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
Saturday, August 13, 2011
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:
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Dark Fire by C.J. Sansom
Genre: Historical Mystery
The setting is London in the summer of 1540. King Henry VIII is on the throne. He is displeased with his current wife, Anne of Cleves. And he is displeased with with his adviser, Thomas Cromwell, who had encouraged the marriage.
Cromwell has learned that the secret for the ancient weapon, Greek fire, has been rediscovered. To curry favor with the king, he has arranged a demonstration of the weapon's fearsome power. Then, when the formula goes missing, Cromwell presses Matthew Shardlake into service.
Shardlake is a self described jobbing lawyer. He and Cromwell have had dealings in the past. To force Shardlake into helping him, Cromwell uses his political influence to aid Matthew with another case.
In that case, a young girl is accused of murdering her cousin. She refuses to enter a plea. The rule of law at the time demands that those who do not enter a plea must be pressed by heavy weights until they make a plea, or die. The girl is determined to die rather than plead. Cromwell's influence postpones the judgement of the court and forces Shardlake to investigate the mystery of the missing formula.
Shardlake is also saddled with a young man in Cromwell's service, Jack Barak.
As Shardlake and Barak investigate, we get a picture of London in 1540: crowded, stinking, politically corrupt, and dangerous. It is the time of the religious reformation. Professing the wrong political beliefs or religious beliefs could cost a person his head. The same is true of supporting the wrong adviser to the king.
I enjoyed this novel. Matthew Shardlake is a likeable character. He and Jack make an interesting investigative team. I like novels like this that paint an accurate picture of what live was like in the past.
Dark Fire is the second novel in Sansom's Shardlake series.
The first novel of the series is Dissolution.
The setting is London in the summer of 1540. King Henry VIII is on the throne. He is displeased with his current wife, Anne of Cleves. And he is displeased with with his adviser, Thomas Cromwell, who had encouraged the marriage.
Cromwell has learned that the secret for the ancient weapon, Greek fire, has been rediscovered. To curry favor with the king, he has arranged a demonstration of the weapon's fearsome power. Then, when the formula goes missing, Cromwell presses Matthew Shardlake into service.
Shardlake is a self described jobbing lawyer. He and Cromwell have had dealings in the past. To force Shardlake into helping him, Cromwell uses his political influence to aid Matthew with another case.
In that case, a young girl is accused of murdering her cousin. She refuses to enter a plea. The rule of law at the time demands that those who do not enter a plea must be pressed by heavy weights until they make a plea, or die. The girl is determined to die rather than plead. Cromwell's influence postpones the judgement of the court and forces Shardlake to investigate the mystery of the missing formula.
Shardlake is also saddled with a young man in Cromwell's service, Jack Barak.
As Shardlake and Barak investigate, we get a picture of London in 1540: crowded, stinking, politically corrupt, and dangerous. It is the time of the religious reformation. Professing the wrong political beliefs or religious beliefs could cost a person his head. The same is true of supporting the wrong adviser to the king.
I enjoyed this novel. Matthew Shardlake is a likeable character. He and Jack make an interesting investigative team. I like novels like this that paint an accurate picture of what live was like in the past.
Dark Fire is the second novel in Sansom's Shardlake series.
The first novel of the series is Dissolution.
Monday, July 18, 2011
The First Heroes edited by Harry Turtledove and Noreen Doyle
Genre: Historical Fantasy Fiction, Alternate History
This book is an anthology of original short stories set in the Bronze Age. The Bronze Age is an important era in human development. It signals an important advance in technology. Also, since bronze was an expensive metal to create and use, it had a significant effect in the cultures of ancient peoples.
Turtledove and Doyle have assembled an interesting group of fantasy stories. There are tales of the Bronze Age set in Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, China, England, Central Europe and South America. Each tale relates a unique perspective of the life and times of characters in the Bronze age. The elements of fantasy vary widely from story to story.
