Genre: Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery
Setting: England in the early second century.
First Sentence: Someone had washed the mud off the body, but as Gaius Petreius Ruso unwrapped the sheet, there was still a distinct smell of river water.
This novel is the first in Downie's Medicus series.
Ruso is a military doctor. He has just arrived to new posting in Briton. Unfortunately, one of his first duties is performing a postmortem exam exam of a young woman.
Ruso is not a sleuth, but when another young woman turns up dead, he begins to ask questions. Could there be a connection between the two deaths?
Ruso is in Briton due to a messy divorce. Additionally, his family is relying on him to send home some cash so they can pay off the loans on the family farm.
Then there is Tilla. When Ruso sees a slave trader abusing her, Ruso buys Tilla. Ruso sets her broken arm and nurses her back to health. At first, Ruso realizes that he could make a large profit by selling Tilla after she regains her health. But, Ruso learns that she means more to him than simply her resale value.
As Ruso investigates, he learns about the slave trade and its connection to a local brothel. As he comes closer to uncovering the truth, Ruso learns that, in learning the truth, he might lose Tilla.
For me, this novel was a real page turner. The last half of the book was great and I devoured the pages. I especially appreciated the relationship between Tilla and Ruso. Their fondness grew slowly. Their communication was made more difficult because their differences in culture and social class.
I think the author made good use of the third person limited point of view. Several times Ruso learns something, but the author doesn't let us know what it is. This helped heighten my interest in the plot, and kept me reading.
In my opinion, this was a great read.
The Medicus Series
Monday, February 24, 2014
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Legend City by: John Bueker
Genre: History
Setting: Arizona
If you lived in the Phoenix area during the sixties and seventies, then you remember Legend City. Legend City was our theme park.
Entrepreneur Louis Crandall envisioned a theme park similar to Disneyland. Legend City opened in the early sixties and lasted for twenty years. Through a succession of owners and bankruptcies Legend City entertained a generation of Arizonans until it closed its doors for the last time in September of 1983.
In this book, John Bueker tells a brief history of the park. He has also included a unique collection of photographs which document the park, the rides, the attractions, and the people of Legend City.
If you remember Legend City, this book will be a nostalgic reminder of that time long ago when Phoenix had its own theme park.
Setting: Arizona
If you lived in the Phoenix area during the sixties and seventies, then you remember Legend City. Legend City was our theme park.
Entrepreneur Louis Crandall envisioned a theme park similar to Disneyland. Legend City opened in the early sixties and lasted for twenty years. Through a succession of owners and bankruptcies Legend City entertained a generation of Arizonans until it closed its doors for the last time in September of 1983.
In this book, John Bueker tells a brief history of the park. He has also included a unique collection of photographs which document the park, the rides, the attractions, and the people of Legend City.
If you remember Legend City, this book will be a nostalgic reminder of that time long ago when Phoenix had its own theme park.
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
The Strange Affair of Spring Heeled Jack by Mark Hodder
Genre: Steampunk
Setting: an alternate version of nineteenth century England.
First Sentence: "By God! He's killed himself!"
FYI: some adult language, some minor references to Sadism.
Victorian England was the center of technological progress during the last half of the nineteenth century. But the England described by Hodder in his novel, is not the England we know from history. The author describes fantastic forms of mechanized technology, unique types of motorized vehicles, and strange applications of genetic science.
For years, there had been reports of a strange creature accosting young women. This creature was called Spring Heeled Jack. These stories had been passed off as myths. Then, our main character, Richard Francis Burton, became a victim of Spring Heeled Jack.
Burton, a noted adventurer was appointed as a special agent for the government. His orders were to seek out Spring Heeled Jack and end his attacks.
Burton's investigations uncover strange goings on in London. Spring Heeled Jack seemed to be connected with weird experiments being performed by some of England's greatest scientific minds.
Just as Burton gets close to solving the mystery, the author changes our point of view. Seeing the story from a different perspective reveals Spring Heeled Jack's motivations to us.
The novel ends with a rousing battle. Jack, the scientists, and some of their creations versus Burton and the constables of Scotland Yard.
