The Breath of God I am pleased to report is a Sherlock Holmes pastiche and not a parody. Adams introduces the supernatural into the story and although this could have looked out of place I feel that in the light of Conan Doyle's later adherance to Spiritualism this is not so.
The story opens with young man-about-town Hilary de Montfort running for his life through the streets of Mayfair until being found dead in Grosvenor Square. Sherlock Holmes is brought into the case by "psychic doctor" Dr John Silence (a creation of Algernon Blackwood) who pursuades Holmes to travel with him to Scotland to meet Aleister Crowley. On the train they are joined by supernatural investigator Thomas Carnacki (a creation of William Hope Hodgson) who, with Dr John Watson, fights off a supernatural attack. At Crowley's manor of Boleskine they are joined by Julian Karswell (a creation of M.R.James) and together they fight off a massive supernatural attack in a scene reminiscent of Dennis Wheatley's The Devil Rides Out. Crowley, by the way, actualy existed. He was a member of a group called The Golden Dawn who fancied themselves as Magicians and indulged in all kinds of fancy rituals. Crowley was also a dedicated self-publicist and was no doubt delighted when the Daily Express called him "The Wickedest Man in the World".
Altogether I found this an excellent addition to the "New Sherlock Holmes" genre, a thoroughly enjoyable read.
Thursday 28 March 2013
Wednesday 13 March 2013
The Churchill Memorandum by Sean Gabb
From Kindle only
I am not normaly a fan of alternative history fiction but as Sean Gabb has written such excellent historical novels under his other guise as Richard Blake I gave it a try and am so pleased that I did.
The Churchill Memorandum is set in 1959, but not as we know it as Mr Spock might say. The 1914-18 war has taken place as has the Russian revolution and Hitler and the Nazi Party took power in Germany but America has retreated into isolation under a puritan dictator. Britain still has the Empire and the good fortune to keep Churchill out of Downing Street, Lord Halifax has suceeded Neville Chamberlain as Prime Minister whilst Harold Macmillan is Foreign Secretary and Edward Heath is Home Secretary. Enoch Powell is at the India Office. In the mid Thirties Hitler is killed in a motor accident, Goering takes his place and cuts a deal with the Jews thus Germany and not America becomes the sponsor of the Jewish State in the Middle East. Churchill writes his memorandum following a series of meetings between Halifax and Goering where they combine to keep Russia coralled between Germany in the West and Japan in the East whist America will be encouraged to remain in isolation.
Anthony Markham is an historian struggling to create a niche for himself as an expert on Churchill and retrieves pages of the Memorandum on a trip to America. At New York airport he encounters a Major Stanhope who forces his company on him through assisting Markham witha problem with airport officials. Back in England his neighbour, Dr Pakeshi, rescues him from gunmen who force their way into his flat to get their hands on the Memorandum. From then on Markham finds himself fleeing for his life befriended and/or beaten up by a range of characters until he finds himself a key player in a plot to overthrow the government. Along the way he finds himself in and out of the the company of the likes of Harold Macmillan, Michael Foot now leader of the British Communist Party, Edward Heath, Kenneth Tynan, Roy Jenkins, Dennis Potter, Robin Day and Nicholas Kaldor. Enoch Powell is described by Gabb as having a Midlands accent! Not really Mr Gabb.
To get the best out of this book some knowledge of recent British history, both political and cultural, is a great advantage but even without that Sean Gabb has written a really enjoyable addition to the alternative history genre. For what it is worth I recommend it.
I am not normaly a fan of alternative history fiction but as Sean Gabb has written such excellent historical novels under his other guise as Richard Blake I gave it a try and am so pleased that I did.
The Churchill Memorandum is set in 1959, but not as we know it as Mr Spock might say. The 1914-18 war has taken place as has the Russian revolution and Hitler and the Nazi Party took power in Germany but America has retreated into isolation under a puritan dictator. Britain still has the Empire and the good fortune to keep Churchill out of Downing Street, Lord Halifax has suceeded Neville Chamberlain as Prime Minister whilst Harold Macmillan is Foreign Secretary and Edward Heath is Home Secretary. Enoch Powell is at the India Office. In the mid Thirties Hitler is killed in a motor accident, Goering takes his place and cuts a deal with the Jews thus Germany and not America becomes the sponsor of the Jewish State in the Middle East. Churchill writes his memorandum following a series of meetings between Halifax and Goering where they combine to keep Russia coralled between Germany in the West and Japan in the East whist America will be encouraged to remain in isolation.
