Tag Historical Fiction

The Tuscan Daughter by Tessa Harris @HQstories #NetGalley #histfic #bookreview

yvonnembee 4 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for The Tuscan Daughter by Tessa Harris. I was definitely keen to read this one after reading her last book, The Paris Notebook.

My huge thanks to HQ Stories for granting my request to read this title via NetGalley.

A country at war. An impossible choice. A woman who will risk everything to be free.

Tuscany, 1942: having moved from England to the beautiful city of Lucca before the outbreak of war, Lizzie Thorton adores her job as tutor to eight-year-old Cristo – despite the fact that his father, Count Antonio de Falco, is a notable fascist and supporter of Mussolini.

Then war is declared, and Lizzie is suddenly regarded as an enemy in the country she loves so much. When new tutor Vincenzo Baldini arrives, Lizzie is exposed to a new secret world; Vincenzo is actually a member of the Italian resistance, running an anti-fascist propaganda magazine. Lizzie, desperate to be part of the fight, joins Vincenzo’s unit, and soon she is head over heels in love.

But when someone from her past reappears and threatens to overturn her new life, Lizzie must decide if she has the strength to fight for what, and who, she truly wants.

Based on true events, The Tuscan Daughter is an utterly sweeping and heartbreaking story of one woman’s resilience, courage, and determination in the face of fascism, perfect for fans of Mandy Robotham and Kate Quinn.

MY REVIEW

After reading The Paris Notebook I was eager to read this latest book by Tessa Harris. The Tuscan Daughter is set in Italy, Fascism is on the rise and Lizzie Thorton sees the changes. She is a tutor for Christo and his father Count Antonio de Falco one of the top men under Mussolini.

Originally born in England, Lizzie decides to take a position in Italy so she can say she has done something before settling down to get married. World War II has other ideas, as it did for many millions of people. Fascism is increasing and everyone is more watchful and alert. Even though Lizzie holds a position of trust, she is still English and therefore an enemy.

She is a little put out when another tutor, Vincenzo Baldini is employed to give Christo a more manly education including sports such as rowing, swimming and science. The two tutors work well and soon form a friendship. Christos’ father is a powerful man and he does expect perfection and total loyalty. He is a bully and his son is desperate for his approval but never really gets it. Naturally, he looks to his tutors for parental support.

This story is amazing and based on true events, this makes the reading more emotional and there is something about it that makes the whole plot feel very real. The fighting between the partisans and the fascist government was well documented, but I feel that when it is put into fiction as a story it becomes more understandable. It is a way of understanding more about what ordinary people felt and what they did to survive.

The fight that Lizzie finds herself embroiled in is one of her own choosing, she is forced to choose a side and finds herself in the midst of battles and ambushes. There is a romantic side to this story and Lizzie was to be married, and because of events out of her control, she starts to form a bond. Things do take an unexpected turn and the author dealt with this so well. While it makes Lizzie look weak I think she had to go through with what the author had in mind to be where she needed to be later.

This story does have a moral and the author includes this at the end, it is not a moral actually it is a statement and one that needed to be made. It would shape things for later generations.

A fabulous story and one that shows how determination to do the right thing is one of the most difficult things to do. If you are a fan of historical fiction then this is one you should really have a look at. It is one I would definitely recommend.

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

Death of a Union by Andrew Wood @cunninglyclever @palamedespr #thriller #politics #histfic #bookreview

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I am delighted to share my review today of Death of Union by Andrew Wood. This book is a mix of past and present, fact and fiction and one that I really enjoyed.

My huge thanks to Anne at Random Things Tours for my spot on the Blog Tour and for arranging my copy of this book from Palamedes PR.

“Death of a Union” is a gripping geopolitical thriller set against the tumultuous backdrop of the UK’s infamous 1984 miners’ strike. George McDonald is a union leader, on the verge of exposing staggering corruption within Arthur Scargill’s National Union of Miners, where millions have vanished. However, sinister forces, including a shadowy KGB agent and fellow union leaders, conspire against him, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown. Fast forward four decades and Scotland is on the verge of becoming an independent nation under dynamic new leadership, transforming the SNP from a joke into a powerhouse of positive change. But this new direction leads Scotland into uncharted territory, forming unconventional alliances, particularly with China. These alliances draw the ire of Whitehall and Washington, triggering alarms on both sides of the Atlantic. As the political landscape intensifies, MI5 reopens the Pandora’s box of George McDonald’s corruption case. The echoes of the past resonate in the present, thrusting Scotland’s First Minister into a web of intrigue and peril. Amidst political manoeuvring, covert operations, and the weight of untold secrets, “Death of a Union” becomes a riveting tale of power, betrayal, and the relentless pursuit of justice.

