On Kindle
Caesar has returned to Rome announcing, for the second time, that Gaul is pacified and leaving his
Legions to re-equip and where possible recruit to make up for their considerable losses.
The book opens with Galba, Legate of the Twelfth Legion, trying with his three remaining cohorts to garrison the town of Octodurus, capital of the Veragri tribe and holding the pass between Lake Geneva and Cisalpine Gaul. Having fortified the upper part of the town Galba then faces a revolt by the Veragri and two neighbouring tribes and faced with overwhelming odds extricates the survivors to Eporedia in Cisalpine Gaul. In Northern Gaul Crassus, Legate of the Seventh Legion, stirs up a hornets nest with his constant raids on the local tribes for food and other supplies. He steadfastly refuses his officers plea to arrange supplies from Southern Gaul as he fears losing face in the eyes of Caesar. When he arresta a Druid who arrives to negotiate with him the Veneti leading the other local tribes rise in revolt.
Meanwhile in Rome Fronto, who is on leave and Priscus his First Spear who is convalescing from a crippling leg wound, are recruited by Cicero to guard Caelius Rufus who is being prosecuted by Caesar's enemy Clodius Pulcher. At this point we are reintroduced to Aulus Paetus whom all other characters in the story believe to be dead. Paetus was Caesar's Camp Prefect and was found to be spying on behalf of Clodius who had threatened his familly. Fronto persuades Caesar to use him to send misleading information to Clodius in return for protection for his familly. Caesar makes this promise then does nothing and when Clodius discovers he has been tricked Paetus' familly is butchered. Paetus is now in Rome seeking revenge on both Clodius and Caesar.
Clodius case against Caelius is trashed in the Court by Cicero and Crassus Senior but Caelius is still in danger of being murdered by Clodius who now runs the biggest gang of cutthroats in Rome. As Fronto is recalled to his Legion by Caesar he leaves Caelius in the protection of Priscus who has also recruited a gang to act as bodyguards.
On his return to Gaul Caesar, who had already told the Senate that he had conquered the Gaulish tribes, is not pleased that Crassus had stirred the Veneti to revolt. However, he cannot dismiss him as he needs the support of Crassus Senior in Rome and so sends the Seventh to pacify the restless tribes of the Pyrenees. The Veneti avoid a pitched battle with the Romans by using their skill as sailors but eventualy they are cornered and those who are not killed are enslaved.
Priscus writes to Fronto that men loyal to Caesar are being murdered by Clodius gang and that Clodius himself has had meetings with Pompey Magnus and that Fronto's mother and sister were attacked at the market but rescued by an unknown man who walks away without a word. The man, of course, is Paetus. Clodia, sister of odious Clodius, has disappeared and Priscus finds her murdered body at the mausoleum of the Paetus familly.
In Gaul two more revolts are put down but Caesar and Crassus are persuaded to leave the tribes on their land if only because they can grow the increasing amounts of food that an ever expanding Rome requires.
Caesar, Fronto and the rest of the senior officers return to Rome as the Legions move into winter quarters to recruit and re-equip. There they find that Clodius is ever more ambitious and daring as his huge private army rules the streets and an escalating series of fracas lead to a full scale attack on Fronto's home. It is beaten off but leads to Caesar calling a meeting with Crassus Senior and Pompey Magnus with the intention of bringing down Clodius once and for all.
SJA Turney has given us another first class adventure story set in my favouite historical period. However, I must admit that I was more interested in the Roman episodes than the battlefield incidents which all seem to end up as a load of Celtic nutters throwing themselves at disciplined Roman sheildwalls and being slaughtered. Perhaps volume four will show us more of the battle against Clodius and his street fighters.
Tuesday, 1 October 2013
Sunday, 15 September 2013
Petite Mort by Beatrice Hitchman
On Kindle
In 1963 a film is discovered in a basement. Entitled Petite Mort it was made at the famous Pathe studios in 1913 and it's star was Adele Rous a young unknown who never appeared in a film again. A young journalist, Julliette Blanc, tracks down Adele and goes to interview her and the narrative cuts between her interview and re-enactments of the events of 1913.
In 1912 Adele arrives in Paris determined to break into films and is employed in the sewing room at Pathe. She is spotted by leading director Andre Durand who makes her his mistress then employs her as assistant to his wife Luce who acts in his films under the name Terpsichore. Adele moves into the Durand mansion in the Bois de Boulonge and Luce appears indifferent to Andre's visits to her room but when Andre is away she seduces Adele who falls in love with her.
At this time another Pathe director is constantly asking Luce to appear in his film Petite Mort but she refuses and so he uses Adele, a fact that she tries to conceal from Luce. A further complication is that Adele's young sister, Camille, has turned up also trying to get into films and hopes to use Adele to do this which she does but this is not revealed until the end. Violence and murder are also on hand to tangle the web nicely and bring the tale to a satisfyling conclusion.
Beatrice Hitchman has written a subtle and entertaining tale which, considering I bought it on Kindle for ninetynine pence, is as good as books ten times the price. I hope to see more from this author.
In 1963 a film is discovered in a basement. Entitled Petite Mort it was made at the famous Pathe studios in 1913 and it's star was Adele Rous a young unknown who never appeared in a film again. A young journalist, Julliette Blanc, tracks down Adele and goes to interview her and the narrative cuts between her interview and re-enactments of the events of 1913.
In 1912 Adele arrives in Paris determined to break into films and is employed in the sewing room at Pathe. She is spotted by leading director Andre Durand who makes her his mistress then employs her as assistant to his wife Luce who acts in his films under the name Terpsichore. Adele moves into the Durand mansion in the Bois de Boulonge and Luce appears indifferent to Andre's visits to her room but when Andre is away she seduces Adele who falls in love with her.
At this time another Pathe director is constantly asking Luce to appear in his film Petite Mort but she refuses and so he uses Adele, a fact that she tries to conceal from Luce. A further complication is that Adele's young sister, Camille, has turned up also trying to get into films and hopes to use Adele to do this which she does but this is not revealed until the end. Violence and murder are also on hand to tangle the web nicely and bring the tale to a satisfyling conclusion.