Who is Spring Heeled Jack? Why is he making his attacks? How has his appearances changed the world?
This novel was a fun read. Not only did it have a creative plot, but the book itself had a unique look. The outside cover and the chapter headings evoked the Victorian/Steampunk nature of the novel.
I liked this book, it was a good read.
Here are links to the books in the series.
Setting: an alternate version of nineteenth century England.
First Sentence: "By God! He's killed himself!"
FYI: some adult language, some minor references to Sadism.
Victorian England was the center of technological progress during the last half of the nineteenth century. But the England described by Hodder in his novel, is not the England we know from history. The author describes fantastic forms of mechanized technology, unique types of motorized vehicles, and strange applications of genetic science.
For years, there had been reports of a strange creature accosting young women. This creature was called Spring Heeled Jack. These stories had been passed off as myths. Then, our main character, Richard Francis Burton, became a victim of Spring Heeled Jack.
Burton, a noted adventurer was appointed as a special agent for the government. His orders were to seek out Spring Heeled Jack and end his attacks.
Burton's investigations uncover strange goings on in London. Spring Heeled Jack seemed to be connected with weird experiments being performed by some of England's greatest scientific minds.
Just as Burton gets close to solving the mystery, the author changes our point of view. Seeing the story from a different perspective reveals Spring Heeled Jack's motivations to us.
The novel ends with a rousing battle. Jack, the scientists, and some of their creations versus Burton and the constables of Scotland Yard.
Who is Spring Heeled Jack? Why is he making his attacks? How has his appearances changed the world?
This novel was a fun read. Not only did it have a creative plot, but the book itself had a unique look. The outside cover and the chapter headings evoked the Victorian/Steampunk nature of the novel.
I liked this book, it was a good read.
Here are links to the books in the series.
Monday, February 10, 2014
A Kingdom's Cost by J. R. Tomlin
Genre: Historical Fiction
Setting: Scotland during the early 14th century.
First Sentence: Dazed, knocked to his knees by the merchant's blow, James Douglas leaned
against the brick wall.
FYI: Some adult content.
This novel is the first in the author's Black Douglas trilogy.
The action of this novel takes place at the beginning of the Scottish War of Independence. The author has crafted a fictional tale which weaves its way through actual historical events.
Our main character is James Douglas, who history remembers as the Black Douglas. As a young man his father was executed by King Edward the First of England. Later, James was witness to the brutal execution of William Wallace. So, James has no love of England or the English king. When Robert the Bruce declares himself king of the Scots, James rushes to his side and swears allegiance to him.
As the story progresses, James experiences the savage cruelty of war in the fourteenth century. James is fighting, not only for independence for the Scots, but also to regain his family's historical lands. At several times James needed to make terrible choices which earned him the the reputation of being a savage warlord. Thus he was known to his English enemies as the Black Douglas.
In between the scenes of battle is the ill-fated tale of James's love for Isabella MacDuff. Isabella left a cruel husband who had allied himself to the English crown. She arrived to support the Scottish cause, and fell in love with James.
I felt that the pace of the novel started out slowly as the author set the scene and introduced the characters. However, the pace picked up as the plot reached the descriptions of the battles and of James and Isabella's romance. In my opinion, the author chose a satisfactory place in the plot to end the first installment of the series.
This was an enjoyable read. The battle scenes were realistic. The characters were believable. When the novel ended, I wanted to keep reading.
The second novel of the series is now on my "to read" list.
The books of the Black Douglas Series:
Setting: Scotland during the early 14th century.
First Sentence: Dazed, knocked to his knees by the merchant's blow, James Douglas leaned
against the brick wall.
FYI: Some adult content.
This novel is the first in the author's Black Douglas trilogy.
The action of this novel takes place at the beginning of the Scottish War of Independence. The author has crafted a fictional tale which weaves its way through actual historical events.
Our main character is James Douglas, who history remembers as the Black Douglas. As a young man his father was executed by King Edward the First of England. Later, James was witness to the brutal execution of William Wallace. So, James has no love of England or the English king. When Robert the Bruce declares himself king of the Scots, James rushes to his side and swears allegiance to him.
