Genre: Historical Mystery
Setting: England, 1483
First Sentence: I have heard it said that when you are first apprised of some great, earth-shaking event, ever afterwards you can remember exactly where you were and what you we doing at the time.
This novel is the nineteenth in Sedley's Roger the Chapman mystery series.
Roger was once a novice in a Benedictine monastery. He left the strict monastery life, preferring the free life of a peddler, or chapman. Although he is now married and has children. He still earns his living as a chapman.
In this installment of the series, Roger returns to an empty house. His wife and children have gone to London to visit her relatives, the Godslove family. When Roger arrives, he is plunged into a mystery. It seems that the Godslove family believe that someone is trying to murder them. Indeed, several members of the family have recently died under mysterious circumstances. As Roger investigates, he finds that the Godsloves are harboring an awful secret. Could it be that the deaths and the secret are somehow connected?
Interwoven with Roger's investigation, is the political upheaval in London. King Edward IV has died. His son is not old enough to rule on his own. Several factions are trying to gain power and influence over the new king.
Can Roger solve the Godslove's family mystery while avoiding any political entanglements?
This novel was a difficult read for me. I read it out of order so the exposition at the beginning of the novel was a little confusing. The plot was very tangled with many different characters to keep track of. In my opinion, this was an OK book, but it probably would have been better if it was read in order.
Wheel of Fate
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Friday, December 28, 2012
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Nine-Tenths by Meira Penterman
Genre:: Dystopian Science Fiction
Setting: Earth in an alternate timeline
First Sentence: Nine-tenths of a second is just long enough for someone to make an irrevocable, unforgivable mistake.
If there is one lesson that countless time travel novels have taught us, it is that no good can come of attempting to repair a perceived mistake in the past. For inevitably, a small change in a detail, often results in a more unpleasant future timeline.
Thirty-one years ago, Leonard Tramer caused a traffic accident. In that accident, young Tommy Richardson died. Haunted by his fatal error, Leonard spent the next three decades trying to repair this horrible mistake. His solution was to build a time machine, go back in time, and save Tommy's life.
He succeeds. He saves Tommy's life. But, when he returns to the present, the world he finds is not the world he left. The country is governed by a totalitarian regime similar to East Germany during the cold war. There are political prisons, spies, fascist youth corps, and rationing of basic necessities.
Leonard has no recall of his life in this timeline. He finds he has a wife, daughter, son and job. He needs to figure out how life works in this timeline. One mistake could cost him and his newly discovered family their freedom or their lives.
I was interested in the basic premise of Meira Penterman's novel. I agree with her that a small event in history can create huge differences in the future. I did not find her dystopian alternate world to be very believable. I just felt that the main character would have had a more difficult time surviving in such a dangerous society.
Nine_Tenths
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Setting: Earth in an alternate timeline
First Sentence: Nine-tenths of a second is just long enough for someone to make an irrevocable, unforgivable mistake.
If there is one lesson that countless time travel novels have taught us, it is that no good can come of attempting to repair a perceived mistake in the past. For inevitably, a small change in a detail, often results in a more unpleasant future timeline.
Thirty-one years ago, Leonard Tramer caused a traffic accident. In that accident, young Tommy Richardson died. Haunted by his fatal error, Leonard spent the next three decades trying to repair this horrible mistake. His solution was to build a time machine, go back in time, and save Tommy's life.
He succeeds. He saves Tommy's life. But, when he returns to the present, the world he finds is not the world he left. The country is governed by a totalitarian regime similar to East Germany during the cold war. There are political prisons, spies, fascist youth corps, and rationing of basic necessities.
Leonard has no recall of his life in this timeline. He finds he has a wife, daughter, son and job. He needs to figure out how life works in this timeline. One mistake could cost him and his newly discovered family their freedom or their lives.
I was interested in the basic premise of Meira Penterman's novel. I agree with her that a small event in history can create huge differences in the future. I did not find her dystopian alternate world to be very believable. I just felt that the main character would have had a more difficult time surviving in such a dangerous society.
Nine_Tenths
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Wednesday, December 19, 2012
The Painted Lady by Edward Marston
Genre: Historical Mystery
Setting: Seventeenth Century London
First Sentence: :A plague on it!" cried Henry Redmayne, smacking the arm of the sofa with a petulant hand.
Arminta Jewell was the most beautiful and coveted maiden in all of London society. Countless rakes and libertines of the upper crust had set their sights on her. Her marriage to Sir Martin Calthorpe did nothing to quell their ardor. On the contrary, for a few base rogues, her marriage intensified their quest.
