Conquest by Jack Ludlow

In his author's note at the back of the book Jack Ludlow wonders why the de Hauteville familly has not been the subject of books and films before his own trilogy. How true. Tancred de Hauteville had ten sons all of which he trained to be fearsome warriors. Denied employment by the Duke of Normandy one after another they travelled to Italy to hire themselves out as mercenaries. Thirty years later they were undisputed masters of the whole of southern Italy and Sicily. In three volumes - Mercenaries, Warriors and Conquest - Ludlow has taken the threads of their history and woven a thrilling saga that takes us every step of their bloodstained path to power. This final volume ends as they complete the overthrow of the Byzantines in Apulia and have broken the power of the Saracens in Sicily surely Ludlow cannot leave the story of this incredible familly here. One more volume Mr Ludlow, please!

The Devil's Paintbrush by Jake Arnott

In March 1903 Major General Sir Hector Macdonald known throughout the Empire as "Fighting Mac" was in Paris fleeing an impending scandal. By chance he meets Aleister Crowley the notorious practitioner of the occult. Crowley then leads him on a night of drink and drugs during which Macdonald relives the key episodes of his life which have lead him to his present position. Arnott is, of course, well known for his crime novels but in this book he takes the reader on a masterly exploration of the psyche of a doomed hero.

A Matter of Blood by Sarah Pinborough

As readers of this blog will have noticed historical novels are my thing, however, I do like to try other genre if a particular book looks interesting. A Matter of Blood which is the first volume of a promised trilogy entitled The Dog-Faced Gods, caught my eye and I am very glad that it did. This is a modern serial killer police detective story with supernatural overtones. Set in the near future when most governments are virtualy bankrupt a super financial institution know simply as The Bank has everyone in it's debt and cash-strapped authorities allow the police to top up their incomes with bribes from certain approved criminal "firms". D.I. Cass Jones has all the ususal modern police attributes, heavy smoking, drinking, drugs, failed marriage and at odds with everyone else on the force. In addition to which he comes from a familly with some supernatural background which he resolutely rejects. To try to summarise the complex plot would do it no justice I will simply say that once I started this book I could not stop. I look forward to volume two.

Heresy by S.J. Parris

Parris is a pen name. How do I know? Because they reveal her real name at the back of the book. This leads me to ask, why bother with a pen name if the writer's real name is to be revealed in the same volume? OK gripe over. Stephanie Merritt a.k.a. S.J. Parris has written a real cracker of a detective story set in Elizabethan England. Her sleuth is Giordano Bruno renegade monk, philosopher and astronomer who has been brought to England by Sir Phillip Sydney. Sydney, nephew of Queen Elizabeth's favourite the Earl of Leicester, is an adventurer, intellectual and man-about-town but also an agent of spymaster Walsingham. Arriving in Oxford to debate his astronomical theories Bruno finds himself involved with murder and a secret Catholic group lead by a charismatic Jesuit. Bruno risks life and limb to unearth the secrets of the group and solve the murders, so much for philosophers as ivory-tower wallahs. Having established this team of Bruno and Sydney so effectively surely Parris must have more intrigues for them to become involved in. Soon I hope.

The Chevalier by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles

Volume seven of Miss Harrod-Eagles Dynasty saga takes the Morland familly through the upheaval of the reigns of William and Mary and Queen Anne. When James the Second goes into exile Annunciata Morland and her sons Charles, Earl of Chelmsford and his younger brother Maurice go with him. It is truly said that no King who leaves his country ever returns as King and this slowly dawns on the impoverished and shrinking Court at St. Germain. Then, as Queen Anne dies and is succeeded by the unpopular Prince George Lewis of Hanover, supporters of the House of Stuart judge the time ripe for an uprising. Fate and bad leadership doom it to failure and Annunciata returns to England where the rest of her familly has stayed keeping their heads down and hanging on to their estates. Miss Harrod-Eagles has boundless imagination and a true storytellers gift.