As the story progresses, James experiences the savage cruelty of war in the fourteenth century. James is fighting, not only for independence for the Scots, but also to regain his family's historical lands. At several times James needed to make terrible choices which earned him the the reputation of being a savage warlord. Thus he was known to his English enemies as the Black Douglas.
In between the scenes of battle is the ill-fated tale of James's love for Isabella MacDuff. Isabella left a cruel husband who had allied himself to the English crown. She arrived to support the Scottish cause, and fell in love with James.
I felt that the pace of the novel started out slowly as the author set the scene and introduced the characters. However, the pace picked up as the plot reached the descriptions of the battles and of James and Isabella's romance. In my opinion, the author chose a satisfactory place in the plot to end the first installment of the series.
This was an enjoyable read. The battle scenes were realistic. The characters were believable. When the novel ended, I wanted to keep reading.
The second novel of the series is now on my "to read" list.
The books of the Black Douglas Series:
Friday, January 31, 2014
The King's Hounds by Martin Jensen
Translated by Tara Chace
Genre: Historical Mystery
Setting: England in the 11th century
First sentence: The prior had allowed Winston to have his way.
This novel is the first in Jensen's King's Hounds series.
FYI: Some adult content - one scene in the early chapters.
Cnut (pronounced Cannute) Sweysson is on the verge of becoming king of all England. To this end he has called all of the leading nobles to a meeting at Oxford. There he hopes to unite England under one ruler and one system of laws. The nobles consist of a mixture of Saxons, Angles, Vikings, Danes, and Jutes. It is an accomplishment to gather these nobles in a state of relative peace.
The last thing Cnut needs is a cold blooded murder.
A Saxon thane has been slain. Some believe that Cnut has ordered the killing. Cnut need this murder solved quickly. But where can he find investigators without ulterior political motives?
This is where our intrepid main characters become involved. Winston is a manuscript illuminator. His work is exquisite and in high demand. Since he works independently, he owes no allegiance to any lord. His friend, Halfdan, is a former noble. He lost his inheritance when his father and elder brother fought and died on the losing side of the war. He does not hold Cnut responsible for their deaths. He knows that his father's turncoat leader is to blame.
In Winston and Halfdan, Cnut finds his neutral investigators. Cnut orders them to solve the murder before the great meeting which is in three days.
Using their wits and experience, Winston and Halfdan pursue the truth.
Will they discover the identity of the killer, and avoid any political entanglements, in just three days?
I enjoyed this novel. The translator did a great job of telling the story in English using a nice easy to read style. The occasional use of a modern English idiom made the reading fun. There is a large number of characters to keep track of. The plot mostly consists of Winston and Halfdan questioning different people and sorting out truths from lies. Then there are a few fight scenes which serve to liven things up.
For me, this novel was a fun read.
The King's Hounds - The 1st book in the series. Oathbreaker - the 2nd book in the series
Genre: Historical Mystery
Setting: England in the 11th century
First sentence: The prior had allowed Winston to have his way.
This novel is the first in Jensen's King's Hounds series.
FYI: Some adult content - one scene in the early chapters.
Cnut (pronounced Cannute) Sweysson is on the verge of becoming king of all England. To this end he has called all of the leading nobles to a meeting at Oxford. There he hopes to unite England under one ruler and one system of laws. The nobles consist of a mixture of Saxons, Angles, Vikings, Danes, and Jutes. It is an accomplishment to gather these nobles in a state of relative peace.
The last thing Cnut needs is a cold blooded murder.
A Saxon thane has been slain. Some believe that Cnut has ordered the killing. Cnut need this murder solved quickly. But where can he find investigators without ulterior political motives?
This is where our intrepid main characters become involved. Winston is a manuscript illuminator. His work is exquisite and in high demand. Since he works independently, he owes no allegiance to any lord. His friend, Halfdan, is a former noble. He lost his inheritance when his father and elder brother fought and died on the losing side of the war. He does not hold Cnut responsible for their deaths. He knows that his father's turncoat leader is to blame.
