The Crowner John mysteries pass the time enjoyably enough but Bernard Knight needs either to do his historical research more accurately (as a forensicThe Crowner John mysteries pass the time enjoyably enough but Bernard Knight needs either to do his historical research more accurately (as a forensic pathologist, you'd think he'd be more respectful of accuracy) or he needs a better editor to advise him. In each of the three novels I've read so far there has been something that has grated in terms of anachronism. In Crowner's Quest, set around December 1194, he keeps referring to the New Year coming after Christmas when January 1 only became New Year in 1752, after England adopted the Gregorian calendar. In 1194, New Year would have fallen on March 25th. Some of the attitudes imputed to his leading character fail to ring true. In the first of the mysteries, The Sanctuary Seeker, his hero Crowner John, on witnessing a public hanging, muses whether England would in the future bring in a more civilised mode of justice. Such forward projection would have been completely alien then. Finally, after the first novel, there is simply too much backstory reiterated even at points in the story when the reader doesn't need the information. In novels which are sequenced, other authors manage this much more elegantly; in terms of modern crime novels one could mention Ian Rankin and in terms of the historical crime novel there is, of course, Lyndsey Davis. Such a disappointment. Knight's starting premise is a fertile one for development and John de Wolfe, Nesta and Gwyn are interesting enough characters (even if Richard de Revelle is straight out of Sheriff of Nottingham mythology). I'll carry on reading because the books pass the time on a wet Sunday but they could have been so much better. ...more
The Crowner John mysteries pass the time enjoyably enough but Bernard Knight needs either to do his historical research more accurately (as a forensicThe Crowner John mysteries pass the time enjoyably enough but Bernard Knight needs either to do his historical research more accurately (as a forensic pathologist, you'd think he'd be more respectful of accuracy) or he needs a better editor to advise him. In each of the three novels I've read so far there has been something that has grated in terms of anachronism. In Crowner's Quest, set around December 1194, he keeps referring to the New Year coming after Christmas when January 1 only became New Year in 1752, after England adopted the Gregorian calendar. In 1194, New Year would have fallen on March 25th. Some of the attitudes imputed to his leading character fail to ring true. In the first of the mysteries, The Sanctuary Seeker, his hero Crowner John, on witnessing a public hanging, muses whether England would in the future bring in a more civilised mode of justice. Such forward projection would have been completely alien then. Finally, after the first novel, there is simply too much backstory reiterated even at points in the story when the reader doesn't need the information. In novels which are sequenced, other authors manage this much more elegantly; in terms of modern crime novels one could mention Ian Rankin and in terms of the historical crime novel there is, of course, Lyndsey Davis. Such a disappointment. Knight's starting premise is a fertile one for development and John de Wolfe, Nesta and Gwyn are interesting enough characters (even if Richard de Revelle is straight out of Sheriff of Nottingham mythology). I'll carry on reading because the books pass the time on a wet Sunday but they could have been so much better....more
As ever from Patricia Finney (under her pseudonym), a highly entertaining and historically well researched read. To the forefront in this story, set eAs ever from Patricia Finney (under her pseudonym), a highly entertaining and historically well researched read. To the forefront in this story, set entirely in London, is Carey's underling, Land-Sergeant Henry Dodd. Carey (and most entertainly his mother, Lady Hunsdon) are there but two-thirds of the way through the yarn, Carey absents himself suddenly and barely without a word, leaving Dodd to pick up the threads of the mystery and solve it. Dodd has become, through this series of mysteries, as engaging a character as Carey and one that Finney is obviously coming to love as she develops him.
From the author of the Sharpe novels, we have a novel about the progress of an English archer as he follows Henry V to France. As well as his personalFrom the author of the Sharpe novels, we have a novel about the progress of an English archer as he follows Henry V to France. As well as his personal story we are given the history of that military campaign with a detailed description of the siege of Harfleur and a climax at the Battle of Azincourt (known incorrectly in this country as Agincourt but given its proper spelling by Cornwall). Highly entertaining and engaging, admirably researched, this has an unputdownable quality to it. Fans of Sharpe, though, will notice distinct plotting parallels......more
I'm a sucker for vampire stories, if you'll forgive the pun. For that reason, I've been generous and given this two stars. I didn't hate it. It had soI'm a sucker for vampire stories, if you'll forgive the pun. For that reason, I've been generous and given this two stars. I didn't hate it. It had some good ideas but the author just didn't know what to do with them. I couldn't work out who it was aimed at. It was so safe and anodyne that it seemed to be pitched at the pubescent or pre-pubescent, a very much coitus interruptus experience, even though it was about the late teen, early adult understanding of sex, death and orgasm.
I've not read the Sookie Stackhouse novels of Charlaine Harris but I've seen the excellent HBO series True Blood and that is vampire myths for grown ups in a big way. The vampirism in Twilight, by comparison, is dull and lifeless. These corpses barely stir into life. ...more
A fitting and rollicking climax to Chisholm's quartet of novels about Sir Robert Carey. This yarn brings him south from his usual stamping ground to LA fitting and rollicking climax to Chisholm's quartet of novels about Sir Robert Carey. This yarn brings him south from his usual stamping ground to London and a vivid picture is painted of Elizabethan London riddled with plague, coney catchers, intelligencers, footpads and alchemists. Along the way, she weaves a few famous figures into her tale providing delightful libels of Robert Greene and Will Shakespeare and an interesting spin on the mystery surrounding the activities of Kit Marlowe, Ingram Frizer and Robert Poley. You don't have to be a student of Elizabethan London to enjoy this work but, if you are, there are lots of references and reinterpretations of historical figures and events to keep you greatly amused. More importantly, we have her excellently rounded if fictionalised portrait of her hero and his diverse entourage.
It is doubtful that we shall have more Carey novels to enjoy. This last finishes in the autumn of 1592 and the real Carey became more responsible and respectable from 1593 onwards becoming a Member of Parliament and filling various government posts finishing up as 1st Earl of Monmouth....more
If Virginia Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway had wry Scottish humour, a lightness of touch and didn't take itself too seriously, it would be 44 Scotland Street. If Virginia Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway had wry Scottish humour, a lightness of touch and didn't take itself too seriously, it would be 44 Scotland Street. McCall Smith gives us a diverse selection of the Edinburgh bourgeoisie, interconnecting and reacting to each other and to the trivial events of their lives. Although written in the third person, we are given each character's point of view often hilariously as two characters thoughts prove themselves to be completely at odds with each other.
I thought when I started this book that I was going to be reading a crime story and was a bit confused, therefore, going into it. There is a crime of sorts but it is merely one thread and there is not a detective in sight! I persisted in spite of my disillusion and am delighted that I did. It was an immensely enjoyable if completely undemanding read. Ideal to take on holiday or to read if incarcerated in hospital and needing a light and diverting book that one can either devour at one sitting or read chapter by chapter in its original installments.
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