MY REVIEW

I can remember seeing things on the news in 1984/5 about the miner’s strikes, I can remember watching some of the battles between the miners and the police. But, I was only a teen at the time so I didn’t really understand what this was completely about. Since then I have picked up things and read things. This book fills in some more blanks and the author has mixed fact with fiction to make an interesting and well-paced story.

The book is set over two timelines. That of the miner’s strikes in 84/85 and also a present-day setting in Scotland. The 80s is focused on George Macdonald, his role starts in the mines but then he gradually finds himself as a union man and on the committee. He rubs shoulders with Arthur Scargill and other influential figures. He doesn’t understand how those further up in the union have flash cars and homes, yet he is just about keeping his own battered car on the road. The miners who are striking are not coping well, some are literally starving or unable to pay the rent, they either have to lose everything or go back to work.

The present-day timeline is of a widow who is taking on her dead husband’s mantle, Maggie McGowan may be new in the political ring, but she has a good business head on her shoulders. She is not going to be spoken down to, she will hold her own as she steps into the arena. She has to hold her nerve and show that she is for the people of Scotland, this will take some doing as she is considered to be very wealthy, and most people do not have the money. But, she does have a background that shows how she was brought up and raised.

I really liked this tale of two parts, the majority of my attention was more on the miner’s strike as this is something I wanted to know more about. The present-day setting is good, but it took e a while to understand the relevance of it. This section was good and it was more current and interesting to read, it did provide the link and also a chance for things to move forward further.

The tensions between the strikers, the union leaders and the police were well put. The struggles that the miners went through and also the decisions of those to go back to work were interesting and with the corruption added in made for a thrilling read.

This is a good book and one that I really enjoyed, it is a mix of two stories and each is linked, but they also show how the politics of the day can shape decision-making. Anything political is going to leave me thinking of corruption and conspiracy and this book is another one that backs those thoughts up.

If you want a book that is a thriller, historical fiction, or political thriller that reaches around the globe and brings in foreign powers, then this is a good book to have on your list. I would happily recommend this one.

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The Shadow Key by Susan Stokes-Chapman @havillsecker #NetGalley #mystery #histfic #gothic #bookreview

yvonnembee 2 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today of The Shadow Key by Susan Stokes-Chapman. This is a fabulous eerie historical mystery that I adored.

My huge thanks to the publisher Harvill Secker for accepting my request to read this title via NetGalley.

Just look at this amazing cover 😍👇

There’s something mysterious about the village of Penhelyg. Will unlocking its truth bring light or darkness?

Meirionydd, 1783. Henry Talbot has been dismissed from his post at a prestigious London hospital. The only job he can find is as a physician in the backwaters of Wales where he can’t speak the language, belief in myth and magic is rife, and the villagers treat him with bewildering suspicion. When Henry discovers his predecessor died under mysterious circumstances, he is determined to find answers.

Linette Tresilian, the unconventional mistress of Plas Helyg, lives a lonely life. Her father is long dead, her mother haunted by demons which keep her locked away in her room, and her cousin treats her with cool disdain – she has had no choice but to become fiercely self-reliant.

Linette has always suspected something is not quite right in the village, but it is only through Henry’s investigations that the truth about those closest to her will come to light…a truth that will bind hers and Henry’s destinies together in ways neither thought possible.

MY REVIEW

If you are looking for a gothic-style mystery then this one may well interest you. Set in Wales, in 1783, Henry Talbot arrives in a small community to start work as the local doctor. He had worked in London and been successful and taught. There is a shadow over his head though and this has prevented him from finding work, so this one at the village of Meirionydd is ideal.

He arrives at a rather grand house, Plas Helyg, where he is due to meet the Lord of the manor, Julian. Also living there is Julian’s cousin, Linette, who manages the tenants and her mother who keeps to her rooms. The previous doctor was treating her, and this now falls to Henry Talbot.

Arriving in the area is not a welcoming endeavour for Henry, an Englishman arriving in a Welsh village where memories still remember past events. They are not friendly, ignore him, he is challenged and in general, made to feel very much like the outsider he is. Linette tries to calm the situation but even she has to admit there is something in the air that feels off.

