Historical Novels Review | Issue 34 (November 2005)

THE HISTORICAL NOVELS

Review

From Legal Eagles to Legionary Eagles. The Review dusts off the hoods and jesses.

PUBLISHED BY THE HISTORICAL OVEL SOCIETY© 2005

Founder/Publisher: Richard Lee, Marine Cottage, The Strand, Starcross, Devon. EX6 8NY, UK (richard@historicalnove lsociety.org)

SOLANDER

CO-ORD INATING ED ITOR : C laire Morris, 324-2680 West 4•h Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V6K 4S3 CANADA. (c lai re.mo rris @s haw ca)

Associate Editor, Featur es : Kate Allan, (kate.a ll an@gmail.com)

Associate Editor, fndusfly: Cindy Vallar, PO Box 425 , Keller, TX, 76244-0425 , USA.(cindy@cindyvallar.com)

Associate Editor, Profiles: Lucinda Byatt, 13 Park Road , Edinburgh, EH6 4LE.(mail@lucindabyatt.com)

Associate Editor, Fiction: Richard Lee, Marine Cottage, The Strand, Starcross, Devon, EX6 8NY, UK (richard@historicalnove lsociety.org)

THE HISTORICAL OVELS REVIEW

CO-ORDINATING EDITOR (UK)

Sarah Bower, 1 anglewood, Old Forge Close, Long Green, Wortham, Diss, Norfolk IP22 I PU , UK.(sarahbower@clara.co.uk)

CO-ORD INATING EDITOR (USA)

Sarah Johnson , 6868 Knollcrest , Charleston, IL, 6 I 920, USA. (sljohnson2(iL;eiu.edu): Random House (all imprints) , Penguin Putnam , Five Star, Cumberland House, Bethany House, MacAdam/ Cage, university presses , and any North American presses not mentioned below

REVIEWS EDITORS (UK)

Mary Sharratt, 20, Marler Drive , Great Harwood , Lancashire BB6 7TX ( lvlariekeSharratt(daol.com ): Arcadia, Canongate, Robert Hale, Hodder Headline (inclu:les Hodder & Stoughton, Sceptre, NEL, Coronet), John Murray

Fiona Lowe, 28 Cloisters Ave, Barrow in Furness, Cumbria LA 13 OBA ( thelowes (a: cloistcrsave.frecscrve.co.uk ): Allison&Busby, Little , Brown & Co, (includes Abacus, Virago, Warner), Random House UK (includes Arrow, Cape, Century, Chatto&Windus, I larvill, Heinemann , Hutchinson , Pimlico, Secke1 & Warburg, Vintage), Simon & Schuster (includes Scribner) Ann Oughton. 11, Ramsay Garden, Edinburgh, EH I 2 A.(annoughton@tiscali.co.uk). Penguin (includes Hamish Hamilton, Viking, Michael Joseph, Allen Lane) , Bl ::>0msbury, Faber & Faber, Constable & Robinson, Transworld (includes Bantam Press, Black Swan, Doubleday, Corgi), Macmillan (inc ludes Pan, Picador, Sidgwick & Jackson)

Sally Zigmond. 18 Warwick Crescent, Harrogate , North Yorkshire , HG2 8JA (sallyz igmond@gmail.com): HarperCollins UK (inc lud es Flamingo, Voyager, Fourt l1 Estate), Orion Group (includes Gollancz, Phoenix , Weidenfeld & Nicolson, Casse ll ), Piatkus , Severn House, Solidus, Summersdale, The Women 's Press , House of Lochar Mary Moffat (Chi ldren's Historicals - all UK publishers), Sherbrooke, 32, Moffat Road, Dumfries , Scotland , DG l INY (sherbrooke@n1arysmoffat.ndo.co.uk)

REVIEWS EDITORS (USA)

Ellen Keith , Milton S Eisenhower Library , Johns Hopkins Univ., 3400 N Charles St , Baltimore , MD 21218-2683 (eke ith @ jhu .ed u) HarperCollin s (inc William Morrow , Avon, Regan, Ecco, Zondervan), Houghton Mifflin (including Mariner) , Farrar Strauss & Giroux, Ke ns in gton, Carroll & Graf. Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill. Trudi Jacobson , University Library , Unive rsity at Albany, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY, 12222 , USA (t jacobson@ua mail.a lban y.edu) Simon & Schu~ter(inc. Atria, Scribner, Touchstone, Washington Square, Warner, Little Brown, Arcade, WW Norton , Hyper io n , Harcourt , Toby, Akadine, New Directions, Harlequin , Medallion , C ripp en & Landru , Hilliard & Harris, Trafalgar Square Ilysa Magnus , 5430 Netherland Ave #C4 l , Bronx , NY , I 047 l , USA: (goodlaw2@optonline.net) St Martin's Press , Minotaur Books , Pi cador USA, Tor/Forge , Grove / Atlantic, Poisoned Pen Press, Soho Press , Dorchester, Tyndale

THE HISTORICAL OVEL SOCIETY O THE INTER ET:

WEBSITE: wv. w.historicalnovelsociety org. WEB SUPPORT: Sarah Johnson (cfsln@eiu.edu) EMAIL EWSLETTER: Read news and reviews. http: // groups.yahoo com/group/H S ewsletter DISCUSSION GROUP: Join in the discussion. http: //gro ups.yahoo.com/group/Historical ovelSociety

MEMBER HIP DETAILS :

Membership of the Historical Novel Society is by calendar year (January to December) and entitles members to all the year's publications: two issues ofSolander, and four issues of The Historical Novels Review. Back issues of society magazines are a lso available. Write for current rates to: Marilyn Sherlock, 38, The Fairway, Newton Ferrers , Devon , PL8 I DP, UK (ray.sherlock@macunlimited.net) or Debra Tash, 5239 North Commerce Ave., Moorpark CA 93021, USA, timarete@earthlink.net or Teresa Eckford, 49 Windcrest Court, Kanata, ON, Canada K2T I 13F (eckford@sympatico.ca). or P a trik a Salmon, Box 185, Turangi, New Zealand.(pdrlindsaysalmon@xtra.co.nz)

CONFERENCES:

The society organises annual conferences in the UK and biennial conferences in the US. Contact (UK): Richard Lee (richard@historicalnovelsociety.org) Contact (USA): Sarah Johnson (cfsln@eiu.edu)

COPYRIGHT remains in all cases with th e authors of th e articles. No part of this publica tion may be reproduced or transmitt ed in any form, without th e wrilten permission of th e authors co ncerned.

EDITORIAL POLICY Authors should be aware that reviews , articles and fellers may be cut, corrected and/or rearranged lo meet our space restrictions. We will endeavour to contact the authors for approval of any changes.

THE HISTORICAL NOVEL SOCIETY was formed in 199 7 to help promote historical fic ti on. All staff and contributors are volunteers and work unpaid. We arc: an open society- ifyou want to get invo l ved, get in touch. •

THE HISTORICAL N OVELS REVIEW

Issue 35 February 2006

ISSN 1471-7492

CONTENTS

Editorials Forum

Miss Bridget-Jane Members' News I 2 3 3

In Memoriam Pam Cleaver 3 Ruth Ginarlis on Geoffrey Robertson 3

Acts of Faith: Translation 5

Ruth Downie: The Big Roman Dig 7 Obsessions 8

FROM THE EDITORS

Just before Christmas I picked up Bret Easton Ellis' new novel, Lunar Park, and read it almost in one sitting. [t made me realise how starved I had become for contemporary fiction, and crystallised a decision which had been forming for some months, driven mainly by the need to find more time for my own writing. (Sorry, Bret. Influential but not that influential.)

I have decided this will be my last Review as UK Co-ordinating Editor. From the May edition, Bethany Skaggs will be taking over from me. Over the two and a half years I have done the job I have made some wonderful friends and read some fabulo;,is - and not so fabulous - books. I am very proud to have added film reviews to the magazine, and I hope this will expand in future as video technology becomes a larger part of all our lives. It was also a thrill to be given exclusive access to Miss Bridget Jane's diaries and [ look forward to her further amorous adventures.

I never fail to be touched by the amount of time writers are prepared to devote to the almost impossible task of giving interviews about their work - if you could talk about it, you wouldn't need to write it, after

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all. In situations as various as railway cafes and top London hotels, punctuated by cricket bulletins and uninvited contributions from the family Labrador, I have been lucky enough to listen to - and learn from - talented authors talking about the pleasures and pains of turning a tiny spark of imagination into a book.

Meeting Bernard Cornwell and Philippa Gregory for a round table discussion about historical fiction on Radio 4's Open Book was also a thrill.

Two big debates have dominated by time as UK editor: the role of research in historical fiction and the rise of print on demand and other forms of small scale, webbased publishing. As both seem likely to run and run, I'm glad to have the chance to come off the fence and join the debate.

Firstly, research. My favourite historical novel of recent years is Kathryn Harrison's A Thousand Orange Trees Its evocation of the oppressive, superstitious, terrifying and downright weird world of the Spanish Inquisition has great power and authenticity. It is sensuous and immediate in a way that truly takes your breath away. Yet in her afterword, Harrison tells the reader that she allowed the Princess Henrietta, the mother of Marie Louise de Bourbon, whose short, sad marriage to King Carlos II of Spain is one of the central stories of the novel, to live "years longer than she did in actuality" because she felt it would better serve the purpose of her novel. "It was the first lie which encouraged many more untruths," she confesses.

I read a manuscript recently in which a seduction scene was brought to a frustrating halt as the author carefully enumerated the articles of clothing the hero was removing from his mistress, the fabrics they were made of and how they were worn. The promise of illicit sex on a beach sadly translated into a V & A catalogue entry. Historical novelists must remember they are novelists first and foremost, for whom history serves merely as a prop, a source of plots and characters and intriguing curiosities. If the past is another country, historical novelists are not so much

the tour guides as the PR people who create the alluring adverts which beckon us in. We need to do the research in order to thoroughly immerse ourselves in the lives and times of our characters, in order to avoid merely writing modem novels in period dress, or - and there should be a special circle of hell for this - novels which patronise people from societies we perceive as more primitive than our own. But we must never become slaves to it, we must be prepared to jettison, disorder, conflate, to play as fast and loose with the facts as we need to to create good fiction.

The other great debate of my tenure has been around selfpublishing. While I recognise that there are many unethical companies which trade on authors' desire to see themselves in print to fleece them of exorbitant sums of money for very little return, I think it is misleading to judge all such ventures in the same terms as vanity publishing. The rise of the internet, coupled with advances in print technology and the increasing conservatism of the conventional publishing industry, which makes it harder for new writers to break through ( or existing ones to get their contracts renewed), have all led to an increase in self publishing and a product whose quality can easily match that of books from mainstream publishers. have read three separate articles recently - in The Bookseller, The Author and Mslexia - in which publishers' editors have confessed to being more inclined to trawl self-published works than their own slush piles. Regardless of what one thinks of this tendency to let the reading public do their work for them, if this is the way things are going, authors need to work with it rather than against it if they are to succeed in bringing their books to an audience.

And it may be a good thing, working in the same way as technology has enabled new musical artists to defy the big recording companies and produce chart topping albums in their garages or bathrooms. We are quick to complain about the cautious acquisitions policies of the big publishing houses, the commodification of books by

ISSUE 35 FEBRUARY 2006

supe11T1arkets and the dominance of Wottakers, so perhaps we need to be more open-minded about the grassroots reaction which is beginning to take place.

II only remains for me to wish Bethany the very best of luck in her new role, and to say how much I look forward to reading the Review under her editorship. And Bethany, should a self-published novel full of slipshod history come your way, don't bin it straight away - it might be mine!

They say good things come in threes. Historical fiction readers have good reason to celebrate, because new volumes in several popular trilogies will be published in the near future. In some cases, fans have been waiting for twenty years to read them. (Projected publication dates, where given, are current as of January 2006.)

- Judith Merkle Riley's The Water Devil, third in her immensely popular Margaret of Ashbury trilogy set in 14th century England, has been acquired by Crown Publishers for publication later this year. Crown/Three Rivers will be reprinting the first two parts of the series, A Vision of Light ( 1989) and fn Pursuit of the Green Lion (1990), in trade paperback; Vision of Light will appear this May. Until now, Water Devil was available only in Ge11T1an translation.

- Shortly after you read this, Pamela Kaufman's The Prince of Poison will be out in American bookstores, also from Crown. This highly anticipated third novel in the Alix of Wanthwaite trilogy follows Shield of Three Lions ( 1983) and Banners of Gold ( 1986), which were both republished in paperback in 2002. Together, they tell the story of a young woman's picaresque adventures in 12th century Europe and on the Third Crusade.

- Donna Gillespie reports on her website that Daughter of the Ash, second in an epic saga of ancient Rome and Germania, has been finally been acquired by an Englishlanguage publisher, Penguin Putnam. Like Water Devil, Daughter of the Ash was previously

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available only to Ge11T1an-speaking readers. The Light Bearer, Gillespie's debut novel, was published in 1994.

- And Publishers Weekly reports that Karleen Koen sold a novel that chronologically precedes Through a Glass Darkly ( 1986), her bestselling romantic epic, to Crown for publication in fall 2006. Described as "a prequel 20 years in the making," Dark Angels will be set in Charles Il's England and Louis Xi's France. Now Face to Face, a sequel to Through a Glass Darkly, appeared in 1995.

Congratulations to all four authors, and thanks to the editors and publishers who had the foresight to make these long-awaited works available. If you know of any other such examples, please write in.

In other news, we've started a new feature in the Review that we hope you'll enjoy. For each issue, the reviews editors will be selecting a small number of titles that we feel exemplify the best in historical fiction, based on what our reviewers thought of them. These novels will be designated as Editors' Choice titles (marked with a **), and the reviews will be reprinted on our website. Although we implemented Editors' Choice after the last issue went to press, you'll find our picks from November 2005 posted on the web. Do you agree with our choices? I'd be interested to hear what you think.

THE FORUM

From Alan Fisk via email

The article in the November issue of "Selander" about alternate history seems to be confillllation that this sub-genre has now been accepted as part of the historical fiction genre. It was previously considered as part of science fiction, possibly because it 2

was mainly SF writers who attempted it. Is there any other example of a type of novel moving from one genre to anothe r? I haven't often enjoyed alternate history, but I must try to put in another plug for my favourite, "Pasquale's Ange l" by Paul J. McAuley.

One last note on the 2005 UK Conference: those who hurried past "the most haunted house in London" evidently failed to spot the ghost in the upstairs corridor of the New Cavendish Club, which I had seen in the same place the previous year. I look forward to greeting it again if we return to the same venue!

From M. Skeggs of London

I thoroughly enjoy Solander and the Review but I do wish we could be spared the Americanisms such as 'installment' with two 'l's and 'alternate history' rather than 'alternative history'. I have nothing against Americanisms as such - they are often graphic and vigorous te11T1s which I use myself but I cannot see the necessity for them in these instances. Best wishes and carry on the good work.

Perhaps you are unaware that the Review is compiled by teams on both sides of the Atlantic, so we don't alter one another's spellings in the interests of Anglo-American harmony! SB

SALLY ZIGMOND SPRING-CLEANING RECORDS . I S HER

Not her CD collection but her list of reviewers. So, if you are on her list of reviewers but seem not to have heard from her for a while, could you make sure she has your latest email address? Also if you've changed your postal address as well, that might be useful.

If you are still on the list but no longer wish to be pestered with begging emails. then please also get in touch to be removed from the list.

If you are not on her list but fancy reviewing historical novels and selected non-fiction published by HarperCol!ins, Orion, Severn House and Piatkus for a kind but scatterbrained reviews editor, please get in touch. No specialist knowledge

ISSUE 35 FEBRUARY 2006

i' eljiiffetl, Jidl llii ei1lhi1Sim'i1t fur r••i1ding i7 wid•• r,111ge of historical jlcliuli uitd ui1 libi/if) • tu liuitui1i' deadlinex

And please ,tote Su/Ii"~· iteil' ,mwil addrrs f Jnr .wn11. sc.dh::Igm1wd(ii!,Ji;l11~

ML~s -g;rtdgetjitVve;s D~Cll,,rj

January 9th

2 o'clock

Am devastated r am not tc:, marry Lord Horty , but I have my pride. Cannot marry a mun who kis1ws cvi;ry woman in sight epedfliiy if it'~ iri my ~ight.

Jati@ry I0tli

Di;i;idGd to go to Bath for a rnst cure.

fanliary I I lli

Am bornd with resting , W(mt ctown ru klcehen In boardlnH iiou~i:: nnd begged n pieGe of ch0Gol1.1t1a: cake tfom chef. C:::het' I~ French and very volatile He pt1lled R trngiG face and handed me Il1e cake.

'Ah, You 'nve been Grossed in Pamour: he said. ·I, tou, know the pnngs of l 'nmom. '

Chef burst l!lco tears.

'Oh, there there , ' I soid, hostily crar@1ing the cake Imo my mouch. 'Who was she?'

'Nor she,· lie said, shaking his head "e •·e wns the most 'ondsome man I 'ave ever seen.' is name was Alfonse 'e wns o wniter nt the Cate Rouge. 'e smiled at me on a "ow you say? . , . ,starlight? , , , night and my '' cart; it did the winter~alli;.'

'Somersaults.'

'Ai; ye~ , the ,;ummerxfl lts, ·e takG mi; for a walk by !hG SGinc. kart, 'e ~ay • that i~ my 1iflme, Jean JGan, 't> aay , you ari; tlrn most Worii:ierful man I 'fiite ever met. I want to Spl;nd thG f(';SI of my lifo with yuu.'

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'That sounds marvellous,' I said encourngingly , 'Oui. We spent the most magical night togethe r, ' 'What happened?'

' T he next morning, when I woke up; 'e 'ad gone. And my secret redpe fo r Duck a Ia Reine 'ad gone with 'im:

'Oh, Tio,' I $aid, as he burst into frGsh floods of tears. 'Perhaps there w:H ~oriie mi~take. Perhaps you mislaid it-·

'NC1ri. My Duck a Ia Reine, it was fanwus \i had used me. 'e 'ad ~el our co Win me with 'is beautiful body , and thim 'e 'ad taken my gi::i.:rt:C recipe ilkt: a thief in the night. If I ever find 'im again,' he said, tislrtg tl'0m hl!i stool, and picking up the G!e11ver , 'I will cut out 'is black ' ea.IT a.rid I wlii serve it up to him on n bed of le spimich!'

Five post 2 Bear a ha,ny retreat from kitchen

Ten past 2 Wrote ti letter to Charlotte.

Dear Charlotte , Lord Horcy is a beast. The chef is a maniac. Am going to become a nun

BRAVA! BRAVA!

Rii tli 0 11Wn if'; whose feature on fiGtion and an;haeology appears on page 7, Ii&~ recent ly signed a two book deal with Penguin/Michael fo~eph in clie UK and Bloomsbury in the US Her first novel is prnvl~ionaliy titled Into the Slwdows , Mnny congratulations, Ruch.

There are rwo good reasons for not mentioning the next one, but I'm going lO anyway Your very own UK e{!itor, Sarilh Bowe r, won the 200.5 Cafe Writers Short Story Competition with The Archaeology uf kuiting. The story is not histnric11l , but you can read it an;,:way at W)Y.:\~. catewriters org.uk

Now l have set the tone for a lack of modesty , please do share your litera1y successes with us.