Beatrice Hitchman has written a subtle and entertaining tale which, considering I bought it on Kindle for ninetynine pence, is as good as books ten times the price. I hope to see more from this author.
Friday, 13 September 2013
The Yard by Alex Grecian
This novel, a debut by an American writer of comic books, is set in 1889 as the Metropolitan police attempt to salvage their reputation following the Ripper murders.
As the book opens the body of Inspector Little of the newly formed Murder Squad is found in a cabin trunk at Euston Station. Sir Edward Bradford, newly appointed Commissioner of Police, knows that the morale of his force depends upon a swift solution to this direct attack on his men. Eyebrows are raised when he puts in charge of the investigation Inspector Walter Day recently transferred from the Devonshire force and who has to cope with the resentment of older members of the squad. Fortunately he is supported by Inspector Blacker and Constable Hammersmith (an unlikely name but the writer is American) who render him the assistance he needs to solve the case. The character of Doctor Bernard Kingsley is used to introduce the newly developing science of Forensics and makes a major contribution to the plot. To try to outline the action would result in too many spoilers and so I shall refrain.
All in all Alex Grecian has spun an entertaining yarn which shows much research and attention to detail and is just the thing for a quiet afternoon.
As the book opens the body of Inspector Little of the newly formed Murder Squad is found in a cabin trunk at Euston Station. Sir Edward Bradford, newly appointed Commissioner of Police, knows that the morale of his force depends upon a swift solution to this direct attack on his men. Eyebrows are raised when he puts in charge of the investigation Inspector Walter Day recently transferred from the Devonshire force and who has to cope with the resentment of older members of the squad. Fortunately he is supported by Inspector Blacker and Constable Hammersmith (an unlikely name but the writer is American) who render him the assistance he needs to solve the case. The character of Doctor Bernard Kingsley is used to introduce the newly developing science of Forensics and makes a major contribution to the plot. To try to outline the action would result in too many spoilers and so I shall refrain.
All in all Alex Grecian has spun an entertaining yarn which shows much research and attention to detail and is just the thing for a quiet afternoon.
Thursday, 5 September 2013
The Racing Factions by Robert Fabbri
On Kindle
This is another of Fabbri's novellas featuring the Crossroads Brotherhood and published exclusively on Kindle. The Brotherhood operate a protection racket in their neighbourhood and also act as bodyguards for Senator Pollo who is the uncle of Vespasian the hero of Fabbri's full length novels.
The action opens in the Circus Maximus where Magnus and the gang have just won a sizeable bet. However, the bookmaker, Ignatius, refuses to pay up which is a major mistake on his part. The rest of the story concerns Magnus organising an elaborate plot to get his revenge.
This is a very entertaining story if a rather amoral one but by now we should all be used to the attitudes of Rome at the time. There is also a tendency to portray as appealing characters what are essentialy a gang of vicious thugs but Fabbri is not alone here think Mario Puzo and the American Mafia.
This is another of Fabbri's novellas featuring the Crossroads Brotherhood and published exclusively on Kindle. The Brotherhood operate a protection racket in their neighbourhood and also act as bodyguards for Senator Pollo who is the uncle of Vespasian the hero of Fabbri's full length novels.
The action opens in the Circus Maximus where Magnus and the gang have just won a sizeable bet. However, the bookmaker, Ignatius, refuses to pay up which is a major mistake on his part. The rest of the story concerns Magnus organising an elaborate plot to get his revenge.
This is a very entertaining story if a rather amoral one but by now we should all be used to the attitudes of Rome at the time. There is also a tendency to portray as appealing characters what are essentialy a gang of vicious thugs but Fabbri is not alone here think Mario Puzo and the American Mafia.
Tuesday, 20 August 2013
A Clash of Kings by George RR Martin
On Kindle
This is the second volume in the Song of Ice and Fire Saga and Martin manages to keep both the pace and complexity going despite the episodic manner of the narrative with each chapter named for a character and describes their part of the action. That such a format avoids reducing the reader to vexation is a tribute to Martin's skill in building his characters and matching their actions to recognisable human limitations. There are no super-heroes here! Further, Martin's fantasy world is relatable to the real as, for example, the echoes of Lancaster/York of the Wars of the Roses in Lannister/Stark. Likewise the names that he gives his characters vere only slightly to the fantastical, an aspect that has put me off other similar works.
At the end of Game of Thrones King Robert was dead and his throne claimed by his eldest son Joffrey backed by his mother and her ambitious and ruthless Lannister clan. Joffrey orders the execution of Lord Eddard Stark which results in his son Robb rebelling and declaring himself King of the North. King Robert's two brothers, Stannis and Renly, both claim the throne and all the rest of the noble Houses sign up to one or other of the various claimants though their loyalty is flexible to say the least. On another continent Danaerys, last of the Royal House of Tregaryan is still trying to raise support for an invasion of the Seven Kingdoms and now she has three young dragons to back her claim. North of the Wall Jon Snow, bastard son of Eddard Stark, is on patrol trying to locate the forces of outlaw King Mace Ryder when he is captured and, under orders of his captain, pretends to change sides.
We are not half way through the saga yet let us hope that George Martin's imagination can keep up the pace.
This is the second volume in the Song of Ice and Fire Saga and Martin manages to keep both the pace and complexity going despite the episodic manner of the narrative with each chapter named for a character and describes their part of the action. That such a format avoids reducing the reader to vexation is a tribute to Martin's skill in building his characters and matching their actions to recognisable human limitations. There are no super-heroes here! Further, Martin's fantasy world is relatable to the real as, for example, the echoes of Lancaster/York of the Wars of the Roses in Lannister/Stark. Likewise the names that he gives his characters vere only slightly to the fantastical, an aspect that has put me off other similar works.
