Dark Entry by M J Trow

Background

M J (Meirion James) Trow as well as being an author is also a teacher of History and Politics. He is quite a prolific writer with well over 30 novels based around the characters of ‘Lestrade’ (Think Sherlock Holmes) and Peter Maxwell (An Amateur Sleuth) along with a number of non fiction offerings.

Dark entry is set to be the first of a series based on the Kit Marlowe character and Trow’s academic background shines through in this period ‘who done it’ with many of the primary characters being real historical characters (Kit Marlowe, Sir Roger Manwood and Dr John Dee) 

It is also worth adding that it rumoured that Marlow was at least an influence on Shakespeare with some believing that it may have been Marlow that penned Shakespeare’s actual works.

Synopsys

Set in Cambridge in 1583, Christopher (Kit) Marlowe Is about to graduate from Corpus Christi College, where he spends his days studying and his nights carousing with friends. But when one his oldest friends, Ralph Whitingside, is discovered lying dead in his King's College room, mouth open in a silent, black-edged scream, Marlowe refuses to accept the official verdict of suicide.

Calling on the help of his mentor, Sir Roger Manwood, Justice of the Peace, and Dr John Dee, a man who knows more of poisons than anyone else, Marlowe sets out to prove that his boyhood friend was murdered.

Review

This book is written in what I would consider a very ‘flowery’ and elegant style, which suits the period it is set, very well. As the main characters, of which there are quite a few, are introduced they are immediately fleshed out and made real to the reader, this again, is done in a well constructed manner, possibly because a number of them have their origins in fact. 

Both the plot and the story it contains are well thought out, and although the book is a piece of historic fiction, it works exceptionally well as a murder mystery – and, in my opinion, up there with some of the best.

As I have eluded to, there are quite a few characters in this book, not just main and primary but also secondary and walk on, so at times things can seem ‘complicated’ but in my opinion not overly so and the ‘heavy traffic’ helps move the plot a long at a pace where I found it hard to put this book down.  

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and rate it as excellent and I will be watching out for more in the series, and may go back and read some of Trow’s other novels to see if this quality is consistent throughout his work.

Rating

I give this book 9.5 out of 10, possibly one of the best books I’ve read in quite some time.

WW

On a Pale Horse: by Piers Anthony

Background

On a Pale Horse is the first book in the (currently) eight book ‘Incarnations of Immortality’ series by Piers Anthony, The first seven books each focus on one of seven main supernatural "offices" of Death, Time, Fate, War, Nature, Evil, and Good, in a fictional reality and history that runs parallel to ours, with the exception that society has advanced both magic and modern technology in equal measures. 

The series covers the adventures and struggles of a group of humans, called "Incarnations", who hold these supernatural positions for a period of time.

Synopsis

When Zane, a bit of a looser in life, shoots Death, he learns, too late, that he would have to take the place of the grim reaper, speeding over the world riding his pale horse, and ending the lives of others, and weighing there worth, deciding on haven or hell for there souls … or even purgatory.  

Then sooner than he would have thought possible, Zane found himself being drawn to Satan's plot. Already the Prince of Evil was forging a trap in which Zane must act to destroy Luna, the woman he loved...unless he could discover the only way out....

Review

Let me start from the off and say that the best thing about this book is the main character, Zane/Death, the book quickly batters Zane down the starts the rebuild, in the process a fully believable 3-D character is formed that as a reader I rooted for and empathised with.

I am not putting the rest of the book down; I am just saying the main character was superbly formed.

As a whole the story kept me hooked and I read the book over a couple of weekends, so not fully a ‘couldn’t put down’ read but quite close.  The story unfolds at a reasonable pace with a consistent direction and a smattering of humour; I also found the parallel universe where the action takes place very well contrived.  

What I would warn though is if you are looking for something similar to ‘Mort by Terry Pratchett’ this is not it – ‘On a Pale Horse’ is a much more sophisticated read.

Towards the end of the book I found my self drifting for a chapter or so, where I thought the book lost some of its pace and enjoyment, but that was more a transient moment rather that the complete book and the story soon recovers to deliver an excellent climax.