IN MEMORIAM

Long-time HNS member and contributor, Pam Cleaver, sadly died on November 23 rd last year. She had suffered from heart trouble for some time, though she never let this get in the way of leading as full and active a life as possib le - the only concession I saw her make was to renounce caffeine in favour of herbal teas!

Pam lived in a neighbouring village to mine and became a firm friend through our mutual interest in historical fiction. She was a shrewd cnt1c, funny and incisive, and herself a talented and experienced author and teacher. As well as many nove ls, Pam wrote an excellent guide to Writing A Children's Book, whose practical appeal goes far wider than only those engaged in writing for young people.

SB

She is sadly missed.

I never met Pam in person but I remember her as a perceptive and knowledgeable reviewer who always wrote to the point and never needed editing. She was a great advocate of historical fiction in general and historical romance in particular. Her kind but forthright presence will be missed , f'm sure, both in the Historical Novels Review and in the various internet discussion groups and biogs she visited.

Sarah Cuthbertson

LEGAL HISTORY

Ruth Ginarl is talks to Geoffrey Robertson, au t ho r of The Tyrannicide Brief.

Geoffrey Robertson is one of Britain's leading human rights lawyers. His book charts the career of the 17th Century Barrister John Cook. Cook was a champion of legal reform, and the outcome of his most famous case still has repercussions today. He prosecuted Charles l - for tyranny.

ISSUE 35 FEBRUARY 2006

RG: How did you make time for research and writing alongside your career as a human rights lawyer?

GR: With great difficulty and a lot of help from my wife - the novelist Kathy Lette - who values writing and is prepared to make sacrifices for mine. We have two demanding children and I owe her a child care debt that could only be repaid by a divorce settlement. I am an appeal judge at the UN ' s war crimes court in Sierra Leone but that is not full time and as a barrister I can make some time to research and write between my cases I worked a lot in th e British Library, s urrounded by the Thomason collection, but I am annoyed by its limited opening hours : never on Sunday and closed nights and early mornings. This really discriminates against those of us with a day job who want to contribute to scholarship It's a national disgrace, really , that our greatest research asset is closed more hours that it is open.

RG: Conrad Russell, in his book "Causes of the English Civil War" states that King James l was "the prince of dog s in the night time - to be applauded for what did not happen during his reign" To what e xtent wa s th e Ci v il War a c onsequence of Charles I's personality ?

GR : James can be applauded for keeping the country out of the continental wars but politically there was a sense of drift and a rising stench of corruption. His disreputable treatment of Ralegh had a big effect on the men who were eventually to bring down his son. The personality of Charles I was one of a number of factors that blocked the access to power in government and church by the Puritan professional and busine ss classes and so produced revolt rather than the alternative, namely reform under pressure I think the King lived much of his later life as if he was still performing in the Ben Jonson masks that were the delight of his early days. I have just been watching "Downfall" and I thought of Charles I in his bunker - Hurst

Castle - alternating fantasy and bitterness and messianic fervour.

RG: Charles inherited three kingdoms, and subjects with increasingly fractured views on religion. Was the Civil War an inevitable result of the legacy of the Reformation?

GR: No war is inevitable , whatever historians may think. The importance of religion is that it imbues people with the manic courage to go to war and die for a cause. It still does, regrettably. With the Puritans I think it fused with their equally passionate belief in liberty to give them the determination to overthrow Stuart absolutism. At a time when most believed the King to be divinely appointed, theirs was a truly magnificent obsession.

RG: Do you see the Civil War purely as a matter of interpretation of law - by both royalists and parliamentarians

GR: I consider that questions of what we would call constitutional law were of great importancecertainly to the lawyer MPs and their supporters at the Inns of Court who planned the opposition and eventual overthrow of the King. Edward Coke and his generation produced the theory and John Cooke took their teachings to a logical conclusion. The question - in the Five Knights case , Elliot's imprisonment, ship-money, Star Chamber and all the rest was always

whether the King was above the law - whether he was bound by the guarantees of Magna Carta and habeas corpus. There was of course a third way - constitutional monarchy - which appealed to nervous men (i.e. "moderates") on both sides but this was rejected by the King at the outset of the first civil war and by Cromwell at the onset of what would have been the third.

RG: The demographic curve reached a peak in the !640's. There was poverty and unpopular heavy taxation. Could the Civil War have been avoided?

GR: Of course - the power brokers in the nation were as ready for constitutional monarchy in 1642 as they were in 1689. The problem was that the King could not accept it - politically or spiritually - and the exhausted nation was not institutionally or psychologically equipped for republicanism when it came about so suddenly as the virtually unforeseen result of the King's trial in 1649.

RG: John Cooke championed widespread legal reform, especially with regard to equality before the law , and the rooting out of corrupt practice To what extent was this overturned after the Restoration?

GR: To a very great extent. Corruption was the order of the Restoration day. Cromwell had kept it in check and was notable for appointing the best candidates as judges, even though some (like Matthew Hale) were royalists. The judges of Charles II were lickspittles - malign creatures like Jeffries and Scrogs slimed their way onto the bench. They became, once again, subject to dismissal at the King's pleasure. Under Cromwell the British Navy, administered by Henry Vane and led by men like Blake and Dean , for the first time ruled the waves. By 1667 after the corruption under Monck and Sandwich and - yes - Samuel Pepys, we had the national humiliation of the Dutch ruling the Thames.

RG: What, in your view, would be Cooke ' s opinion on the state of

ISSUE 35 FEBRUARY 2006

Geoffrey Robinson © Jane Bown

legal reform today, for instance on such topics as detention without trial? Would he feel he had achieved his aims?

GR: Tantalising though it is, I have to be cautious about transporting Cooke to legal pract ice 350 years afterwards. 1 did say in my book that there is a sense in which it is the barristers and the prostitutes in London who have changed the least, and a surprising number of readers have taken issue with me over the prostitutes. You would have to ignore the religiosity which partly motivated Cooke, but I do think he would enjoy reading The Tyrannicide Brief and feel vindicated to think that we are at least getting on with "the great business" of ending the impunity of tyrants He would certainly have disagreed with detention without any prospect of a public trial.

RG: Your sympathies are clearly with the parliamentarians. Could you find a case for the King , given that any action was justified when, as he saw it, he was dealing with traitors?

GR: I am a lawyer - I can and will argue a case for anyone, given a brief to do so. The King refused the services of Matthew Hale for his trial and no doubt Ha le would have argued that the King was within his rights as then understood He would have had more difficulty with Cooke's evidence that Charles had commanded war crimes - the torture of prisoners of war, pillage and plunder and so forth. The King's lack of remorse for the deaths of one in ten Englishmen - even those on his own side - would pose a problem for any defence counsel in mitigating his punishment.

RG: The "mood" of the book changes about two thirds of the way through, there are more witty asides for example. There is a real sense of enjoyment in the writing. Was it a labour of love, and has Cooke influenced your choice of career?

GR: Maybe this is because the book moves into less chartered territory - I am writing about the rigged trials of the Restoration, quite

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shamefully overlooked by English historians. They take place at the O ld Bailey where I spent so many years defending the dissidents in the 70s and alleged terrorists in the 80s and I am, so to speak, at home alone. I think - and maybe I flatter myself - that I understand what was going on, in ways that non-legal historians have not been able to comprehend. Cooke did not influence my choice of career - I stumb led upon him only recently - but there is something of his spirit in all lawyers who take an interest in civil liberties. I enjoyed the writing at this point, yes - I was, after all, exposing a massive miscarriage of justice.

RG: You have written "The Tyrannicide Brief', and Jonathan Sumption QC is working on the third volume of his epic history of the Hundred Years War. Do you feel that lawyers can bring an especially forensic insight to an historical subject?

GR: Professionally lawyers have contributed more to history than is generally recognised , through conducting celebrated trials and writing landmark judgements, and by running the commissions and enquiries which collect so much archival material. But we do sometimes need to question these legal sources - to explain, for example, how often the evidence accepted by credulous historianse.g. the evidence given in the regicide trials - resulted from perjury or was otherwise tainted by what goes on "behind the scenes". 1 have pointed out in The Tyrannicide Brief some of the howlers perpetuated by distinguished historians in covering the trial of Charles I - perhaps the most important event in British history I am a great admirer of historians - I can't think of a more useful or noble calling and wish I had followed it myself. So perhaps I should simply reinforce the advice given by the great Edward Coke "to the grave and learned writers of histories" namely "to meddle not with any part of the laws of the realm before they confer with some learned in that profession".

ACTS OF FAITH

Adelaida de Lucena Lower reflects on the art of reading in translation

I was fourteen when I decided to learn English. The idea came to me on a summer night, after watching a play, part of a program entitled "Festivales de Espana," in which first-rate theater actors interpreted works by great authors. Generally, these authors were Spaniards of the so called "Golden Age," writers such as Lope de Vega and Calderon de la Barca. That particular evening however, the National Theater Company had chosen something different, "Julius Caesar" by William Shakespeare.

The stage was magnificent, the courtyard of the Palace of the Archbishop in Alcala de Henares, my hometown , a spot filled with history. Inside, Queen Isabel of Castile had met Christopher Columbus; there too she had given birth to Catherine of Aragon. With Renaissance towers on one side and St. Bernard Monastery's sober fac;;ade as backdrop , the municipal government had erected a simple wooden platform (what else would you need to bring to mind ancient Rome?). I sat in awe as the sun went down and the tribunes Flavius and Marullus appeared on stage. Addressing a "rabble of citizens," Flavius boomed Shakespeare's immortal words: "i A casa! jCriaturas perezosas, marchaos a casa! ,!Que es esto, unafies ta ?"

During the play 's intermission I ran into Ms. Guadalupe Munoz , my Literature teacher, and I told her I was in love with Shakespeare. She smiled knowingly, sighing, "I wish I could read him in English!" I recall wondering why. Was there any difference between what I had heard and what English speakers experienced? By the time the play was finished I had made up my mind , I was going to read Shakespeare in English.

My father being a librarian, I had a good sampling of world literature . All of a sudden however, because of my teacher's comment, I began to question every word I had read. The thought that many of my

ISSUE 35 FEBRUARY 2006

favorite authors were foreigners had not even crossed my mind. In shock, I begin to analyze the implications. Did the words on the pages really belong to the authors or to the translators? What could I do?

As a reader , the choices were slim. Stay within the bounds of Spanish literature? That struck me as narrow and timid. Learn languages? That was doable, but gazing at my bulging bookshelves made me feel inadequate. How many languages was I supposed to learn ? Of course, I could just go on doing what [ had been doing all along: trusting translators, taking it on faith.

About that time I picked up The Gardener, a slim volume of poems by Rabindranah Tagore and, for the first time ever, I searched for the translator's name. It was, the preface said, Zenobia Camprubi, a poet in her own right. I read it warily, wondering how close had Ms. Camprubi remained to Tagore's work.

The philosopher Ortega y Gasset once stated that a translator must know two languages to perfection. They must understand not only the semantic differences between words--easy stuff-but be able to render the author's symbolism, evoke what may be a foreign literary genre, and, era ft an alien culture. In Spain, since the remote days of the School of Translators of Toledo, founded in I 085 after Alfonso VI conquered the city, the importance of translating has been clear. It was then and continues to be , we a country with four full-grown languages (Basque, Catalonian, Galician-Portuguese, and Castilian), often in conflict with one another.

Translating presupposes the idea, the wrong idea, that every word has an equivalent in another language. That is not the case, as I quickly learned when I ventured beyond Spanish. In Brazilian Portuguese , for example, the word jeito may be translated as 'skill' but also as 'cunning,' 'charm,' and 'stratagem.' Jeito has layers of meaning and may be misinterpreted if translated narrowly. There is no single adequate rendition for this term - none that I am aware ofwhich is why English speakers will often incorporate it into their

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vocabulary when living in Brazil. Mirra Ginsburg, who translated Dostoevsky, said, "T ranslation is a struggle with impossibility losses must be accepted as inevitable ."

Losses are magnified in certain languages. Not long ago, chatting with a Japanese acquaintance I happened to mention a US magazine that published haikus written in English. "Ha ikus?" he replied frankly , "Should be called something else." There was no way, he added, for English-speaking writers to equal the Japanese poetic form, mostly because 17 syllables (or 5-7-5) in Japanese were not comparable to the same number in English; English syllables carried more information. Moreover, English was not as flexible as Japanese. That being the case, what were translators to do? And what are we, readers, getting when we read a Japanese poem in translation? Should we even bother?

In a review of "Beyond Self: 108 Korean Zen Poems" by Ko Un (Korean Literature Today, Spring 1998), Kevin O'Rourke, reviewer, translator, and an Irish Columban priest who lives and teaches in South Korea, wrote: "Form has posed huge problems for translators of Korean poetry... The translator studies the original to see how the poet utilizes his tools and he creates in English a form adequate to express what the original poet tried to express. Most. will agree that the translator shapes the original poem into an original English format and in the process inevitably put less or more of himself into it." In other words, the further you travel from the original work's milieu, the more "creative" the resulting translation will necessarily have to be.

When dealing with masterpieces, this creativeness generates waves of anxious hand-wringing, especially amongst scholars. Robert Fagles' enormously successful translations of The Odyssey and The Iliad were hailed as "energetic" and "relentless," but some fretted that Mr. Fagles had "put too much of himself' into the ancient texts. Academics were scandalized by the reviewers ' enthusiastic praise of his works, thought to be improvements not only over previous translations

but over tedious Homer himself, with his stuffy, old-fashioned epithets, alienating diction, and bewildering syntax. Fagles' Homer begged the question , should a translator modify an ancient work to suit a contemporary audience's tastes?

My answer-a resounding H ell, yes-is prejudiced by the excruciating memories of trying to translate Homer while learning ancient Greek. Or the even more recent and humiliating experience of tackling Korean, and then-t hanks to heaven for translators-finding Kevin O' Rourke's lovely renditions of shijo, traditional Korean songs. Unless you are Joseph Conrad or Jorge Luis Borges, what is the alternative, I ask you. Devoted readers with a passable knowledge of the language should always opt for bilingual editions, or, in the case of ancient language s, own several translations (I place Robert Fagles' work next to Richmond Lattimore's. Neither is Homer, Homer is the wellspring from which they both draw).

Culture, a people's shared stock, places another obstacle in the translator's way. Within our tribes, we often communicate in shorthand. Gestures are tacitly understood, social structure is clear, and traditions taken for granted. These are considerations good translators keep in mind. Throw in the added weight of centuries or a vastly different civilization and the translator / interpreter's task becomes educated guesswork, guesswork that must be supplemented by notes providing social, literary , or historical context.

Yet, we can also make too much out of our differences. On the year in which Spain is celebrating the 400 anniversary of the publication of Don Quixote, l am reminded of the tremendous and early impact this novel had. Hefty volumes have been written regarding its "me rely adequate translations" and notorious word slipups ("doncellas"maids- becoming "party girls"). Even so, Don Quixote influenced writers such as Fielding, Twain, Kafka, Dostoevsky, Flaubert, and Thomas Mann. In Historia de la Literatura Universal (History of

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World Literature, Vol. 5, Planeta, 1984) the Spanish editors ruefully commented: "Faster in other countries than in his own homeland, Don Quixote was recognized as a comic work first, then as a profound, poetic novel and a masterpiece of world literature" (my translation). Imagine that. The world got Don Quixote in translation before we, Spaniards, did, reading him in what we proudly call now "the language of Cervantes."

That Thomas Shelton's version of Don Quixote, Part I (The Hist ory of the Valorous and Wittie Knighterrant, Don Quixote de la Mancha) would appear in England in I612, even before Cervantes wrote Part II, is further testimony of my belief that, no matter how great our linguistic and societal differences happen to be, translating is an indispensable bridge and a boon to cultural exchange, because language is , above all else, a vehicle for ideas.

The Sword of Truth - or the Trowel of Damocles?

Ruth Downie on letting sleeping eagles lie ( or not)

There is, I was recently assured, a Roman legion buried somewhere in Scotland. "They marched up there," said my informant, "And never came back ."

Rosemary Sutcliffs much-loved story of the lost legion, The Eagle of

the Ninth, is still in print and still shaping many people's understanding of the history of Roman Britain. It was inspired by the discovery of a bronze Roman eagle under the fields of Silchester, coupled with the fact that nobody knew what happened to the Ninth Legion after it marched north. It's easy to see how these facts combined to fire a writer's imagination. And, dear reader, if you want to keep that legend alive, look away now

Still with me? Right. There is, according to greater minds than mine , no evidence that the Ninth vanished mysteriously. Roman legions were frequently moved to meet strategic demands. The evidence merely shows that at one stage the Ninth were stationed in York , and at a later stage they weren't. This, one suspects, would not have given Sutcliff much of a problem. However, during the fifty years since The Eagle of th e Ninth was published , further evidence has emerged. The Ninth have been placed in the Netherlands (although the dating is apparently tricky) and other theorie s place them elsewhere in Europe and even in Africa. Whatever their end, it seems unlikely they met it in Scotland.

As for the eagle - a trip to Reading Museum's website reveals that it is not a military eagle at all, but probably part of a figure of an emperor or a god.

Rosemary Sutcliff took a keen interest in archaeology and strove to make her work historically accurate. One wonders whether , had she learned what we now know, she would ever have finished the novel. As a result , millions of readers might now have a firmer grip on history - but far less interest in it.

The archaeologist's job is to seek evidence that will point to the truth. The fiction writer's job is to steal a pinch of that truth and clothe it in plausible lies . The novelist surely has a duty to try and get the known facts right - or at least grasp what they are and admit it when they have been bent a little - and the archaeologist can perhaps allow a little poetic licence. But the problem for the novelist is that the shapes of the gaps in which the imagination is

free to work change as archaeology advances . It matters little that the town we once thought the Romans called Corstopitum was actually Coria. It won't matter much if the name of some hitherto unknown officer pops up on a buried tombstone (unless he was with the Ninth) or we learn more intricate details of Roman underwear. Frankly, a little more detail about Roman underwear would be welcome. But who would have imagined that Roman military records would be preserved under the soil of Northumberland? What if the lost histories of Tacitus should come to light? Great news for the pursuit of truth. Bad news for any writer currently engaged in filling a gap that's suddenly disappeared. While the novelist taps away at the keyboard, who's to say that some archaeologist isn't out there trowelling up something that will change our understanding of Roman Britain - and wreck the plot?

It might not take much Archaeologists are smart. Archaeologists and historians were recruited into the Intelligence services during the Second World War because of their ability to deduce accurate information from scanty and random evidence. It' s said that after the war Professor Eric Birley had the satisfaction of finding that he had worked out more about the Gennan Army as a whole than most of the captured German officers he was interrogating

There might have been a time when changes in evidence didn't matter. News of archaeology's less glamourous discoveries - we're not talking about the tomb of Tutankhamen here , just broken pots , old ditches and the odd scrap of lost jewellery - might once have stayed safely hidden in obscure journals. Those days are gone. " Time Team" has brought live archaeology into everybody's living room. And last summer, they set out to reveal the emerging truth about Roman Britain.

One of the digs at which they chose to film was Whitehall Villa in Northamptonshire exciting news for the team who work there every summer, of which I am privileged to be a part

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Lest anyone should think archaeo logy is all excitement, let me reveal that preparations for Time Team's arrival included severa l gruelling days of weeding. Three of us also had the chance to conduct a preliminary excavation inside the Site Supervisors' caravan, untouched since last year's dig. Early finds of abandoned rubbish indicated their hasty departure, and there was clear evidence of later occupation by wildlife. Conclusive proof - a rare joy in archaeology - emerged when a cupboard turned out to be housing a family of nesting mice.