This is such a twisted story and one that took routes that did not occur to me as I started reading the book. There are some great characters to get to know and to be honest, I was soon able to see why Henry felt like a leper. The author manages to create a wonderful air of distrust and this is something that continues throughout the book. It does have a gothic vibe to it and this adds to the general eerie feel of the story.

This is set in Wales, so there are some Welch words and phrases, these are explained through the story as Henry learns them, then so did I. Some of the names of the characters are ones that I have not come across before and the odd one I would not even attempt to try and say. This gives credence to the story and it also shows the differences between Henry Talbot and the working people of the village. There are English speakers, these tend to be the wealthy, rich, lords and the like. So, again it adds to the distrust shown to Henry.

If you are a fan of historical fiction then this is a book that you might want to have a look at. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I found it very addictive. It is at times creepy and eerie and also very mysterious as the threads are gradually unwound. I liked this a lot and I would definitely recommend it.

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Birds of Prey by Wilbur Smith @thewilbursmith @Tr4cyF3nt0n @ZaffreBooks #teamwilbur #TheCourtneys #historicalfiction #bookreview

yvonnembee

I am delighted to share my review of Birds of Prey by Wilbur Smith. This is the 9th published book and the 1st in the Birds of Prey Trilogy.

My huge thanks to Tracy at Compulsive Readers for arranging my copy of this and the previous book was part of the ongoing promotional campaign with Zaffre Books.

“Africa!” The sound of that mysterious name on his own lips raised goose pimples along his arms and made the thick dark hair prickle on the back of his neck.

A simple mission. A battle for their lives.

It is 1667 and the war between the Dutch and the English continues apace. Sir Francis Courtney, his son Hal, and their crew are carried around the southern tip of the African colonies by the good ship Lady Edwina, licensed to attack and seize the treasure-laden ships of the Dutch East India Company. When they capture a Dutch trader and hold the passengers to ransom, Sir Francis hopes only for a good price and a small sense of satisfaction.

But this is unlawful territory they sail in. An unexpected betrayal will mean the men on board will face greater peril than they have ever faced before – and many good men may never see home again…

MY REVIEW

If you have read any of The Courtney series books, then you will be aware that they often come in trilogies and flit across each one. Birds of Prey is the 9th published Courtney title and the 1st in the Birds of Prey Trilogie. This one starts in 1667, during the Ottoman Empire, Moguls, slave trade, Dutch East India Company and the Dutch had raided the dockyards at Medway, it is during this period the story starts and a peace agreement is just being signed.

This is the story of Hal, or to give him his full name, Henry Courtney, son of Sir Francis Courtney and they are aboard the Lady Edwina. They follow the order of knights known as Nautonniers, and Hal is learning from his father what this will mean.

During a skirmish, the crew and ship are taken, not before father and son have removed the treasure and coin they have amassed and hidden it. This is where Hal will learn what it takes to grow up into a man and what he needs to do to prove his father’s innocence and look at revenge for what he has been through.

With these books, the Courtney men are strong and easy on the eye as they always appear to have no shortage of women. Hal is no different, he like most of the others though, is not a womaniser. He is growing into a man and he has beside him some friends who have helped bring him up aboard the ship. These men are loyal and help imbue morals, loyalty, respect and empathy.

This is what I would call a “proper swash-buckler”, it is full of pirates, battles, warfare, travel, missions escapes and so much more. It is a book full of action and adventure, romance, life and death from the first pages through to the last.

As Hal moves through into being a young man he has dealt with a lot, but his upbringing has prepared him. Even though he is young he has experience and this will prove essential as he asks seasoned seamen to follow him.

The story takes Hal from life on the sea to being imprisoned, taking revenge and following an idea and religious mission. The author brings so many things to this book and I do think this is one of my favourites. The battles are amazing to read as are the trials and tribulations that are part of the journey.

This is one for those who like historical fiction and one I would definitely recommend.

About the Author…

Wilbur Smith was the bestselling author of many novels, each researched on his numerous expeditions worldwide. His bestselling Courtney series includes Assegai, The Sound of Thunder, Birds of Prey, Monsoon, and Blue Horizon. His other books include Those in Peril, River God, Warlock, The Seventh Scroll, and The Sunbird.