Arminta's husband sought to preserve her beauty by having her portrait painted by Jean-Paul Villemont, the most popular artist of the day. Monsieur Villemont was so struck by Arminta's beauty that he trespassed into her garden in hopes of catching a glimpse of her. He is observed leaving the garden on the very same evening that Sir Martin is found murdered there.
Our main character, Christopher Redmayne, has been retained to plan and build a grand new residence for Monsieur Villemont. When Villemont is accused of murder, Redmayne stands to loose a substantial amount of money. Redmayne decides to discover who really did kill Sir Martin. Through Redmayne's investigations, we meet some of London's naughtier aristocrats. For them, pleasure is all, and morality a quaint old-fashioned concept.
Can Redmayne find the true killer and save Monsieur Villemont from the gallows?
Edward Marston is one of my favorite authors. His novels are written in a very readable style. And his dialogue is some of the best I've ever read. This novel did not disappoint.
A well-crafted plot written in an enjoyable style with interesting characters made for a very entertaining read!
The Painted Lady
Check out my eBook
Setting: Seventeenth Century London
First Sentence: :A plague on it!" cried Henry Redmayne, smacking the arm of the sofa with a petulant hand.
Arminta Jewell was the most beautiful and coveted maiden in all of London society. Countless rakes and libertines of the upper crust had set their sights on her. Her marriage to Sir Martin Calthorpe did nothing to quell their ardor. On the contrary, for a few base rogues, her marriage intensified their quest.
Arminta's husband sought to preserve her beauty by having her portrait painted by Jean-Paul Villemont, the most popular artist of the day. Monsieur Villemont was so struck by Arminta's beauty that he trespassed into her garden in hopes of catching a glimpse of her. He is observed leaving the garden on the very same evening that Sir Martin is found murdered there.
Our main character, Christopher Redmayne, has been retained to plan and build a grand new residence for Monsieur Villemont. When Villemont is accused of murder, Redmayne stands to loose a substantial amount of money. Redmayne decides to discover who really did kill Sir Martin. Through Redmayne's investigations, we meet some of London's naughtier aristocrats. For them, pleasure is all, and morality a quaint old-fashioned concept.
Can Redmayne find the true killer and save Monsieur Villemont from the gallows?
Edward Marston is one of my favorite authors. His novels are written in a very readable style. And his dialogue is some of the best I've ever read. This novel did not disappoint.
A well-crafted plot written in an enjoyable style with interesting characters made for a very entertaining read!
The Painted Lady
Check out my eBook
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Fuzzy Nation by John Scalzi
Genre: Science Fiction
Setting: A planet 178 light-years from Earth
First Sentence: Jack Holloway set the skimmer to HOVER, swiveled his seat around, and looked at Carl.
John Scalzi is one of my favorite scifi authors. In each of his novels he has created unique characters and well developed universes. His "Old Man's War" universe is one of the best scifi universes ever imagined. In this novel, Scalzi has again created a planet like no other.
Jack Holloway is the main character of this novel. He is, in his own words, ...selfish, and unethical and...happy to deceive to get what I want." Jack is a disbarred lawyer. Disbarred, not because he doesn't know the law, but because he once punched a client in the face in the courtroom. He might be a loose cannon, but he knows the law.
Jack finds himself prospecting on a planet being mined by a ruthless human corporation. Jack accidentally discovers a rich vein of incredibly valuable gems. Jack's miniscule share would make him richer than the dreams of avarice.
Then, one day, he returns home to find one of the cuter members of the local fauna inside his house. As he interacts with the furry creature and its family, Jack notices that they are extremely intelligent. In fact, they might qualify as a sentient species. This would be bad for Jack and the corporation. Legally, the planet and its riches would then belong to the local sentient inhabitants.
As the plot progresses, while sorting out the legal entanglements of his discoveries, Jack manages to anger his former girlfriend, her lawyer husband, the local law, enforcement and the visiting corporate big wigs. Some of whom try to have Jack killed.
The story is told in the third person limited point of view. Yet the author does not let us in to all of Jack's thoughts. This makes following him a real roller coaster. We are in on some of his ideas, but he often surprises us with his legal tricks. And his motivation is always in question.
I enjoyed this novel. I recommend it, and all of John Scalzi's novels.
Fuzzy Nation
Check out my eBook!