Mercifully things had improved by the time the television crews arrived. I naively expected an expert or two and a couple of chaps in a Ford Transit. Instead, we welcomed about thirty people , three big trucks, a motorhome, a catering van, a marquee for the crew to dine in and the poshest loo s ever seen in the field since the demise of the Roman baths.

That evening enthusiastic presenters ran around the hillside introducing viewers to a smart Roman home with external bathhouse. In the background, rows of windswept volunteers were helping the truth about Roman Britain to emerge by trowelling up mud and shovelling it into buckets that nobody wanted to empty. (This was partly because we were exhausted, having worked all day, but mainly because the wheelbarrow was at the far end of a narrow plank, and no-one wanted to fall off it on national television.)

Time Team explained that the owners of the villa would have been local people with aspirations who'd done well under Roman rule. Viewers were treated to a cardboard cutout of a giant sheep to illustrate how the livestock had improved, and a reconstruction of a lovely but fragmented glass bearing a gladiator picture, found during careful sifting of sludge from the bath-house. They also took the opportunity to dispel a common myth. Ambitious Britons did not all abandon their round houses after the invasion and move into Roman-style homes with corners. Whitehall's residents kept both in use at the same time. At least, that's what the evidence indicates At the moment.

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Writers have th e freedom to fill gaps, but archaeo logists have the freedom to change their minds. Time Team fans wi ll recall how theor ies can s hi ft overnight. Tony Robinson has been known to return 'after the break ' in accusatory mood. "Yeste rday, Mick, you said we'd got a palace. This morning it's a pig pen. What's going on?"

The Big Roman Dig revealed more than finds from the ground. It also demonstrated that even when archaeologists make their minds up, they don't always agree. The three experts around the Time Team table in Somerset frequently contradicted each other and there were further disagreements when someone else suggested that the Roman invaders weren't really invaders. They were more sort of - invited guests. Readers of Manda Scott and Simon Scarrow, both of whom write about the invasion period , will be hoping this theory doesn ' t catch on

There was one moment , though, when the Big Roman Dig showed fiction to be simply and gloriously right. Nobody familiar with Lindsey Davis' first Falco novel will have been surprised by what happened on the site of a former lead and silver mine. Even after two thousand years, the ground was still so hideously polluted that digging was abandoned, lest the volunteers keel over with arsenic poisoning. With little to show except disappointed archaeologists in protective suits, Time Team turned to Victor Ambrus. Gazing at his illustration of a devastated industrial landscape while the presenter specu lated on the appalling conditions for Roman miners, I thought , "Of course. That's exactly how it was. I read about it in The Silver Pigs."

How ever, leaving aside this rare and happy conjunction of fiction and arsenic, where does all this leave the historical novelist? If the experts can't agree, how can the novelist decide what "known facts" to build on?

Clearly the "trut h" about our history is far more complex than many of us imagine Maybe the novelist just has to seize the moment, go with whichever version of the past in spires, and hope for the best. 8

It 's recent ly been suggested that there's an emerg in g pattern of catastro phi c fires in big Roman vill as, a ll around th e same period. Was there a nother British rebellion that history has fai led to record? Subject for a novel, anyone? Write it quickly, before the mystery is solved. But don't, please, suggest that it's linked to the fate of the Ninth. Whatever the evidence, in our hearts we know where they are. They're in Scotland.

Whitehall Villa website: www.whit ehallvilla.co.uk

Big Roman Dig website: ht1p: llwww.channel4.cnm/his torvl mi crosites/Blbigromandig/index. isp R eading Museum's Si/chester pages: hup :/lw11 •w. readingmuseum. org. uk/c ollectionsl s i /chester. htm

Sarah Cuthbertson on Rosemary Sutcliffe's The Mark of the Horse Lord

When Sarah Bower invited me to contribute to the HNR's Obsessions series, there was only one choice of book for me. So I brought out and reread for perhaps the seventh or eighth time in recent years my enduring favourite of Rosemary Sutcliff's novels for children - The Mark of the Horse Lord. I am, incidentally, the proud possessor of a first edition (pub li shed by th e Oxford University Press in 1965 and vividly illustrated by Charles Keeping), courtesy of my husband who received it as a fourteenth birthday present, long before l knew him.

Opening the book never fails to bring back to me the thrill of my first reading, the most inspired borrowing from the school library l ever did I remember how quickly Sutcliff drew me into the world of her characters and caught me fast in the web of her storytelling, so that I was no mere looker-on, but a member of Phaedrus 's gladiator family, a tribesman dancing to the rhythm of the wolfskin drum , a warrior taking up his weapons for battle And, fin a ll y, gradually but dramatically, I became Phaedrus himself, as he prepared to meet his fate.

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As I settled into the story this latest time, SutclifT's web enmeshed me every bit as strongly as it did the first time. I was enthralled, excited and moved. And at the ending, I experienced the same sharp pang of shock I had felt at that first reading, when I didn't want Phaedrus's story to end the way it did, though something in me knew that this was the only fitting end. Any other would have been a betrayal of the story and of the people who lived it. And in its way the ending, though tragic, left me with a feeling of exhilaration , as I'm sure it was meant to

So - The Mark of the Horse Lord has for me lost none of its magic But what is that magic? I don't want to kill the dream with a feeble attempt at lit-crit, but I do want to set down a few thoughts about Sutcliffs magic that came to me as I read.

Her thrilling and thoughtprovoking storytelling is woven out of strong threads that draw the reader into the Romano-British world of The Mark of the Hors e Lord, and indeed into all of her novels:

First, there are the characters, who spring fully-formed from her pages in all their quirky individuality and take possession of the reader's heart. In Horse Lord we meet the blinded Midir, Conory, "who wore a wildcat for a collar", and Phaedrus the Gladiator, whose chancy freedom brings strange fulfilment.

Then we have the themes that drive the characters through their heart-stopping adventures: friendship and love , belonging and notbelonging, the struggle with some crippling handicap of mind or body, or both - and, perhaps above all, sacrifice: the willing sacrifice of the chieftain or king for he good of his people. All these are themes that Sutcliff comes back to again and again in her writing, but of all her novels for children it's perhaps in The Mark of the Horse Lord that they're played out most fully. And they're demanding themes , whose darkness and complexity make the novel as rewarding for adults as it is for children.

And finally, though not least, there's the world the characters live

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in which becomes as real to readers as their own. In Sutcliff's hands, the natural world of weather and landscape , of fauna and flora, is more than a backcloth; it's a character in its own right, vivid and three-dimensional. Thanks , I'm sure, to her early training as an artist and keen observer of nature, she paints with a few deft strokes everything from cloud shadow across the broad sweep of heather moors to the wistfulness of winter twilights, from the green, fragrant canopy of a forest to the painterly detail in a falling leaf or the spiral of smoke rising from a fire of apple boughs. This is a world that we readers can touch and smell and feel; a world we can inhabit much (but not exactly) as her characters inhabit it. And the imagery Sutcliff uses to bring her world alive is entirely right and fitting for its purpose It strikes me that there's no self-conscious artifice in its making. It's natural and unforced, hewn simply and powerfully out of the fabric of the world her people live in.

My response to Sutcliff's fiction is almost wholly an emotional one, so this is more than enough spellbreaking analysis. All I would like to say in conclusion is that without Sutcliff's novels in general and The Mark of the Horse Lord in particular, I probably never would have entered the richly-inhabited realm of historical fiction or embarked upon a lifelong interest in Roman Britain And I daresay I'm not the only HNS member for whom this is true.

'An Appreciation of Rosemary Sutcliff' by Sandra Garside-Neville appeared in Solander 8, December 2000 (pp 2-5). The article is also available on the HNS website at http://www.historicalnovelsociety.or g/ solander%20files / ro semary_ sutclif f.htm

For more on Rosemary Sutcliff and her books, visit the following biogs: http: //blueremembered.blogspot.com/ http: i/rosemarysutcli!T.blogspot.com

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The HNS Book Ordering Service can supply any book reviewed in Historical Novels Reviews , including books published abroad. Please contact Sarah Cuthbertson at sarah76cuthbert@!aol.com or O1293 884898 with the titlc(s) you want and she will give you a quote from the cheapest Internet source, to include postage and packing. Customers can benefit from discounts on many titles , and will usually pay only UK postage on overseas books. Books will be delivered directly to the customer whenever possible. Please note, this service is only available to members who do not have internet access.

Alternatively, the US Reviews Editors will buy books for you in the US to trade for UK titles: please contact Sarah Johnson (cfslnli:i),eiu.edu), Trudi Jacobson readbks(allocalnet.com or Ilysa Magnus (goodlaw2@aol.com). Sarah Cuthbertson can contact them on your behalf if you don't have email.

Overseas Members

The following UK members are interested in trading books with overseas members, including wishlists and secondhand books: Rachel A. Hyde, 2 Meadow Close, Budleigh Salterton, Devon EX9 6JN, Tel: +44 1395 446238, Email: rachelahydc@ntlworld.com (Rachel will also trade Fantasy & SF). Sarah Cuthbertson (contact details above). Please let Sarah know if you would like to join this list. ISSUE 35 FEBRUARY 2006

ANCIENT HISTORY

DAY OF THE FALSE KING

Brad Geagley, Simon & Schuster, 2006, $24.00,hb,255pp,0743250818

lt is 1150 B.C. and Ramses, pharaoh of Egypt, needs the healing power of the Babylonian god, Bal-Marduk. He sends Semerket, his Clerk of Investigations and Secrets, to Babylon to negotiate the idol's voyage to Egypt. Ramses also has information about Semerket's wife Naia banished to Babylon for her acciden~l rol~ in the Harem Conspiracy. Ramses is now prepared to revoke the banishment should Semerket be able to find Naia.

Semerket arrives into the pandemonium that is Babylon. The city is rife with violence and political intrigue. The Elamite king's sister has disappeared. His condition now for sending the idol to Egypt: that Semerket find his sister.

This is a fast-paced, complex story that weaves expertly through a chiaroscuro of vivid scenes peopled with pungent characters. The author constructs the plot around a wealth of historical information, so colorful in its own right that it needs no embellishment to keep us turning pages. I cannot resist mentioning the Chamber of Insects and the Temple of Ishtar as places to watch for.

I leave it to the reader to discover the outcome of Semerket's mission. If the book is true to its ending, we will see more of Semerket. 1 cannot wait for the next instalment.

Lucille Cormier

BIBLICAL

THE STRENGTH OF HIS HAND

Lynn Austin, Bethany House, 2005 , $12.99, pb, 330pp,0764229915

The tiny kingdom of Judah has prospered under King Hezekiah, who has tom down the idols and reestablished the worship of Yahweh. But the peace is shattered when Hezekiah discovers that his beloved wife has vowed to sacrifice their firstborn to a fertility goddess. Appalled by his wife's betrayal of Yahweh , Hezekiah casts her aside. Then an envoy from the king of Babylon arrives in Jerusalem , bearing priceless gifts and urging Hezekiah to lead a rebellion against Assyria. Proud that he is being granted so much respect, Hezekiah ignores the warnings of the prophet, Isaiah , and signs a treaty with Babylon. The revolt is a failure, and an Assyrian army is soon encamped outside the gates of Jerusalem.

This third book of Austin's Chronicle of the Kings maintains the drama and excitement of the series. Although it is a weakness that many of the characters seem one-dimensional , the plot moves swiftly and the tension builds to its climax. The

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malevolence of the Assyrian army is palpable, and the reader cares about the fate of the city. Austin excels at using subplots to highlight the theme of rebellion against Yahweh. This series is a must-read for all who enjoy biblical fiction.

Nancy J. Attwell

RAHAB'S STORY

Ann Burton, Signet, 2005, $6.99/C$9.99, pb,284pp,0451216288

Forced from her family home by a scheming stepmother, Rahab becomes a prostitute at the House of Palms , whjch stands against Riha's city walls. Here she must hide her Jewish heritage, for the tribes that left Egypt under Moses's leadership half a century before are camping across the Jordan River, and the inhabitants of the city are expressing their fear of the nomads by beheading any they can capture. When she befriends two spies from the camp, Rahab becomes even more vulnerable. Not only is the king hunting the spies, but he is raising a temple to Moloch, a god whose worship demands opposition to many of her people's teachings

This is an excellent example of a novel created to tell the story of a little-known Biblical woman. Rahab is strong, likable and human, and appears to act like a woman of her time and culture. The setting is deftly presented; it really did feel like the city of Jericho before the walls fell to Joshua. I believe this is achieved in part by the judicious use of terms derived from Canaanite, Hebrew, Aramaic and Ugaritic, which are listed in a glossary. Told in the first person, the pages turned easily , and I look forward to the next novel in Ann Burton's Women of the Bible series.

Claire Morris

BYWAY OF THE WILDERNESS

Gilbert Morris, Bethany House, 2005, $12.99,pb,284pp,0764229206

Moses should have been murdered at birth according to the Egyptian Pharaoh's decree. However, not only does he survive, he is raised as Egyptian royalty and ultimately gwdes rus people, the Hebrews, out of s lavery toward the Promised Land. Moses is saved when God instructs rus mother to float him down the Nile in a reed basket, where he is discovered and adopted by the Pharaoh's daughter. Moses eventually learns of rus Hebrew family and is chosen by God to lead them.

Morris's fictionalized retelling of Exodus conforms to the Bible's rendition by including events such as the plagues , burning bush, parting of the Red Sea, writing of the Ten Commandments and God's punishment when the Hebrew~ lose their faith. Morris also explores the significance of the twelve tribes and speculates on the feelings of Moses Aaron and Miriam, among others. Intertwined ar~ small romantic elements such as the relationship between Bezalel and Shani important figures in the future ofisrael. '

Familiarity with the Biblical text is useful, but not necessary, to understand this pleasant and somewhat didactic novel , fifth in the Lions of Judah series.

Suzanne Sprague

JESUS: A NOVEL

Walter Wangerin, Jr., Zondervan , 2005, $19.99, hb,400pp,0310266734

Pub. in the UK by Lion Hudson , 2005, £14.99,hb,368pp,074595202X

Noted author Wangerin (The Book of th e Dun Cow, The Book of God, etc .) presents a very readable version of the story of Jesus of Nazareth. Using the four Gospels as his source, he has created a flowing narrative of Christ's life on earth, including his crucifixion and resurrection. Jesus is portrayed accurately as a divine yet very human personage, as viewed through the eyes of his mother Mary and the disciple called "Beloved." While Jesus is the novel's focus, all the supporting characters are here, from Mary and Joseph to John the Baptist, Simon Peter, and Mary Magdalene. All the well-known episodes of Jesus's life are covered: the childhood Temple visit, the feeding of the multitudes, Jesus's teaching through the parables, the raising of Lazarus from the dead , etc. Although Wangerin's writing is thoughtful and intelligent, he makes minimal use of period details, his characterizations Jack depth , and at times his language is too modem sounding. Readers looking for something more imaginative will be disappointed , but for those desiring a no-frills retelling of Jesus's life, this is an excellent choice.

Michael I. Shoop

CLASSICAL

THE RETURN FROM TROY

Lindsay Clarke, HarperCollins , 2005, £17.99 , hb, 485pp, 000715027X. To be published in US June 2006.

Troy has fallen, the city has been looted and destroyed, the population massacred and the victorious Argive kings and heroes are free to return to their homes. But Poseidon favoured Troy over Argos. The Sea God raises terrible storms to wreak revenge on the treasure-laden ships. Half the fleet founders, men and gold are lost to the sea. Many of the kings who survive to reach their lands discover that their wives abandoned for IO years of warfare, hav; taken lovers to rule in their place, find their gates Jocked against them and are banished. These heroes are the lucky ones. In Mycenae, Agamemnon is murdered, the latest horror to strike the House of Atreus while Menelaus and Helen flee to Egypt.

The core of the novel is Odysseus' story. As the inventor of the Wooden Horse, it is he who brought about the violent downfall of Troy. He is appalled by the mindless slaughter and the emptiness of

a victory that has achieved nothing but a train of betrayals, murders and treason throughout Greece. Fearing his wife and son will be repelled by his blood-sodden presence , he wanders the Mediterranean for IO years. Shipwrecks and various adventures distract him. After submitting to rites of purification and a dalliance with Calypso, he finally dares to return to Ithaca and the family awaiting him.

Clarke's research is thorough and his picture of the Ancient World is vivid. The futility of war is eloquently put across. However, as he is a Whitbread winner retelling a tale so well known, it seems reasonable to expect new insights into the protagonists and events. But the characters, with the exception of Aegisthus and sometimes, Odysseus, come across like puppets going through a routine, not people struggling with fate. Perhaps this is his intention and I am unfair to want more Lynn Guest

SAND OF THE ARENA

James Duffy, McBooks, 2005, $23.95, hb, 4 I6pp, 159013 I I 18

It seems there's a craze for everything Roman these days, and Sand of the Arena offers a compelling reason why. This book takes the infamous spectacles so glamorized by Hollywood and shows us the actual workings behind all the carnage and dust. Duffy 's research is prodigious, and his narrative is peppered with fascinating details, from the trapdoors and mechanical lifts used to transport wild animals into the amphitheatre to the different classes of gladiators, their fighting methods , and weaponry. His action sequences are also impressive , exciting, and, at moments , almost unbearable to read-in particular when describing the slaughter of lions , crocodiles, and other animals, not to mention human beings, in the name of entertainment. 1n a clever allusion to the modem world, he imbues his gladiators with the flashy showmanship, gargantuan musculature, and evocative pseudonyms we've come to associate with television wrestling matches, making the fighters larger than life whenever they step before the crowds.

Unfortunately, what works on the sand doesn't work quite as well when it comes to the lead character and one important plotline While the hero Quintus's transformation from privileged patrician to prized taurine fighter captivates our imagination, Quintus's conflict over the terrible fate thrust upon him lacks the fiery quest for retribution we would expect. This leaves us with a central figure whose overwhelming confidence and Zen-like acceptance makes us worry a little less for him than we otherwise might.

On the other hand , Duffy's villains are delightfully drawn, depraved yet very human in their vulnerabilities, almost to the point of overshadowing the other characters. Still, Petra, the cranky overseer of the

THE HISTORICAL NOVELS REVIEW

gladiatorial school, the female fighter Amazonia, and nimble African hunter Lindani are unforgettable, and the novel delivers best where it should: in the arena.

C.W. Gertner

FIRE AND BRONZE

Robert Raymond, ibooks, 2005, $22.95 / C$30.95, hb, 483pp, 1596871202

Little is known of the real Queen Dido of Carthage. As legend has it, she was a princess of Tyre who fled her homeland when her plot against her royal brother failed. Together with other exiles, she founded Carthage, a city in North Africa whose power would challenge Rome centuries later. In a suitably dramatic finale , to escape a forced marriage that would put Carthage in thrall to a foreign power, she immolated herself upon a pyre

Fire and Bronze opens with Dido's death, then recounts her life from childhood on. When Princess Elisha's sickly father dies, Tyre is in tunnoil. Her cunning older brother, the new King Pumayyaton, charms the commoners, incurring the nobles' wrath. With the help of her uncle/husband, the high priest of Melqart, Elisha manipulates the political situation to her advantage. Although her coup is ultimately unsuccessful , it propels her on to a greater destiny . The Libyans , whose lands she appropriates, derisively call her Dido ("the wandering one"} , yet she takes the name as a badge of honor.

