Genre: Historical Mystery
Setting: London, England in 1900
First Sentence: It was a warm spring day.
This novel is the fourth in Spencer's Inspector Blackstone mystery series which currently runs to twelve novels.
It all starts with a fire set by an arsonist in an abandoned warehouse. Inspector Sam Blackstone and his partner Archie Patterson are assigned to the case. The firebug sends Blackstone a threatening message: The government must pay 100,000 pounds or the fires will continue.
Of course the government refuses to pay the ransom. Blackstone feels it is his duty to prevent further fires. Unfortunately there are other incidents. A boat is on the river is torched. And then a bomb is set in London. Fortunately, the bomb doesn't go off.
After the fire on the boat, a body is found in the river. The cause of death seems obvious. Blackstone hears of a doctor practicing the infant science of criminal forensics. The doctor uses science to investigate, and provides valuable information.
Along the way, the clues lead Blackstone on. It seems that once again, a culprit might go free because he is a member of the upper class. Sam thinks he knows who the firebug is, he just can's prove it.
What is the real reason behind the firebug's crimes?
And why does the culprit keep sending his anonymous messages to Sam?
Once again, Sally Spencer ( the pen name for Alan Rustage ) has created a great novel. Like the others in the series, this one was great fun to read.
I really like the cast of characters. Blackstone is always guided by his sense of duty to solve cases in a truthful manner. His partner, Archie Patterson always seems to "know a bloke" who can help by providing some valuable information. And Doctor Ellie Carr is a strong willed woman working in the male driven society of London in the early twentieth century. Archie and Dr. Carr are characters so interesting that they could be the stars of their own spin-off series.
For me, this was a very pleasurable read. I enjoyed it.
It looks like this novel has been retitled as Blackstone and the Burning Secret
Monday, November 16, 2015
Sunday, November 8, 2015
Driftmetal, Segment One by J. C. Staudt
Genre: Fantasy, Science Fiction
Setting: On a shattered planet with unique geological properties.
First Sentence: I opened my leg and dug around inside, trying to figure out what was wrong with the blasted thing.
This novel is the first in a series of Driftmetal books which currently runs to four novels.
This is a very different novel. The author has created a unique world. Unfortunately, he has not, in my opinion, provided enough exposition for the reader to understand this world. It just seemed to me that the book needed some editing help to polish off the prose and improve the storytelling.
The plot seemed a little muddled. It was hard to understand at the beginning, but improved by the end of the book.
The story seemed to be about the main character, an augmented, synthetic human, helping some primies, actual real humans, to recover some stolen gravstone ore from some law lovers. There are some twists and turns along the way. And, in the end there is little plot resolution since this is the first in a series of four books.
I read the whole book. Fortunately it was short. I probably won't read any more books in the series.
Here's a cheat sheet for some of the vocabulary in this novel:
Driftmetal - a type of mineral that rises rather than falls when released.
Gravstone - a type of mineral that falls when released - very valuable.
Techsouls - synthetic, augmented humans.
Primatives - primies, actual real humans.
Civs - the Civil Regency Corps - law enforcement marshals.
Law Lovers - relatively honest, law abiding people.
The Churn - a place where gravstone and driftmetal circulates in a kind of maelstrom.
Floaters - islands in the sky not attached to the planet, the only real place to live on this planet.
Setting: On a shattered planet with unique geological properties.
First Sentence: I opened my leg and dug around inside, trying to figure out what was wrong with the blasted thing.
This novel is the first in a series of Driftmetal books which currently runs to four novels.
This is a very different novel. The author has created a unique world. Unfortunately, he has not, in my opinion, provided enough exposition for the reader to understand this world. It just seemed to me that the book needed some editing help to polish off the prose and improve the storytelling.
The plot seemed a little muddled. It was hard to understand at the beginning, but improved by the end of the book.
The story seemed to be about the main character, an augmented, synthetic human, helping some primies, actual real humans, to recover some stolen gravstone ore from some law lovers. There are some twists and turns along the way. And, in the end there is little plot resolution since this is the first in a series of four books.
I read the whole book. Fortunately it was short. I probably won't read any more books in the series.
Here's a cheat sheet for some of the vocabulary in this novel:
Driftmetal - a type of mineral that rises rather than falls when released.
Gravstone - a type of mineral that falls when released - very valuable.
Techsouls - synthetic, augmented humans.
Primatives - primies, actual real humans.
Civs - the Civil Regency Corps - law enforcement marshals.
Law Lovers - relatively honest, law abiding people.
The Churn - a place where gravstone and driftmetal circulates in a kind of maelstrom.
Floaters - islands in the sky not attached to the planet, the only real place to live on this planet.
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
Blackstone and the Golden Egg by Sally Spencer
Genre: Historical Mystery
Setting: Central Russia, 1899
First Sentence: Count Rachinsky's country estate was justly famed for its hunting and shooting, and the royal party had had a glorious and bloody day in the cause of which several score of feathered creatures had met the violent fate they had been bred solely to fulfill.
This is the third novel in Sally Spencer's Inspector Blackstone mystery series which currently runs to twelve books.
Sally Spencer is the pen name of Alan Rustage.
Far out on the Russian steppe, at a Russian aristocrat's estate there has been a theft. A Faberge egg has been stolen. It was a gift from the Tzar of Russia to the Prince of Wales.
The theft has been kept a secret. If the Tzar learns about the egg, it could cause an international incident.
