Out of the Limelight by James Bagworth

Genre: Historical Mystery

Setting: London, England in 1879

First Sentence:  She was alone now.

This novel is the first in a planned series featuring the main characters: Farrow and Flint.  Billy Farrow and Norman Flint together form a music hall act.  They are definitely not sleuths.  But through tenacity and luck, they find a way to unravel the clues to solve a rather complex mystery.

In the first few chapters of this novel, the author introduces several parallel plot lines.  The challenge for the reader is to discover how the seemingly random plots would intersect.

Farrow and Flint are falsely accused with murder.  The fact that Farrow has the blood of the murder victim on his clothes is damning evidence.

Playing at the same theater as Farrow and Flint is a beautiful French chanteuse.  Who is she running from?  And why?

In the audience watching Farrow and Flint are two shady characters.  They seem to be planning a spectacular assassination.  Who could be the target of their explosive plans?

And how does the murder of an innocent young flower girl lead Farrow and Flint to discover the horrible secret that brings all the plot lines together in an action filled conclusion?

Along the way Bagworth has spiced up his novel with several unique characters.  The interesting characters and unexpected plot twists made for an enjoyable read.  I was interested to see how the author would resolve his plots.  He did so in spectacular fashion.  His conclusion was definitely unexpected.

For me, this novel was a fun read.

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In Her Name: First Contact by Michael R. Hicks

Genre: Science Fiction

Setting: In a future time where humans travel through space to other planets.

First Sentence:  Owen McClaren was extremely tense, although a casual observer would never have thought so.

This novel is the fourth in Hicks's In Her Name series.  It is a prequel to the first three novels.

In this novel humans make their first contact with an alien civilization.  Unfortunately, they meet the Kreelans.  The Kreelans are so advanced that they could destroy all of humanity if they desired to.  However, the Kreelans believe that they honor their Empress not by destroying their enemies, but by battling them on relatively equal terms.

So, the Kreelans give the humans fair warning about where and when the first battle will be.

The novel follows the preparations both sides make for the initial battle.  The humans try to utilize their most advanced technology.  And the Kreelans study ancient texts to build weapons and warships sufficiently primitive to compare with the humans.

And then there is the battle which takes place on the planet and in the vacuum of space.  There are incredible acts of bravery by the humans.  And there are inexplicable rituals of one-on-one combat orchestrated by the Kreelans.

Hicks's writing style moves the action along.  We follow characters on both sides of the battle.  There is enough description to visualize the action.  And we understand the motivations of the characters.

In the Kreelans, Hicks has created a unique civilization.  They are not mindless killing machines.  Within their culture, their actions make sense.  Their unusual sense of fair play, in the midst of battle, surprises and confuses the humans.

Readers of the first three books in the series will enjoy this return to the Kreelan universe.  If you are new to the Kreelans, this novel would be a great place to start.


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The Hawks of Delamere by Edward Marston

Genre: Historical Mystery

Setting: Eleventh century England, after the Norman conquest.

First sentence:  It took three strong men to help him into the saddle.

This novel is the seventh in Marston's Domesday Book series.

After gaining control of England, the Norman king ordered a recording of all the land in England.  This record, the Domesday Book, detailed all of the parcels of land in England, and their rightful owners.

In Marston's novels, Ralph Delchard and Gervase Bret lead a group of King's commissioners.  Their duty is to visit the various towns and villages.  There, the commissioners investigate inconsistencies and errors in the Domesday Book.  The arrival of the commission is often a cause of concern for the local land owners.  Many of whom claim ownership of land that is not legally theirs.

In this installment of the series, the King's commissioners have arrived at Chester castle near the Welsh border.  The castle belongs to Earl Hugh.  Hugh is a man with a large appetite and a short temper.  Several untimely deaths in nearby Delamere Forest have convinced Hugh that the Welsh are planning an invasion.  Earl Hugh is holding a Welsh prince hostage in the castle's dungeon.

Why would the Welsh endanger the life of their prince by rebelling?

Can Ralph and Gervase discover the truth behind the killings and avert a bloody battle?