This es entially plot-driven novel creatively fills gaps in her story, such as how Elisha manages to escape Tyre with much of its wealth. Her worthy partner in her early adventures is Bitias , an admiral whose romance with Elisha takes second place to her queenship. Details on religion, housing, and shipbuilding add plenty of color, as do examples from the Phoenicians' vowel-less written language (though these words look quite odd in dialogue). Elisha occasionally seems overly brilliant for her age; I found it unlikely that a pre-teen, as she is in the novel's first part, would have so much political acumen. Yet I believe readers who seek out ancient settings will enjoy this stirring novel of a legendary queen and her times.

Sarah Johnson

1ST CENTURY

A BITTER CHILL

Jane Finnis, Poisoned Pen Press, 2005, $24.95 / C$34.95, hb , 352pp, 1590581938

This second book in the Oak Tree mansio series is just as engaging as the first, Get Out or Die. Aurelia Marcella continues to run the government-approved inn near Eburacum (modem York). The year is 95 A.D., and the holiday of Saturnalia is quickly approaching. While the owner and staff of the mansion are hoping for a holiday without overnight guests, their wish is not to be granted. Three especially fine carriages arrive, disgorging their passengers only after

a servant has confirmed that the accommodations are respectable One of the passengers is the extraordinarily unpleasant aunt of the Governor of the province of Britannia, and she is accompanied by her ill husband and their second son, along with their lawyer, physician, and a number of slaves. She and her husband are looking for their elder son, in order to put a stop to his marrying beneath his station. And while Aurelia and her sister are trying to deal with this extremely demanding group, they are approached by an unpleasant band of outlaws, who demand protection money to keep them from destroying their property Written in the first person , this mystery combines vivid description s of the period and customs with murder and mayhem aplenty.

Trudi E. Jacobson

** EMPEROR: The Gods of War Conn lggulden , HarperCollins , Jan 2006, £12.99,hb,436pp,007l64769

Pub in US, Delacorte Press, March 2006, $25,hb,0385337671

This final volume of the Emperor series describes the last five years of Julius Caesar's extraordinary life The story is well known , but the complex events that followed Caesar's decision to cross the Rubicon in 49BC and march on Rome , starting a civil war against the Republic and its dictator Pompey, are skilfully retold. lggulden has the ability to conjure up stunning visual details, the sounds and smells of Roman legions on the move, their camps, and the towns and countryside they cross - whether in Italy, Greece or Egypt. I have to confess to not having read the first two books , but in many ways it is proof of lggulden 's strong characterisation that Julius and Brutus emerge so clearly, not as stereotypes but in all their complexity. But the sustained pace of the story comes at a price: lggulden admits to omitting some historical episodes, which given the scale of the events is wholly understandable, but there is a fine line to be drawn between artistic licence and historical accuracy. For example, it is widely accepted that Cleopatra's young brother Ptolemy was not killed in Alexandria, but was subsequently drowned in the Nile. Also there seems to be some confusion about the temperature at Pharsalus, which is described here as being "bitterly cold" even though the battle was fought in August. Again, Octavian seems to be portrayed as being older than he really was: aged only 15 or 16 in Alexandria, it seems unlikely that he would have challenged Brutus to a fight, nor would Brutus taken his threats so seriously. Lastly, it is not clear from the author's description of Mark Anthony's role that by the time Julius eventually returned to Rome, his relations with Mark Anthony had degenerated and Mark Anthony was banished from the city because of his personal behaviour and ruinous administration. However, vivid storytelling more than compensates for these inaccuracies. The ISSUE 35, FEBRUARY 2006

battle scenes come alive, and Iggulden expertly portrays the complexity and intrigue of Roman politics . Throughout the series, new life is breathed into familiar names - Cleopatra, Cicero, Seneca, to name a few - making the story a compelling read. lggulden may oversimplify some of the historical detail but the magnitude of the task that faced him is awesome and this epic account of the final stages of Caesar's life , combining immense bravery, passion and adventure with betrayal and ambition, brings the series to a triumphant conclusion.

Lucinda Byatt

6TH CENTURY

SIX FOR GOLD

Mary Reed & Eric Mayer, Poisoned Pen Press, 2005, $24.95, hb, 260pp, 1590581458 Six for Gold is Reed & Mayer's sixth John the Eunuch mystery, set in 6th century Constantinople. John the Eunuch is Emperor Justinian 's Lord Chamberlain. Justinian exiles John to Egypt, because of circumstantial evidence against him for the murder of a Senator, but nonetheless assigns him the task of discovering how the sheep of Mehenopoli s' headman are slitting their own throats. John unquestioningly proceeds to Mehenopolis as soon as he, his wife, Cornelia, and their servant, Peter, arrive in Egypt. From there two stories develop: John's in Egypt and that of Anatolius, his friend in Constantinople, who searches out the Senator's true killer. All the pieces fall into place when John solves the puzzle ofMehenopolis' stone maze.

A maze is a good metaphor for this story. There is a maze of characters - 21 of them at least. Some of their stories go nowhere, while some appear only to solve a glitch in the plot. Many of the scenes fail to connect to the plot. The authors do display a gift for comic characters and funny scenes. These are the bright points in an otherwise unremarkable piece of writing.

Lucille Cormier

7 th CENTURY

THE LEPER'S BELL

Peter Tremayne, St. Martin' s Minotaur, 2005,$23.95,hb,288pp,97803l232343l

Reviewed from the UK edition, May 2005.

9TH CENTURY

THE PALE HORSEMAN

Bernard Cornwell, HarperCollins, 2006, $25.95/C$39.95, hb , 368pp, 0060787120

Pub. in UK by HarperCollins , 2005, £17.99, hb , 400pp , 0007149921

The much-anticipated sequel to The Last Kingdom starts at a gallop and never falters. The story of Uhtred, a nobleman raised by Danes, continues through the darker days of the war-tom ninth century. Uhtred has THE HISTORICAL NOVELS REVIEW

fought bravely for the English victory at Cynuit, but his heart- pagan and ever pragmatic- remains with the Danish enemy. After being robbed of the glory of killing the ferocious Ubba Lothbrokson , Uhtred leaves Wessex to play pirate in the Kingdom of Cornwall. Here, while looting a British town, he captures a queen who is also a magician. This enriching adventure comes close to ending his life, as news of his attack upon Christians reaches King Alfred, who summons him for judgment. As Uhtred has predicted , however , the Danes break their oath and reappear , this time literally on the King's doorstep. His trial by combat is interrupted when the Court is forced to flee an advancing Danish army. Alfred's rule is now, famously, reduced to a tract of Severn marsh. Uhtred, although hi s loyalties remain as divided as ever, not only shares the King's exile but engineers his triumphant return. The author's sympathy for the devil , in the form ofUhtred, remains delightfully unabated.

Juliet Waldron

A FRAGILE TRUST

Helen Kirkman, HQN, 2005, $5.99/C$6.99, pb ,37 7pp,0373770774

In 872 AD , the Vikings swept over most of Mercia and were pushing at the borders of Wessex, the Saxon holdings of King Alfred. Gemma , a Saxon goldsmith, and her young companion cross a recent battlefield in search of firewood. She finds a Saxon warrior, wounded but alive. They take him back to her bower in the Viking camp. Although a Saxon, non-political Gemma has agreed to restore the scepter of Cerdic, the traditional Saxon sign of power, to be presented to Guthrum the Viking chief, because the Vikings are holding her young brother hostage. To complicate matters, Ashbeom, the man she rescued, seems to be more Viking than Saxon. When discovered, she claims he is her husband just returned from a journey. Both Ash and Gemma each have secret plans to restore the real scepter to King Alfred and deceive Guthrum. Since neither has confided in the other, they seem to be working at cross purposes. Gemma wrestles with her love for Ash, her need to free her brother, and her hatred of the Vikings.

Ms. Kirkman's long and eloquent lit erary style often interrupts dialogue. It is, at time s, difficult to follow the action, but interesting nonetheless.

Audrey Braver

THE THRALL'S TALE

Judith Lindbergh, Viking, 2006, $25.95, hb, 464pp,0670034649

The Thrall 's Tale is Lindbergh ' s first novel. It is the story of three women- Thorbjorg the seeress, Katia, a thrall or slave, and her illegitimate daughter, Bibrau-w hich Lindbergh tells by alternating "chapters" or vignettes with each character speaking in her own voice. These voices become increasingly strident as the tension between the followers of

the Norse gods and Christians slowly evolve to a horrific denouement.

The book is set in Greenland beginning in 895 A.D. and traces the Viking settlement of that desolate place. It is peopled by such historical figures as Leif Eiriksson and Eirik Raude , the new "Greenland," so named so that Eirik could con his people into leaving their homes in Iceland and settling the frozen wilderness. Lindbergh deftly weaves elements of the Vinland Sagas and the language, feel, and pace of the Norse Eddas into the relationship of her fictional characters.

Katia has been brutally raped by Torvard, her owner's son, and conceives his child. Thorbjorg, a healer who believes in th e old Norse ways, nurses Katia through the aftermath of the terrible rape, and ultimately becomes the foster-mother to Bibrau when Katia totally rejects the child. Bibrau, a product of violence and hatred , drives the events in the book as she grows up.

This is not a pretty book by any means ; indeed , there is little joy and much harshness. The lack of beauty and warmth in the landscape is analogous to the sheer loathing that is shared by Katia and her daughter. Lindbergh handles the origins of Christianity in Greenland and Vinland beautifully, naturally, and without a heavy hand

All in all, an excellent read.

Ilysa Magnus

10 th CENTURY

RISK EVERYTHING

Sophia Johnson, Zebra, 2005, $3.99/C$5.99, 3l9pp,pb,082l778838

To say that Meghan of Blackthorn is feisty would be an understatement. Stubborn? That doesn't do it. In fact, it may not be possible to find the word. Her story begins one cold dawn in 1074 in the northwest of Scotland. Choosing to sneak out with the men, she soon finds herself being driven to ground only to be captured by Rolf MacDaidh , known as the Lord of Vengeance, a man she once loved. What follows can only be described as a battle of wills. As they try to force their wills on one another, a rollicking story unfolds , replete with curses like "L ucifer's bloody toes ," "Lucifer's poxed arse," and "Lucifer's fetid teeth! " At times their battles bring to mind Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew (only on steroids!). Overall , this is a humorous tale well told. Romance lovers will devour this one.

Dana Cohlmeyer

11 TH CENTURY

THE BOUGHT BRIDE

Juliet Landon, Harlequin , 2005, $5.50/C$6.50, pb , 298pp, 0373293666

Pub in the UK by Mills & Boon, 2005, out of print

The Bought Bride takes place in I088 in the former Viking city of York. Norman knight Judhael de Brionne sees Lady Rhoese of York and is instantly attracted to her. Rhoese, on the other hand, has no time for men, especially the Norman knight who has managed to purchase the king 's permission to marry her without her consent and thereby acquire ownership of her property as well as her body. Rhoese is hellbent on taking revenge on a former lover and now extends her efforts to her Norman husband, despite her growing need for his expert lovemaking If this isn't enough for a girl to contend with, there are accusations of witchcraft As in any rumor, there is an element of truth , but Rhoese is so inept at her spells that she inadvertently turns them on herself Love triumphs in the end. What sets The Bought Bride above and apart from the average historical romance is Juliet Landon's clear, concise writing style and her scholarship. She has obviously walked, spiritually if not actually, through the mucky streets of 11"' century York , and imparts her knowledge of the time and place to the reader.

Audrey Braver

THE DRAGON SCROLL

l.J Parker, Penguin, 2005, $13.00, pb, 338pp,0143035320

Sugawara Akitada is an impoverished Japanese nobleman working as a clerk in the Mini s try of Justice. Sent on his first official assignment to the distant province of Kazusa to discover what has become of lost tax shipments, Akitada soon st umbles on murder. Aided by his servants, Seimei and Tora , he must solve the murders and uncover a conspiracy before it leads to rebellion

Parker's third in the Akitada series is an appealing little mystery based around an engaging protagonist and stock but amusing sidekicks. The good-natured ribbing between traditional Seimei and cheeky but likable Tora provides relief from the more serious elements of the story. Akitada is a well-written character, there's a hint of romance thrown in, and the mystery moves along at a pleasant clip. Though Parker never quite manages to evoke a truly convincing atmosphere for 11 th century Japan (her characters act too modem), this doesn ' t greatly detract from the story And while the novel opens with a mystery that seems unrelated and abruptly dropped , Parker dovetails the two storylines nicely later in the novel. Parker has the perfect setup for a long run of charming mysteries, and this reviewer would be pleased to see more of them Bethany Skaggs

12TH CENTURY

THE GREATEST KNIGHT

Elizabeth Chadwick, Time Warner Books, 2005,£18.99, hb , 548pp,0316728322

It is 1152 and the five year old William Marshal, nephew of the Earl of Salisbury, is taken hostage for his father's word of

THE HISTORICAL NOVELS REVIEW

honour to King Stephen, during the battle for Newbury. Later, whilst still a penniless knight, William is plucked from obscurity by Eleanor of Aquitaine in gratitude for saving her life; he becomes tutor to her sons and liege man of kings. As a royal favourite, William attracts jealousy as well as fame; besmirched by scandal, he seeks redemption on pilgrimage to the Holy Land, returning to a position of influence as justiciar and receiving an heiress as wife . The details of this legendary man's life would have been lost, except for a few references in history, if a narrative poem commissioned shortly after his death had not been rediscovered in the 1890' s. Gathered from this and other sources, Elizabeth Chadwick in her latest and excellent historical novel The Greatest Knight chronicles the most important instances in the early life of William Marshal. He will further rise to become Regent of England and save the country from bankruptcy and invasion , but for that we shall have to await a sequel covering the remainder of his years.

The author is skilful in persuading her readers that they have entered into the medieval world, evoking the atmosphere of those times with a clarity of observation that lingers in the mind. The narrative is rich in drama and historical detail, with interwoven characters of fact and fiction drawn with passions as vivid as our own.

Elizabeth Chadwick, with her gift of storytelling, historical accuracy and ability to recapture lives , has once again written an impressive and absorbing book.

Gwen Sly

TO THE CASTLE

Joan Wolf, Mira, 2005, $6.99 / C$8.50, pb, 376pp,0778322033

Nearly 18 and happily preparing to become a nun, Nell de Bonvile's world upturns as she must leave the convent to wed her recently deceased sister's fiance , the handsome Roger de Roche Her marriage will forge a powerful union, making Roger Earl of both Lincoln and Wiltshire estates. While Roger appreciates Nell 's beauty, Nell is grateful for Roger's patience and willingness to wait for Nell to desire him as much as he does her. As Nell discovers life outside the convent, she realizes that what began as a duty is now true love

Norman England during Stephen and Mathilda 's battle for the thron e is the backdrop for the romance and also for the drama between Roger and the diabolical father his grandfather had always claimed was dead. When Roger discovers the horrendous act that caused his father's banishment, he vows to uphold his grandfather's dying plea to never let his father claim Wiltshire.

This sweet love story with tasteful scenes of Nell's sexual awakening contains elements of suspense as well as religion While not

marketed as such, this novel will appeal to those who enjoy Christian romances

Suzanne Sprague

13 TH CENTURY

SORROW WITHOUT END

Priscilla Royal, Poisoned Pen Press , 2006, $24.95 / C$34.95, hb , 244pp , 1590582144 Near Tyndal Priory in East Anglia in 1271, the corpse of a man brutally murdered lies wrapped in a Crusader's cloak with an elaborate dagger in his chest. After it's taken by the crowner to the medieval hospital for analysis, the atmosphere in Prioress Eleanor's domain is less than healing Dealing with two monks competing for Prior and suppressing her own attraction to the handsome Brother Thomas, the prioress has her hands full when Thomas is arrested for the murder based on a madman's evidence. And one of her nuns is assaulted and thinks it was God "whodunnit."

A very lively story focusing on events that are topical today without pulling the reader out of the period . References to previous events indicate that the first two books might enhance the reading of this third entry in the series.

Tess Allegra

14 th CENTURY

THE CUP

OF GHOSTS

Paul Doherty, Headline , 2005, £ 18 .99, hb , 346 pages, 0755328736

This is the first novel in what promi ses to be an intriguing new series featuring Mathilde of Westminister, a real hi sto rical figure, renowned physician, and (at least according to Doherty's fiction) lady - in-waiting to Princess Isabella of France

Mathilde's story begins in Paris when she loses her beloved uncle during King Philip's bloody purge of the Templar Order. Using secret family connections, she seeks refuge under the king's nose by becoming servant and confidante to his thirteen-year-old daughter. Princess Isabella is easily the novel's most entrancing character-a childwoman feverish with ambition to escape the tyranny of her father and older brothers, who molest he r and treat her as a mere plaything Mathilde and Isa bella become formidable co-conspirators in a claustrophobic labyrinth of palace intri gue and murder. Mathilde mu st dodge repeated attempts at her life while inve s tigating unexplained deaths in Philip' s court When Isabella marries Edward II and takes Mathilde with her to England, both young women hope they have escaped Philip's coven of assassins In London , however, the cabal only deepens , the body count climbs, and Isabella finds herself wed to a dangerously mercurial man who openly favours his male lover over her.

ISSUE 35, FEBRUARY 2006

This is deliciously suspenseful, gorgeously written, and atmospheric, although I did question the veracity of some events. Would a mere lady-in-waiting be privy to discussions on matters of state? Edward IJ's issuing Mathilde a letter of full power to hunt down the murderer seemed a stretch. I also got lost among the bewildering array of secondary characters. Still a great read , sure to delight mystery lovers

Mary Sharratt

A FRIAR'S BLOODFEUD

Michael Jccks, Headline , 2005, £18.99, hb, 403pp,0755322991

Michael Jeck's latest medieval whodunit, featuring Sir Baldwin Furnshill, Keeper of the King's Peace, and bailiff Simon Puttock, is completely captivating. Although this book is the eighteenth in the medieval crime series, first-time readers need not be put off as there is much to savour and enjoy. Michael 's books are based on actual events recorded in the Coroner's rolls of medieval Devon. Certainly the period detail is incredibly rich and satisfying. To read a Michael Jecks is to be immediately plunged into a pungent world peopled with life-like characters. The novel teems with the violent repercussions of medieval politics. We are introduced to the vicious feud conducted by the Dcspenser family in their voracious, unceasing search for further property and wealth. The action centres on the mysterious disappearance of a wealthy widow and the murderous attack carried out against Bailiff Simon Puttock's servant. Nothing is quite what it seems though and as death and mayhem abound, Sir Baldwin and Simon must work together to discover who is responsible for murder. This is a tightly plotted, deeply satisfying read with a delightful twist at the end.