The British Government decides to send two men to investigate the crime. Sir Roderick, a member of the elite upper class will lead the investigation. He will be assisted by Inspector Sam Blackstone.
It is a mystery as to why Blackstone has been chosen for this undertaking. Even he agrees that there are other inspectors what more qualified. And, then there is Blackstone's opinion of the "Quality" - the members of upper class.
After as eventful trip into Russia, Blackstone and Sir Roderick find that the theft of the egg is not a secret.
So who stole the egg and why?
The aristocrats believe that person of quality, such as themselves, would never stoop to committing such a base crime. Obviously, the criminal must be a servant or a peasant.
The class distinctions serve to stymie Blackstone at every turn. Soon he realizes that something deeply secret is going on.
What could it be, and who is involved?
I enjoyed this novel. Our main character, Blackstone, is an honest copper who tries to do his best for his country. He is not perfect, but he is a realist.
Once again, the author delivers an interesting plot in an easy to read style. For me it was a page turner. I read it in two days (Fast for me).
Although each book in the series is a stand alone novel, I suggest reading them in order. This novel refers back to action which occurred in the first novel of the series.
For me, a fun read.
Setting: Central Russia, 1899
First Sentence: Count Rachinsky's country estate was justly famed for its hunting and shooting, and the royal party had had a glorious and bloody day in the cause of which several score of feathered creatures had met the violent fate they had been bred solely to fulfill.
This is the third novel in Sally Spencer's Inspector Blackstone mystery series which currently runs to twelve books.
Sally Spencer is the pen name of Alan Rustage.
Far out on the Russian steppe, at a Russian aristocrat's estate there has been a theft. A Faberge egg has been stolen. It was a gift from the Tzar of Russia to the Prince of Wales.
The theft has been kept a secret. If the Tzar learns about the egg, it could cause an international incident.
The British Government decides to send two men to investigate the crime. Sir Roderick, a member of the elite upper class will lead the investigation. He will be assisted by Inspector Sam Blackstone.
It is a mystery as to why Blackstone has been chosen for this undertaking. Even he agrees that there are other inspectors what more qualified. And, then there is Blackstone's opinion of the "Quality" - the members of upper class.
After as eventful trip into Russia, Blackstone and Sir Roderick find that the theft of the egg is not a secret.
So who stole the egg and why?
The aristocrats believe that person of quality, such as themselves, would never stoop to committing such a base crime. Obviously, the criminal must be a servant or a peasant.
The class distinctions serve to stymie Blackstone at every turn. Soon he realizes that something deeply secret is going on.
What could it be, and who is involved?
I enjoyed this novel. Our main character, Blackstone, is an honest copper who tries to do his best for his country. He is not perfect, but he is a realist.
Once again, the author delivers an interesting plot in an easy to read style. For me it was a page turner. I read it in two days (Fast for me).
Although each book in the series is a stand alone novel, I suggest reading them in order. This novel refers back to action which occurred in the first novel of the series.
For me, a fun read.
Sunday, November 1, 2015
Blackstone and the Tiger by Sally Spencer
Genre: Historical Mystery
Setting: London, 1898
First Sentence: From the balcony, the Maharaja could see both the gardens which surrounded his palace and the town which lay beyond.
This novel is the second in Spencer's Blackstone series which currently runs to twelve books.
Sally Spencer is the pen name of Alan Rustage.
There has been a series of kidnappings in London. Inspector Blackstone has been on the case. What troubles him is that each successive kidnapping has gotten more complex and brutal. Even the leaders of the London criminal gangs admit that they could not pull off such crimes.
And then, the son of a visiting Maharaja is kidnapped.
Who is committing these horrible crimes?
What is their motive?
Can Blackstone piece together the clues to discover the identity of the perpetrators?
And, more importantly, can he rescue the Maharaja's son?
This was a very interesting and enjoyable novel. On the surface, there is a pleasant mystery to solve. On a deeper level, we see how racist some British people of that time were.
FYI - In this novel the author has made copious use of the "n-word" to describe persons of color from India. In my opinion, the author is trying to demonstrate the low opinion many British citizens had for the people of that region. I do not think the author intended to portray his own personal feelings.
This was another great novel by Sally Spencer. I like his style of writing. It is very readable. I also like the way he keeps the chapters short.
For me this was a very enjoyable read.
Setting: London, 1898
First Sentence: From the balcony, the Maharaja could see both the gardens which surrounded his palace and the town which lay beyond.
This novel is the second in Spencer's Blackstone series which currently runs to twelve books.
Sally Spencer is the pen name of Alan Rustage.
There has been a series of kidnappings in London. Inspector Blackstone has been on the case. What troubles him is that each successive kidnapping has gotten more complex and brutal. Even the leaders of the London criminal gangs admit that they could not pull off such crimes.
And then, the son of a visiting Maharaja is kidnapped.
Who is committing these horrible crimes?
What is their motive?
Can Blackstone piece together the clues to discover the identity of the perpetrators?
And, more importantly, can he rescue the Maharaja's son?
This was a very interesting and enjoyable novel. On the surface, there is a pleasant mystery to solve. On a deeper level, we see how racist some British people of that time were.
FYI - In this novel the author has made copious use of the "n-word" to describe persons of color from India. In my opinion, the author is trying to demonstrate the low opinion many British citizens had for the people of that region. I do not think the author intended to portray his own personal feelings.
This was another great novel by Sally Spencer. I like his style of writing. It is very readable. I also like the way he keeps the chapters short.
For me this was a very enjoyable read.
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