Lincoln's Inn were ablaze with candles, for it was late in the afternoon when the play began.
This novel is the third in Sansom's Matthew Shardlake Mystery series.
The theme of this novel is madness. It is the time of the Protestant Reformation. Religious reform has embroiled London in a tangle of religious extremes. An unfortunate expression of personal beliefs could get one imprisoned, or even executed for heresy. Among the fervent believers are those who have become obsessed with the commands of the Bible.
Contrasted with the madness of some extremists, are those who suffer from psychological illness. Many of these are confined in Bedlam. Bedlam was London's hospital for the insane.
As the plot progresses, Shardlake encounters many different forms of madness. Shardlake is charged with defending a young man whose extreme religious obsession has caused him to be held in Bedlam. When one of Shardlake's friends is murdered, he joins the investigation for the killer. It soon becomes apparent that the killer is using the Book of Revelations as a guide for a series of gruesome slayings.
Will Shardlake find the killer before completes his evil plan? And will he be able to help his young client?
Sansom does a great job of bringing history to life. As Shardlake investigates the murders, we experience the city of London during the 16th century. Sansom's tale is a great historical novel, an intriguing mystery and an enjoyable read.
Revelation
Check out my eBook
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