Fiona Lowes

ONLY FOR A KNIGHT

Sue-Ellen Welfonder, Warner Forever, 2005, $6.50/C$9.50, pb , 400pp, 0446613827 Juliana Mackay has made a promise to her dying mother. She will take the little money they have to repay her uncle , chief of the Black Stag clan. Juliana does this under protest. I !er mother was leman to the Black Stag's half-brother, and Juliana feels her wealthy uncle never helped them enough. On her way to his castle, she saves a drowning sheep and is fortuitously clonked in the head , giving her amnesia. More fortuitously, her bodice is ripped, becau se at that moment, the Black Stag's son Robbie Mackenzie happen s by Ile is going home to marry his betrothed after ten years of sowing his wild oats. He rescues Juliana, ogles her while she is unconscious, and falls helplessly in lust. Because she is addled and chilled, he decides to bring her with him despite his waiting fiancee. In the castle there is ample opportunity for more ogling until they

eventually make love Body parts are described in glowing terms, and italics are rampant. Meanwhile, Juliana must regain her memory. Robbie must find an honorable way to dispose of his betrothed. And they both must figure out why the Black Stag is so dead-set against their marrying

This book is part of a Highlander series that has received rave reviews . It may be that prior familiarity with these characters would make them more interesting. If you are a Welfonder fan, or are looking for something with more steam than substance, this book may suit. However, for those who avoid genre romance in general, this might be one to avoid in particular.

Sue Asher

15 TH CENTURY

THE OUTLAW'S TALE

Margaret Frazer, Hale, 2005 , £18.99, hb, 224pp,0709078668

Sister Frevisse is on her way to a baptism when outlaws led by her long-lost cousin Nicholas waylay her party. He's after a pardon , not cash. Frevisse is not averse, but before her intercessory letter can reach the authorities, a murder and a robbery occur and Nicholas (a man whose restless nature wars constantly with his intentions) is implicated. Frevisse sets out to solve the mystery, praying that her own kin is not involved.

Personally I thought the period feel was pretty weak-this is a murder mystery that could be adapted to any era. The characters did not convince me and the start is very slow. By page 60 I frankly didn't care what happened to any of these people. Admittedly things do pick up , but this is no Cadfacl. I could not honestly recommend it. Martin Bourne

THE EXILED

Posie Graeme-Evans, Hodder, 2005, £6 99, pb, 390 pp, 0340836504

This is a sequel to The Innocent, but can be read as a stand alone novel. Edward !V's lover Anne de Bohun and their small son are living in secret in Brugge where Anne is making a life for herself as a merchant and entrepreneur. However, the past is about to come calling. Anne is the illegitimate daughter of the deposed Henry VI and her relationship with Edward is seen as a threat by Edward's jealous queen Elisabeth Wydeville, who intends to remove Anne from the picture. Edward treats Elisabeth with indifferent courtesy while yearning for Anne to the point where he can't stop thinking about her. When Edward visits Brugge , the lovers arc briefly reunited , but vindictive scheming tears them apart and Anne's fortitude and resourcefulness arc tested to the limits.

The Exiled is history-lite . It's not a romance in the category sense because the

hero and heroine spend very little time together. The medieval mindset is often lacking and although the characters move through a world wonderfully rich in detail and artefact, they arc very much characters of the twenty-first century in their attitudes. It was often a struggle to believe in them, especially that Henry VI was capable of begetting an illegitimate daughter! I finally lost the battle when I arrived at a scene involving a visit to a Jewish money lender in Whitby at a time when Jews had not been permitted to dwell in England for over 150 years If you are able to suspend your disbelief with a strong enough will, and you like descriptions of clothes and artefacts, you may find this novel worthwhile, but buyer beware!

Susan Hicks

TO THE TOWER BORN

Robin Maxwell , Morrow, 2005, $24.95/C$32.95, hb, 308pp, 00605805 I 8

The disappearance and alleged murder of Edward [V's young sons in the Tower has fueled centuries of speculation, both in fiction and nonfiction. Shakespeare was one of the first dramatists to peg the crime on Richard 111 , in part because the playwright lived under Elizabeth I, a Tudor. The Tudors were invested in having history record Richard Ill as the perpetrator, seeing as Henry VII had killed Richard in battle , founding the Tudor line Nevertheless, a staunch cadre of Richard Ill defenders believes he was not to blame The princes themselves were never seen again. On this intriguing, if oft-explored, mystery doe s Robin Maxwell build her fourth novel, as told through Nell Caxton, daughter of an innovative English printer, and Princess Elizabeth (Bessie) of York , the doomed princes' sister.

Maxwell has shown her skill in previous historicals, most notably her masterful Th e Wild Irish; here, she moves back in time to the tumultuous final days of Edward !V's reign and Richard Ill's usurpation of his nephew's throne. The history itself offers a compelling storyline, with the added dimension of the entrepreneurial Caxton family, and we are quickly swept into the chaotic events leading to the princes' disappearance . Maxwell conjures an intelligent , credible alternative to the Richard Ill theory, with Nell and, less plausibly, Bessie, unraveling the mystery While Nell is an engaging lead , a commoner whose educational skills and familial connections allow her to penetrate the royal circle, Bessie suffers from romantic oversimplification, as does Richard himself. Fortunately, the tale is accessible even to English history novices. Maxwell 's scheming Buckingham, icy Elizabeth Woodville , and implacable Margaret Beaufort offer a realistic, complex glimpse into the often-lethal struggle for power at court.

C.W. Gortner

**A ROSE FOR THE CROWN

Anne Easter Smith, Touchstone, 2006, $16.95,pb,672pp,0743276876

Kate Haute is a young woman from a lowly background, taken into her uncle's household and given the great privilege of becoming educated and trained in the ways of upper-class society. She is married to an older, kindly and well-heeled merchant who soon dies, leaving her a wealthy widow. Then she marries for love, she thinks, but her husband has taken her for the proverbial ride: it is her money he wants, not her company or to share her bed.

By sheer inadvertence, Kate meets the young Richard of Gloucester, and so marks the beginning of their lifelong, passionate relationship, the birth of their three beloved illegitimate children, and their struggle to remain loyal to one another during periods of war, personal tragedy and political highs and lows-not the least of which is Richard's marriage to his queen, Anne. Although Kate has recognized all along that Richard can never marry her, the depth of her despair when he does marry is palpable.

Anne Easter Smith has done a remarkable job of weaving contemporary sources and scholarly evidence into the romantic, touching story of Kate and Richard's abiding connection to one another. The love Kate and Richard share is almost painful in its intensity. Kate is an appealing, fully drawn character who grows and ripens as the story progresses. Smith's Richard is certainly not the vilified hunchback king who killed his nephews in the Tower, but the fiercely loyal younger brother of Edward IV and later, husband of Anne. The Author's Note, extensive and wonderful , supports the existence of Kate or a Kate prototype.

This is a marvelous book, long and complex, deeply satisfying and a great read. Highly recommended.

Ilysa Magnus

16 th CENT UR Y

**LEONARDO'S SWANS

Karen Essex, Doubleday, 2006, $21.95, hb, 352pp,03855l7068

To be pub. in the UK by Century in June 2006,£10.99,pb,352pp, 1846050405

Leonardo da Vinci has become quite popular these days, as has the historical novel featuring an intrepid woman ahead of her time, with an abiding interest in Art. Doubleday is clearly capitalizing on these facts in marketing Karen Essex's latest novel. The strategy will undoubtedly sell books, but it does not begin to do justice to Essex's haunting account of the sibling rivalry between two princesses of the Renaissance-Isabella d'Este, Marchioness of Mantua, and her younger sister, Beatrice, wife of II Moro, Duke of Milan.

Told from the eyes of both sisters, the novel starts with deceptive superficiality, as

THE HISTORICAL NOVELS REVIEW

the elegantly adept Isabella engages in a competitive battle for supremacy with the wilder and less intellectually accomplished Beatrice. Through a mere matter of poor timing, Beatrice has wed a more powerful and intellectually stimulating man-an event that perplexes Isabella, for how can the vagaries of fortune have allowed someone of Beatrice's pedestrian aspirations to seize the prize that is Milan? Moreover, Milan commands the genius of Leonardo da Vinci, acclaimed court painter and engineer to II Moro. Determined to outshine her sister, Isabella sets herself to be immortalized by Leonardo's brush, while Beatrice steers a resolute course to wealth and power. But larger political concerns soon overwhelm the oblivious selfaggrandizement and foibles of these Renaissance sisters. Both are tested to their limits and beyond, compelled to discover an inner strength that will ultimately exalt one and destroy the other.

Threaded within their story is Leonardo's relentless pursuit for knowledge and reverence for the fragility of life, which elevates him from the ambitions of those he must serve. Despite a sometimes distracting mix of past and present tense, this is a rare novel that captures an era of unparalleled personality, the like of which shall never be seen again.

C.W. Gortner

THE CONSTANT PRINCESS

Philippa Gregory , HarperCollins 2005, £17.99, hb,490pp,0007190301

Pub in US , Touchstone, 2005 , $24.95, hb, 074327248X

Catherine of Aragon, or Catalina, as she is known in the early part of this novel , was, like many women Gregory chooses to write about, a pawn in the game of international and domestic politics. The daughter of Isabella and Ferdinand of Spain she was always destined to marry the first son of King Henry V 11 of England but even she could not have imagined how difficult this would be to achieve. It has always been a matter of debate - subsequently used by Henry VII in his bid to rid himself of her , whether her short-lived marriage to Prince Arthur was ever consummated. Could someone as devout as Catherine ever tell a lie , without confessing it? And if so, could she sustain it? This dilemma is central to Gregory's take on Catherine and through it she comes to life as a complex and engaging woman. We see her grow from a girl devoted to her parents and steadfast in her belief in her own destiny to a confused and disillusioned woman. Tragedy, disappointment and new experiences cause her certainties to crumble and in doing so create a strong, wise, but essentially tragic figure. If I have any criticisms of this compelling novel, it would be that the benefit of hindsight does colour some of the thinking. Catharine immediately sees that the sunny child Harry is destined to grow

into a self-centred spoiled adult. She picks out Anne Boleyn from all her husband's lovers as the one she should most fear whilst somehow realising that her rival's future will be even more tragic than her own. There's also a touch too much political correctness regarding Catherine's revised views of Islamic culture. One passage where she proclaims all men to be equal regardless of the colour of their skin or their religious belief, is rather too twenty-first century for my liking.

Having said that, this was a novel bursting with many rich delights. Romance, chivalry, politics and the sheer energy of the times is perfectly captured. Having finished it, I immediately turned to the helpful bibliography so I could learn more about Catherine who I had previously thought of as a dull and worthy woman. Historical fiction serves many purposes not least of which is to open one's eyes to the past.

Sally Zigmond

CROWN OF FIRE

Craig & Janet Parshall, Harvest House , 2005,$12.99,pb,415pp,0736912789 Ransom MacKenzie's life changes forever when he aligns himself with his teacher, the indomitable John Knox, and other Protestant reformers against the Catholic monarchy of Scotland. This inspirational novel's action and romance make for quick reading, and its examination of the persecution of 16th century Protestants is compelling. Unfortunately, the characters based on real historical persons are flattened into twodimensional ity--Catholic Marie de Guise and Mary, Queen of Scots, are villains; Knox and the Reformers are heroes The novel attempts to provide explanation and context for Knox 's actions and statements which are now (and, in great part, then) incendiary, such as his First Blast of the Trumpet Against the Monstrous Regiment of Women; the authors make no such attempts for Marie de Guise. The writing is unsophisticated, and hand-holding is constant. The authors assume the reader knows nothing of the period , so characters regularly spout obviously explanatory statements about events. The plot is also peppered with unnecessary divergences to allow MacKen z ie to encounter famous historical persons, such as John Shakespeare, the playwright 's father. Readers of the genre may enjoy this novel , if they can overlook its artificiality.

Bethany Skaggs

MEXICA

Norman Spin rad, Little, Brown 2005 £ 18 99 hb 506 pp 03 16726044

In 1531 Hernando Cortes, with 500 men , began his invasion into the New World's mainland. His destination , fabled Mexica , ruled by its god-given emperor, Montezuma. The rewards of his enterpriseincalculable; his chances of successrisible. But Cortes, ruthless , greedy, and an inspirational leader, has advantages that the ISSUE 35, FEBRUARY 2006

people of Mexica do not: horses: horses, firearms, armour and cannon. Plus his native mistress and interpreter, the quick witted 'Dona Marina'; and the story's Jewish narrator, Alvaro de Sevilla, by turns inquisitive and impartial.

Vitally , Montezuma's vassal rulers are ripe for rebellion; Cortes forms fragile alliances that bring him to the Empire's centre, helped by the ancient legend of Quetzacoatl, the white-skinned and bearded redeemer. The staggering riches and beauty of Mexica's unique civilization, with its religion that demands a multiplicity of human sacrifice, are literally beyond the dreams of avarice Facts more than enough to drive the ferocious, uncomprehending Spaniards almost crazy with lust, further fueled by copious cups of chocolatl and pulque.

The first fatal impact of one culture on another always ends in blood and tears. I would have found this dreadful tale hard to read without tiny instances of humourCortes haughtily declines the honour of being carried up the pyramid's steps and arrives at the summit with his disgruntled officers, all dripping sweat and gasping for breath.

The author is to be congratulated on a tough, factual and meticulously detailed novel that may well be enjoyed by many who normally read nothing but non-fiction. Nancy Henshaw

GUARDIAN OF THE DAWN

Richard Zimler, Delta, 2005, $14.00/ C$21.00, pb, 403pp, 0385338813 Pub. in the UK by Constable & Robinson, 2005 , £7.99,pb,400pp , 1845290917 It is 1592, in the Indian port city of Goa. From his prison cell, Tiago Zarco tells his life story while awaiting his trial for heresy. As he relates, the precocious Ti grows up secure in the affections of his loving father, his younger sister, Sofia, and their protective Hindu cook. Their forebears had fled Portugal decades earlier to escape forced conversions to Christianity; they now reside on a plantation just outside Goa, for Jews cannot live inside Portuguese territory. The colony is a colorful yet uneasy mix of cultures and religions- Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam--even within Ti ' s own family. When the siblings are older, Ti's adopted cousin Wadi, a Moor, destroys the close relationship between him and Sofia Soon after , the Inquisition comes calling. Ti's beloved father is carted off to prison, setting Ti on a dangerous path to discover who betrayed him and his family.

This is the third volume in Zimler's luminously written series about the Zarcos , Sephardic Jews from the Iberian Peninsula. While the beginning reads like a nostalgic coming-of-age story- though in an exotic locale- a more suspenseful tone steps in halfway through. Its last sections deliver a warning on the dangerous sweetness of revenge, and how it can lead to a tragedy of Shakespearean proportions. As haunting and mysterious as India itself can be, this

THE HISTORICAL NOVELS REVIEW

novel delves into the darkest currents of the human mind and heart. Few readers will emerge untouched.

Sarah Johnson

17TH CENTURY

THE RAIN FROM GOD

Mark Ammerman, River Oak, 2005, $12.99, pb,318pp, !589190483

Katanaquat, or "The Rain from God," is an important member of the Narragansett tribe in I th century America, in the region that is now New England. The reader first meets him as a young man, longing for the respect of adulthood , obedient to his tribal leaders and Miantonomi , his young prince As the years pass, Katanaquat becomes an embittered warrior: he grows sick of intertribal warfare and betrayal, unhappy with many interactions with the English and Dutch, difficult with his wives and children, suspicious of tribe members who leave to join the Christian church, and bereft of many of his closest friends and family members through early death and misfortune. The novel is ultimately the story of Katanaquat's conversion to Christianity, and his coming to terms with his earlier difficulties through the help of his new deity. Ammerman includes a glossary of Algonquian terms, historical notes, substantial bibliography, and a readers' guide for further understanding of the novel. The gigantic cast of characters is not easy to track, but the author does a good job of keeping the main players at the fore.

Andrea Bell

RANSOM

Mark Ammerman, River Oak, 2005, $12.99 , pb, 318 pp, 1589190491

Ransom tells the story of the Praying Indian Towns period of New England history from 1646-1675 through the eyes of a Narragansett named Job Kattenanit, who struggles with his new Christianity. Like his namesake, suffering, doubt and personal loss plague him. But he's also the beneficiary of selfless sacrifice, miracles, and blessings, during this period of John Elliot's ministry that produced the first Bible published in America and thousands of Christian converts. The novelist counts Roger Williams as a direct ancestor and cites sources galore. But before walking in Kattenanit's moccasins, it seems odd that he did not make sure they were moccasinshis self-admitted through-the-glass-darkly viewpoint does not seem to be informed by Native American origin or viewpoint. This perpetuates Anglo-centric misinterpretations such as describing characters considered "princes" worshipping fearsome "gods," as well as ignorance of the deeply sacred, egalitarian, animist, and anthropomorphic relationship of the Algonquin people toward the land and animals.

Eileen Charbonneau

THE FIREMASTER'S MISTRESS

Christie Dickason, HarperCollins, 2005, £12.99,hb, 507pp,0007180691

This fine novel was published in October 2005 and I wish I could have read it before December, not least because it does a far better job than all the magazine, newspaper and television features that marked the 400 th anniversary of the Gunpowder Plot. Whether or not the events happened in the way this novel describes matters not. It is perfect in the way it captures the sense of danger and fear lurking the alleys and marshes of early 17 th century England. And it certainly made me wonder whether what we learned at school wasn ' t in fact a government cover-up.

Francis Quoynt, like his grandfather and father (who goes by the wonderful nickname of Boomer) is a firemaster. In peace he creates stunning firework displays; in war, he works alongside soldiers, blowing up fortifications, hurling explosives into enemy lines, slipping firecrackers under horses' hooves. What he doesn't know about making and using gunpowder and other dangerous chemicals isn't worth knowing.

Through the woman be loves, the deliciously-named, Kate Peach, a secret Roman Catholic, he is unwillingly sucked into working for the deviously intelligent Robert Cecil, son of Elizabeth's spymaster and twice as deadly. Both he and Kate are innocents in the world of political intrigue but that doesn't help them slide into extreme danger. Frances finds himself forced to make a massive amount of gunpowder for a group of Catholics, led by Robert Catesby. Among them, only one, a certain Guido Fawkes, is suspicious of Quoynt's motives. Quoynt becomes increasingly tom between the rights and wrongs of each side as the tension mounts. It's not that he believes in mass-murder for the sake of a cause, but he begins to wonder whether Robert Cecil isn't, in fact a traitor, setting up a hapless group of dreamers to 'take the rap' for his own plot to restore England to the Catholic faith. In the world of fundamentalism, as we know only too well today, the ends would appear to justify the grisly means.

And what of Cecil's cousin, Sir Francis Bacon, another shadowy figure? Is he a loyal subject of King James or is he, and not Cecil, the traitor? Who is bluffing whom? With plot and counter plot, twists and turns, this gripping novel rises inexorably to a dramatic conclusion.

I have one or two niggles. The headless lady in period costume, so much this season's historical novel cover, is guaranteed to put off most men from reading its contents. This is a great pity. The title and the quote "set your hearts ablaze" are equally misleading. Whilst romance does feature, Kate Peach, the mistress in question, soon fades into the background. The intricate political plotting and the details regarding the manufacture of

35, FEBRUARY 2006

gunpowder and must appeal to men as well as women. The writing is intelligent, the sights, smells and sounds of James l's London are vividly described and the plot rattles along at a very satisfactory pace. The noble and honest Francis Quoynt is a perfect hero and the twist at the end, nothing to do with gunpowder or plot, is both surprising and yet totally plausible This is a great historical novel from a fine writer. I loved it.

