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.
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
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.
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Rendezvous with Death by Sally Spencer
Genre: Historical Mystery
Setting: England, 1898
First Sentence: The fog had begun of descend just before nightfall, and within minutes it had covered the whole of the area north of the river.
This novel is the first in Spencer's Inspector Blackstone series which currently runs to twelve books.
Sally Spencer is the pen name of English author Alan Rustage.
This novel was a fantastic read. I just could not put it down. The pages flew by, and I finished the book in a day. (Which is pretty fast for me!)
Since this is the first book in the series, the author had to introduce us to our main character, Sam Blackstone. So, sprinkled throughout the novel are tantalizing references to Blackstone's backstory. But for the most part, the author told us what we needed to know, and got on with the plot.
Inspector Blackstone is a dedicated officer of Scotland Yard. Normally, his cases are easy to solve. Just a few questions, and a couple of threats, and the culprit is easily identified.
Now, Blackstone is presented with a different type of murder. The victim is a member of an aristocratic family more concerned with protecting the family name than identifying the murderer. Every step of the way it seems that Blackstone's investigation is impeded by the social norms concerning those who live at the top of British society.
Queen Victoria's grand sixtieth Jubilee forms the back drop of the novel. Could it be that Blackstone's case might have repercussions reaching to the pinnacle of British aristocracy, the Queen herself?
In Blackstone, the author has created a great character. I liked him, and I liked this novel.
And I intend to read the entire series.
Five Stars!
Setting: England, 1898
First Sentence: The fog had begun of descend just before nightfall, and within minutes it had covered the whole of the area north of the river.
This novel is the first in Spencer's Inspector Blackstone series which currently runs to twelve books.
Sally Spencer is the pen name of English author Alan Rustage.
This novel was a fantastic read. I just could not put it down. The pages flew by, and I finished the book in a day. (Which is pretty fast for me!)
Since this is the first book in the series, the author had to introduce us to our main character, Sam Blackstone. So, sprinkled throughout the novel are tantalizing references to Blackstone's backstory. But for the most part, the author told us what we needed to know, and got on with the plot.
Inspector Blackstone is a dedicated officer of Scotland Yard. Normally, his cases are easy to solve. Just a few questions, and a couple of threats, and the culprit is easily identified.
Now, Blackstone is presented with a different type of murder. The victim is a member of an aristocratic family more concerned with protecting the family name than identifying the murderer. Every step of the way it seems that Blackstone's investigation is impeded by the social norms concerning those who live at the top of British society.
Queen Victoria's grand sixtieth Jubilee forms the back drop of the novel. Could it be that Blackstone's case might have repercussions reaching to the pinnacle of British aristocracy, the Queen herself?
In Blackstone, the author has created a great character. I liked him, and I liked this novel.
And I intend to read the entire series.
Five Stars!
Monday, October 26, 2015
Desolate by Robert Brumm Jr.
Genre: Science Fiction
Setting: Earth, in the near future.
First Sentence: If one were to fly over the South Shetland Islands, just off the northwest side of the Antarctic, one might notice a small horseshoe shaped island settled in between the larger islands in the chain.
Strap on your seats belt boys and girls, you are in for a wild ride. Using a nonlinear writing style, the author takes us on an adventure. We bounce around between different points of view. We go forward and backward in time. And in the end, we arrive at a very different place from where we started.
In the beginning, our main character Howard, is beginning his life-with-no-parole sentence at a superman prison in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.
After years of hard labor, the prisoners discover an alien spacecraft. Opening the craft releases a deadly virus and a deadly predator alien. The virus kills most of the people on earth. Then the predator decides that humans make a tasty meal.
Through pluck, and a lot of luck Howard avoids death. He makes friends who usually end up dead. And there are several action packed battle scenes between Howard, and his friends, and the aliens.
Finally, Howard and his surviving friends find a way to escape from the creatures. And the story limps home to a somewhat hokey conclusion.
I really liked this novel. It was great fun to read. The last half of the story kept me riveted and I could not put the book down.
A real pager turner!
Five stars!
Setting: Earth, in the near future.
First Sentence: If one were to fly over the South Shetland Islands, just off the northwest side of the Antarctic, one might notice a small horseshoe shaped island settled in between the larger islands in the chain.