Anthony Markham is an historian struggling to create a niche for himself as an expert on Churchill and retrieves pages of the Memorandum on a trip to America. At New York airport he encounters a Major Stanhope who forces his company on him through assisting Markham witha problem with airport officials. Back in England his neighbour, Dr Pakeshi, rescues him from gunmen who force their way into his flat to get their hands on the Memorandum. From then on Markham finds himself fleeing for his life befriended and/or beaten up by a range of characters until he finds himself a key player in a plot to overthrow the government. Along the way he finds himself in and out of the the company of the likes of Harold Macmillan, Michael Foot now leader of the British Communist Party, Edward Heath, Kenneth Tynan, Roy Jenkins, Dennis Potter, Robin Day and Nicholas Kaldor. Enoch Powell is described by Gabb as having a Midlands accent! Not really Mr Gabb.
To get the best out of this book some knowledge of recent British history, both political and cultural, is a great advantage but even without that Sean Gabb has written a really enjoyable addition to the alternative history genre. For what it is worth I recommend it.
Monday 11 March 2013
Devoured by D.E. Meredith
I am in two minds about this book, on the one hand it is a nicely convoluted murder mystery on the other it travels the well marked path of vice-ridden aristocratic villains aided by corrupt coppers of which we have had more than sufficient of late.
The central characters are Professor Hatton and his morgue assistant Roumonde, pioneers of the new science of forensics. They are called by Inspector Adams of Scotland Yard to the scene of the murder of Lady Bessingham, a society hostess who is also prominent as a patron of expeditions to discover new plant species. Lady Bessingham is also no stranger to controversy where the new discoveries of science clash with the doctrines of established religion. The crime appears to lack a motive until one of the young scientists, a naturalist, that she has sponsored reveals that a parcel of letters that he had sent to her is missing. These letters detail the conversations that he had with another naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace revealing his revolutionary theories on evolution. Lady Bessingham would have been prepared to publish these theories regardless of the public outcry that they would have caused. Would preventing this publication give someone sufficient motive to commit murder? Roumonde clashes with Inspector Adams over the investigation, or lack of one, of a young girl whose body has been brought in to the morgue having been found murdered in an East End alley. This is where the aristocratic villains and corrupt coppers come in. Adams, like most Scotland Yard detectives of the time moonlights as a private investigator.
Despite my moan about aristocratic villains (where there no middle or working class villains in Victorian London?) I enjoyed this book. Mrs Meredith has constructed her plot well concealing one of her muderers effectively until the final chapters and including the requisite number of red herrings. In addition she writes well and has done her research into the period which kept me turning the pages and, as one who reads solely for pleasure, that is all that one can ask.
The central characters are Professor Hatton and his morgue assistant Roumonde, pioneers of the new science of forensics. They are called by Inspector Adams of Scotland Yard to the scene of the murder of Lady Bessingham, a society hostess who is also prominent as a patron of expeditions to discover new plant species. Lady Bessingham is also no stranger to controversy where the new discoveries of science clash with the doctrines of established religion. The crime appears to lack a motive until one of the young scientists, a naturalist, that she has sponsored reveals that a parcel of letters that he had sent to her is missing. These letters detail the conversations that he had with another naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace revealing his revolutionary theories on evolution. Lady Bessingham would have been prepared to publish these theories regardless of the public outcry that they would have caused. Would preventing this publication give someone sufficient motive to commit murder? Roumonde clashes with Inspector Adams over the investigation, or lack of one, of a young girl whose body has been brought in to the morgue having been found murdered in an East End alley. This is where the aristocratic villains and corrupt coppers come in. Adams, like most Scotland Yard detectives of the time moonlights as a private investigator.
Despite my moan about aristocratic villains (where there no middle or working class villains in Victorian London?) I enjoyed this book. Mrs Meredith has constructed her plot well concealing one of her muderers effectively until the final chapters and including the requisite number of red herrings. In addition she writes well and has done her research into the period which kept me turning the pages and, as one who reads solely for pleasure, that is all that one can ask.