In Winston and Halfdan, Cnut finds his neutral investigators. Cnut orders them to solve the murder before the great meeting which is in three days.
Using their wits and experience, Winston and Halfdan pursue the truth.
Will they discover the identity of the killer, and avoid any political entanglements, in just three days?
I enjoyed this novel. The translator did a great job of telling the story in English using a nice easy to read style. The occasional use of a modern English idiom made the reading fun. There is a large number of characters to keep track of. The plot mostly consists of Winston and Halfdan questioning different people and sorting out truths from lies. Then there are a few fight scenes which serve to liven things up.
For me, this novel was a fun read.
The King's Hounds - The 1st book in the series. Oathbreaker - the 2nd book in the series
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Inzared, Queen of the Elephant Riders by L. Leander
Genre: Historical Fiction
Setting: The Southeastern United States in the 1840's.
First Sentence: Bertha Maude Anderson. I never liked my given name.
This novel is the first in the author's Inzared series.
Bertha is a self-described hillbilly. She lives with her Ma and Pa, and her brother Ezra. on a hard-scrabble farm in the Appalachian mountains of North Carolina.
Life is hard, and the family works hard to make ends meet. So, it comes as a great shock to Bertha that her Ma buys tickets to see the traveling circus.
At the circus, Bertha immediately falls in love with the elephant and its trainer. It doesn't take much encouragement to get Bertha to run away with the circus. Bertha has a natural talent for riding the elephant, and soon she has earned a new name: Inzared, the Queen of the Elephant Riders.
The story is told through Bertha's eyes. The author gives her a unique voice. Bertha sounds like a hillbilly without resorting to stereotypical dialect.
Additionally, I must congratulate the author on choosing the high road when describing Inzared's love life. She and her love interest have a lot of chemistry. Yet the author chose not to include unnecessary graphic depictions of their romance.
I liked this book. It was not what I expected, but pleasantly so. Part historical fiction, part mystery and part romance. The pages flew by as I read to discover what adventure Inzared and her elephant would have next.
The First Book of the Series The Second book of the Series
Setting: The Southeastern United States in the 1840's.
First Sentence: Bertha Maude Anderson. I never liked my given name.
This novel is the first in the author's Inzared series.
Bertha is a self-described hillbilly. She lives with her Ma and Pa, and her brother Ezra. on a hard-scrabble farm in the Appalachian mountains of North Carolina.
Life is hard, and the family works hard to make ends meet. So, it comes as a great shock to Bertha that her Ma buys tickets to see the traveling circus.
At the circus, Bertha immediately falls in love with the elephant and its trainer. It doesn't take much encouragement to get Bertha to run away with the circus. Bertha has a natural talent for riding the elephant, and soon she has earned a new name: Inzared, the Queen of the Elephant Riders.
The story is told through Bertha's eyes. The author gives her a unique voice. Bertha sounds like a hillbilly without resorting to stereotypical dialect.
Additionally, I must congratulate the author on choosing the high road when describing Inzared's love life. She and her love interest have a lot of chemistry. Yet the author chose not to include unnecessary graphic depictions of their romance.
I liked this book. It was not what I expected, but pleasantly so. Part historical fiction, part mystery and part romance. The pages flew by as I read to discover what adventure Inzared and her elephant would have next.
The First Book of the Series The Second book of the Series
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
The Dark Monk by Oliver Potzsch
Translated by: Lee Chadwayne
Genre: Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery
Setting: Bavaria, 1660 AD
First Sentence: When the parish priest Andreas Koppmeyer pressed the last stone into place and sealed the opening with lime and mortar, he had just four hours to live.
This novel is the second in Potzsch's Hangman's Daughter series.
It is the depths of winter. The small town of Schongau is a dark, dreary village. Once it had been a hub of commerce. That was before the war. Now it is in danger of becoming a forgotten corner of Bavaria.
Due to the harsh winter there has been an epidemic of a deadly coughing sickness. The local doctors and healers have not been able to stop the onslaught of infection.
On top of that, it has become increasingly difficult for local merchants to transport their goods to neighboring towns. In the forests around Schongau there have been roving gangs of highwaymen scratching out a meager existence by robbing freight wagons. It seems that someone has been telling the thieves about the merchants' planned shipments.