A well written good read :)

Rating

I give this book 7.5 out of 10. I’d say this is a series that I may go back to and read the others.

WW

61 Hours by Lee Child

Background

61 hours is the 14th Jack Reacher adventure book by Lee Child. Child has written the books so they can be read as one offs, or in order, so you can pick any up at any time. Reacher himself is a 6’ 5” - 250lb slab of a man that is an ex member of an elite military police unit. He is now a civilian and wondering America with nothing more than the cloths on his back while righting wrongs – in short a vigilante.  

Synopsis

A winter snowstorm in South Dakota, combined with an icy highway cause a bus to crash; inside are elderly tourists on a road rip and one lone hitchhiker sprawled in back, Jack Reacher, taking up room enough for two men. Good thing he's there, because something nastier than the weather is on its way and biker gangs, a threatened prison riot and the risk to a witness under police protection are merely the beginning of the problems.

Review

It was my farther-in-law that suggested that I read one of Child’s books as he is a big fan, and putting it up front - I was not disappointed.

This book is told in the 3rd person, which in itself is not important, unless you have read other books in the series, as some are in the 3rd person and some in the 1st.

Reacher and the supporting characters are all well formed and believable, and are easily pictured in the mind of the reader, Their interactions are also well written, especially when you come to realise that Reacher is a man’s man, no nonsense type of guy in a no nonsense type of world, and as the plot unfolds a significant amount of his background is provided, which in itself is an interesting back story.

The pace of the plot is excellently judged; it starts slow setting the scene, and then builds in pace, keeping the reader interested. The narrated countdown clock throughout the book adds to the tension, where it could have so easily been an annoyance. Child leaves clues within the telling of the story to allow readers to work out who the bad guy is or may be, and being a fan of murder mysteries I enjoyed this, as for me part of the fun is working out who done it.

Rating

I give this book 9.5 out of 10. A great adventure yarn with a great hero

WW

The Wilt Inheritance by Tom Sharpe

Background

The Wilt series of books, by Tom Sharpe, first sore the light of day back in 1976 with this, the latest instalment, published last year (2011) The original was even made into a TV / Movie staring Mel Smith and Griff Rhys Jones.

Wilt is a down trodden lecture, who has a life of torment guaranteed by his overbearing wife and terrible quadruplet daughters (think  St Trinian's), and if this wasn’t enough he seems to have to cope with one misadventure after another and the surrounding fallout.

Synopsis

Stuck in a job he doesn't really want, but can't afford to lose, as nominal Head of the Communications Department at Fenland University, Wilt is still subject to the whims of others, both in and outside of work. 

The demands of his snobbish wife Eva and the mammoth school fees of his despicable quadruplet daughters cause him the biggest headaches... apart from the hangovers, that is. 

When his wife finds him a summer job teaching history to the gun-toting idiot son of a lusty local aristocrat, Wilt is not amused and as circumstances unravel, and the summer goes on, things move from bad to worst … if that was at all possible.

Review

I can honestly say this book was a pleasant surprise to me, a complete departure to the sort of thing I would normally ready, but never the less, I ended up enjoying it.

The book is an easy read and moves a long at a pace sufficient to keep you interested with a plot that is neither complex nor overbearing and although Wilt is the main charter, the multi-point-of-view telling of the story works well in its advantage. 

I would not describe the comedy as laugh-out-loud humour, more like snigger to oneself, and it works in the same way as a 1950s British Ealing comedy: without causing offence.

I would not describe the books in terms of not being able to put it down, but at the same time found myself finishing it over a weekend, so its more of a sneak up and enjoy me sort of read with the main character, Wilt, being very believable, all in all a thumbs up from me.

Rating

I give this book 7.5 out of 10, an easy read that made my smile.


WW

Legacy by James Steel

Synopsis

Alex Devereux is a former Major in the British armed services and is now hardened mercenary, who is recruited to raise a private army and attack a diamond mine in Africa – and in doing so, comes face to face with an ancient prophecy with earth-shattering implications. Working for a diamond cartel and operating outside of international law, Alex comes face-to-face with the Dark Heart Prophecy. Past and present collide - but can Alex redeem himself and prevent the prophecy from coming true

In 1501 - A medieval Knight encounters an object of awesome power - The Nubian Deathstone. Filled with terrifying visions of what the future might bring, he embarks on a quest to discover its secret.