Sally Zigmond

18TH CENTURY

GHOST LEGIO

Johnny D. Boggs , Five Star, 2005, $25.95, hb, 244pp, 1594141576

This is a very gritty depiction of the events leading up to the battle of King's Mountain in 1780. The author, a Spur award winner, follows the story of two characters on opposite sides of the conflict as they converge on the site of the battle. Stuart Brodie, a free man of color, falls in with Major Patrick Ferguson after finding his younger brother hanged as a Tory Marty McKidrict is an abused wife of a backcountry lowlife who takes her Deckard rifle, with which she is an excellent shot, and joins a muster under the leadership of John Sevier. The chaotic and bloodthirsty nature of the fighting is accurately portrayed, and the agonizing pitting of families and neighbors against each other is also plainly evident. Mr. Boggs cites hi s historical sources at the end of the book and gives some interesting detail as to the real personae who make their appearance. The Ghost Legion was a joke to the Major "Bulldog" Ferguson, who underestimated the numbers, the abilities and the ferocity of the American settlers whom he provoked at the cost of his life and the loss of the battle It was essentially, the same mistake on the part of the British military forces that would later lead to Yorktown.

Mary K Bird-Guilliams

ON ANGEL MOU TAI

Brian John, Corgi 2006, £6.99, pb, 464pp, 0552153273

On Angel Mountain tells the story of Martha Morgan taken from her diaries covering the twelve months from August 1796 to August 1797. Written in Dimetian Welsh , the papers were discovered in a box in the rafters of what had been her home at Plas lngli during its rebuilding in 1955 Forty years later the diaries re-surfaced, were translated and finally read.

A fascinating story emerges from Brian John's first novel. Without doubt the author feels deeply for Wales and Pembrokeshire in which he sets his story. There are mysteries surrounding the estate on Angel Mountain. A great fire destroyed the house and most of the Morgan family Two years later the impetuous eighteen-year-old,

THE HISTORICAL NOVELS REVIEW

Martha married young David, master of Plas Ingli in a secret ceremony. A haughty manservant is not all that he seems and some of the local gentry do not agree with the compassion and care shown to the tenant farmers and labourers by the young couple who make as many enemies as friends. It seems inevitable that the jealousy generated by their success will bring disaster down upon their heads.

There is a lack of suspense to the novel. Written with an insistence on restrained sentimentality, it is overlong. There is , perhaps too much eulogising but this sits within the eighteenth century period and place . In Martha Morgan the author has created a heroine with a tranquillity of spirit set in an absorbing landscape.

Gwen Sly

BAND OF BROTHERS

Alexander Kent, Heinemann , 2005, £12.99, hb, 129pp, 0434010103

1774: a time of unrest in the American colonies with insurrection a real possibility. Midshipman Richard Bolitho and his friend Martyn Dancer have just been promoted to second lieutenants, but have yet to receive comm1ss1ons. Meanwhile, they join the Hotspur which is bound for patrol duties in Guernsey. On board they meet Lieutenant Egmont, who will wrong-foot them if he can, and Andrew Sewell, a 15-year old seasick midshipmen , who has fallen foul of Egmont and needs their support.

The passage to Guernsey turns out to be far from routine. A mysterious brig crosses their path. Could she be smuggling muskets to the American rebels? Bolitho finds himself in charge of a small band of men to find out.

This is the last in Kent's Midshipman Bolitho series. I haven't read the others but had no problem working out who was who and what was going on. Kent is obviously a highly professional writer: there is the unpleasant Egmont to hate , the vulnerable Sewell to worry about and a rousing adventure to keeping us turning the pages, all flavoured with a nautical tang. r zipped through it with pleasure A must for Alexander Kent fans.

Elizabeth Hawksley

**THE ALCHEMIST'S DAUGHTER

Katharine McMahon, Crown, 2006, $23.95, hb ,3 52pp ,03072385 12

Pub in the UK by Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 2006,£9.99,pb,320pp,0297850857

In lyrical prose , this novel details the life of Emilie Selden, a female scientist in 18 th century England, squirreled away in her father's laboratory on the ancient Selden estate. Despite her scientific knowledge , Emilie has never traveled beyond the village of Selden Wick, so her father is the only one surprised when she's lured away from their scientific haven by her first brush with the outside world, personified by the dashing Mr. Aislabie At first 17

enthralled by London, Emilie soon discovers its darker side and longs for the peace of Selden Manor. She returns only to find that tragic events have laid bare secrets both long-hidden and devastating McMahon has created a work that delves into the souls of its characters, not only Emilie, but also her controlling, contradictory father and the quietly tragic village rector. McMahon has given her characters exceptional depth, and she taps into their feelings so adroitly that the reader is able to effortlessly share their tension, longing, disgust, love, and pain. The novel is written in the first person , and events arc viewed through Emilie's eyes; this only adds to the novel 's tension, as the reader can clearly see the inherent dangers na·ive Emilie fails to recognize. The author also probes the complex mind of Emilie's father , a seemingly domineering and cold man, through his "Emilie notebooks" - the running diary he keeps of his daughter 's life. McMahon's atmosphere is perfect, from the crumbling country estate of Selden Manor to the squalid misery of London's back alleys to the peaceful quiet of the rector's study. In addition, the author provides fascinating glimpses into the lost "science" of alchemy, in the process adding words such as "phlogiston" to the reader's vocabulary. One of the more thoughtful novels of this season, The Alchemist's Daughter is highly recommended.

Bethany Skaggs

NO CHOICE BUT FREEDOM

Pat Mattaini Mestern , High Country, 2006, $16.00, pb, 249pp, 1932158766

In the 1750s , an English heiress, Joanna , marries an American planter. She has remained in England while her husband occasionally visits in the course of business. After she gives birth to a son, Joanna decides to take up residence in Virginia. Joanna is an unusual lady for her time. Not only is she is well-educated and knowledgeable about her family's business, but she is firmly anti-slavery. All this will make her transition to plantation life, where not only blacks but wives are legally chattel, a difficult one. Her husband , she will soon discover, is a scoundrel with de igns upon not only her fortune but also her life Interwoven with this story is that of the African, Ndamma, who is captured and transported and finally wins his freedom . Both characters were inspired by real lives, those of Elizabeth Begley Morri son and William Servos Hult , so the base upon which the fiction stands is sound. The use of letters to advance the story was a device I found charmingly period correct, and the plot hurried this reader forward. I wanted to get lost in this book, which had a wealth of fascinating plots , but a kind of flatness in characterization proved a hindrance Juliet Waldron

ISSUE 35, FEBRUARY 2006

MUCH ADO ABOUT MAGIC

Patricia Rice, Signet, 2005, $7.99, pb, 384 pp,0451215915

In the latest installment of Patricia Rice's series of historical romances, Lady Lucinda Malcolm Pembroke is swept off her fcetliterally-and wooed by scarred, darkvisaged Sir Trevelyan Rochester, who joyfully learns the young lady is his match in every way. Happy to say, I fell willingly into the arms of this book, the fifth in the "Magic" series featuring the Malcolm witches, a family of women gifted with special powers.

In 1740s England, Lucinda is a talented artist whose paintings seem to predict the future. Trev Rochester , a privateer disinherited by his grandfather because of his mixed blood, sees his chances for reconciliation with his family ruined when one of Lucinda's paintings suggests he is responsible for the murder of his missing cousin. The painting causes a scandal. Lucinda is puzzled; she and Trev have never met, and yet she has drawn his perfect likeness She dons a disguise. He falls for her before realizing she is his nemesis. They fight and pose as gypsies

Sexy? Absolutely. And chock full of crisp turns that keep the genre fresh. The nicest surprise, though , is that love and loss of family, and finding them again, is at the heart of this charming book. Highly recommended Alana White

THE VAGRANT KING

E. V. Thompson, Time Warner Books, 2005, £17.99, hb , 378pp, 0 316 72754 7 This is one of those English Civil War romances in which we're all unquestioningly on the side of the King , and no one is troubled by the truly subversive thought that the Parliamentarians might actually have had a case. Having said that, E V Thompson is, as always, an extremely good story teller. The book is very readable, though often irritating to an unrepentant Roundhead like myself.

Briefly it is the story of Ralf Hunkyn, who becomes page and then secretary to the future Charles II. He is with his master at the battle of Worcester and escapes the clutches of the wicked Cromwell. (Pity!) Then in 1659-60 he helps Charles to return to his rightful throne. (Again, pity!). Meanwhile his stepfather, also a Royalist , dies while having his Comish farm taken from him by the obligatory nasty Roundhead The twist - if that's what it isin the story is that he falls in love with the said nasty Roundhead's daughter, Winfred. I have a slight problem here. Winfred is supposed to be intelligent, well read and high spirited, yet she never appears to have a thought in her head and accepts Ralfs view of the world without question For an intelligent young woman brought up as a Parliamentarian , this is unlikely. Intelligent and well read Parliamentarian women could

be pretty formidable. Lucy Hutchinson for example would have had our Ralf for breakfast. Somehow I don't think Winfred would have accepted Ratrs sycophantic devotion to his lecherous - (sorry!) - his merry monarch , without question. However, for those who share the premise of the book, that right was on the side of the King and all Parliamentarians were narrow, bigoted Puritans, motivated exclusively by greed and ambition, this is enjoyable stuff. But, for us Roundheads , in order to keep our blood pressure down, it's best to see the funny side. And don't tell me that a laughing Roundhead is an impossibility. That's yet another Royalist myth , I'm afraid!

Neville Firman

19 th CENTURY

AND ONLY TO DECEIVE

Tasha Alexander, Morrow, 2005, $23.95/C$32.50, hb, 320pp, 0060756713

Lady Emily marries Viscount Ashton just to escape her controlling mother. So when he dies of a fever on an African safari a few months later, she is relieved. But after reading his journals, she discovers Ashton's deep love for her and begins to mourn him. She also finds her enigmatic husband was a collector of ancient Greek artifacts, most of which he donated to the British Museum. Despite oppressive late Victorian society, Emily studies this field to bring her closer to him. When she uncovers a counterfeiting ring, suspicion falls on Ashton after the artifacts he donated to the museum are determined to be fakes. Aston's best friend, Colin Hargreaves , warns her to stop interfering, but Emily insists on clearing her husband's name. Pursued by unwanted suitors and other unsavory characters, Emily travels from London to Paris, putting her own life in peril to track down the truth.

The novel is full of coincidences; people show up just when you need them , mimicking the true Victorian style. The suspense is light, but the story is a fun read with a genuine surprise near the end.

Diane Scott Lewis

ST GEORGE AND THE DRAGO

Beth Andrews, Hale, 2005, £17.99, hb, 206pp,0709078730

Richard St George is bored of his frivolous lifestyle and accepts a wager, along with his young friend Julian Marchmont, that they can woo and win two ladies mysteriously hidden away in an ancient abbey. It soon appears that the dashing duo have bitten off more than they can chew when they finally contrive to meet the beautiful Cassandra and her formidable cousin and companion, Rosalind. Matters become even more confused as St George and Marchmont inevitably fall in love with their supposed victims and have to try and

convince the ladies of that their intentions really are honourable .

St George and the Dragon is just what a regency romance should be witty, frothy and a joy to read. The main characters are delightful, the setting appropriately gothic and the plot just races along. There is even an unexpected circumstance that keeps the readers' sympathies finnly engaged with the heroes and heroines. This is the perfect escapist entertainment.

Sara Wilson

LADY X'S

COWBOY

Zoe Archer, Leisure, 2006, $5.99, pb , 352pp,0843956666

The widowed Lady Xavier is left a brewery and actually wants to run it- marking her as unconventional in 1883 London. Another duck out of water, Colorado cowboy Will Coffin, comes to her rescue when titled usurper Pryce will stop at nothing to wrest the enterprise from her control. Sparks fly. Lady X formulates a plan she'll assist Will on his London mission, to solve the mystery of his identity, in return for his help keeping Pryce from thwarting her business. Sparks fly higher as neither villains nor the clash of cultures and class can keep the lovers apart.

A fast-paced, delightful adventure with well-matched lovers who, when stressed, whisper sweet nothings in Yiddish. Oy, but who couldn't love them? Historical romance at its best. A great debut for Zoe Archer.

Eileen Charbonneau

A GENTLEMAN IN CHARLESTON AND THE MANNER OF HIS DEATH

William Baldwin, Univ. of South Carolina, 2005, $24.95, hb, 203pp, 1570036020

A fascinating version of a true-to-life story is the basis of this novel by the awardwinning William Baldwin. Charleston newspaper editor Captain David Lawton (the fictional guise of an actual historical figure) discovers that despite surviving the Civil War and Reconstruction, his biggest battles are during peacetime He struggles to keep his newspaper afloat while resisting the temptation of his wife's sister, who is keeping him company while his wife is abroad. This potentially explosive set-up trails away, however, as the sister leaves for New York, and the captain's wife returns with a lovely Swiss governess in tow. Sparks fly between the captain and the buxom governess, but the governess also flirts with a wastrel poet and a married doctor who happens to be their neighbor. Meanwhile, the captain's increasingly erratic wife finds comfort visiting a fortuneteller who was once her husband's lover. There's much material for murder, yet when a murder does happen, it's for surprisingly trivial reasons, and the subsequent trial is never fully plumbed for dramatic potential. A Gentleman in Charleston is an interesting look at postCivil War South Carolina, and a ISSUE 35, FEBRUARY 2006

quintessentially southern novel: quite a lot goes on, yet nothing much happens.

Lisa Ann Verge

THE SECRET PEARL

Mary Balogh , Bantam, 2005 , $6.99/ C$9 99 , 399pp , 9780440242970

Isabella Fleur Bradshaw is a gentlewoman driven by circumstance to wait outside London ' s Drury Theatre one night to sell the only thing she has left The man who buys her , the Duke of Ridgeway, was left hideously scarred by the Battle of Waterloo and wounded even more deeply by a wife he once loved but who never loved him He realizes too late that he has taken the prostitute ' s virginity. Filled with remorse , the duke se nds his secretary to find the woman he knew only as " Fleur" and hire her as a governess for his young daughter. This is a romance. The two will fall in love Yet as the plot unfolds , this prostitute and this adulterer prove to be the most honorable people in their sphere. The reader is treated to a very moving story of two people learning to love and trust in a world that has given them very little cause to believe in either. The Secret Pearl is a fan favorite reissued by popular demand after fourteen years r can understand why.

Sue Asher

THE RANGER AND THE REDHEAD

Lynna Banning , Harlequin , 2005 , $5.50 , pb , 297pp , 0373293739

When Will Bondurant rescues preach e r ' s daughter Charlotte Greenfield from the hand s of the Sioux in 1861 Nebraska, he has no idea of the journey, peril, and romance that await him The prim but detennined Miss Greenfield is on her way to teach school in Oregon or so she says. Will shortly finds himself escorting Charlotte to her destination, and the duo is pursued by numerous shady figures whose purposes are unclear. Why is a man claiming to be Charlotte's husband pursuing her? What is Will's notorious, older half-brother Luis plotting? Charlotte must learn self-reliance in the face of danger, and Will must allow himself to love again without overshadowing his energetic traveling partner.

Banning's adventure-romance is lively, and her characters are blessed with a generous amount of witty, spirited dialogue and pl enty of comedy amidst the danger. The sole drawback to this delightful romance is that Will ' s wicked half-brother Luis enters the plot a bit late, and Banning makes his role so intriguing that it would have been nice to see even more of him, but this particular point should not deter any romance lover looking for a very enjoyable escape.

Andrea Bell

CAMP FORD

Johnny D Boggs, Five Star, 2005 , $25.95, hb , 269pp, 1594l4l290

Deftly shifting between 1946 and I 865 with its protagonist and baseball as common

THE

HISTORICAL NOVELS REVIEW

elements, Win MacNaughton narrates his 99-year journey from the son of Rhode Island abolitionists to honored guest at the World Series. When his father is killed at Gettysburg , the underage Win , destined for a number-crunching future, and friend Mike take a different tum at the fateful crossroads of the Civil War-they volunteer as Union troopers and are sent to the family's former preaching ground , Texas As a prisoner of war in the largest compound west of the Mississippi, Win again takes up the game he's loved most of his life. The stakes are higher now , and the sport that once brought warring sides together now seems destined to reflect the murderous battle. And he and his embittered friend are on opposite sides.

Vivid and evocative , Camp Ford's hapless, self-deprecating hero is the perfect guide on this journey of a young man ' s coming of age during a time fraught with horror, betrayal , brutality , but also honor, friendship, and the love of baseball.

Eileen Charbonneau

THE NOBLE FUGITIVE

T Davis Bunn and Isabella Bunn, Bethany House, 2005, $ l 2.99 , pb, 3 l 3pp, 0764228595

The destinies of a runaway Venetian nobleman's daughter , a descendant of the Acadians , and pre-Victorian reformer William Wilberforce all converge to form volume three in the Heirs of Acadia series. In 1832, Serafina Gavi flees her parents , who have separated her from her heart's desire, her former art teacher Luca Serafina tries to take refuge with a relative in England, but new knowledge about Luca ' s duplicity and her aunt's ill health leave her destitute, forcing her into service. John Falconer, an anti-slavery worker, is a guest at Harrow Hall, where he saves Serafina from the unwanted attentions of the son of the house. Anti-slavery friends then introduce them to the dying Wilberforce and enlist their help in the great cause.

The book's tone is gloomier than other Christian fiction that I have encountered. The main characters spend much of the book in spiritual anguish. Serafina despairs over Luca, endures the drudgeries of a servant's life , and feels remorse over the break with her parents Falconer is haunted by the fact that he was once a slaver, repenting his actions and hoping to make atonement by actively fighting slavery Still , some unusual settings and good characterizations kept me reading. The ending does give the reader hope for a more optimistic future for the protagonists, and promises a sequel.

B.J Sedlock

MADELET E IS SLEEPING

Sarah Shun -Lien Bynum , Harcourt, 2005 , $ l 3.00 , tpb , 239pp, 0 I 56032279

In a provocative and bold stroke, Ms ShunLien Bynum writes a most unusual novel , set in a fairy tale-like Belle-Epoque France "Chapters," some as short as one sentence, 19

most less than two pages , move the reader through the wild and eccentric dream/ nightmare world of young Madeleine A wide array of topics are explored , including child abuse- with her mother burning her hands for her naughtiness- masturbation , and sexual fantasy The title character's family watche s over her as she dreams in a weird and surreal world. The book works from some traditional fairy tale/ stories, such as the Brothers Grimm and the historical Madeleine , however it is very nontraditional in scope By no mean s is this a leisurely read ; the reader must work hard (reading it several times) to appreciate the author's intent. This is a complex yet well written book, which was a finalist for the 2004 National Book Award . Carol Anne Germain

0 E LITTLE SIN

Liz Carlyle, Pocket Star, 2005, $6 99 , pb , 355pp , 9780743496100

Pub. in the UK by Piatkus, 2005 , £6 99, pb , 350pp , 0749936398

Sir Alasdair Maclachlan is a typical ne'erdo-well with a penchant for drinking , gambling and sleeping with other men's wives , until one morning when the beautiful young Esmee Hamilton shows up on his doorstep with a baby- her half-sister, Sorcha Their mother is dead, and they have been cast out by Esmee's stepfather becau se he is not Sorcha's father. Alasdair is. The details of her story sound all too credible , although Alisdair was drunk the night in question and remembers little. Despite his flaws , he won't throw an orphaned toddler out into the street, but he cannot care for Sorcha himself so he begs Esmee to stay on as governess. Es mee loves her sister too much to leave her. Moreover, she is lonely and bereft. Although aware her reputation will never survive, she agrees Will the rake corrupt the sharp-tongued , down-to-earth governess? Will her innocence reform his jaded heart? Will they fall in love? Well , this is a romance. But what makes this enjoyable despite a rather predictable outcome are the twists and turns the plot takes to get there The main characters are pleasant to follow in their quest for honor and love Moreover, Alasdair ' s brother and be st friend are promi s ing personalities to s tar as heroe s in the planned Regency trilogy Sue Asher

TWO LITTLE LIES

Liz Carlyle, Pocket Star, 2006 , $6 99 /C$9 50 , pb, 384pp , 0743496l 16 Pub . in the UK by Piatkus , 2006, £6 .99 , pb , 300pp , 0749936401

Viviana Alessandri , London's popular opera singer, is the secret mistress of Quin Hewitt, heir to an earldom Pregnant and desperate , she proposes marriage to him - without stating her reason. Citing family objections , Quin refuses. Nine years on , a more mature Viviana return s to England as a widowed contessa, accompanied by her three children ISSUE 35, FEBRUARY 2006

and her father. Signor Alessandri, a renowned composer, is collaborating on a new opera. His chief patron happens to be Quin Hewitt's uncle-and near neighbor in the countryside. Viviana is thrown into the company of her former lover, now the Earl of Wynwood, at the moment he is celebrating his engagement.