At the end of Game of Thrones King Robert was dead and his throne claimed by his eldest son Joffrey backed by his mother and her ambitious and ruthless Lannister clan. Joffrey orders the execution of Lord Eddard Stark which results in his son Robb rebelling and declaring himself King of the North. King Robert's two brothers, Stannis and Renly, both claim the throne and all the rest of the noble Houses sign up to one or other of the various claimants though their loyalty is flexible to say the least. On another continent Danaerys, last of the Royal House of Tregaryan is still trying to raise support for an invasion of the Seven Kingdoms and now she has three young dragons to back her claim. North of the Wall Jon Snow, bastard son of Eddard Stark, is on patrol trying to locate the forces of outlaw King Mace Ryder when he is captured and, under orders of his captain, pretends to change sides.
We are not half way through the saga yet let us hope that George Martin's imagination can keep up the pace.
Saturday, 17 August 2013
Huntingtower by John Buchan
On Kindle via Project Gutenberg
It takes courage for a writer of adventure stories to make a retired grocer the hero of a tale of derring do and when his main allies are a troop of scruffy boys from the Gorbals it would appear that he has made his task impossible. However, John Buchan takes on such a task and pulls it off with aplomb.
Dickson MacCumm has sold his grocers shops in Glasgow to a larger company and, as his wife is away at a therapeutic spa, decides to go on a walking holiday. With his head full of dreams of romance and adventure from his extensive reading of Scott, Stevenson and the romantic poets such as Browning and Tennyson he sets off and by chance meets John Heritage an aspiring poet. Together they walk to the village of Dalquharter where they become involved in the rescue from Bolshevik agents of a Russian princess who was entrusted with a fortune in jewels by the Tsar. Assisted by the Gorbals Diehards, as the gang of young ruffians is known, they manage to defeat the villains without straining credulity beyond bearing.
Despite it's age, it was published in 1922, I found Huntingtower an entertaining read for a fine summers day which is a tribute to the talent of this excellent writer.
It takes courage for a writer of adventure stories to make a retired grocer the hero of a tale of derring do and when his main allies are a troop of scruffy boys from the Gorbals it would appear that he has made his task impossible. However, John Buchan takes on such a task and pulls it off with aplomb.
Dickson MacCumm has sold his grocers shops in Glasgow to a larger company and, as his wife is away at a therapeutic spa, decides to go on a walking holiday. With his head full of dreams of romance and adventure from his extensive reading of Scott, Stevenson and the romantic poets such as Browning and Tennyson he sets off and by chance meets John Heritage an aspiring poet. Together they walk to the village of Dalquharter where they become involved in the rescue from Bolshevik agents of a Russian princess who was entrusted with a fortune in jewels by the Tsar. Assisted by the Gorbals Diehards, as the gang of young ruffians is known, they manage to defeat the villains without straining credulity beyond bearing.
Despite it's age, it was published in 1922, I found Huntingtower an entertaining read for a fine summers day which is a tribute to the talent of this excellent writer.
Monday, 5 August 2013
Reamde by Neal Stephenson
I first discovered Neal Stephenson some eight years ago when I read his hugely entertaining Baroque Cycle of novels set in the eighteenth century. This book, by contrast, is as up-to-date as you like.
The book begins in 2010 as Richard Forthrast the black sheep of an Iowa farming familly, is attending the annual familly reunion. We are then given his back story as follows. In 1972 Richard had fled across the Canadian border to avoid being drafted for service in Vietnam and used his backwoods skills to make a living first as a hunting guide and then backpacking marijuana from Canada to America using remote hunting trails. His drugs contact in America is the leader of a motorcycle gang called Chet and when draft dodgers are amnestied by the US government he and Chet use their drug money to renovate a faux French Chateau built by a nineteenth century gold miner in British Columbia to use as a ski resort. This is successful but not half as lucrative as the online computer game he develops with a Chinese programer. This brings us back to the re-union and Richard's neice by adoption, an Eritrean refugee named Zula who he invites to visit his ski resort along with her boyfriend Peter an IT consultant from Seattle. Whilst at the resort Peter meets a Scottish accountant named Wallace to whom, unknown to the others, he has agreed to sell the details of one hundred thousand credit cards that he has hacked from the Net. Zula returns to Seattle with Peter determined to break off their relationship and so drives to the warehouse that Peter has converted to office/living space to collect her things. Whilst she is there Wallace turns up demanding a copy of the credit card file as the original has been hijacked and held to ransom by a group of Chinese hackers using a virus named REAMDE. Peter admits that he does not have a copy and when Wallace tells him that all the hackers are asking is seventy three dollars he says "Pay up". However, it is not as simple as that. The method of payment involves playing an online computer game called T'Rain which is the game run by Zula's uncle Richard. Before they can try to retrieve the files the warehouse is invaded by a Russian gangster called Ivanov accompanied by an entourage of heavies. It is Ivanov who was really buying the credit cards and he is most displeased with Wallace for losing them. Needless to say it is all downhill from there. As if the Russians were not enough in attempting to catch the Chinese hackers they break into a group of Muslim terrorists who are plotting a bombing campaign and we are still not halfway through the book.
I read the hardback edition of REAMDE, one thousand and forty two pages packed with incident and an amazing cast of characters all fleshed out with detail and back story. What more can I say than this is a thumping good read which kept me turning the pages until forced to stop and got a good bicep work out into the bargain!