His books have been translated into twenty-six languages and have sold over 120 million copies. Smith was born to a British family in Northern Rhodesia, now Zambia, in Central Africa, and attended Rhodes University in South Africa. By the time of his death in 2021 he had published 49 books and had sold more than 140 million copies.

Wilbur Smith died at his Cape Town home on November 13, 2021. He was 88 years old at the time of his death.

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Last Orders at Mulberry Lane by Rosie Clark @AnneHerries @rararesources @BoldwoodBooks #historicalfiction #bookreview

yvonnembee

I am delighted to share my review today of Last Orders at Mulberry Lane y Rosie Clark. This is the 10th and final book in the series and it is one for those who like historical romance and fiction.

My huge thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for my spot on the blog tour and for arranging my copy from the publisher Boldwood Books.

MY REVIEW

This is the 10th and final book in the Mulberry Lane series, not bad as it was only due to be a trilogy. I am so glad it lasted longer than the original 3 planned books.

Last Orders at Mulberry Lane is a book that enjoys memories from the past but also about what the future holds for the community in Mulberry Lane. Families have lived, grown up and had children of their own and are welcoming the next generation into the world. As some arrive others pass as is the way of things.

The lanes have been the focus of the story but it is about the community within not just the area. This final book brings the series into the ’60s, and while changes are going on our group does not get caught up in the wilder side of life. They have focus and are either hard studying or have other responsibilities to deal with. That doesn’t mean that they are straight-laced and prudish though.

The book was a goodbye but also it was a way to move on and this for me was done so well. The author could have easily been caught up with the “what was” but also focused on the future and the different options and prospects open to the families and community. Remembering that this was a community that went through the bombing of the war and it brought a special bond and friendship over the years.

This is a book about families and also how things have changed socially. There are new relationships and things for the next generation to look forward to. But for the Mulberry Lane Community, it is a chance to have a final get-together with friends.

If you are a fan of historical romance and fiction then this is a series I would recommend. It has been a wonderful journey and not only would I recommend this book but also the whole series.

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Where They Lie by Claire Coughlan @simonschusterUK #mystery #crime #historicalfiction #NetGalley #bookreview

yvonnembee

I am delighted to share my review today of Where They Lie by Claire Coughlan. This is a mystery and crime story set in Dublin in the 1960s and is a wonderful story.

My huge thanks to Simon & Schuster UK for granting my request to read this title via NetGalley.

Dublin, 1943
Actress Julia Bridges disappears.
The last sighting of her is entering the house of Gloria Fitzpatrick, who is later put on trial for the murder of another woman whose abortion she facilitated.
But it’s never proved that Gloria had a hand in Julia’s death – and Julia’s body has never been found.
Gloria, however, is sentenced to life in an institution for the criminally insane, until her apparent suicide a few years later, and the truth of what happened to Julia Bridges dies with her.

Until . . .

Dublin, 1968
Nicoletta Sarto is an ambitious junior reporter for the Irish Sentinel when the bones of Julia Bridges are discovered in the garden of a house on the outskirts of Dublin.
Drawn into investigating the 25-year-old mystery of Julia’s disappearance and her link to the notorious Gloria Fitzpatrick, the story takes Nicoletta into the tangled underworld of the illegal abortion industry, stirring up long-buried secrets from her own past.

As much a murder mystery story as a look at a young woman’s struggle to succeed in a man’s world, Where They Lie is a beautifully atmospheric debut that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page.

MY REVIEW

I enjoyed this historical mystery story and it is set in Dublin in the 60s. A journalist for the Sentinel, Nicoletta Sarto, is looking at an old case. An actress disappeared in 1943 and her skeleton has just been discovered. Sarto along with another journalist, is looking into the case and it brings up far more than she would have ever expected.

This is such a good story and one that flitted back and forth. I really enjoyed getting to know Sarto and also learning more about the case as she did. It was a slower meander through a mystery which I thoroughly enjoyed and it was nice to read a slightly slower-paced story compared to the frantic ones I have read recently. I felt the pacing of the story fitted so well with the setting as Sarto is reliant on public transport, landline phones, and other people giving her a lift and where research has to be sought out rather than internet searches. It was quite refreshing, to be honest.

Sarto is a single woman trying to make her way. She is in a good job with the chance of promotion. She is not overly loud or flamboyant but, is studious and it seems that once she gets her teeth into a story she likes to follow it to its conclusion. Some of this book does mention illegal abortions and this is very much within the history of the time. While it is not a nice thing to read about it is something that did and still does occur. It has been dealt with well and is within keeping with the storylines.