In a church near Schongau, a parish priest has been found poisoned. It seems that in his death throes he has left a clue which may lead to the fabled treasure of the Knights Templar.
As the plot progresses, we follow the exploits of three citizens of Schongau, and a newcomer, as they seek the Templar's treasure.
Jakob Kuisel is the hangman of the town. He is looked down upon by polite society. Yet he is well read. And he is knowledgeable about herbs and folk remedies.
His daughter, Magdelina, is very intelligent. She is more educated than most women of her time. Due to her family's low social standing, she is doomed to marry either a butcher or a hangman.
Simon is the son of the city doctor. He is trained in classical medicine. But unlike his father, he is open to learning about folk remedies from the local healers. He and Magdelina are in love.
Benedikta is a newcomer to the town. She claims to be the sister of the murdered priest. She is intelligent and feisty. She soon becomes a rival to Magdelina for Simon's affections.
The four characters begin to gather clues. Soon they are hot on the trail of the treasure. Unfortunately, there are others who are also interested in the treasure. Some believe the treasure is a hoard of riches. Others believe the treasure is a relic of great value for the church.
Will our intrepid investigators find the Templar's Treasure?
Will the power of faith guide them to a just conclusion?
For me, the grayness and bleakness of Schongau really comes through. So many of the people are in such desperate circumstances. Yet they continue to have a deep belief in the church and the power of the supernatural.
I like reading historical novels that paint a realistic picture of life in medieval times. In my opinion, this novel was not as good as the book in the series. But, that being said, I enjoyed reading it.
The Dark Monk The first book in the series
Genre: Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery
Setting: Bavaria, 1660 AD
First Sentence: When the parish priest Andreas Koppmeyer pressed the last stone into place and sealed the opening with lime and mortar, he had just four hours to live.
This novel is the second in Potzsch's Hangman's Daughter series.
It is the depths of winter. The small town of Schongau is a dark, dreary village. Once it had been a hub of commerce. That was before the war. Now it is in danger of becoming a forgotten corner of Bavaria.
Due to the harsh winter there has been an epidemic of a deadly coughing sickness. The local doctors and healers have not been able to stop the onslaught of infection.
On top of that, it has become increasingly difficult for local merchants to transport their goods to neighboring towns. In the forests around Schongau there have been roving gangs of highwaymen scratching out a meager existence by robbing freight wagons. It seems that someone has been telling the thieves about the merchants' planned shipments.
In a church near Schongau, a parish priest has been found poisoned. It seems that in his death throes he has left a clue which may lead to the fabled treasure of the Knights Templar.
As the plot progresses, we follow the exploits of three citizens of Schongau, and a newcomer, as they seek the Templar's treasure.
Jakob Kuisel is the hangman of the town. He is looked down upon by polite society. Yet he is well read. And he is knowledgeable about herbs and folk remedies.
His daughter, Magdelina, is very intelligent. She is more educated than most women of her time. Due to her family's low social standing, she is doomed to marry either a butcher or a hangman.
Simon is the son of the city doctor. He is trained in classical medicine. But unlike his father, he is open to learning about folk remedies from the local healers. He and Magdelina are in love.
Benedikta is a newcomer to the town. She claims to be the sister of the murdered priest. She is intelligent and feisty. She soon becomes a rival to Magdelina for Simon's affections.
The four characters begin to gather clues. Soon they are hot on the trail of the treasure. Unfortunately, there are others who are also interested in the treasure. Some believe the treasure is a hoard of riches. Others believe the treasure is a relic of great value for the church.
Will our intrepid investigators find the Templar's Treasure?
Will the power of faith guide them to a just conclusion?
For me, the grayness and bleakness of Schongau really comes through. So many of the people are in such desperate circumstances. Yet they continue to have a deep belief in the church and the power of the supernatural.
I like reading historical novels that paint a realistic picture of life in medieval times. In my opinion, this novel was not as good as the book in the series. But, that being said, I enjoyed reading it.
The Dark Monk The first book in the series
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