The Philosopher Prince by Paul Waters

The Philosopher Prince follows the fortunes of Drusus and Marcellus, first introduced in Cast Not The Day, as they struggle to survive in the late Roman Empire. The Christian Church, espoused by the Emperor Constantine, is using it's new-found power to destroy the old religions and enrich itself by using it's placemen in the Imperial bureaucracy to confiscate the goods of anyone it can denounce. Drusus and marcellus are charged with treason by Paulus of the Imperial Secret Police and hauled off to Germany. Fortunately they are rescued by the young Prince Julian who is himself surrounded by spies and plots. This is a truly outstanding historical novel I only wish that my poor words could do it justice. Read it for yourself and see!

Among the Mad by Jacqueline Winspear

At the end of the First World War many men returned to civilian life suffering from what was termed "shell shock" which today would probably be termed Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. By 1931 when this book is set it's effects were still being felt by many ex-soldiers which made it almost impossible for them to find work in an economy mired in depression. One ex-soldier tries to force the hand of government into alleviating their distress by means of violent action. Purely by chance Maisie Dobbs finds herself drawn into the investigation run by Scotland Yard's Special Branch and is there just a hint of romance between her and Chief Superintendant MacFarlane? Whatever! This is another excellent detective story from Miss Winspear.

Raiders from the North by Alex Rutherford

This is the first volume of a promised quintet of novels collectively called Empire of the Moghul. At the end of the fifteenth century Babur finds himself King of the minor Central Asian state of Ferghana due to the accidental death of his father. Fortunate to have the support of his late father's General he establishes his rule. As a descendant of both Genghis Khan and Tamburlaine great things are expected of him as his grandmother never ceases to remind him. As one deduces from the title eventually he conquers Hindustan and founds the Moghul Empire but only after a breathtaking series of battles, betrayals and skin-of-the-teeth successes. I am not qualified to judge the historical accuracy of this story but as Mr Rutherford sets out his tale with such verve I am not inclined to worry on this score. I look forward to volume two.

The Templar Magician by P.C. Doherty

Two Templar knights, Edmond de Payens and Phillip Mayele, are sent to Tripoli where Count Raymond is under threat. Despite their presence the Count is murdered in the street, an act which triggers riot and massacre. The terrible Muslim sect, The Assassins, are suspected but news of a coven of black magicians within the Order that may be responsible means that the knights are assigned to travel to the newly established English Chapter in company with a mysterious Genoese to put an end to this evil. P.C. Doherty has given us another of his excellent historical adventures though I must reluctantly point to one small error. On page 42 an elderly English knight, William Trussell, used the phrase "to cut to the chase". This surely is a modern usage originating in the film industry indicating moving to an action sequence. Of course, Mr Doherty may have come across this in his extensive researches in ancient works and if this is the case I appologise for mentioning it.

The Shangani Patrol by John Wilcox

This is the seventh of the adventures of Simon Fonthill and his companion 352 Jenkins and tells how they become involved in the plans of Cecil Rhodes to extend his influence north of the Cape. Rhodes has concluded an agreement with Lobengula, King of the Matabele and overlord of Mashonaland, and needs Fonthill to lead a convoy of wagons conveying the goods that are his part of the bargain. He also wants Fonthill to try to find a route to the sea from Matabeleland but here he comes into conflict with the Portugese who have colonised Mozambique. Lobengula's young warriors are hungry for a war and Rhodes colleague Jameson is determined to press ahead regardless to found the country he already refers to as Rhodesia. With all of this the scene should be set for a cracking adventure novel. Unfortunately two things get in the way. The first is that some of the characters express views that are more of the twentyfirst that the nineteenth century. This is, I suppose, understandable in that the publishers desire not to offend anyone in these times when taking umbrage has become our national passtime. This is irritating but I can let it pass. My second complaint is more structural, avoidable and in danger of putting me off these books altogether. On the book jacket the Sunday Express is quoted as describing the Fonthill novels as "grown-up Boys Own stuff" well it isn't. No self-respecting Boys Own hero would drag his wife round with him to generaly get in the way and complicate matters. Alice Fonthill is what Americans refer to as "feisty" ie she cannot keep her big mouth shut and causes endless unnecessary problems which Simon has to sort out. As far as the action goes she is entirely surplus to requirements. Is there no way she can be shipped of to Norfolk and stay there so that Simon and 352 can get on with the derring-do uninterupted? I am quite sure that Alan Quartermain would not have put up with her. I shall, of course, get round to reading the next Fonthill but he and 352 are drinking in the Last Chance saloon.