The gradual emergence of details for the actress Julia Bridges makes for intriguing reading. It seems that people didn’t know her as well as they thought and when Sarto starts digging into Bridge’s past she finds more mystery than she would have expected.

This is such a wonderful book and one that once I got into found to be addictive. The author has brought a few twists and some unexpected turns that I did not see coming. Things from the past do have a habit of coming back and this one is no exception. It was an atmospheric read and one that is a bit more than just a cosy mystery given some of the subject matter.

This is one for those who like a twisted, enigmatic historical fiction story. Once for fans of crime and investigative mysteries and I would happily recommend it.

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The Guernsey Girls by Mary Wood @AuthorMary @PanMacmillan #historicalfiction #romance #bookreview

yvonnembee 14 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for The Guernsey Girls by Mary Wood. This is the first book in the series and it is a fabulous story of family and friendship.

My huge thanks to Chloe at Pan Macmillan for arranging a copy and for my spot on the Blog Tour.

January 1936. After the hard work of being a maid at Wallington Manor in the lead-up to Christmas, Annie is very excited at the prospect of going home to Bethnal Green. She has missed her family, but the money she earns keeps them all afloat.

Harriet, is from the island of Guernsey and is visiting her aunt at Wallington Manor. When she has to leave for London Annie is asked to look after her. On the train journey a friendship blossoms.

And when an accident happens their friendship is made even stronger. A friendship that would see both girls through pain, happiness, marriage and death. A friendship that would see them both united in Guernsey. But this is just the beginning of their incredible journey . . .

MY REVIEW

This is a fabulous book about family and friendship. Beginning in 1936, Annie is a maid and is due to travel from Guernsey back to her family in London. Olivia is also due to travel so plans are made for them to travel together. Annie is to be the maid and companion to Olivia during the journey. The train crashes and Annie manages to get out and take Olivia with her. Due to her heroic actions, Annie is given the chance to change her life and not just be the maid but become a friend to Olivia. They both rely on each other and have shared an experience that has brought them close. This friendship provides not only Annie but also her family a chance to improve their way of life.

This is another fabulous story from this author and I have read many of her books. This one shows the differences between two social classes and how one accident can change their relationship in the future. Olivia has a fiance and he is nervous about what is going on in Europe as he is a German by birth. Annie has an admirer who knows her from when she was younger. Relationships blossom and plans are in the making for their futures.

If you have read any of this author’s books then you will know that her romances never run straight, there are always kinks and obstacles in the way that need to be overcome. This book is no exception, the train brought the girls together but they will need each other many more times in the following years during this story.

The author brings the way of life at the time to life, exploring the past and giving voices to her characters. There are several characters and you just can’t help but adore some of them. You soon become concerned about what is happening to them and what they have to go through.

This is a fabulous story and one that fans of historical fiction, family drama and romance books. It is one I would happily recommend.

About the author

Born the thirteenth child of fifteen to a middle-class mother and an East End barrow boy, Mary Wood’s childhood was a mixture of love and poverty. Throughout her life, Mary has held various posts in office roles, working in the probation services and bringing up her four children and numerous grandchildren, step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren. An avid reader, she first put pen to paper in 1989 while nursing her mother through her final months, but didn’t become successful until she began self-publishing her writing in 2011.

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Warrior Prince by J.C. Duncan @BoldwoodBooks #viking #historicalfiction #Netgalley #bookreview

yvonnembee 2 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for Warrior Prince by J.C. Duncan. This is the first book in the series that is based on Harald Sigurdsson and it is brilliant.

My huge thanks to Boldwood Books who accepted my request to read this via NetGalley, my opinion is my own.

1030 AD Some men are gifted a crown. Others have to fight to claim it. Exiled from Norway, Harald Sigurdsson, brother to murdered King Olaf, must battle mercilessly for survival in the lands of the Kievan Rus. His brother’s legacy gifts him a warband of hardened warriors and entry to the court of Prince Yaroslav the Wise. By his wits, sword and skill in battle, Harald must learn not just to survive but to triumph. He fights for glory, for fame, and to regain his family’s battle-stolen throne. But his greatest challenge may not come from battlefield foes but from those who stand by his side. The first instalment in a remarkable story of an exiled boy’s incredible journey to become Harald Hardrada; The Hard Ruler and The Last Viking.