Strap on your seats belt boys and girls, you are in for a wild ride. Using a nonlinear writing style, the author takes us on an adventure. We bounce around between different points of view. We go forward and backward in time. And in the end, we arrive at a very different place from where we started.
In the beginning, our main character Howard, is beginning his life-with-no-parole sentence at a superman prison in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.
After years of hard labor, the prisoners discover an alien spacecraft. Opening the craft releases a deadly virus and a deadly predator alien. The virus kills most of the people on earth. Then the predator decides that humans make a tasty meal.
Through pluck, and a lot of luck Howard avoids death. He makes friends who usually end up dead. And there are several action packed battle scenes between Howard, and his friends, and the aliens.
Finally, Howard and his surviving friends find a way to escape from the creatures. And the story limps home to a somewhat hokey conclusion.
I really liked this novel. It was great fun to read. The last half of the story kept me riveted and I could not put the book down.
A real pager turner!
Five stars!
Thursday, October 22, 2015
Blackstone and the Heart of Darkness by Sally Spencer
Genre: Historical Mystery
Setting: England in the Year 1900.
First Sentence: Emma Walsingham had been missing for two days when Giles Yarrow, an agricultural laborer, came across the body.
This novel is the sixth in Sally Spencer's Blackstone series which currently runs to twelve books.
Wow! This book was a real page turner. I just could not put it down. There is plenty of action. The exposition and description moves the plot forward without slowing the story down with too many unnecessary details. And the final solution was a real surprise.
This novel focuses on the investigations of three of the leading characters in this series.
Inspector Sam Blackstone, of Scotland Yard, is investigating a smuggling ring near the salt mines in a rural English village. His friend and partner Archie Patterson is investigating a brothel which illegally procures young girls. And, Dr. Ellie Carr, a female doctor who specializes in the new science of forensic pathology, is investigating a series of horrible murders involving the young daughters of well-to-do families.
The story moves back and forth between the three plot lines. At the climax, the solution, while logical, caught me by surprise.
Reading this novel was great fun. The characters are interesting and unique. And the plot was wonderfully tangled.
I know I'll be reading the entire series.
Five stars!
Setting: England in the Year 1900.
First Sentence: Emma Walsingham had been missing for two days when Giles Yarrow, an agricultural laborer, came across the body.
This novel is the sixth in Sally Spencer's Blackstone series which currently runs to twelve books.
Wow! This book was a real page turner. I just could not put it down. There is plenty of action. The exposition and description moves the plot forward without slowing the story down with too many unnecessary details. And the final solution was a real surprise.
This novel focuses on the investigations of three of the leading characters in this series.
Inspector Sam Blackstone, of Scotland Yard, is investigating a smuggling ring near the salt mines in a rural English village. His friend and partner Archie Patterson is investigating a brothel which illegally procures young girls. And, Dr. Ellie Carr, a female doctor who specializes in the new science of forensic pathology, is investigating a series of horrible murders involving the young daughters of well-to-do families.
The story moves back and forth between the three plot lines. At the climax, the solution, while logical, caught me by surprise.
Reading this novel was great fun. The characters are interesting and unique. And the plot was wonderfully tangled.
I know I'll be reading the entire series.
Five stars!
Monday, October 19, 2015
Deadly Proof by M. Louisa Locke
Genre: Historical Mystery
Setting: In 1880's San Francisco, California
First Sentence: Time to head out Dunk.
This novel is the fourth in Locke's Victorian San Francisco series, which also includes four short stories.
Our main character is Annie. She is an independent woman living is an era when women were expected to be dependent on men. In the past she has had unfortunate experiences when she let men control her life. Her beau, Nate, is a man of that era. He expects to be in control. He is learning how to treat Annie as an equal.
There has been a murder at a local print shop. Nate, who is a lawyer, has been retained to investigate the killing. An innocent woman has been arrested for the murder. It's Nate's first big case, and it's up to him, with Annie's help, to solve the case and discover the true culprit.
While the investigation is proceeding, Annie and Nate are planning their wedding. Annie wants the wedding to be perfect for Nate and his family. Nate just wants Annie to be happy.
Will Annie and Nate find the evidence that will free and innocent woman?
Will they learn how to share their feelings truthfully, and have a prefect wedding after all?