Setting: A planet 178 light-years from Earth
First Sentence: Jack Holloway set the skimmer to HOVER, swiveled his seat around, and looked at Carl.
John Scalzi is one of my favorite scifi authors. In each of his novels he has created unique characters and well developed universes. His "Old Man's War" universe is one of the best scifi universes ever imagined. In this novel, Scalzi has again created a planet like no other.
Jack Holloway is the main character of this novel. He is, in his own words, ...selfish, and unethical and...happy to deceive to get what I want." Jack is a disbarred lawyer. Disbarred, not because he doesn't know the law, but because he once punched a client in the face in the courtroom. He might be a loose cannon, but he knows the law.
Jack finds himself prospecting on a planet being mined by a ruthless human corporation. Jack accidentally discovers a rich vein of incredibly valuable gems. Jack's miniscule share would make him richer than the dreams of avarice.
Then, one day, he returns home to find one of the cuter members of the local fauna inside his house. As he interacts with the furry creature and its family, Jack notices that they are extremely intelligent. In fact, they might qualify as a sentient species. This would be bad for Jack and the corporation. Legally, the planet and its riches would then belong to the local sentient inhabitants.
As the plot progresses, while sorting out the legal entanglements of his discoveries, Jack manages to anger his former girlfriend, her lawyer husband, the local law, enforcement and the visiting corporate big wigs. Some of whom try to have Jack killed.
The story is told in the third person limited point of view. Yet the author does not let us in to all of Jack's thoughts. This makes following him a real roller coaster. We are in on some of his ideas, but he often surprises us with his legal tricks. And his motivation is always in question.
I enjoyed this novel. I recommend it, and all of John Scalzi's novels.
Fuzzy Nation
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Monday, December 10, 2012
Secret of the Scroll by Chester D. Campbell
Genre: Thriller
Setting: Tennessee and Israel
First Sentence: Khaled Assah literally stumbled onto the hidden cave.
Greg McKenzie is his own worst enemy. Greg is a 65 year old retired intelligence agent and D.A. inspector. He has derailed his career several times by blowing his lid and spouting off. Greg has a chip on his shoulder because he feels that his former supervisors and co-workers have singled him out for retribution. He's probably right.
When Greg and his wife Jill take a trip to the Holy Land with a church group, Greg is supposed to work on his anger management skills. So when they are returning home at the end of the trip, Greg feels the he and Jill are singled out for unfair treatment by customs and airport security.
Then Jill is kidnapped. The kidnappers, a group of Palestinians, want a scroll that is in Greg's possession. It seems that a souvenir scroll that Greg bought is actually a real ancient relic. Then another group, this time radical Israelis, contact him about the scroll.
Because of his past actions, Greg cannot count on much help from local law enforcement, or the FBI. Fortunately, he does have a few friends that help him out. Greg's investigation leads to a tangled trail of international intrigue.
What does the scroll say?
Why do two different political groups want the scroll?
And, can Greg find a way to stay alive and rescue Jill?
In this novel, Chester Campbell has created a unique character. Greg McKenzie is a 65 year old retired investigator. His experience helps him to identify which leads to follow. Yet, he is a flawed hero. Sometimes, his anger and and his mouth get the better of him. His flaws make him seem real. And following him made for a very entertaining read.
Secret of the Scroll
Check out my eBook!
Setting: Tennessee and Israel
First Sentence: Khaled Assah literally stumbled onto the hidden cave.
Greg McKenzie is his own worst enemy. Greg is a 65 year old retired intelligence agent and D.A. inspector. He has derailed his career several times by blowing his lid and spouting off. Greg has a chip on his shoulder because he feels that his former supervisors and co-workers have singled him out for retribution. He's probably right.
When Greg and his wife Jill take a trip to the Holy Land with a church group, Greg is supposed to work on his anger management skills. So when they are returning home at the end of the trip, Greg feels the he and Jill are singled out for unfair treatment by customs and airport security.
Then Jill is kidnapped. The kidnappers, a group of Palestinians, want a scroll that is in Greg's possession. It seems that a souvenir scroll that Greg bought is actually a real ancient relic. Then another group, this time radical Israelis, contact him about the scroll.
Because of his past actions, Greg cannot count on much help from local law enforcement, or the FBI. Fortunately, he does have a few friends that help him out. Greg's investigation leads to a tangled trail of international intrigue.
What does the scroll say?
Why do two different political groups want the scroll?
And, can Greg find a way to stay alive and rescue Jill?