Friday 8 March 2013
Legionary by Gordon Doherty
Downloaded from Kindle
As the title suggests this is an adventure story set in the Roman Empire but this time it is the Eastern Empire with it's capital in Constantinople. The northern frontier is the river Danube and throughout it's length Gothic tribes are pressing to break through. As if this were not bad enough the Empire is riven with religious controversy and the members of the Senate are more concerned with manoeuvering against one another for personal advantage than overseeing defences that are short of men and equipment.
The leading character in this story is Pavo, a youth forced into slavery when his soldier father is killed on active service leaving his familly destitute. Bought by a Senator, who is also a leading figure in the conspiracy against the Emperor, Pavo endures years of brutality until he is sent to the border to join Legion XI Claudia which, like the other units, is under strength and badly equiped. At this point I must say that the device used to accomplish his move requires industrial strength suspension of disbelief.
Despite it's weakness the Legion is ordered to take back the Kingdom of the Bosperus, now known as the Crimean Peninsula, which was lost to the Goths who are themselves under pressure from the Huns. At the same time in Constantinople the Archbishop and some Senators are plotting to unseat the Emperor and are in contact with the Huns who they fondly believe can be used to effect this. How they plan to control the Huns afterwards is not revealed but perhaps they had not thought that far ahead. Needless to say Pavo and his mates in the Legion manage to surmount all the obstacles and inflict a defeat on the Huns.
I have to say that in plotting, characterisation and narrative Doherty is a long way behind the likes of Simon Scarrow and Christian Cameron but nonetheless has produced a pacy "Boys Own" story that I was happy to read to the end which I would not have done if I was not enjoying it.
As the title suggests this is an adventure story set in the Roman Empire but this time it is the Eastern Empire with it's capital in Constantinople. The northern frontier is the river Danube and throughout it's length Gothic tribes are pressing to break through. As if this were not bad enough the Empire is riven with religious controversy and the members of the Senate are more concerned with manoeuvering against one another for personal advantage than overseeing defences that are short of men and equipment.
The leading character in this story is Pavo, a youth forced into slavery when his soldier father is killed on active service leaving his familly destitute. Bought by a Senator, who is also a leading figure in the conspiracy against the Emperor, Pavo endures years of brutality until he is sent to the border to join Legion XI Claudia which, like the other units, is under strength and badly equiped. At this point I must say that the device used to accomplish his move requires industrial strength suspension of disbelief.
Despite it's weakness the Legion is ordered to take back the Kingdom of the Bosperus, now known as the Crimean Peninsula, which was lost to the Goths who are themselves under pressure from the Huns. At the same time in Constantinople the Archbishop and some Senators are plotting to unseat the Emperor and are in contact with the Huns who they fondly believe can be used to effect this. How they plan to control the Huns afterwards is not revealed but perhaps they had not thought that far ahead. Needless to say Pavo and his mates in the Legion manage to surmount all the obstacles and inflict a defeat on the Huns.
I have to say that in plotting, characterisation and narrative Doherty is a long way behind the likes of Simon Scarrow and Christian Cameron but nonetheless has produced a pacy "Boys Own" story that I was happy to read to the end which I would not have done if I was not enjoying it.
Thursday 7 March 2013
Hunter's Rage by Michael Arnold
On the front cover of Hunter's Rage there is a claim that Captain Stryker is "the Sharpe of the Civil War" and for once the publicity is matched by the product. In Captain Innocent Stryker Michael Arnold has created a character that evinces credibility whilst pulling off the requisite death-defying adventures. One has the feeling that, like Sharpe, Stryker is patrolling Helmand Province at this moment so much does he have the feel of the dogged squadie who will battle to the end or die trying.
In this, his third adventure, Stryker ambushes a squad of Parliamentary cavalry and makes off with the arms cache that they were guarding. Colonel Wild their commander is determined to exact revenge and pursues Stryker and his men across Dartmoor. Already hampered by the cartload of weaponry Stryker's troop then pick up a young woman whose coach has been attacked by brigands. The woman, Cecily Cade, is sought by Parliamentary Intelligence for secrets that she holds bringing more danger down on Stryker and his men. The book ends with the battle of Stratton, a real event, that is as incredible as any writer could invent.
What appeals to me about Arnold's series over and above the excellent plots and writing is that, unlike other writers covering this period, he does not try to be on both sides at once.
Stryker is fighting for the King!