Viviana is easier to like than Quin. Nearly all the characters, with the exception of the heroine 's younger children, exhibit a grim seriousness. After much sorrow, sex, and slamming of doors, the couple strives to overcome their conflicts. While the novel is smoothly written, the author's overuse of Italian phrases becomes annoying and distracting, as are the appearance of lateautumn tulips and an uncertain knowledge of Buckinghamshire's flora and topography. Not one of Carlyle's best efforts, this problematic second novel in her current trilogy is recommended to only the most ardent and forgiving fans of historical romance.

Margaret Barr

BREAD AND DREAMS

Jonatha Ceely, Delacorte, 2005, $22.99/C$30.99, 408pp, hb, 0385336896

A sequel to Mina, Bread and Dreams continues the story of Mina Pigot, an Irish orphan who has escaped from England in 1848 with the help of her friend Mr. Serie, a Jew who has lost his wife and son. Together, they sail to America to find Mina's brother, with Mr. Serie as the ship's cook, and Mina disguising herself as his assistant, Daniel. Once in New York City, their lives take different paths, with Mina finding a home with a seamstress and her aunt, and Mr. Serie working as a chef and bewitched by a beautiful opera singer, much to Mina's anguish.

Mina's story is told as a diary, introduced by the device of having been found in a home that is being restored, but it hardly needs such a framework, as it is instantly compelling. Ceely brings to life mid-nineteenth century New York with all its proprieties that must be observed, the hidden and overt dangers to young women, and the racism towards both the Jews and the Irish. There is a nod to other important events of the time, with Mina's brother seduced by the gold rush in California and leaving her to find his fortune. When she decides to join him, her life takes an unexpected detour that finds her living on a farm in upstate New York with an adopted son.

In addition to the vivid historical descriptions, Ceely has created memorable characters-loyal and wise Honor, Mina's seamstress friend; her decorous Aunt Jane, who hides a secret; the enigmatic yet soulful Mr. Serie; and his opposite, his friend Guido DiRoma, a life-loving Italian who takes to Honor. All form a family for the orphaned Mina, and a third book detailing more of their lives is "a consummation devoutly to be wished."

Ellen Keith

CALLING THE WIND

Rita Cleary, Five Star, 2005, $25.95, hb, 216pp, 1594141533

With the 2006 celebration of the bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, Calling the Wind is one of many new releases about the famed journey to explore the American West. Cleary's story, however, differs greatly from many accounts documented by years of research. As a novel, the author has license to cast her story in any light she chooses; her story, as told through her characters, Lewis and Clark, and the men who made up the Corps of Discovery, is a rather dark tale that little resembles historical fact.

The story opens with the Expedition's winter stay on the Pacific coast. The reader finds the men in a state of depression, wondering if they will ever see their homes again. The author's description of the weather, the landscape, and the men add to the impression that this expedition is anything but glorious. She refers to Lewis and Clark: "Now he braced his shoulders smartly as William Clark reviewed the ranks and Meriwether Lewis, thin, pale, in pieces of his old dress uniform, trying to maintain the dignity of his rank, lowered the ragged, water-soaked flag."

Cleary also imagines that there must have been racism among the men in regard to York, Clark's slave In a scene where the men are talking about York, she writes: "Labiche continued as if the black man were absent or deaf: 'Blackie probably has his blackie woman and a passel of blackie chicks. Valuable property, blackie chicks. Bet he makes chicks faster than Clark can sell 'em."'

Calling the Wind is a piece of fiction, but it is not historical fiction.

Sue Schrems

ONE NIGHT OF SCANDAL

Nicola Cornick, Harlequin, 2005, $5.50 / C$6.50, pb, 296pp, 0373293631

Pub. in the UK by Mills & Boon, 2004, out of print

Widow Deborah Stratton needs a temporary fiance to keep her father from forcing her to return home or marrying her to her cousin. Lord Richard Kestrel sees a chance to win the fascinating woman he's loved since his disastrous offer the year before to make her his mistress. In this second entry in her Bluestocking Brides trilogy, Nicola Cornick delivers another charming tale of love and intrigue in early 191h century Suffolk. Richard is a spy, and soon he and Deb are caught up in the mystery of identifying the traitor in the Midwinter Villages while Deb battles her desire for Richard , certain the secret she hides makes her unworthy to remarry.

Ms. Comick's books are always an enjoyable read, and this one is no different, from her delightful characters , believable setting, and page-turning pacing to the clever subplots running through the series. Without overwhelming minutiae, the author

recreates the period and its society through small details and language. The romance itself is lovely- the conflict is believable and true to the period. Very highly recommended for those who love Georgian period romance.

Teresa Basinski Eckford

THE RELUCTANT ASSASSIN

Preston Darby, Five Star, 2005, $25.95, hb, 229pp, 1594141517

When an unidentified mummy discovered in a long-abandoned Texas barn is examined, a diary is found embedded in its chest cavity-a diary purportedly written by none other than John Wilkes Booth. The story is told through this diary as it attempts to set the record straight, to unveil the "real story" of the Lincoln assassination and chronicle Booth's adventures after someone else was killed by federal soldiers in that Virginia barn.

In this farcical tale, a globetrotting Booth manages to meet just about every contemporary of note. He sails with Samuel Clemens, poses as an Indian guide for General Custer at Little Big Hom, rubs elbows with Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp, challenges Annie Oakley to shooting contests, and is psychoanalyzed by Sigmund Freud, just to name a few. Though Booth survival theories are plentiful and have all the makings of good plot fodder, Darby fails to deliver with this melodramatic tale. Like an out-of-control fraternity pledge, an insufferable Booth spends his time in a seemingly endless romp of boozing and womanizing. The prose is clumsy, the novel's humor falls flat, and the "mystery" element is unfinished; the questions raised at the beginning of the book are never definitively answered. Darby's Booth is strongly reminiscent of a bad blind dateone endures him because one must, and though he does occasionally say something interesting, this in no way makes up for the fact that he's an overblown, pompous ass whose company is to be avoided like the plague. By the end, one thinks only of all the things that could have been done with those lost hours.

Bethany Skaggs

SHARK ISLAND

Joan Druett, St. Martin 's Minotaur, 2005, $23.95,hb,304pp,0312334567

In this second novel of her Wiki Coffin series, Joan Druett returns to the successful recipe she used in Watery Grave: one part Patrick O'Brian mixed with one part Agatha Christie, spiced with an alpha male who would be at home in a romance novel. The result is an enjoyable read for fans of both nautical histories and cozy mysteries.

Dmett weaves her tale around the actual l 838-42 United States South Seas Exploring Expedition, a six-ship scientific voyage that set out to discover Antarctica. Before they do so, they discover two shipwrecks and two murders at an island off ISSUE 35, FEBRUARY 2006

the Brazilian coast. The island is named I/ha Tubarao, Portuguese for Shark Island. Wiki, a man of mixed Polynesian-American blood, has no love for the racist Lieutenant Forsythe who emerges as the main murder suspect. However, Wiki's natural skills as an investigator lead him in other directions. That's when he discovers that the murders are not the only mysteries on Shark Island.

Readers of nautical mysteries and cozies will immediately enjoy Shark Island. However, they may find the story easier to follow if they begin with the first book in the series, Watery Grave, which has been published in paperback.

Chuck Curtis

FARAWAY BLUE

Max Evans, Univ. of New Mexico Press, 2005,$15.95,pb,303pp,0826335853

Buffalo Soldier Sergeant Moses Williams and his Civil War-hardened soldiers face the daunting task of killing Apaches in the "faraway blue" mountains of southwestern New Mexico Territory of the late 1800s. His nemesis is Nana, a tactical genius both hated and admired, who recognizes his opponent by the gold bars on his sleeve.

Nana's "eyes" belong to his young grandson. He also has a fierce woman warrior by his side. Moses soon becomes attached to Sheela Jones, the victim of one of the Apache raids, who he meets as she's about to start a life of prostitution. Sheela's allies include the tough Madame, her own foster mother, and the fort's washerwoman. As relationships deepen, the war rages to its final showdown at the Mexican border.

Evans tells a crackling, fast-paced story that is not afraid to take time for thought and tenderness. Although frequent viewpoint shifts are demanding and sometimes lead to repetition, his vibrant characters, usually on the periphery in Westerns, are treated with care and perception.

Eileen Charbonneau

HUMAN TRACES

Sebastian Faulks, Hutchinson, 2005, hb £17.99, 615pp, ISBN 0091794900 (US, pb fSBN 0091794900)

Set mostly in the final quarter of the 19 th Century, this is a dense and thoughtprovoking novel by a writer who has already shown his considerable talents in historical fiction through such titles as Birdsong. Doctors' Thomas Midwinter and Jacques Rebiere, English and French respectively, form a partnership with the aim of understanding and explaining the nature of mental illness. The novel is set in a time in Europe when theories about the causes of conditions such as hysteria and dementia changed and developed with bewildering rapidity. Both of these young and ambitious doctors were detennined to play a dynamic part in the great adventure of getting to the truth behind the complexities of the human mind. The story can be read in two ways: either as a straightforward saga of

THE HISTORICAL NOVELS REVIEW

the progress of Midwinter and Rebiere, their successes and uncertainties, marriages and experiences in setting up and running sanatoria to help a range of affiicted folk. Alternatively, the novel is an endeavour to discover that which makes us human. How is it that we differ from animals and why did this fundamental change occur in the evolution of mankind? Faulks suggests, through Midwinter, that it is consciousness of being human itself which also brings with it the unwelcome but unavoidable associated risks of mental instability that is the key. So, while the story flows along in routine linear fashion, there are also elements that delve deeply into human behaviour. It is blended capably, though I did feel at times that the background story tended to plod a little. But it is a moving and emotionally uplifting story, and the ending leaves the reader feeling a sense of completion and with a renewed insight into the nature of the human condition. The historical context 1s convincing and this novel demands time and attention, but it is worth it.

Doug Kemp

ALMOST A LADY

Jane Feather, Bantam, 2005, $6.99/C$9.99, pb,453pp,0553587560

Meg Barratt sets off from the lending library in Folkestone, having picked up her eagerly awaited copy of Mrs. Radcliffs The Italian. Little does she realize that she won't make it home again anytime soon. She slips and hits her head on the rain-drenched cobbles trying to get around a suspiciously parked carriage in her lane. When she comes to, she finds herself at sea on a ship, ensconced in a room with a chatty and amiable macaw for company. It turns out that Meg has been mistaken for another woman, one who was to help Cosimo, the captain of the Mary Rose, with his mission against Napoleon. However, since she was unconscious, she was unable to set those who came to collect her straight. Meg is not overly concerned about the dictates of society, which greatly aids the pacing of this story, since readers needn't suffer through Meg having vapors. The historical aspects of the story enhance the growing relationship between Meg and Cosimo. While this book is preceded by Almost a Bride, this book stands very well on its own.

Trudi E. Jacobson

THE MADONNA LIST

Max Foran, Brindle & Glass, 2005, $l9.95 / C$24.95, pb, 374pp, 0973248181

When St. Dominic dies in 1221, the list of names discovered on his body is placed in the Vatican archives with the documents pertaining to his sainthood. A copy is hidden in a statue of the Madonna, which eventually ends up in Canada. Ambitious and arrogant, Bernard Birous of Genoa enters the Church in l 838. His mentors recognize he lacks the piousness of others, but feel they can mold him to do their 21

bidding. That misconception and blackmail over the suicide of a woman who saw visions of the Virgin Mary eventually leads to Birous' banishment to New South Wales. Martin Goyette of New France yearns to travel and become an artist, but a tragic accident leaves him crippled. His idleness and inability to make decisions lead to his becoming caught up in the doomed rebellion to take Canada back from the British. Imprisoned then convicted, Martin endures transportation to an Australian penal colony, where his encounter with a priest and a native girl lead to violence, love, betrayal, and tragedy.

An intricate web of mystery, this historical thriller never quite achieves the level of suspense I expected. At times I found the story confusing, and r didn't understand what St. Dominic's list was or what it had to do with the story until halfway through the book. The lack of a good copy editor slowed the story's pace. Readers with an interest in the struggle between the French and British in Canada or the early history of Australia should enjoy this book.

Cindy Vallar

FLASHMAN ON THE MARCH

George MacDonald Fraser, Knopf, 2005, $24, hb, 336pp, 1400044758

Pub. in the UK by HarperCollins, 2006, £7.99,pb,320pp,0007197403

The impressionable (reprehensible?) Sir Harry Flashman, V.C., K.C.B., K.C.I.E. (none of them deserved) rides again to the delight of the global fans of the Victorian "hero" created by George MacDonald Fraser. The latest memoir finds Flashman forced to join a mission to aid European hostages held by the mad King Theodore of Abyssinia in 1867-1868. Anyone acquainted with Flashy knows he would never willingly put himself in harm's way. He takes on the task to deliver ransom money demanded by Theodore only to escape Austrians determined to bring him to justice for seducing an underage princess! This action sets the tone for Flash man's numerous attempts to save his own life while willingly pushing others into the line of fire. His adventures naturally include love bouts with glamorous, and bloodthirsty, women and equally hairraising meetings with the thoroughly psychotic King Theodore. Fraser is a master of historical research, and his descriptions and analyses of Theodore, Abyssinia, Sir Robert Napier, and the Battle of Magdaia serve as perfect backdrops for one of the most dishonorable, and most entertaining, characters in historical fiction.

John R. Vallely

FOUR DAYS IN JUNE

Iain Gale, HarperCollins, April 2006, £12.99,hb,384pp,000720l036

'Waterloo will become the most written about battle in the history of warfare.'

ISSUE 35, FEBRUARY 2006

So ends Iain Gale's book, adding another I 00,000 words on the topic. Admittedly he also covers the battles of Ligny and Quatre Bras, which immediately preceded Waterloo, but his book in none the less a very detailed, blow-by-blow account of one of the briefest, bloodiest and most decisive campaigns in military history.

His account ts written from the viewpoints of five participants: Napoleon, Marshall Ney, General Zeithen and Colonels De Laney and Macdonnell, switching viewpoint from chapter to chapter. It is thus not a story about the campaign but a story of the campaign. Since I was reading a review copy I did not have any of the maps, which made it difficult to follow the manoeuvres leading up to Waterloo , but once we reach the main battle the pa ce quickens and the story becomes more gripping.

lain Gale is editor of the Scottish National Trust Magazine and as one would expect he writes with scrupulous attention to historical accuracy , particularly in describing the gorgeously impractical uniforms in which officers and men went to war in 18 I 5. He tells us that he wrote the novel not as history but 'in an attempt to see inside the minds of a few men who took part in the battle ' Since these few are all high-ranking professional soldiers , there alliJud es do not differ fundamentally. They all accept war as their calling and are long inured to its savagery. The great puzzle of modem mass warfare remains unanswered; how have so many hundreds of thousands of ordinary men been induced to kill each other and throw away their own lives on such a prodigal scale ?

Edward James

THE SUDBURY SCHOOL MURDERS

Ashley Gardner, Berkley Prime Crime, 2005, $6.99/ C$9.99 , pb, 295pp, 0425203611

Captain Lacey has taken up a position as secretary to the headmaster of the Sudbury School, an institution that caters to the sons of the wealthy merchant class. He expects that things will be quiet upon his removal from London , but that is not to be. He finds that the school has been suffering pranks, both harmless and malicious , but things escalate when an employee of the school is found murdered, dumped into the nearby section of the Kennet and A van Canal. When the wrong man is arrested for the murder , he feels compelled to investigate the case Characters that have played a prominent role in his recent life also appear in this installment, despite its country setting: Marianne, his upstairs neighbor ; the rather frightening James Denis; and Lucius Grenville , his wealthy friend who sets trends in the ton , amongst others. Social issues that play a role are the prejudice against Romanies and the situation of kept women when they lose their protectors. For those who are new to the series, I recommend that you read the books m

THE HISTORICAL NOVELS REVIEW

order, starting with The Hanover Square Affair, in order to fully understand Lacey's relationships with those around him. This superb mystery series set in the Regency is atmospheric, filled with well-rounded characters and possessing engaging, fastmoving plots.

Trudi E. Jacobson

WAITING FOR THE RAINBOW

Dana George, Leisure, 2005, $5.99/ C$7.99, pb,326pp,0843956l78

The opening pages of this novel start with the famous flood of 1889 sweeping away a couple of people, but that is just a prelude. The actual, full description of the Johnstown Flood takes place later in the book, and doesn't disappoint, with its " disaster movie" rundown of the fate of the characters. Details about the events and causes leading up to the dam breaking are interesting and carefully woven into the lives of the townspeople.

While there are two main characters, Braedon and Charlotte, and their romantic relationship is the primary focus of the book, many secondary characters add to the appeal of the story. Particularly likable are the engineer who was called in, too late, to strengthen the dam, and the wheelchairconfined wealthy matron who survives the flood while her chair does not. This book has traditional values of personal responsibility and accountability upheld throughout the book, with few sex scenes , so why the somewhat lurid cover art was chosen is a mystery.

Mary K. Bird-Guilliams

DARCY'S DIARY

Amanda Grange , Hale , 2005 , £ 18.99 , hb, 224pp,0709078609

Having read Pride and Prejudice several times, seen various adaptations of it on both the small and large screen, including the latest rendering, I did wonder about this idea of telling the story from Darcy's point of view, but actually found it absolutely fascinating.

Amanda Grange seems to have really got under Darcy's skin and retells the story , in diary form , with great feeling and sensitivity. She begins with Darcy discovering that his sister, Georgiana, is planning to elope with George Wickham and dashes off to the Kent coast to sort the problem out by dismissing her companion and chaperone and whisking Georgiana back to London. He then meets his great friend, Charles Bingley, who enlists his help in finding a suitable estate for him as he plans to settle in tbe country and tbe rest , as they say, is history.