MY REVIEW

This is the first book I have read by this author and is a brilliant book based on Harald Sigurdsson. The book is set in 1030AD and is the story of Harald after being exiled. It is told by Eric, an older character as he looks back and recounts his life with Harald the battles they fought, and the people they met it is full of facts, and information and it is a brilliant historical fiction book to sit down and read.

Eric is an adviser to Harald and the author uses him to great effect as he can get the reader into the thick of things, being a witness to events and hearing of Eric’s views. Harald was exiled after his brother King Olaf was killed, he takes a war band with him as he journeys to Kyiv and fights for Prince Yaroslav.

The author brings the story of Harald’s early years into life with his writing and while this is very factual in its content the research that has gone into this is great. It is not dull for a moment and this is what makes this such a good book, it is also the first in the series and I cannot wait to continue Harald’s saga.

Some things have been changed to make it fit within the context of the author’s timeline and this is nothing major but keeps the action and the adventuring of the war band at a great pace.

If you are a fan of Vikings, European history and historical fiction then this is a book you want to be looking at. It is a fabulous historical fiction that I would definitely recommend.

About the author

James C Duncan is a debut author fascinated with history and fantasy. He writes historical fantasy/fiction based on our world, but in an alternate timeline, past, present or future, where each book or series asks and tries to answer a question of ‘What if?’ His first series ‘The Light of the North saga’, asks the question ‘What if the Norse didn’t convert to Christianity, and instead the Viking raids continued.’ And posits the answer, which you will have to read the book to find out! James does not create new worlds, he messes with the history and future of ours, grounded in our own history and the laws of our universe, but tweaked in events and often adding a soft sprinkling of the divine or fantastical, resulting in relatable historical and future fantasy.

Upcoming books include the questions:

‘What if the black death was actually a coverup of something much, much worse.’ An alternate history of the time of the black death, based in southern Europe and the Middle East.

‘What if the human race develops a race of gene engineered worker drones, but they are turned against us.’ A post apocalyptic fiction set in the 22nd century in Poland and Hungary

James is a professional engineer, and splits his spare time writing, reading, and being an amateur bladesmith.

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Calico by Lee Goldberg @severnhouse #scifi #NetGalley #crime #thriller #histfic #bookreview

yvonnembee 2 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for Calico by Lee Goldberg. This is a time travel, western, mystery thriller that I thoroughly enjoyed. My thanks to Severn House Publishers for granting my request to review this book via NetGalley.

There’s a saying in Barstow, California, a decaying city in the scorching Mojave desert . . .

The Interstate here only goes in one direction: Away.

But it’s the only place where ex-LAPD detective Beth McDade, after a staggering fall from grace, could get another badge . . . and a shot at redemption.

Over a century ago, and just a few miles further into the bleak landscape, a desperate stranger ended up in Calico, a struggling mining town, also hoping for a second chance.

His fate, all those years ago, and hers today are linked when Beth investigates an old skeleton dug up in a shallow, sandy grave . . . and also tries to identity a vagrant run-over by a distracted motorhome driver during a lightning storm.

Every disturbing clue she finds, every shocking discovery she makes, force Beth to confront her own troubled past—and a past that’s not her own—until it all smashes together in a revelation that could change the world.

MY REVIEW

This was a really interesting and enjoyable book. A mix of science fiction, time travel, western and mystery. The story is set just over 100 years apart and the author nicely navigates from the late 1800s and present day as the story gradually unfolds.

A sudden storm changes lives for certain people, for Detective Beth McDaded it is a chance to prove that she is not to be dismissed as she tries to solve the case of a missing man and a mysterious body that arrives in her district. Owen Slader has a completely different set of troubles to deal with as he tries to navigate his situation and come to terms with things he dares not change as it may risk the future of himself and his daughter.

Calico was a mining town and the author has used the historical context really well for this story. There is a good list of resources that were used to add authenticity to the historical setting of the story. There were many details included about the mining town and its amenities, or lack of, the way people had different jobs, the law, doctors and generally how things were at that time.

Barstow is where Beth is based and she has a reputation, it is one that got her into trouble previously and she doesn’t seem to change her ways. She is, however, determined to solve the cases sitting in front of her. She soon finds that some of her theories are a little hard to swallow and this leads her into further trouble with the military.