The book begins in 2010 as Richard Forthrast the black sheep of an Iowa farming familly, is attending the annual familly reunion. We are then given his back story as follows. In 1972 Richard had fled across the Canadian border to avoid being drafted for service in Vietnam and used his backwoods skills to make a living first as a hunting guide and then backpacking marijuana from Canada to America using remote hunting trails. His drugs contact in America is the leader of a motorcycle gang called Chet and when draft dodgers are amnestied by the US government he and Chet use their drug money to renovate a faux French Chateau built by a nineteenth century gold miner in British Columbia to use as a ski resort. This is successful but not half as lucrative as the online computer game he develops with a Chinese programer. This brings us back to the re-union and Richard's neice by adoption, an Eritrean refugee named Zula who he invites to visit his ski resort along with her boyfriend Peter an IT consultant from Seattle. Whilst at the resort Peter meets a Scottish accountant named Wallace to whom, unknown to the others, he has agreed to sell the details of one hundred thousand credit cards that he has hacked from the Net. Zula returns to Seattle with Peter determined to break off their relationship and so drives to the warehouse that Peter has converted to office/living space to collect her things. Whilst she is there Wallace turns up demanding a copy of the credit card file as the original has been hijacked and held to ransom by a group of Chinese hackers using a virus named REAMDE. Peter admits that he does not have a copy and when Wallace tells him that all the hackers are asking is seventy three dollars he says "Pay up". However, it is not as simple as that. The method of payment involves playing an online computer game called T'Rain which is the game run by Zula's uncle Richard. Before they can try to retrieve the files the warehouse is invaded by a Russian gangster called Ivanov accompanied by an entourage of heavies. It is Ivanov who was really buying the credit cards and he is most displeased with Wallace for losing them. Needless to say it is all downhill from there. As if the Russians were not enough in attempting to catch the Chinese hackers they break into a group of Muslim terrorists who are plotting a bombing campaign and we are still not halfway through the book.
I read the hardback edition of REAMDE, one thousand and forty two pages packed with incident and an amazing cast of characters all fleshed out with detail and back story. What more can I say than this is a thumping good read which kept me turning the pages until forced to stop and got a good bicep work out into the bargain!
The Daylight Gate by Jeanette Winterson
In the days of my youth Hammer Films were all the rage. As soon as the names Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee appeared one knew that the next hour and a half would be devoted to pleasurable fear. Now the Hammer brand has been resurected and along with the films a series of paperbacks has been launched and very cleverly leading writers from many genres have been invited to contribute.
Jeanette Winterson has written a very entertaining piece about one of the seventeenth century's most famous witch trials, the Pendle witches. King James the First had a horror of witchcraft that went beyond anything seen before in England and he used his authority to promote witchfinding throughout the Realm. He was also ready to conflate Catholicism with witchcraft and as Lancashire was known as a stronghold of the Old Religion it was here that his officers were most tenacious.
Alice Nutter, a wealthy woman who had made a fortune in the dye trade in London, was also known to be an associate of the late Dr John Dee astrologer to Queen Elizabeth. Dee had a reputation as a magician which rubbed off on any of his associates. Two women are languishing in Lancaster Castle accused of witchcraft and their friends are convinced that Alice Nutter has learned enough magic from Dee to effect their escape. They embroil Alice in their schemes and all end up accused of witchcraft and sentenced to death.
The whole thing is very reminiscent of todays trial by television or tabloid with no word or deed of the accused that cannot be twisted to prove guilt. At least these days it is only ones character that is murdered.
Jeanette Winterson has written a very entertaining piece about one of the seventeenth century's most famous witch trials, the Pendle witches. King James the First had a horror of witchcraft that went beyond anything seen before in England and he used his authority to promote witchfinding throughout the Realm. He was also ready to conflate Catholicism with witchcraft and as Lancashire was known as a stronghold of the Old Religion it was here that his officers were most tenacious.
Alice Nutter, a wealthy woman who had made a fortune in the dye trade in London, was also known to be an associate of the late Dr John Dee astrologer to Queen Elizabeth. Dee had a reputation as a magician which rubbed off on any of his associates. Two women are languishing in Lancaster Castle accused of witchcraft and their friends are convinced that Alice Nutter has learned enough magic from Dee to effect their escape. They embroil Alice in their schemes and all end up accused of witchcraft and sentenced to death.
The whole thing is very reminiscent of todays trial by television or tabloid with no word or deed of the accused that cannot be twisted to prove guilt. At least these days it is only ones character that is murdered.
Saturday, 3 August 2013
Game Changer by John R Childress
On Kindle
In 1968 Dr Matt Richards, newly qualified, travels to the Lebanon as part of a university mind-broadening scheme. There he meets and falls in love with a Jordanian graduate who is embittered by the death of her brother at the hands of the Israelis. The girl is killed in a bomb blast and Richards spirals down into alchoholism. Thirty years later and just about hanging on to a lecturers job he falls for Kelly Stevens, daughter of an American Senator, who is not happy with the relationship. At the same time multiple conspiracies are afoot one of which has the Senator involved and after an altercation at a cocktail party Richards and Kelly are forced into a motor accident. When he comes round he is in hospital and has had a face transplant. The new face belonged to an international assasin who had just been murdered by Mossad. It all goes downhill from there with Richards and a young woman journalist being chased from pillar to post until they finally manage to save the day.
This book is advertised as aimed at fans of Frederick Forsyth however, I do not feel that this is quite up to Forsyth's standard. Nonetheless it is an entertaining read for a long journey which is as much as one can ask.
In 1968 Dr Matt Richards, newly qualified, travels to the Lebanon as part of a university mind-broadening scheme. There he meets and falls in love with a Jordanian graduate who is embittered by the death of her brother at the hands of the Israelis. The girl is killed in a bomb blast and Richards spirals down into alchoholism. Thirty years later and just about hanging on to a lecturers job he falls for Kelly Stevens, daughter of an American Senator, who is not happy with the relationship. At the same time multiple conspiracies are afoot one of which has the Senator involved and after an altercation at a cocktail party Richards and Kelly are forced into a motor accident. When he comes round he is in hospital and has had a face transplant. The new face belonged to an international assasin who had just been murdered by Mossad. It all goes downhill from there with Richards and a young woman journalist being chased from pillar to post until they finally manage to save the day.
This book is advertised as aimed at fans of Frederick Forsyth however, I do not feel that this is quite up to Forsyth's standard. Nonetheless it is an entertaining read for a long journey which is as much as one can ask.
