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
Friday, March 16, 2012
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
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Fort Pillow by Harry Turtledove
Genre: Historical Fiction
Setting: Fort Pillow, Tennessee, April 1864, during the Civil War
Fort Pillow is a dramatic retelling of an actual Civil war battle. On April 12, 1864, the Confederate army attacked Union soldiers who were occupying the fort. Manning the fort was the 13th Tennessee Cavalry which consisted of soldiers from Tennessee who supported the Union rather than the Confederacy. Along with them was an artillery unit which consisted of mostly African soldiers. The defeat of Fort Pillow, and the subsequent massacre of Union troops, made "Remember Fort Pillow!" a rallying cry for African troops fighting for the Union.
The Confederate forces were led by General Nathan Bedford Forrest. After the war, Forrest would become the first Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan. Knowing that his forces outnumbered the Union troops, Forrest gave the Union officers the chance to surrender. He understood that his troops especially disliked the Union troops. This was due to the racial hatred rebel soldiers had for African soldiers, and their belief that the Tennesseans were traitors. In Turtledove's novel, Forrest warns the Union officers that he would not be responsible for the actions of his troops if they refused to surrender.
The novel tells of the events leading up to the battle, the battle itself, and the resulting massacre. Turtledove uses his usual method of telling the story by following a cast of characters. In this novel, most of his characters are actual historical figures, however there are a few fictional characters. Since we know the outcome of the battle, the events of the battle and the fate of the characters are what drives the plot forward. Turtledove tries to stay true to actual historic events. This makes for a pleasant read with few surprises.
Harry Turtledove is one of my favorite authors. His usual genre is Alternate history. Two of his Alternate history series rely heavily on Civil War history.
Fort Pillow
How Few Remain an Alternate History novel of the Civil War.
What would happen if the South won?
Liberating Atlantis - The Civil War happens in the fictional continent of Atlantis.
Check out my eBook!
Setting: Fort Pillow, Tennessee, April 1864, during the Civil War
Fort Pillow is a dramatic retelling of an actual Civil war battle. On April 12, 1864, the Confederate army attacked Union soldiers who were occupying the fort. Manning the fort was the 13th Tennessee Cavalry which consisted of soldiers from Tennessee who supported the Union rather than the Confederacy. Along with them was an artillery unit which consisted of mostly African soldiers. The defeat of Fort Pillow, and the subsequent massacre of Union troops, made "Remember Fort Pillow!" a rallying cry for African troops fighting for the Union.
The Confederate forces were led by General Nathan Bedford Forrest. After the war, Forrest would become the first Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan. Knowing that his forces outnumbered the Union troops, Forrest gave the Union officers the chance to surrender. He understood that his troops especially disliked the Union troops. This was due to the racial hatred rebel soldiers had for African soldiers, and their belief that the Tennesseans were traitors. In Turtledove's novel, Forrest warns the Union officers that he would not be responsible for the actions of his troops if they refused to surrender.
The novel tells of the events leading up to the battle, the battle itself, and the resulting massacre. Turtledove uses his usual method of telling the story by following a cast of characters. In this novel, most of his characters are actual historical figures, however there are a few fictional characters. Since we know the outcome of the battle, the events of the battle and the fate of the characters are what drives the plot forward. Turtledove tries to stay true to actual historic events. This makes for a pleasant read with few surprises.
Harry Turtledove is one of my favorite authors. His usual genre is Alternate history. Two of his Alternate history series rely heavily on Civil War history.
Fort Pillow
How Few Remain an Alternate History novel of the Civil War.
What would happen if the South won?
Liberating Atlantis - The Civil War happens in the fictional continent of Atlantis.
Check out my eBook!
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Demon's Night by Guido Henkel
Genre: Historical Fiction, Supernatural Mystery, Occult Detective Mystery
Setting: Victorian London
Something is murdering the residents of London. Its victims are found dessicated, as if the very life had been sucked out of them. Reports of these unnatural deaths draw the interest of Jason Dark. Dark is an investigator of supernatural mysteries. He comes from a family of Geisterjager, or ghost hunters. He pursues the demon into London's China town where he saves the life of a Chinese woman, Siu Lin. Siu Lin is trained in martial arts. Together they work to defeat the maleficent being. Can they destroy the demon before he releases a stronger and more evil creature into the world?
I really enjoyed this novel. It is a fast paced story that keeps you turning pages. As a reader, I am not a big fan of too much description. Henkel gives the reader enough detail to understand the setting, and moves the plot along. I enjoy novels such as this, in which the author allows me to use my imagination. Henkel's novel was the storyboard to my mental motion picture.
This novel is the first in a series of Jason Dark novels. As such it does a good job of introducing Jason Dark. Like many fictional detectives, Dark has a past which I am sure will be revealed in later novels. Siu Lin will make a great sidekick for Dark. She is a martial arts expert who can fight demons in the streets of London, and in the stacks of London libraries (in two languages!).