The story flits back and forth between the timelines so well and there is no mistaking when you are. The pacing of the story is great and it keeps moving along well and further details are introduced, theories explored and then when you think things are all set up for the finale there are more twists to come. The final one was soooo good and I did not see that one until it was revealed.

This would be great for fans of crime, mystery and thrillers with a historical and sci-fi twist. Well paced, and has great characters and an interesting storyline. It is one I would definitely recommend.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

#1 New York Times Bestselling author Lee Goldberg is a two-time Edgar Award and two-time Shamus Award nominee whose many TV writing and/or producing credits include “Martial Law,” “SeaQuest,” “Diagnosis Murder,””Hunter,” “Spenser: For Hire,” “Nero Wolfe,” “Missing.” “Monk” and “The Glades.” He’s also the co-author of the Fox & O’Hare series with Janet Evanovich (The Heist, The Chase, The Job, The Scam, The Pursuit etc), “The Walk,” “Watch Me Die,” “King City,” the “Dead Man” series, as well as the “Diagnosis Murder” and “Monk” series of original mystery novels.

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A Time To Die by Wilbur Smith @thewilbursmith @ZaffreBooks @Tr4cyF3nt0n #histfic #TheCourtneys #TeamWilbur #bookreview

yvonnembee 2 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for A Time To Die by Wilbur Smith. This is part of the Courtney series and the author brings the story into the 1980s.

My huge thanks to Tracy at Compulsive Readers for arranging my copy of the book from Zaffre Books as part of their yearlong marketing feature.

Sean Courtney, ex-guerilla fighter in the Bush War, is now a man of peace, leading hunting safaris in Zimbabwe for wealthy men. His current client is Riccardo Monterro, a strong-headed man whose beautiful, strong-minded daughter Claudia has reluctantly accompanied him on the search for the greatest of all trophies: the old bull elephant Tukutela.

But the elephant, and Riccardo’s obsession, will lead them over the border into a Mozambique still devastated by civil war. What began as a rich man’s holiday will become a desperate battle for survival – and Sean must help them escape the most dangerous predator of all: Man

MY REVIEW

Once again this author brings an action-packed story to the Courtney series, this is 7th in the series and brings the series up to the 1980s.

Sean Courtney is one of the main characters in this book and it sees him running hunts Ricardo Monterro and his daughter Claudia are hunting for an old elephant. Claudia does not see this as a hunting trip but as a chance to spend time with her father. For her father, it is a chance to achieve something he has always wanted. Claudia is against hunting and this means she clashes with Seran often. All three are stubborn and have their own opinions. This is a way for the author to show the various opinions of the time regarding hunting.

The team delve into danger as they try, but fail to avoid the conflict between warring factions as they wander into Zimbabwe in pursuit of the hunt. In this period, South Rhodesia claimed its independence from the UK and became Zimbabwe under the leadership of Robert Mugabe. The decade was volatile and this made the hunt into this area dangerous.

While this book is part of the Courtney series, it can be read as a stand-alone as the author does not feed the history into the narrative. Sean Courtney is the grandson of Centaine de Thiry.

The book has the same action and adventure vibe as the previous and the essence of life at the time is very much in this story. There are some friendships formed and friendships lost in this book. Details of the character’s journey across the area are fraught with tension, and danger and this is felt in the story.

It was another fabulous episode in the series and one that I adored. I am aware that not everyone has the same feeling about this book and feels it lacks something, and I agree. It is still a fabulous read but when in close proximity to the others there is something missing.

If you are a fan of action, adventure, historical fiction and tense story lines then this is a book you should look at. Even though it can be read as a stand-alone I do recommend reading it in order as the series is fabulous. It is one I would happily recommend.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Wilbur Smith was the bestselling author of many novels, each researched on his numerous expeditions worldwide. His bestselling Courtney series includes Assegai, The Sound of Thunder, Birds of Prey, Monsoon, and Blue Horizon. His other books include Those in Peril, River God, Warlock, The Seventh Scroll, and The Sunbird.

His books have been translated into twenty-six languages and have sold over 120 million copies. Smith was born to a British family in Northern Rhodesia, now Zambia, in Central Africa, and attended Rhodes University in South Africa. By the time of his death in 2021 he had published 49 books and had sold more than 140 million copies.

Wilbur Smith died at his Cape Town home on November 13, 2021. He was 88 years old at the time of his death.

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