This novel is another satisfying tale in Marston's Domesday series.  I always enjoy the unique characters who people his novels.  And I thoroughly enjoy his entertaining dialog.


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Silver Lies by Ann Parker

Genre: Historical Mystery

Setting: A mining town high in the Rocky Mountains during the Colorado Silver Rush of the 1880's.

First sentence:  If there was an arctic version of hell, Joe Rose was living it in Leadville, Colorado.

This novel is the first in Parker's Silver Rush mystery series.

Leadville, Colorado during the silver rush was a dangerous town.  A smart person did not go out alone or unarmed.  Unfortunately, Joe Rose found himself inebriated and alone in an alley at night.  The next morning his body was found behind the Silver Queen saloon.  Apparently, Joe had been trampled to death by a horse.  Finding the body near the Silver Queen leads the local marshal to think that the owners of the Silver Queen might know something about the murder.  The Silver Queen is owned and operated by Inez Stannert and her negro partner Abe Jackson.

Inez is good friends with Emma Rose, the wife of the victim.  In order to clear her name, and to help Emma, Inez begins to ask questions.    As she  gather information about the murder, she learns that many of Leadville's citizens have personal secrets.  Secrets they keep hidden by telling lies.

Inez herself, along with Abe, and Inez's missing husband once were part of a counterfeiting ring.  The handsome new minister may not be who seems be.  The clumsy bar helper, Useless, once worked at the finest brothel in town.  And even the legendary lawman Bat Masterson arrives to provide Inez with some important information.

Over all, I enjoyed this novel.  The middle of the story seemed to drag a little.  But the climax was very exciting.

This novel put me in mind of other historical mysteries.  Similar novels have an independent female lead who forms a friendship with a male character.  I enjoy reading about these  women who solve mysteries, and do not require a man to save the day.  If you are a fan of M. Louisa Locke or P. B. Ryan, you might enjoy this historical mystery.


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Cold Copper by Devon Monk

Genre: Steam Punk

Setting: A steam punk version of the Western United States in the late 19th century.

First Sentence:  There were plenty of good ways to die.

This novel is the third in Monk's The Age of Steam series.

There is a power in the world.  It is called the Strange.  The Strange possesses terrible power which could destroy mankind.

There are unscrupulous humans who can control the Strange and use it to gain power and wealth.  To control the Strange, evil humans have created a device called the Holder.  Their goal is to overthrow the U.S. government and control the world.  The Holder has been broken into seven parts.  Our intrepid band of characters are following the trail of one of the pieces.

Our main character is Cedar Hunt.  Cedar and his brother have been cursed by the Pawnee to destroy the Strange and find the Holder.  To keep him true to the cause, on the night of the full moon, Cedar transforms into a wolf and roams the countryside looking for Strange to kill.

Travelling with Cedar is an eclectic group of people.  Each has a unique talent for casting spells, inventing devices of sensing unseen phenomena.

In the dead of winter, Cedar has followed the scent of the Holder, and led his fellow travelers to Des Moines.  The mayor of Des Moines, Killian Vosbrough, has used his family's wealth and influence to gain control of the city.  There he has been amassing metal, machines, and even the power of the Strange, for some nefarious purpose.

Somehow connected with this gathering of evil is the mystery of the missing children.  Many of the children of Des Moines have simply vanished.  It is up to our intrepid protagonists to find the Holder, solve the mystery of the children, and to defeat the evil Mr. Vosbrough.

I enjoyed reading this novel.  There is lots of action in every chapter.  In each chapter the characters are taking chances, defending themselves, or running for their lives.  For me, from the first page, it was suspend disbelief and hang on for the ride!

Although this novel could be read by itself, most readers would enjoy it more if it were read in sequence.  I will definitely be looking for the next book in the series.


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Tempest at Dawn by James D. Best

Genre: Historical Fiction

Setting: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 1787

First sentence: Anxiety woke me before dawn.