Friday, 2 August 2013
Son of Heaven by David Wingrove
On Kindle
This is the start of a twenty volume saga of the future of Earth under Chinese rule. Wingrove actually started this over ten years ago but his then publisher restricted him to eight, later reduced to seven, volumes. Fortunately his present publisher, Corvus, is letting his imagination have free reign and, although I read the original books and thoroughly enjoyed them, I am looking forward with great anticipation to this expanded version.
This book opens in 2065 in a Britain reduced to a fragmented and technologicaly primitive state. The main character, Jake Reed, is a resourceful and honourable member of the small community surviving in the Purbeck area of Dorset in a manner very similar to their Celtic and Saxon ancestors. Having introduced Jake in his present condition Wingrove then takes us back to 2045 and shows how he and Britain are reduced to this state. The whole of the technology based society that we will come to know is infiltrated and then comprehensively trashed by the followers of a Chinese would-be warlord. It becomes obvious as the book progresses that in order to take power he has trashed China along with the West. Back to 2065 and the Chinese military arrive with overwhelming fire power and Jake is on the list of the secret police known as The Thousand Eyes. Some of the Brits are allowed to become citizens, the young and fit, following re-education but will Jake and his familly survive?
Wingrove has created a spine chilling vision of the future and if he can keep up this level of quality writing through all twenty volumes it will be a saga to last as long as his imaginary world.
This is the start of a twenty volume saga of the future of Earth under Chinese rule. Wingrove actually started this over ten years ago but his then publisher restricted him to eight, later reduced to seven, volumes. Fortunately his present publisher, Corvus, is letting his imagination have free reign and, although I read the original books and thoroughly enjoyed them, I am looking forward with great anticipation to this expanded version.
This book opens in 2065 in a Britain reduced to a fragmented and technologicaly primitive state. The main character, Jake Reed, is a resourceful and honourable member of the small community surviving in the Purbeck area of Dorset in a manner very similar to their Celtic and Saxon ancestors. Having introduced Jake in his present condition Wingrove then takes us back to 2045 and shows how he and Britain are reduced to this state. The whole of the technology based society that we will come to know is infiltrated and then comprehensively trashed by the followers of a Chinese would-be warlord. It becomes obvious as the book progresses that in order to take power he has trashed China along with the West. Back to 2065 and the Chinese military arrive with overwhelming fire power and Jake is on the list of the secret police known as The Thousand Eyes. Some of the Brits are allowed to become citizens, the young and fit, following re-education but will Jake and his familly survive?
Wingrove has created a spine chilling vision of the future and if he can keep up this level of quality writing through all twenty volumes it will be a saga to last as long as his imaginary world.
Wednesday, 31 July 2013
Furies by D.L. Johnstone
On Kindle
Set in Alexandria in AD38 this is a Roman adventure with a difference and most entertaining too.
Aculeo is a merchant living in the small but privileged Roman community in conquered Egypt. However, as the story opens he is being made bankrupt and his possessions removed by the bailifs of the moneylender Gurculio. As his wife leaves for her familly in Rome taking his son with her he is left pondering his future and bemoaning the fact that Corvinus, an old familly friend, persuaded him to invest in two grain convoys both of which sank. Or did they? Teaming up with some other investors in the grain scheme he begins to discover the truth behind the disaster that ruined them. Despite walking down many mean streets Aculeo is no Phillip Marlowe and his chances of discovering more than an early grave are only improved when he meets Sekhet an elderly healer. It is she who points him towards the villains who are not only behind the fraud that ruined him but also a succession of grisly ritual murders.
D.L. Johnstone is a new writer to me and I am very glad that I took a chance on The Furies.
Set in Alexandria in AD38 this is a Roman adventure with a difference and most entertaining too.
Aculeo is a merchant living in the small but privileged Roman community in conquered Egypt. However, as the story opens he is being made bankrupt and his possessions removed by the bailifs of the moneylender Gurculio. As his wife leaves for her familly in Rome taking his son with her he is left pondering his future and bemoaning the fact that Corvinus, an old familly friend, persuaded him to invest in two grain convoys both of which sank. Or did they? Teaming up with some other investors in the grain scheme he begins to discover the truth behind the disaster that ruined them. Despite walking down many mean streets Aculeo is no Phillip Marlowe and his chances of discovering more than an early grave are only improved when he meets Sekhet an elderly healer. It is she who points him towards the villains who are not only behind the fraud that ruined him but also a succession of grisly ritual murders.
D.L. Johnstone is a new writer to me and I am very glad that I took a chance on The Furies.
Friday, 19 July 2013
Eye of the Raven by Ken McClure
On Kindle
This is the eleventh McClure thriller that I have read and it is one of his best.
A research scientist is in Barlinnie Prison for the rape and murder of a thirteen year old girl but then a gangland killer who is dying of cancer in a secure hospital confesses to the crime. The case is passed to Dr Steven Dunbar of Sci/Med, a small hi-tec unit within the Home Office. Dunbar arrives in Edinburgh to find the police uncooperative and resentful of his presence. This attitude stems from their mistaken arrest of a mentaly sub-normal man who was later proved to be innocent but by that time he and his mother had committed suicide. The press, who only days previously had been calling the man a monster, turned on the police and several officers were forced to resign. Needless to say they did not welcome the case being re-opened. Despite opposition, sometimes from very senior officers, Dunbar persists and follows a convoluted trail until he solves the case with a surprising but just about believable twist at the end.
This is the eleventh McClure thriller that I have read and it is one of his best.
A research scientist is in Barlinnie Prison for the rape and murder of a thirteen year old girl but then a gangland killer who is dying of cancer in a secure hospital confesses to the crime. The case is passed to Dr Steven Dunbar of Sci/Med, a small hi-tec unit within the Home Office. Dunbar arrives in Edinburgh to find the police uncooperative and resentful of his presence. This attitude stems from their mistaken arrest of a mentaly sub-normal man who was later proved to be innocent but by that time he and his mother had committed suicide. The press, who only days previously had been calling the man a monster, turned on the police and several officers were forced to resign. Needless to say they did not welcome the case being re-opened. Despite opposition, sometimes from very senior officers, Dunbar persists and follows a convoluted trail until he solves the case with a surprising but just about believable twist at the end.