If you are looking for a fast paced, fun read, I encourage you to give Demon's Night a try.
Demon's Night
If you'd like to read more of my reviews, give my eBook a try.
Setting: Victorian London
Something is murdering the residents of London. Its victims are found dessicated, as if the very life had been sucked out of them. Reports of these unnatural deaths draw the interest of Jason Dark. Dark is an investigator of supernatural mysteries. He comes from a family of Geisterjager, or ghost hunters. He pursues the demon into London's China town where he saves the life of a Chinese woman, Siu Lin. Siu Lin is trained in martial arts. Together they work to defeat the maleficent being. Can they destroy the demon before he releases a stronger and more evil creature into the world?
I really enjoyed this novel. It is a fast paced story that keeps you turning pages. As a reader, I am not a big fan of too much description. Henkel gives the reader enough detail to understand the setting, and moves the plot along. I enjoy novels such as this, in which the author allows me to use my imagination. Henkel's novel was the storyboard to my mental motion picture.
This novel is the first in a series of Jason Dark novels. As such it does a good job of introducing Jason Dark. Like many fictional detectives, Dark has a past which I am sure will be revealed in later novels. Siu Lin will make a great sidekick for Dark. She is a martial arts expert who can fight demons in the streets of London, and in the stacks of London libraries (in two languages!).
If you are looking for a fast paced, fun read, I encourage you to give Demon's Night a try.
Demon's Night
If you'd like to read more of my reviews, give my eBook a try.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Saturnalia by Lindsey Davis
Genre: Historical Mystery
Setting: Ancient Rome, 76 A. D.
This novel is one of Lindsey Davis's Falco series. She has written twenty Falco novels. Falco is a fantastic character. He has to balance his sleuthing with keeping peace in his family. Between his sisters and his divorced parents, family business can be a full time job for Falco.
Falco is aided in his investigations, and family complications by his wife, Helena. Helena is an independent Roman woman. She is the daughter of a Senator, yet she is not afraid to accompany Falco on dangerous missions.
In this episode of the Falco series, a famous Roman general has returned to Rome with a Germanic warrior priestess as a prisoner. He plans to have her ritually executed as part of his Triumph celebrations. To keep her hidden from the public eye, she has been put up with a Roman senator's family in their villa outside of Rome. When the priestess discovers his plans, she escapes into the city of Rome.
Marcus Didius Falco is called in to find the priestess. Unfortunately for Falco, this is not just a simple missing person case.
Along with keeping track of the soldiers, managing his household slaves, and raising his daughters, it looks like a busy Saturnalia celebration for Falco and his family.
I really enjoy Davis's Falco novels. Through Falco we see life in ancient Rome. Along with the temples and palaces, we visit the back alleys and tenements of that ancient city. This novel is a great addition to the series and a great read.
Saturnalia
If you would like to read more of my reviews download my eBook.
Setting: Ancient Rome, 76 A. D.
This novel is one of Lindsey Davis's Falco series. She has written twenty Falco novels. Falco is a fantastic character. He has to balance his sleuthing with keeping peace in his family. Between his sisters and his divorced parents, family business can be a full time job for Falco.
Falco is aided in his investigations, and family complications by his wife, Helena. Helena is an independent Roman woman. She is the daughter of a Senator, yet she is not afraid to accompany Falco on dangerous missions.
In this episode of the Falco series, a famous Roman general has returned to Rome with a Germanic warrior priestess as a prisoner. He plans to have her ritually executed as part of his Triumph celebrations. To keep her hidden from the public eye, she has been put up with a Roman senator's family in their villa outside of Rome. When the priestess discovers his plans, she escapes into the city of Rome.
Marcus Didius Falco is called in to find the priestess. Unfortunately for Falco, this is not just a simple missing person case.
- The Senator's brother-in-law was found beheaded on the day the priestess vanished.
- Falco's brother-in-law once had an affair with the priestess.
- Falco's brother-in-law is also missing.
- Falco has been assigned a troop of soldiers to help with the search.
- The soldiers move into Falco's house.
- The festival of Saturnalia is approaching, and with it all of the social and familial responsibilities of the head of a Roman family.
- And, Falco notices that somebody has been murdering poor, homeless vagrants at night.
Along with keeping track of the soldiers, managing his household slaves, and raising his daughters, it looks like a busy Saturnalia celebration for Falco and his family.
I really enjoy Davis's Falco novels. Through Falco we see life in ancient Rome. Along with the temples and palaces, we visit the back alleys and tenements of that ancient city. This novel is a great addition to the series and a great read.
Saturnalia
If you would like to read more of my reviews download my eBook.
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