This novel is a fictional retelling of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787.  The first attempt at a national government for the United States, the Articles of Confederation, was a failure.  Congress called the convention so that the political leaders of the thirteen states could improve the Articles.  These leaders were savvy enough to realize that a new system of government was required.

The leaders of the convention understood that the delegates needed to be free to debate without the pressure of public opinion.  They had the windows of Independence hall nailed shut, and were sworn to secrecy.

Thus, there are no verbatim records of the debates.  Best used the existing records and some creative license to craft a novel that  recreates the creation of the constitution.

In this novel, Best follows two main characters: James Madison and Roger Sherman.  Madison was the author of the Virginia plan.  Before the convention, he had spent a year researching the history of republican governments.  He believed in proportional representation based on the populations of the states.  Roger Sherman was the leader of the small states.  The small states wanted each state to have equal representation in congress.

All of the delegates came to the convention ready to defend the interests of their states.  Many came with set ideas and beliefs.  Best's novel shows us how the delegates used their political skills. Best shows us the debates in the convention hall.  We also see the discussions, deal making and arm twisting that took place in hotel rooms, taverns and public parks around Philadelphia.

I especially enjoyed how Best portrayed the influence that George Washington and Ben Franklin had on the progress of the convention.  Washington, as president of the convention, did not take part in the debates.  Yet, his leadership and back room deal making, brought the convention to a unanimous conclusion.  Franklin was the paternal leader of the convention.  His well-timed observations helped to move the debate forward.

In my opinion, this novel can teach us some  valuable lessons.  Although we believe in transparent government, politicians sometimes do their best work when they are away from the media and the glare of public opinion.

In recent years the concept of compromise seems to have fallen out of favor.  Yet, it must be recognized that, without compromise, the constitution would never have been written.

Many of the delegates recognized that the Constitution was not perfect.  It was the best they could do at the time.  After it was written, they all firmly defended it.

This is an unusual novel.  There is very little action, and there is a great deal of dialog.  Most of the dialog consists of characters debating political points.  However, I found this novel to be an interesting read.  I thoroughly enjoyed it.




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Paradise Alley by Kevin Baker

Genre: Historical Fiction

Setting: New York City, during the draft riots of 1863

First Sentence: He is coming.

The draft riots of 1863 in New York City are considered by many to be the largest civil uprising in U.S. history outside of the Civil War.  The riot, which started as a protest against the draft, turned into a race riot which lasted three days.  At least 100 black people were killed by the mostly Irish white rioters.  In the end, Army troops were called in to quell the riots.

Baker uses this riot as the backdrop for his novel.  In the novel, he tells the stories of several different characters whose lives intersect in Paradise Alley during the dangerous days of the riot.

Through the use of flashbacks, we learn the histories of each character.  We learn the hardships and struggles which led each character to be in Paradise Alley on the days of the riot.

Dangerous Johnny Dolan is a a ruthless, remorseless criminal who found a way to escape the Irish potato famine.

Ruth Dove watched her entire family starve to death, and followed Johnny to New York.

Billy Dove is an escaped slave who is a skilled shipbuilder.  But the only work he can find is as a janitor in an orphanage for black children.

Deirdre O'Kane is Johnny's older sister.  She escaped the famine in Ireland and found a good life as a domestic in New York.

Tom O'Kane is Dierdre's husband.  He enlisted in the Army as part of Dierdre's plan to mold him into a more respectable husband.

Maddy Boyle is a young Irish prostitute.  She brazenly serves both white and black clients.

Herbert Willis Thompson is a newspaper reporter.  He is also Maddy's lover.

Baker builds his story slowly as he gradually reveals each character's past.  As the riot grows in intensity, the tension of the story mounts.  I found myself becoming more engrossed in the plot as Baker brought all of the characters together in Paradise Alley.  I kept reading to discover how each would endure the danger of the riot.

I really enjoyed this novel.  I like Baker's writing style.  For me, the reading is effortless, and the story flowed.  His use of flashbacks mixes up the story timeline and keeps the reading interesting.

Also, if you liked the movie "Gangs of New York" you might like this novel.  Both stories are set in New York during the Civil War.

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