Harry Turtledove is a master of alternate history novels. He contributes a story of a world in which mythical creatures co-exist with humans. S. M. Stirling is another master of the genre. He adds a story set in his Nantucket universe.
The book was dedicated to Poul Anderson, who died in 2001. He is the author of the final tale of the book. His story comes at the end of the Bronze age when warriors fought against iron wielding foes.
When I am looking for something new to read, I find that anthologies are an excellent means to explore new authors. This anthology would help the reader explore some of the authors in the Fantasy and Alternate History genres.
This book is an anthology of original short stories set in the Bronze Age. The Bronze Age is an important era in human development. It signals an important advance in technology. Also, since bronze was an expensive metal to create and use, it had a significant effect in the cultures of ancient peoples.
Turtledove and Doyle have assembled an interesting group of fantasy stories. There are tales of the Bronze Age set in Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, China, England, Central Europe and South America. Each tale relates a unique perspective of the life and times of characters in the Bronze age. The elements of fantasy vary widely from story to story.
Harry Turtledove is a master of alternate history novels. He contributes a story of a world in which mythical creatures co-exist with humans. S. M. Stirling is another master of the genre. He adds a story set in his Nantucket universe.
The book was dedicated to Poul Anderson, who died in 2001. He is the author of the final tale of the book. His story comes at the end of the Bronze age when warriors fought against iron wielding foes.
When I am looking for something new to read, I find that anthologies are an excellent means to explore new authors. This anthology would help the reader explore some of the authors in the Fantasy and Alternate History genres.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Ode to a Banker by Lindsey Davis
Genre: Historical Mystery
Take Sam Spade and drop him into ancient Rome. Add the seamy underbelly of Rome in the first century. Then give him a messy family life. And you have Lindsey Davis's main character Marcus Didius Falco.
Falco is a paid informant, the first century equivalent of a gumshoe. He gets paid (occasionally) to ask questions and investigate. Sometimes he works for private citizens, sometimes he works for the Watch and occasionally he works for the Emperor himself.
Falco has a great, big, noisy family. His parents have been divorced for years. They refuse to communicate with each other. His two sisters and mother are in everyone's business. His wife, Helena, is the daughter of a senator. Falco and his wife have a daughter, and another child on the way. They live in a tenement, but are trying to get their "money pit" house finished.
Falco sometimes dabbles in writing poetry. When he is asked to do a public reading, he gets noticed by a publisher. Unfortunately, the publisher is murdered right after meeting with Falco. Falco's best friend happens to be a leader of the Watch. He ropes Falco into investigating the murder.
Meanwhile, back at home, the Emperor's chief spy may be sweet on Falco's Ma, or his sister, or perhaps both. His Pa is devastated by the death of his long-time female companion/business partner. Pa needs help keeping his books and running his business. Of course, it's up to Falco to attempt to solve this family dilemma.
Falco questions possible suspects, untangles family squabbles and tries not to get himself killed. In the end, the mystery gets solved and the family issues are smoothed over (for now). As Helena says at the end of the novel, tomorrow is another day!
I always enjoy reading a Falco novel. Many authors of historical fiction portray the past in an idealistic light. Davis portrays a realistic ancient Rome: temples, brothels, mansions and slums. Davis's characters are realistic as well. Falco has to manage his professional affairs and his family responsibilities simultaneously. Just like real life.
If you enjoy a well plotted mystery novel with fully developed characters, then give Falco and his family a read.
The first book of the Falco series, The Silver Pigs, is also a great read.
Take Sam Spade and drop him into ancient Rome. Add the seamy underbelly of Rome in the first century. Then give him a messy family life. And you have Lindsey Davis's main character Marcus Didius Falco.
Falco is a paid informant, the first century equivalent of a gumshoe. He gets paid (occasionally) to ask questions and investigate. Sometimes he works for private citizens, sometimes he works for the Watch and occasionally he works for the Emperor himself.