Thursday, 18 July 2013
Roma Victrix by Russell Whitfield
On Kindle
A sequel to Whitfield's novel Gladiatrix it follows the main characters of the first story as they leave Asia Minor and head for Rome.
Lysandra of Sparta, known in the arena as Achillia, was at the end of the previous book granted her freedom and inherited the gladiator school from it's former owner. Now in her new role as businesswoman she is struggling against frustration with paperwork and the knowledge that so many people depend on her. Self doubt combined with boredom drive her to a drink problem and quarrels with those closest to her. A letter from Emperor Domitian "inviting" her to fight Rome's top female gladiator in the Flavian Amphitheatre (now better known as the Colloseum) arrives and she departs for the capital. Most of the book from here charts her return to fighting fitness.
Also in the previous book we met Valerian an officer on the staff of Frontinus Governor of Asia Minor, and who is now a Tribune of the Fifth Legion spearheading a punitive expedition across the Danube in retaliation for Dacian raids into the province of Moesia. The Fifth is ambushed and almost wiped out with Valerian one of the few to make it back. As the senior surviving officer he is made the scapegoat for the debacle, his property is confiscated and he is told to commit suicide. Instead he returns destitute to Rome where a former Legionary finds him a job on the security staff at the Flavian thus bringing him again into contact with the gladiatrices.
Whitfield has given us another jolly romp through the blood and guts of Ancient Rome to the delight of those like myself who cannot get enough of this kind of stuff. More please Mr Whitfield.
A sequel to Whitfield's novel Gladiatrix it follows the main characters of the first story as they leave Asia Minor and head for Rome.
Lysandra of Sparta, known in the arena as Achillia, was at the end of the previous book granted her freedom and inherited the gladiator school from it's former owner. Now in her new role as businesswoman she is struggling against frustration with paperwork and the knowledge that so many people depend on her. Self doubt combined with boredom drive her to a drink problem and quarrels with those closest to her. A letter from Emperor Domitian "inviting" her to fight Rome's top female gladiator in the Flavian Amphitheatre (now better known as the Colloseum) arrives and she departs for the capital. Most of the book from here charts her return to fighting fitness.
Also in the previous book we met Valerian an officer on the staff of Frontinus Governor of Asia Minor, and who is now a Tribune of the Fifth Legion spearheading a punitive expedition across the Danube in retaliation for Dacian raids into the province of Moesia. The Fifth is ambushed and almost wiped out with Valerian one of the few to make it back. As the senior surviving officer he is made the scapegoat for the debacle, his property is confiscated and he is told to commit suicide. Instead he returns destitute to Rome where a former Legionary finds him a job on the security staff at the Flavian thus bringing him again into contact with the gladiatrices.
Whitfield has given us another jolly romp through the blood and guts of Ancient Rome to the delight of those like myself who cannot get enough of this kind of stuff. More please Mr Whitfield.
Thursday, 11 July 2013
The Swarm by Rob Heinze
On Kindle
There are certain species who, at regular intervals, congregate or swarm in order to reproduce. What would happen if humans should do this? This is the theme of Rob Heinze's book.
On a small vacation island off the coast of New Jersey all of the population who are fertile suddenly walk trance-like to the beach and indulge in mass copulation ( yes I know it sounds like Club Med) What has caused this behaviour? I must admit that even after reading the book I am still not sure. However, I am sure that I found this book to be most imaginative and entertaining to the point where I devoured it at one sitting.
The Swarm is self published which is OK by me as some of the best books I have ever read have been rejected by all the big publishing houses but I do think that it would have benefitted from an independant editor.
There are certain species who, at regular intervals, congregate or swarm in order to reproduce. What would happen if humans should do this? This is the theme of Rob Heinze's book.
On a small vacation island off the coast of New Jersey all of the population who are fertile suddenly walk trance-like to the beach and indulge in mass copulation ( yes I know it sounds like Club Med) What has caused this behaviour? I must admit that even after reading the book I am still not sure. However, I am sure that I found this book to be most imaginative and entertaining to the point where I devoured it at one sitting.
The Swarm is self published which is OK by me as some of the best books I have ever read have been rejected by all the big publishing houses but I do think that it would have benefitted from an independant editor.
Thursday, 4 July 2013
The Rise of Robin Hood/The Betrayal of Father Tuck by Angus Donald
On Kindle only
Two very entertaining short novels both prequels to two of Angus Donald's volumes in his Outlaw Chronicles series.
The Rise of Robin Hood preceeds the first book in the series entitled Outlaw and describes - surprise, surprise - Robin's rise to the leadership of the outlaws of Sherwood Forest. To do this he displays not only considerable martial skill but guile and the instinctive empathy that marks out the natural leader.
The Betrayal of Father Tuck describes the defence of Robin's castle of Kirkton by his brither Hugh and Father Tuck against the forces of the dastardly Sir Ralph Mudac whilst he is away on crusade with King Richard. Sir Ralph is besotted with Robin's wife and is determined to have her no matter what the cost and calls out all the forces of Nottingham garrison and the war bands of his friends to beseige her in Kirkton. This story preceeds King's Men book three of the Chronicle.
Though short these stories are well worth reading especialy if, like me, one is a fan of the Outlaw Chronicles.
Two very entertaining short novels both prequels to two of Angus Donald's volumes in his Outlaw Chronicles series.
The Rise of Robin Hood preceeds the first book in the series entitled Outlaw and describes - surprise, surprise - Robin's rise to the leadership of the outlaws of Sherwood Forest. To do this he displays not only considerable martial skill but guile and the instinctive empathy that marks out the natural leader.