Louisa Lock is one of my favorite authors. I enjoy the plots she crafts. Each of her novels has a murder to solve. And each novel follows Nate and Annie as they learn to respect and love each other.
For me, this was a nice, easy, and fun read.
Setting: In 1880's San Francisco, California
First Sentence: Time to head out Dunk.
This novel is the fourth in Locke's Victorian San Francisco series, which also includes four short stories.
Our main character is Annie. She is an independent woman living is an era when women were expected to be dependent on men. In the past she has had unfortunate experiences when she let men control her life. Her beau, Nate, is a man of that era. He expects to be in control. He is learning how to treat Annie as an equal.
There has been a murder at a local print shop. Nate, who is a lawyer, has been retained to investigate the killing. An innocent woman has been arrested for the murder. It's Nate's first big case, and it's up to him, with Annie's help, to solve the case and discover the true culprit.
While the investigation is proceeding, Annie and Nate are planning their wedding. Annie wants the wedding to be perfect for Nate and his family. Nate just wants Annie to be happy.
Will Annie and Nate find the evidence that will free and innocent woman?
Will they learn how to share their feelings truthfully, and have a prefect wedding after all?
Louisa Lock is one of my favorite authors. I enjoy the plots she crafts. Each of her novels has a murder to solve. And each novel follows Nate and Annie as they learn to respect and love each other.
For me, this was a nice, easy, and fun read.
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
Egypt: The Book of Chaos by Nick Drake
Genre: Historical Mystery
Setting: Egypt, four years after the death of Tutankhamen.
First sentence: I stared down at five severed heads that lay in the dust, at the godforsaken crossroads, in the small dark hour before dawn.
This novel is the third in Drake's Rahotep series.
Due to his loyalty to the Queen of Egypt, Rahotep has lost his status as a Medjay detective. Now there are new ritualistic murders in Thebes. And he is not allowed to investigate.
There is a new powerful gang in town. They have taken over the opium trade. And, they are murdering anyone who is in their way. Which includes Rahotep's friend and partner Khety.
Rahotep wants revenge.
But the Queen needs Rahotep's help. She is the daughter of Nefertiti and wife to King Ay. The king is soon to die. There is no male relative to take his place. Only the feared General Horemheb.
So the queen proposes a marriage to one of the sons of the king of the Hittites. Even though the Hittites are the enemies of Egypt. The queen believes that this marriage would end the war between the Hittites and Egypt.
The queen wants Rahotep to accompany the Royal Envoy to present the proposal. Along the way, Rahotep keeps his eyes open, and discovers clues which eventually lead him to the secretive leader of the opium gang.
Will Rahotep discover who the leader is, and get the revenge he desires?
I liked this novel. The author set the plot in a realistic depiction of Egypt in those long ago days. There is action. There is danger. And along the way, we learn about the Egyptian culture.
For me, it was an enjoyable read.
Setting: Egypt, four years after the death of Tutankhamen.
First sentence: I stared down at five severed heads that lay in the dust, at the godforsaken crossroads, in the small dark hour before dawn.
This novel is the third in Drake's Rahotep series.
Due to his loyalty to the Queen of Egypt, Rahotep has lost his status as a Medjay detective. Now there are new ritualistic murders in Thebes. And he is not allowed to investigate.
There is a new powerful gang in town. They have taken over the opium trade. And, they are murdering anyone who is in their way. Which includes Rahotep's friend and partner Khety.
Rahotep wants revenge.
But the Queen needs Rahotep's help. She is the daughter of Nefertiti and wife to King Ay. The king is soon to die. There is no male relative to take his place. Only the feared General Horemheb.
So the queen proposes a marriage to one of the sons of the king of the Hittites. Even though the Hittites are the enemies of Egypt. The queen believes that this marriage would end the war between the Hittites and Egypt.
The queen wants Rahotep to accompany the Royal Envoy to present the proposal. Along the way, Rahotep keeps his eyes open, and discovers clues which eventually lead him to the secretive leader of the opium gang.
Will Rahotep discover who the leader is, and get the revenge he desires?
I liked this novel. The author set the plot in a realistic depiction of Egypt in those long ago days. There is action. There is danger. And along the way, we learn about the Egyptian culture.
For me, it was an enjoyable read.
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