Falco has a great, big, noisy family. His parents have been divorced for years. They refuse to communicate with each other. His two sisters and mother are in everyone's business. His wife, Helena, is the daughter of a senator. Falco and his wife have a daughter, and another child on the way. They live in a tenement, but are trying to get their "money pit" house finished.
Falco sometimes dabbles in writing poetry. When he is asked to do a public reading, he gets noticed by a publisher. Unfortunately, the publisher is murdered right after meeting with Falco. Falco's best friend happens to be a leader of the Watch. He ropes Falco into investigating the murder.
Meanwhile, back at home, the Emperor's chief spy may be sweet on Falco's Ma, or his sister, or perhaps both. His Pa is devastated by the death of his long-time female companion/business partner. Pa needs help keeping his books and running his business. Of course, it's up to Falco to attempt to solve this family dilemma.
Falco questions possible suspects, untangles family squabbles and tries not to get himself killed. In the end, the mystery gets solved and the family issues are smoothed over (for now). As Helena says at the end of the novel, tomorrow is another day!
I always enjoy reading a Falco novel. Many authors of historical fiction portray the past in an idealistic light. Davis portrays a realistic ancient Rome: temples, brothels, mansions and slums. Davis's characters are realistic as well. Falco has to manage his professional affairs and his family responsibilities simultaneously. Just like real life.
If you enjoy a well plotted mystery novel with fully developed characters, then give Falco and his family a read.
The first book of the Falco series, The Silver Pigs, is also a great read.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
The Winds of Dune by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson
Genre: Science Fiction
The Winds of Dune is the sixteenth novel of the Dune universe. The original novel of the series was written by Frank Herbert, Brian Herbert's father. It is a widely held opinion that Dune is one of the greatest science fiction novels of all time.
Like other great novelists, Frank Herbert created such well developed settings, and characters due to the large amount of back writing he did to envision them. Frank Herbert wrote six Dune novels before his death. Afterwards, Brian Herbert and Kevin Anderson used this wealth of information to write ten novels of the Dune universe.
This novel takes place after the second Dune novel, Dune Messiah. Paul Muad'dib, the main character of Dune, has wandered off into the sands of the desert planet and is presumed dead. His wife, Chani, has died giving birth to his twin children. His sister, Alia has taken ruthless control of the empire. Religious fanatics have committed untold pain and suffering throughout the empire in Paul's name. Paul's mother, Jessica, struggles to honor Paul's true humanity when so many have turned him into a god.
I enjoyed this novel. It furthers the Dune story by filling in a gap of the narrative between the second and third books. Herbert and Anderson have done a great job of continuing the legacy of Frank Herbert and forwarding the story of Dune.
The Winds of Dune
Dune, the original novel
The Winds of Dune is the sixteenth novel of the Dune universe. The original novel of the series was written by Frank Herbert, Brian Herbert's father. It is a widely held opinion that Dune is one of the greatest science fiction novels of all time.
Like other great novelists, Frank Herbert created such well developed settings, and characters due to the large amount of back writing he did to envision them. Frank Herbert wrote six Dune novels before his death. Afterwards, Brian Herbert and Kevin Anderson used this wealth of information to write ten novels of the Dune universe.
This novel takes place after the second Dune novel, Dune Messiah. Paul Muad'dib, the main character of Dune, has wandered off into the sands of the desert planet and is presumed dead. His wife, Chani, has died giving birth to his twin children. His sister, Alia has taken ruthless control of the empire. Religious fanatics have committed untold pain and suffering throughout the empire in Paul's name. Paul's mother, Jessica, struggles to honor Paul's true humanity when so many have turned him into a god.
I enjoyed this novel. It furthers the Dune story by filling in a gap of the narrative between the second and third books. Herbert and Anderson have done a great job of continuing the legacy of Frank Herbert and forwarding the story of Dune.
The Winds of Dune
Dune, the original novel
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