The Betrayal of Father Tuck describes the defence of Robin's castle of Kirkton by his brither Hugh and Father Tuck against the forces of the dastardly Sir Ralph Mudac whilst he is away on crusade with King Richard. Sir Ralph is besotted with Robin's wife and is determined to have her no matter what the cost and calls out all the forces of Nottingham garrison and the war bands of his friends to beseige her in Kirkton. This story preceeds King's Men book three of the Chronicle.
Though short these stories are well worth reading especialy if, like me, one is a fan of the Outlaw Chronicles.
Tuesday, 2 July 2013
The Jerusalem Puzzle by Laurence O'Bryan
The follow up to the Istanbul Puzzle and featuring many of the same characters.
Sean Ryan of the Institute for Applied Research at Oxford and his partner Isabel Sharp, a curator at the British Museum, learn that Max Kaiser, an American archeologist whom they met in Istanbul, has been found murdered in Jerusalem. At the same time Dr Susan Hunter, who was translating the ancient book that they found in Istanbul, disappears also in Jerusalem. Sean and Isabel set off for Jerusalem to discover what has happened to Dr Hunter. They are lead to a dig in the Old City, that is causing uproar among the Muslim population, where they manage to upset the archeologist in charge who has enough pull to get them thrown out of Israel. They sneak back in through Egypt then Isabel is kidnapped. Behind the plot is Lord Bidoner, who was behind the plot in Istanbul, and whose hedge fund has bought shares in companies that will prosper if a war kicks off between Israel and the Arabs. It all hinges on archeological evidence which the various religions will find sensitive to say the least. The dig in the Old City is hoping to find a transcript of the trial of Jesus for example.
Provided that one suspends ones disbelief (I have a hook behind the door for this purpose) like it's predecessor the Istanbul Puzzle, the Jerusalem Puzzle is a first class page turner, a real fun read. The next Puzzle is due for New York. Bring it on!
Sean Ryan of the Institute for Applied Research at Oxford and his partner Isabel Sharp, a curator at the British Museum, learn that Max Kaiser, an American archeologist whom they met in Istanbul, has been found murdered in Jerusalem. At the same time Dr Susan Hunter, who was translating the ancient book that they found in Istanbul, disappears also in Jerusalem. Sean and Isabel set off for Jerusalem to discover what has happened to Dr Hunter. They are lead to a dig in the Old City, that is causing uproar among the Muslim population, where they manage to upset the archeologist in charge who has enough pull to get them thrown out of Israel. They sneak back in through Egypt then Isabel is kidnapped. Behind the plot is Lord Bidoner, who was behind the plot in Istanbul, and whose hedge fund has bought shares in companies that will prosper if a war kicks off between Israel and the Arabs. It all hinges on archeological evidence which the various religions will find sensitive to say the least. The dig in the Old City is hoping to find a transcript of the trial of Jesus for example.
Provided that one suspends ones disbelief (I have a hook behind the door for this purpose) like it's predecessor the Istanbul Puzzle, the Jerusalem Puzzle is a first class page turner, a real fun read. The next Puzzle is due for New York. Bring it on!
Saturday, 22 June 2013
The Devil's Beat by Robert Edric
In 1910 a group of young girls in a Nottinghamshire village claim that the devil appeared to them in a clearing in the woods. Most people regard the stories as lies but the tale spreads and the Assistant Chief Constable asks the Director of Public Law to set up an enquiry to kill the story once and for all. The Director sends Francis Merritt who has conducted many enquiries on his behalf but as soon as he arrives Merritt realises he is on a hiding to nothing. To assist him he has the self-important magistrate Webb, the vicar Rev. Firth who is completely dominated by his wife and the local Doctor Nash, the only one who gives him any real support. The press descends on the village and Mary Cowan, the oldest and leader of the girls, together with her father play it for all they can make from it. The enquiry, of course, achieves nothing and ends with the tragic death of one of the girls.
This is a truly remarkable book with it's insightful examination of the characters and their motives. Robert Edric may never appear on the the much hyped best seller lists or be piled high in Waterstones but his name will always be at the forefront for those who recognise quality when they see it.
This is a truly remarkable book with it's insightful examination of the characters and their motives. Robert Edric may never appear on the the much hyped best seller lists or be piled high in Waterstones but his name will always be at the forefront for those who recognise quality when they see it.
Friday, 21 June 2013
Oscar Wilde and the Murders at Reading Gaol by Gyles Brandreth
The sixth of Brandreth's Oscar novels and it is arguably his best as not only has he once again produced an excellent murder mystery but convincingly conveys Wilde's despair as he serves his two year sentence for gross indecency.
At Pentonville prison Wilde is the subject of the malice of the sadistic Warder Braddle who dies in mysterious circumstances after visiting Wilde's cell. Moved to Reading he is then confronted by Braddle's younger brother an even nastier piece of work. The prisoner in the next cell, an Indian named Luck, attempts to blackmail Wilde over his acquaintance with a young boy prisoner while the prison doctor persuades the Govenor to allow him to investigate murders that the authorities would rather be written off as accidents.
The best part of this book in my opinion is not the murder mystery, good as that is, but Brandreth's description of the soul destroying prison regime and Wildes reaction to it. Wildes realisation of what his actions have done, not just to himself, but to his wife and sons is totaly believable. Brandreth has immersed himself in the work and character of his subject to such an extent that acceptance of the narrative as Wilde's own words is extended without demur. The book ends with Wilde in exile in Dieppe and only a year or so to live. Does this mean that this is the last of these excellent books? Let us hope not!
At Pentonville prison Wilde is the subject of the malice of the sadistic Warder Braddle who dies in mysterious circumstances after visiting Wilde's cell. Moved to Reading he is then confronted by Braddle's younger brother an even nastier piece of work. The prisoner in the next cell, an Indian named Luck, attempts to blackmail Wilde over his acquaintance with a young boy prisoner while the prison doctor persuades the Govenor to allow him to investigate murders that the authorities would rather be written off as accidents.