In this novel, Chester Campbell has created a unique character. Greg McKenzie is a 65 year old retired investigator. His experience helps him to identify which leads to follow. Yet, he is a flawed hero. Sometimes, his anger and and his mouth get the better of him. His flaws make him seem real. And following him made for a very entertaining read.
Secret of the Scroll
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Tuesday, December 4, 2012
The Tintern Treasure by Kate Sedley
Genre: Historical Mystery
Setting: England, 1483
First Sentence: I would never have been involved in the affair if the handle of Adelina's best iron cooking pot hadn't come loose.
This novel is the twenty-first in Kate Sedley's Roger the Chapman mystery series.
When Roger was young he was a novice in a Benedictine monastery. He chafed at the strict rules and the restricted victuals. Preferring the freedom of the open road, Roger left the monastery and became an itinerant peddler, a chapman.
Roger's inquisitiveness, intelligence, and education give him the unique ability to solve mysteries and puzzles. He does not actively seek involvement in these situations. Yet, he often finds himself unwillingly entangled in them. Eventually, Roger's successes gained him the notice of the Duke of Gloucester, the future King Richard, and his master spy.
Roger lives in Bristol with his wife, Adelina, and their children. The people of Bristol believe, wrongly, that he is in the pay of the King. However, it is Roger's ability to connect seemingly random clues that sometimes entangles him in political intrigues.
In this chapter of the series, there is some question about the legitimacy of King Richard's ascent to the throne. There is talk of rebellion. The Duke of Buckingham and Henry Tudor pose threats to King Richard's reign.
When Roger and several other men from Bristol find themselves threatened by Buckingham's advancing army, they seek refuge at Tintern abby where there is a tale of a mysterious hidden treasure.
When Roger returns to Bristol, he learns of the murder of a fellow peddler. Soon, some curious robberies arouse Roger's interest. Roger feels that the murder, the robberies, and the treasure are somehow linked.
Will Roger uncover the truth about the Tintern abby treasure? And will he discover how the treasure is connected to the unrest surrounding King Richard's reign?
I am a fan of the Roger the Chapman mysteries. Unfortunately, I missed the two novels before this one in the series. So it took me several chapters to get up to speed. I did like the way Sedley worked the exposition into the story line. It filled in some parts of the story I had missed. This novel holds up by itself, but reading it in order would definitely make it more enjoyable.
The Tintern Treasure
Death and the Chapman - the first book in the series.
Check out my eBook!
Setting: England, 1483
First Sentence: I would never have been involved in the affair if the handle of Adelina's best iron cooking pot hadn't come loose.
This novel is the twenty-first in Kate Sedley's Roger the Chapman mystery series.
When Roger was young he was a novice in a Benedictine monastery. He chafed at the strict rules and the restricted victuals. Preferring the freedom of the open road, Roger left the monastery and became an itinerant peddler, a chapman.
Roger's inquisitiveness, intelligence, and education give him the unique ability to solve mysteries and puzzles. He does not actively seek involvement in these situations. Yet, he often finds himself unwillingly entangled in them. Eventually, Roger's successes gained him the notice of the Duke of Gloucester, the future King Richard, and his master spy.
Roger lives in Bristol with his wife, Adelina, and their children. The people of Bristol believe, wrongly, that he is in the pay of the King. However, it is Roger's ability to connect seemingly random clues that sometimes entangles him in political intrigues.
In this chapter of the series, there is some question about the legitimacy of King Richard's ascent to the throne. There is talk of rebellion. The Duke of Buckingham and Henry Tudor pose threats to King Richard's reign.
When Roger and several other men from Bristol find themselves threatened by Buckingham's advancing army, they seek refuge at Tintern abby where there is a tale of a mysterious hidden treasure.
When Roger returns to Bristol, he learns of the murder of a fellow peddler. Soon, some curious robberies arouse Roger's interest. Roger feels that the murder, the robberies, and the treasure are somehow linked.
Will Roger uncover the truth about the Tintern abby treasure? And will he discover how the treasure is connected to the unrest surrounding King Richard's reign?
I am a fan of the Roger the Chapman mysteries. Unfortunately, I missed the two novels before this one in the series. So it took me several chapters to get up to speed. I did like the way Sedley worked the exposition into the story line. It filled in some parts of the story I had missed. This novel holds up by itself, but reading it in order would definitely make it more enjoyable.
The Tintern Treasure
Death and the Chapman - the first book in the series.
Check out my eBook!
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