The Long Shadow by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles

This is the sixth in Miss Harrod-Eagles Dynasty series and continues the story of Annunciata Morland at the Court of King Charles the Second. Annunciata is now wealthy and well-connected both as Countess of Chelmsford and the unacknowledged illigitimate daughter of Prince Rupert of the Rhine, uncle to the King. The death of King Charles, however, leads to civil turbulance made all the more pitiless and determined as it is based on religion. The Protestant fanatic, the Earl of Shaftesbury, uses an incendiary preacher, Titus Oates, to stir up the London mob and make accusations of sympathy for Catholicism against anyone at Court friendly towards the Duke of York later James the Second. Annunciata needs all her wits and experience to save herself and her familly from disaster. OK so the Dynasty series are supposed to be "womens books" but I like them. So there!

Oscar Wilde and the Dead Man's Smile by Gyles Brandreth

According to Mr Brandreth Oscar Wilde claimed that he could tell if a man was a potential murderer if he showed his lower teeth when he smiled but, of course, this is Oscar Wilde and noone knew if he was joking. As with the previous books in this series the story is told by the writer Robert Sherrard who acts as a Watson to Wilde's Holmes. Appropriately this story begins with Sherrard giving the manuscript of this case to Arthur Conan Doyle in the tea room of Madame Tussauds at Wilde's direction. Ten years previously Wilde had undertaken a lecture tour of the United States and there met the great French actor/manager Edmond La Grange who asks him to collaborate on a translation of Hamlet. Wilde agrees and journeys to Paris only to become involved in a series of bizarre fatalities. Gyles Brandreth's meticulous research introduces us to a cast of fabulous characters in a setting as elaborately fantastical as the Art Deco decor of the period whilst his skilful narrative draws the reader onwards to the intelligent conclusion. I eagerly await Oscar's next outing.

Lustrum by Robert Harris

Rome in 63 BC and the first cracks are appearing in the edifice of the old Republic and the cast of characters whose rivalries, jealousies and naked ambition will bring it down and build an Empire on it's rubble are striding on to it's stage. Cicero the lawyer and politician who wants to be rich, Crassus the rich man who wants to be a General, Pompey the General from the provinces who craves the approval of the Patrician elite, Cato the austere fanatic who wants to bring back the ways of the past and Catalina and Clodius two deadly jokers in the pack. Above all there is Julius Caesar whose shadow is beginning to fall across the city. All this is, of course, well trodden territory and it is a tribute to Robert Harris' confidence and skill that he can proceed to guide us here as if it was virgin land. The story is told through the writing of Tiro, slave and confidential secretary to Cicero and ends as the ex-Consul is driven into exile. Surely Mr Harris cannot leave the story there, he owes it to his readers to continue this fascinating saga.

A Gentle Axe by R.N. Morris

This is a fascinating novel set in St Petersburg in 1866 and follows an investigation into a double murder by Porfiry Petrovich, the detective who brought to justice Rodion Raskolnikov in the novel Crime and Punishment. In the winter of 1866 an old woman collecting firewood in Petrovsky Park comes across two bodies, a large man hanging from a tree and a dwarf packed into a suitcase. She robs the corpses and departs. Later the killings are reported and the case handed to Porfiry Petrovich of the Department of the Investigation of Criminal Causes. Porfiry is at odds with his superiors and his colleagues (which fictional detective is not?) nevertheless he doggedly pursues the case until he arrives at a satisfying conclusion. Morris has written a very entertaining novel with a unique atmosphere that kept this reader enthralled. As to whether his depiction of Porfiry Petrovich tallies with that of the original I could not comment as I have not read Crime and Punishment. I find it all too easy to become depressed without reading nineteenth century Russian novels.