The best part of this book in my opinion is not the murder mystery, good as that is, but Brandreth's description of the soul destroying prison regime and Wildes reaction to it. Wildes realisation of what his actions have done, not just to himself, but to his wife and sons is totaly believable. Brandreth has immersed himself in the work and character of his subject to such an extent that acceptance of the narrative as Wilde's own words is extended without demur. The book ends with Wilde in exile in Dieppe and only a year or so to live. Does this mean that this is the last of these excellent books? Let us hope not!
Thursday, 20 June 2013
The Sins of Severac Bablon by Sax Rohmer
On Kindle via Project Gutenberg
Another of Rohmer's non Fu Manchu novels first published in 1914 and with a plot that would most certainly not find a publisher today.
It is inferred in the book that Severac Bablon (is this an anagram?) is a descendant of Jewish royalty but be that as it may he certainly considers that the acquisitiveness of Jewish businessmen is giving the whole people a bad name. His solution is to force several prominent financial figures to give large well publicised donations to charity and when I say large the sums of fifty or one hundred thousand pounds at 1914 prices cause a sharp intake of breath. The methods he uses are typical of this type of fiction at the time. He is always several jumps ahead of his pursuers, is a master of disguise, he has adherants at all levels of society and is always the perfect gentleman. Such a plot, such a character appear laughable today but the quality of Rohmer's writing overcame any modern doubts and kept this readers attention to the end.
Once again one is aware of the debt modern readers owe to Project Gutenberg who make available books that would never find their way into print again yet are a part, even if some do not wish to recognise the fact, of our literary heritage.
Another of Rohmer's non Fu Manchu novels first published in 1914 and with a plot that would most certainly not find a publisher today.
It is inferred in the book that Severac Bablon (is this an anagram?) is a descendant of Jewish royalty but be that as it may he certainly considers that the acquisitiveness of Jewish businessmen is giving the whole people a bad name. His solution is to force several prominent financial figures to give large well publicised donations to charity and when I say large the sums of fifty or one hundred thousand pounds at 1914 prices cause a sharp intake of breath. The methods he uses are typical of this type of fiction at the time. He is always several jumps ahead of his pursuers, is a master of disguise, he has adherants at all levels of society and is always the perfect gentleman. Such a plot, such a character appear laughable today but the quality of Rohmer's writing overcame any modern doubts and kept this readers attention to the end.
Once again one is aware of the debt modern readers owe to Project Gutenberg who make available books that would never find their way into print again yet are a part, even if some do not wish to recognise the fact, of our literary heritage.
Wednesday, 19 June 2013
Marius Mules 2 : The Belgae by SJA Turney
On Kindle
Based on Julius Caesar's Gallic Wars the first book followed his campaign against the Helvetii and other tribes of southern Gaul. Now, desparate for another victorious campaign to silence his political enemies in Rome he turns his attention to the Belgae, a federation of tribes along the Rhine.
Caesar returns to Gaul as the Legions leave their winter quarters and prepare for the campaigning season. Most of the senior officer corps of the first novel appear again headed, of course, by Fronto. The first tribe they move against, the Remi, promptly surrender and are granted generous terms by Caesar to encourage others to follow their example. Unfortunately most of the others are determined to put up some resistance if only for prides sake and the body count on both sides mounts up. As in the first book it is up to Fronto to try to alleviate the callousness with which Caesar views the expenditure of human life when weighed against his ambition. A typical example is his treatment of his own Camp Prefect. The father-in-law of this officer has fallen into debt to Publius Clodius Pulcher, a blue blooded gangster whose squad of thugs have a reputation for violence to chill the blood. Clodius has political ambitions and has become an enemy of Caesar and is using pressure on his wife' s familly to make Paetus, the Camp Prefect, send information back to Rome. This plot is discovered and Caesar is ready to crucify Paetus when Fronto suggests that instead he should be used to send Clodius misleading information. Paetus agrees to this when Caesar says he will use his familly bodyguards in Rome to protect his wife and children, however, he does no such thing and they are murdered on the orders of Clodius.
This incident is all too typical of Caeasar's attitude to the lives of others, his own men included, and only their background of military discipline and concern for their own famillies keep Fronto and his band of horny handed veterans loyal to their General.
This has been another enjoyable trip through Roman history with brilliant action scenes and well drawn believable characters. Roll on book three.
Based on Julius Caesar's Gallic Wars the first book followed his campaign against the Helvetii and other tribes of southern Gaul. Now, desparate for another victorious campaign to silence his political enemies in Rome he turns his attention to the Belgae, a federation of tribes along the Rhine.
Caesar returns to Gaul as the Legions leave their winter quarters and prepare for the campaigning season. Most of the senior officer corps of the first novel appear again headed, of course, by Fronto. The first tribe they move against, the Remi, promptly surrender and are granted generous terms by Caesar to encourage others to follow their example. Unfortunately most of the others are determined to put up some resistance if only for prides sake and the body count on both sides mounts up. As in the first book it is up to Fronto to try to alleviate the callousness with which Caesar views the expenditure of human life when weighed against his ambition. A typical example is his treatment of his own Camp Prefect. The father-in-law of this officer has fallen into debt to Publius Clodius Pulcher, a blue blooded gangster whose squad of thugs have a reputation for violence to chill the blood. Clodius has political ambitions and has become an enemy of Caesar and is using pressure on his wife' s familly to make Paetus, the Camp Prefect, send information back to Rome. This plot is discovered and Caesar is ready to crucify Paetus when Fronto suggests that instead he should be used to send Clodius misleading information. Paetus agrees to this when Caesar says he will use his familly bodyguards in Rome to protect his wife and children, however, he does no such thing and they are murdered on the orders of Clodius.
This incident is all too typical of Caeasar's attitude to the lives of others, his own men included, and only their background of military discipline and concern for their own famillies keep Fronto and his band of horny handed veterans loyal to their General.
This has been another enjoyable trip through Roman history with brilliant action scenes and well drawn believable characters. Roll on book three.
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