In 1941 - Himmler orders an elite SS Officer on an expedition to resolve the centuries-old enigma, but his discovery will have dire consequences.

Review

I read this book as the plot sounded like it would be right up my street, a bit of action adventure to read while away for a weekends R&R, but I was to be sorely disappointed.

The book starts out well but soon seems to loose its way, with jumps across multiple timelines and subplots without any real thought or control, building the subplot just to get to a point where it is rushed and discarded like yesterdays trash.

The book seems to loose sight of who is the main character and as a result I lost interest in how they faired, which is never good.

One good area of this book is that Steel is very good with the set pieces, the action and battle sequences are very well constructed, but in this case, the substance that links them seams to get lost during the journey

I did not enjoy this book and would only recommend it to those who want to read it for the previously mentioned set pieces.

Rating

I give this book 2 out of 10, lowest score to date

WW

Equal Rites by Terry Pratchett

Background

Equal Rites is the third novel in the well known Discworld series.   The Discworld is a flat world balanced on the back of four giant elephants, which in turn, stand on the back of the Great A’Tuin, a giant turtle.  The serious could be described as tongue-in-cheek or parody fantasy.  

Synopsis

Drum Billet, a dying wizard tries to pass on his powers to an eighth son of an eighth son, who is just at that moment being born, but things don’t go as planned and the son is actually a daughter, which is discovered just a little too late. Due to the child having magic, the local witch insists on turning the child into a witch, as women can’t be wizards, thus mending the magical damage of the wizard's mistake.

But now the young girl will be forced to penetrate the inner circle of the Unseen University and while she is at it, attempt to save the world…

Review

I bought this book some years back and never got round to reading it, mainly due to the fact that I really struggle with Terry Pratchett’s writing style, but I thought I’d give it another go as I was at a loose end and had just finished another book.

Like other books in the series, that I have read, I enjoyed the story; even though it is very simplistic in its construction, and the interaction between the characters made me smile, even laugh out loud from time to time as Terry has a flair for humour.

But at times the story does seam to struggle to find its way, at times leaving me think ‘OH?’ Once again the writing style did not appeal to me, but this could just be me, as Terry Pratchett has a huge army of fans that would strongly disagree and sales speak for them self.

So for me, at times enjoyable, at times disappoint but in the main just frustrating.

Rating

I give this book an average 5 out of 10, probably great if you are a fan.

Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy

Background

Skulduggery Pleasant is the first in the Skulduggery Pleasant series of novels and the debut novel by Derek Landy, Thee books follow the titular character Skulduggery Pleasant, an un-dead sorcerer and detective, with his partner Stephanie Edgley as they battle evil.

Synopsis

Meet the great Skulduggery Pleasant: wise-cracking detective, powerful magician, master of dirty tricks etc, but all in the name of the greater good, of course.

… Oh yeah. And dead.

Stephanie's uncle Gordon is a writer of horror fiction. But when he dies and leaves her his estate, Stephanie learns that while he may have written horror, it certainly wasn't fiction.

Pursued by evil forces intent on recovering a mysterious key, Stephanie finds help from an unusual source – the wisecracking skeleton of a dead wizard.

When all hell breaks loose, it's lucky for Skulduggery that he's already dead. Though he's about to discover that being a skeleton doesn't stop you from being tortured, if the torturer is determined enough. And if there's anything Skulduggery hates, it's torture… Will evil win the day? Will Stephanie and Skulduggery stop bickering long enough to stop it? One thing's for sure: evil won't know what's hit it.

Review

This book is best described as a Y.A. novel or even a kids book, but why let that get in the way of a good story, as a lot of adults have read books about a certain boy wizard aimed at a similar audience.  

Being aimed at a younger audience, this book will be an easy read for adults and as such does not take long to read, but this is not just from the fact it is a younger persons book, the major factor in this, is it is such a good story that it is hard to put down until you get to the end.

The plot is solid and the pace is good, with characters that are all fully fleshed out to the point that you can suspend reality and just enjoy the story that weaves, horror, fantasy, adventure and fun in equal measures.