In this, his third adventure, Stryker ambushes a squad of Parliamentary cavalry and makes off with the arms cache that they were guarding. Colonel Wild their commander is determined to exact revenge and pursues Stryker and his men across Dartmoor. Already hampered by the cartload of weaponry Stryker's troop then pick up a young woman whose coach has been attacked by brigands. The woman, Cecily Cade, is sought by Parliamentary Intelligence for secrets that she holds bringing more danger down on Stryker and his men. The book ends with the battle of Stratton, a real event, that is as incredible as any writer could invent.
What appeals to me about Arnold's series over and above the excellent plots and writing is that, unlike other writers covering this period, he does not try to be on both sides at once.
Stryker is fighting for the King!
Wednesday 6 March 2013
Sword and Scimitar by Simon Scarrow
There have been several novels based on the 1565 siege of Malta published during the past year. I am not complaining about this as the siege was an epic of courage and endurance and deserves to be remembered. I am pleased to say that in my opinion all the novels that I have read have done justice to the subject. Simon Scarrow, resting his Legionary heroes Macro and Cato, weaves a story around the siege of love, jealousy, betrayal, redemption and courage with all the skill that we have come to expect from him.
Sir Thomas Barrett is a young English Catholic who has joined the Order of St John on the island of Malta and serves under Jean de la Valette on his galley as he raids the Moorish corsairs that prey on the coasts of Italy and Spain. On one captured galley they discover Maria, a young Italian noblewoman who is being held for ransom. Thomas and Maria fall in love and, as he has sworn a vow of chastity on joining the Order, he is expelled. Twenty years later a messenger arrives at his home in England recalling him to duty. De la Valette is now Grand Master and, being warned of Sultan Suleman's intention to attack Malta and wipe out the Order, he lifts Thomas's expulsion as he needs every knight to come to the Order's defence. The messenger, however, has been observed by the spy network of Sir Robert Cecil and Thomas is summoned to London where he is questioned. To his surprise Cecil is happy for him to go to Malta but only if he takes as his squire one of Walsingham's agents. This agent has his own mission to perform on the island which he steadfastly refuses to disclose to Sir Thomas.
This is just the opening couple of chapters after this Scarrow's skill with intricate plotting allied to his first class description of action scenes had this reader trapped as effectively as the knights within the walls of Malta.
If I am allowed one small quibble it is that, like too many historical novelists today, Scarrow will insist on putting modern sentiments into the mouths of characters who would not dream of expressing them.
Sir Thomas Barrett is a young English Catholic who has joined the Order of St John on the island of Malta and serves under Jean de la Valette on his galley as he raids the Moorish corsairs that prey on the coasts of Italy and Spain. On one captured galley they discover Maria, a young Italian noblewoman who is being held for ransom. Thomas and Maria fall in love and, as he has sworn a vow of chastity on joining the Order, he is expelled. Twenty years later a messenger arrives at his home in England recalling him to duty. De la Valette is now Grand Master and, being warned of Sultan Suleman's intention to attack Malta and wipe out the Order, he lifts Thomas's expulsion as he needs every knight to come to the Order's defence. The messenger, however, has been observed by the spy network of Sir Robert Cecil and Thomas is summoned to London where he is questioned. To his surprise Cecil is happy for him to go to Malta but only if he takes as his squire one of Walsingham's agents. This agent has his own mission to perform on the island which he steadfastly refuses to disclose to Sir Thomas.
This is just the opening couple of chapters after this Scarrow's skill with intricate plotting allied to his first class description of action scenes had this reader trapped as effectively as the knights within the walls of Malta.
If I am allowed one small quibble it is that, like too many historical novelists today, Scarrow will insist on putting modern sentiments into the mouths of characters who would not dream of expressing them.
Tuesday 5 March 2013
Kingdom by Jack Hight
This is book two of a planned trilogy on the life of Saladin the Saracen general who is more highly regarded in the West than in the Middle East on account of his being Kurdish. I have previously read Jack Hight's novel of the siege of Malta (called Siege would you believe?) and also the first of his Saladin books and enjoyed both of them so why did I put this one down after reading about a quarter?. After some thought I have come to the conclusion that it is because Hight has been trying to be on both sides at once. Now I fully understand that writing a book about conflict between Christians and Muslims in the Middle East can be a daunting task full of pitfalls these days but trying to ride two horses simultaneously has always been a recipe for displeasing both sides. Perhaps others who have read this book will disagree , well that is alright. Reading a book is always subjective and one man's meat etc etc. I shall look out for the final volume of this trilogy and who knows I may change my mind.
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