Even though this is a book aimed at younger readers. I really enjoyed it, there was plenty of action and mystery in the plot to keep the pace up, and the banter and interaction between Skulduggery and Stephanie quite often made me smile or even laugh out loud.

Although I have said this is a book for a younger reader, I’d like to categorise that by saying 12+  (or a bit younger if your child is reading ahead), but if you don’t have a child, don’t feel foolish in buying it for yourself, it is a good read.

Rating

I give this book 9 out of 10, a great bit of fun

Warlock by Wilbur Smith

Background

Warlock is one of the books from Wilbur Smith’s ‘Egyptian Series, historical fiction series based in the land of the ancient Pharaohs

Synopsis

After the death of his beloved Queen, Taita performs the rites of burial for her. Then, stricken with grief, he retreats into the desert and becomes a hermit. Over the years he devotes himself to the study of the mysteries of the occult until, armed with these extraordinary powers, he gradually transforms himself into the Warlock.

Now Taita answers the calling from beyond and leaves the desert vastness to returns to the world of men, finding himself plunged into a terrible conflict against the forces of evil which threaten to overwhelm the throne and the realm of Egypt, and to destroy the young prince Nefer, who is the grandson of Queen Lostris.

Review

There is no getting away with the fact that Wilbur Smith is a great wordsmith and story teller, but this book fell short of the mark for me.

The characters are all well formed to a point where you cheer the heroes on and the plot is woven well to maintain pace, in what is a lengthy novel (over 500 pages) and at times the imagery conjured up by smith is second to none, but it still left me feeling underwhelmed. 

For me smith at times seemed to go too far with areas of gratuitous and sexual violence, seaming to dwell too long over the detail of the event and thus distracting from the impact that the event would have had otherwise. Yes there are times when something needs to have more time spent over its telling and there are times when enough is enough and, in my opinion, Smith crossed that line to many times in Warlock

I can see why this book has, generally, such a high rating, but for me – it misses the mark.

Rating

I give this book 5.5 out of 10, a bit over the top at times

The Silent Sea by Clive Cussler (With Jack Du Brul)

Background

From the Oregon Files novels based on the larger than life Juan Cabrillo and his more than capable private secret service organization called 'the Corporation'. The corporation are based on the Oregon, which looks to be a rusty old tramp steamer sailing the seas but in reality it is an extraordinarily sophisticated intelligence-gathering vessel with luxury facilities and top of the line technical capabilities and a match for almost all other vessels out there.

Synopsis

December, 1941. Four brothers investigate the secrets of a treasure pit on a small island in the Pacific. but a sudden death and the events at Pearl Harbour allow its secrets to lie forgotten . . .

Moving on to the present day, and Juan Cabrillo and the Oregon team have been sent to locate the remains of a crashed satellite in the Argentine jungle. While there and coming under attack, they make a mysterious discovery which sends them to the small Pacific island. There, they discover the deadly secrets of an ancient Chinese expedition - by the lost ship The Silent Sea and the curse surrounding it.

Now Juan Cabrillo and his team are in a race against time to find the remains of The Silent Sea, as there will be terrible consequences if someone else finds it first . . .

Review

This is part of a series of books based around the Oregon and its crew, and not reading any of the earlier books leave one not sure if you can just pick it up and enjoy for the novels sake. For the Silent Sea I would say you can, as you read you get the sense that there is more depth to the main characters than you initially pick up on, and to those that have read any of the earlier books, this will not be a problem, and even for those that are new to the series it doesn’t take long for the principal charters to be rounded within your imagination.

As for the plot, it starts in three different places/times and with three different sets of characters, even telling what could be described as a short story in its own right, but then the plots converge into what can be best described as a good old fashioned adventure yarn that has no problem keeping you hooked.

Even taking into account the ever increasing capabilities and skills of Juan and the rest of the crew of the Oregon, the writer’s skill at this type of tale is enough to help you suspend your scepticism and not put the book down until the telling is done.

I’ll be defiantly looking at other Clive Cussler novels.

Rating

I give this book 8 out of 10, really enjoyed this yarn