Darcy 's Diary follows the events as they unfold in Jane Austen's original book and concludes , some months after his marriage to Elizabeth Bennett when they are visited by Mr. & Mrs. Collins. I quickly got into the spirit of tbe tale. The storyline was

unchanged, the characters were faithfully portrayed and the touch was light. It is a good read in its own right but for anyone who finds Jane Austen hard going- and there will be some out there- reading it in bite sized chunks in diary form would be a good introduction to her work

Marilyn Sherlock

WHITE STONE DAY

John Maclachlan Gray, Minotaur, 2005 , $24.95, hb,285pp,031228293I

To be pub. in the UK by Arrow in Sept. 2006 at £7.99, pb, 009942146 l

Set in gritty Victorian London in 1858 , Gray's second book follows A Fiend in Human, his first novel which, likewise, was filled with reprobates and just about the worst trash that the streets could offer. Victorian respectability has no place in any of Gray's pages.

Edmund Whitty is a writer for a London tabloid, spewing out lurid articles. He begins investigating a quack psychic, and goes to a seance under an assumed name, only to be contacted by his late brother. What scandal is this that his brother divulges? And why is the psychic quickly dispatched after that seance?

The investigation takes Whitty to Oxford, where an eccentric cleric and author of children's stories is involved in a family with two little girls. He plays croquet with them, and they weave stories together during their "playtimes." He also takes "artistic" photographs of little girls. Is this man involved in a ring of murderous child pornographers?

This is a dark tale often told tongue-incheek by Gray through the voices of his characters. I was uncomfortable with the narrative style, although it was consistent with the subject and the characters. I found myself having a problem concentrating on the plots and subplots. Having read that Gray was likened to both Caleb Carr and Dickens, I expected to become gripped by the events as they unfolded - but I wasn't. Unfortunate, considering the potential of the subject matter.

Ilysa Magnus

CABIN GULCH

Zane Grey , Five Star, 2006 , $25.95, hb , 329pp, 1594143307

When I was young, my father owned the Zane Grey collection , and I read many volumes. I found some of them bland and sanitized. It's exciting to discover that the author was heavily censored , and for the first time to read an uncensored Cabin Gul c h Driven by character and action , the story of bandit Jack Kells, who kidnaps a young woman named Joan who loves the wild youth Jim Cleve, becomes a love triangle. Head of the border legion, Kells is an amiable gentleman yet a cold-blooded killer who can barely control his dark passions. Subjected to horror, Joan calls on sheer willpower to keep him at bay.

ISSUE 35, FEBRUARY 2006

In Kells, Grey has created a complex villain, but some of the characterization is cartoonish. Rival bandit leader Gulden is described as a "gorilla," and Cleve's face is many shades of white. But the inner workings of Joan are subtle and true Surrounded by men at their most beastly , she takes on camouflage as a bandit girl.

The land sca pe is a dusty sepia, relieved by the "g low of fire logs, the cold pitiless stars and mustering shadows" under canyon walls. When the gang descends on a goldmining camp at Alder Creek, Joan is confined to a room from which she witnesses greed, scheming and murder. The salty dialog recalls radio plays "The clatter of hoofs on the stony road told of a horse swiftly approaching." From Joan's point of view, gold is the destroyer. The adventure roars to a gripping climax.

Marcia

K. Matthews

BE TREDMOON

Russ Hall, Five Star, 2005, $25.95, hb , 243pp, 1594141355

There's a reason why the boy-gets-girl , boyloses-girl, boy-finds-girl formula has lasted so long . It's a story that readers continually find interesting. If you are one of these readers, you'll like Bent R ed Moon. The Texas Hill Country of the 1870s provides the background for a new version of thi s classic plot. The boy is Mick Dixon , an orphan in search of his uncle. The girl is Syd, a young Mexican woman in search of revenge. Outlaws, buffalo hunters , buffalo soldiers and Indians of half a dozen tribes fill out the plot. While Mick looks for his uncle and Syd looks for revenge , their paths cross and they find a silver mine This knowledge brings them to the attention of the bad guys, and springs the plot into action.

Hall draws his heroes and villains in broad strokes. The hero is not only goodhe's virginal and self-sacrificing. The villains are not simply bad- they're cruel to the core. The writing is dramatic: "Mick woke and felt like a dried old board that had been secured in place with rusty nails ."

Be nt Red Moon is an exciting novel, but the excitement doesn ' t come from sudden plot twists. If you like a familiar tale retold , you will like this novel. You'll be less satisfied if you thrive on unexpected storylines and characters

Chuck Curtis

DANCE FOR A DIAMOND

Melinda Hammond , Hale , £ 18 .99, hb, 223 pp , 0709076978

The book begins with an irresi s tible hero (dark, handsome and angry, and terribly wounded in the war) confronting the woman he loved after she broke her word to him and become engaged to another gentleman. This dramatic event is closely followed by another as he rescues a destitute young woman from a whorehouse. He sends her home with a valuable diamond ring in her pocket - the ring he bought for his cheating lover.

THE HISTORICAL NOVELS REVIEW

When Antonia Venn opens her dancing school in Bath some months later she is desperate to keep her secret, but that seems unlikely when the brother of one of her pupils turns out to be Laurence Oakford - the man who helped her in her hour of deepest need. However, Laurence has no intention of betraying her secret, though he is a stem guardian and clearly does not approve of his sister's dancing teacher. It appears that he believes she has sold his diamond to open her school, which is not the case.

The conflict grows until Antonia is forced to break with him, even though by this time she is desperately in love. Will they manage to find happiness or is she doomed to a life of regret? An excellent Regency , fun, romantic and well worth reading.

Linda Sole

WHAT A GELS FEAR

C.S. Harris , New American Library, 2005, $23.95,hb,34lpp,0451216695

In 1811 , King George Ill is sinking into madness, political intrigue is rife , and Viscount Sebastian St. Cyr, heir to the Earl of Hendon , finds himself in a difficult position . A beautiful young actress has been found viciously raped and murdered in a Westminster church. When the blame erroneously falls on Sebastian, he must hide in London's seedy underworld and, with the help of a lost love who has secrets of her own , ferret out the real killer. The list of suspects grows exponentially, including actors, aristocrats , spies, and even members of Sebastian's own family, as Sebastian struggles to uncover the truth and clear his name before he is apprehended and executed.

The mystery is both fast-paced and compelling, and the undercurrent of political intrigue adds to the tension. Harris's take on the Prince Regent and his circle is interesting, and she conjures both Regency era England and an atmosphere of sinister menace with admirable skill. Sebastian is a well-developed character, both intense and intriguing, and the supporting cast is also drawn with depth and sensitivity. A gripping mystery steeped in period ambiance, What Angels Fear is a real page-turner.

Bethany Skaggs

ROCKY MOUNTAIN WIDOW

Jillian Hart , Harlequin , 2005, $5.50/C$6.50, pb,296pp , 0373293658

Montana in wintertime automatically makes the setting a cold one, as the saying goes: "there's nothing between you and the North Pole but barbed wire!" Amid the snowstorms, one really rotten family spoils the frontier for the decent folk of Bluebonnet. Joshua , the bachelor rancher who saves Claire from her vicious husband and then continues to help her , has character nicely balanced between masculine redblooded and gentlemanly virtues. Claire is also well developed as a sensitive yet determined woman. She never intends to love again, and Joshua thinks women are 23

treacherous There is a pioneer grandmother, tough as nails , and a freewheeling couple of siblings that round out the family. The rustling , crooked, conniving Hamiltons keep creating circumstances where the two are thrown together. The reader knows what to expect, but the journey is all great fun For those who care about such details , the likelihood of the wolf attack as described is debatable by the experts on wolf behavior, but otherwise the action is believable A gentle western.

Mary K. Bird-Guilliams

THE SHORT DAY DYING

Peter Hobbs, Harcourt, 2006, $23.00, hb, 208pp,0151011419

This new American release was previously reviewed in Issue 33, August 2005.

THE MOONLIT CAGE

Linda Holeman, Review, 2005, £6.99, pb, 530pp,0755328566

This novel starts out on a very strong note Darya, an intelligent and perceptive girl, comes of age in an Afghan village where she is betrothed to a cousin she has never met. Her life might have been commonplace had her grandmother not filled her head with dreams of freedom and adventure. Thus begins Darya 's poignant quest to claim her own power in a culture where women's rights are an oxymoron. When her father's second wife lays a curse on Darya, destroying her chances of honourable marriage in the village, she is married off to a nomadic tribesman Eventually Darya must flee her husband to save her own life Taking her fate in her own hands, she strikes out alone.

Enter David Ingram , a compassionate young Englishman who becomes her sav iour and protector, bringing her to Bombay, where he finds her respectable, if humble, employment. Darya and David are deeply drawn to each other, yet both , separated by their opposing cultures, hesitate This might have evolved into a sensitive exploration of how an English sahib and a proud Muslim woman might have forged a life together in 1850s British India

Unfortunately, in a bizarre plot twist, Darya makes a choice completely at odds with her intelligence , dignity , and religion - not to mention her love for David Here the narrative devolves into a lurid swamp of laudanum, sex slaves, pornography, and serial murders When , in the end, Darya finally achieves her heart 's desire, it is as a pass ive victim being rescued, not as a heroine triumphantly claiming her power. A disappointing finish to a novel with such initial promise Mary Sharratt

THE DEVIL'S GAME

David Holland, St. Martin's Press , 2005, $24.95/C$33.95, hb , 277pp, 031234077X

The fire that swept through the Parliament of London in 1834 is the opening salvo in this tale of politics and power. Because of

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it, a by-election is required in the quiet little town of Bellminster. Various factions seek a replacement and adopt various tactics to promote their candidate and undermine the others. A riot breaks out, and a murder follows.

Rev. Tuckworth, dean of the cathedral, decides to investigate-a good choice since he is apolitical, nosy, bright and in contact with members of the different social classes. He is a complex man and through h.im, Holland allows us to slip unobtrusively into the past and observe the universal workings of men tempted by power, the links between social unrest and politics, and how they affect everyone, voter or not, in any time period. Not only do we get in-depth glimpses of that society, but each member has an inner life and motivation that contribute to the events. The story starts with a bang, yet manages to build into a crescendo that will hook the reader right until the very end.

Nicole Leclerc

BLACK ELK IN PARIS

Kate Horsley, Trumpeter, 2006, $19.95, hb, 212 pp, 1590303296

In 1888, as the Eiffel Tower is being constructed close by, the lives of a French family and their physician are changed by a refugee left behind from Buffalo Bill's Wild West Extravaganza. A friendship develops between Black Elk, known as "Choice," the physician, and the family's youngest and most unconventional daughter, Madou. His hosts soon learn that Choice is suffering from what appears to be a ten11inal homesickness, and yet are unwilling to come up with the simple solution as their fascination with him grows. The best they seem able to provide is a few days in the French countryside until Buffalo Bill finally comes to the rescue.

Narrated by the lonely Dr. Philippe, the story is less about Black Elk and much more about the Balise family and the manners and mores of Paris. Madou is refreshing (and of course therefore doomed to an insane asylum), but as clinging to her Indian as one sister is to a dog and another to her abusive lover. The novel's tone shifts from philosophical to lyrical to mordantly comic, as when a coffin is provided for the notquite-dead-yet guest. Despite beautifully rendered language and some transporting scenes, a reader might hunger for the point of view of the family's American friendand then buy him a steamship ticket tout de suite, even knowing that Wounded Knee is just around the comer.

Eileen Charbonneau

DEAR PENELOPE

Sharon Ihle, Leisure, 2005, $6.99/C$8.99, pb,342pp,0843955996

Lucy Preston arrives in Emancipation, Wyoming, one fine day in 1896 expecting to meet up with her fiance to begin their new life together. Instead, she discovers that he's

taken up with someone new, and she is left penniless and dejected. Sebastian Cole, local saloon owner with a taste for cognac and chocolate, takes pity on her and offers her a hostess job to raise money for her return trip to Kansas City. Lucy also begins an advice column ("Ask Penelope") for the local newspaper, pursuing a writing dream of hers. But when Lucy's family wants her to return home, Lucy discovers that she enjoys her independence and doesn't want to leave. What's a gal to do? Arrange a marriage of convenience with her boss, of course!

But Lucy and Sebastian learn that "convenient" sometimes isn't the same as "easy." In Lucy, Ihle has created a loveable and sympathetic heroine: she is feisty and a bit of a klutz as well. There is a healthy dose of humour in this book, though it never dissolves into the ridiculous. A fun, light read, perfect for unwinding on a rainy afternoon.

L. K. Mason

SONS OF LIBERTY

Marie Jakober, Forge, 2005, $25.95 / C$35.95,hb,320pp,0765310414

The Sons of Liberty in this book are a (fictional) group of Maryland landowners plotting an attack on Baltimore to help the Southern cause during the U.S. Civil War. On their tail is Austrian immigrant Braden Rolfe, refugee from the 1848 rebellion in Europe, Provost Marshal and spyrnaster for the Union-also a fiction. And between the poles we have a beautiful Confederate widow.

I like how award-winning author Jakober focuses our minds to consider the forty-eighters' role in American politics, although I think German-ness could have been better captured. The character of Nathan Mallaby, street urchin turned very effective spy, was delightful. The denouement is exciting and a surprise, and makes things seem right. Before that, however, a circuitous style of storytelling defused tension. I never got a real sense of threat from the Sons of Liberty, and the lovely Mrs. Farnsworth meandered too much to arouse sympathy. The different threads that come together so nicely at the end seemed purposeless-which detracted from the ultimate reward. The true spies of this war are fascinating enough that more could have been done, I feel.

Ann Chamberlin

FIELDS OF GOLD

Bridget Kraft, Five Star, 2005, $26.95, hb, 278pp, 1594143625

Since losing her parents, Guinevere Talbot must run her family's hop farm alone, a difficult task for a woman in 1882 California. Kellen O'Roarke is trying to build a resort in the valley, and needs to build a railroad spur across Guin's land for access. Since that would ruin her irrigation plan, she flatly refuses. But Kellen must have the spur, or the resort will fail, taking all his resources with it. Unexplained setbacks at the resort and farm cause Guin and Kellen to realize an

outside party wants them both to fail. Can they overcome their differences and work together to save their dreams?

I liked the author's choice of making the heroine ordinary-looking, instead of the expected blond/blue-eyed beauty. A secondary plot involving romance for Guin's visiting grandmother was another nice touch. But there are problems: spots of 21 "-century-sounding dialogue, and a richbitch rival for Kellen's affections who has a rather unbelievable change of heart al the end. Most jarring was the way Kraft provided romantic complications by having Guin and Kellen be conflicted about their feelings for each other. Several times they change their minds with lightning speed, and it comes off as capriciousness, rather than indecision.

B.J. Sedlock

THE BOOK OF THE SEVEN DELIGHTS

Betina Krahn, Jove, 2005, $7.99 /C$10.99, 328pp,pb,0515139726

The repressed Englishwoman traveling abroad in the nineteenth century is given another layer in this tale-this time she's a librarian! Despite her famous scholar father, Abigail Merchant was relegated to the basement of the British Museum, where she was put to work unpacking acquisitions. There she discovers papers which suggest that the lost library of Alexandria has not been destroyed but is in fact hidden in Marrakecb. Being a good librarian, she researches all that is needed for the female traveler, which of course omits all that is actually useful. Fate contrives that Apollo Smith, an eye patch-wearing Englishman, a deserter from the French Foreign Legion, be Abigail's guide to Marrakech, and along the way, their lives will be threatened by dastardly Legionnaires and outlaws, they will quarrel repeatedly, and of course they will fall in love.

Krahn has followed a formula, to be sure, but it works. Abigail and Apollo have enough self-awareness not to resist each other past the point of disbelief. Supporting characters seem to come straight from Casablanca's "usual suspects," but they give the tale the flavor of long-ago Saturday morning serials. I rooted wholeheartedly both for Abigail and Apollo to find the lost library and each other.

Ellen Keith

STEEPLECHASE

Jane Langton, St.Martin's Minotaur, 2005, $24.95/C$33.95, hb, 285pp, 0312301952

The greatest mystery is that this book is considered a mystery at all. The only crime involved is the "killing" of an ancient chestnut tree, and everybody knows who did it, so there isn't even a puzzle. Homer Kelly, having written a best-selling book on old churches, is working on the sequel and stumbles on a lost church. His "now" quest alternates with an account of the events that

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led to it in 1868. The research is solid, and the author cleverly inserts photographs and drawings from that era into the story. Unfortunately, it reads like a list of historical data : clothes, food, houses, privies, trivial facts. The characters are thinly drawn and confusing; a family tree would have helped the reader. Yet they are more vivid than present-day Homer and his wife Mary, who feel dated despite their use of modem technology.

This book should appeal to readers who have followed the series from its beginning or who love quiet stories about post-Civil War everyday life It will be disappointing to readers, like me, who have never read a previous entry in the series and regret the missed opportunities to make this tale more engrossing.

Nicole Leclerc

AUTHOR, AUTHOR

David Lodge, Penguin Paperback 2005, £7.99, pb , 400pp, 0141018224. Pub in US by Viking Books 2004, $24.95, hb, 387pp , 0670033499

This is a fictionalised biography of Henry James and, as one would expect from such a talented novelist , it is an excellent book Wherever possible , David Lodge has used the recorded events and available correspondence to examine elements of the life of Henry James, combined with a special insight that is the privilege of the novelist rather than the biographer.

The greater part of the book is set in the 1880s and 1890s and covers James's ultimately unsuccessful efforts to become a playwright of renown and wealth following the declining sales of his artistically crafted but difficult novels and short stories. His close friendship with the writers, George du Maurier, (Daphne's grandfather) and with Constance Fenimore Woolson infom1 the reader about much of the priorities and direction of James 's life It is the huge sales of Du Maurier's novel, Trilby with successfu l stage adaptations that prompt James to examine just what he was trying to achieve through his fiction.

This book is a delight to read with the sonorous and pontifical voice of Henry James resonating throughout. Many times I had to remind myself that it is a work of fiction and not a biography Doug Kemp

A SEASON FOR SCANDAL

Stephanie Laurens, Mira , 2005 , $12.95/C$15.95, pb, 536pp, 0778321207

This book is made up of two previously published Stephanie Laurens novels, namely Tangled Reins and Fair Juno. Both novels arc set in the Regency era. Tangl ed R e ins, Ms. Laurens' first novel , is the story of Miss Dorothea Darent. Dorothea believes herself on the shelf at 22 because of her plain looks and independent spirit. She is quite happy with her status until she meets her neighbor, the rakish Lord Hazelmere Fair

THE HISTORICAL NOVELS REVIEW

Juno tells the story of the Earl of Merton, friend to Lord Hazelmere. He is frustrated when his plans are cancelled and he must return home to deal with the estate problems caused by his family. When he accidentally fmds himself rescuing a lady on his way back to London, he realizes the cloud of obligations he must face might have a silver lining. Both of these Regency stories are mildly entertaining, but the pacing is slow and the plots are very similar. Ms. Laurens ' popularity grew with her later works, particularly the Cynster and Bastion Club series, written in the historical romance genre

Nan Curnutt

THE LAWMAN SAID "I DO"

Ana Leigh , Pocket, 2006 , $6.99/C$9.50, pb, 384 pp , 0743469968

After the American Civil War leaves his native Virginia devastated, Colt Fraser- the lawman of this novel's title-decides to join family in California As he travels along the Santa Fe Trail, he becomes wounded in an outlaw attack, and is forced to break his journey in a small New Mexico town. The local sheriff persuades him to act as his deputy until the next stagecoach passes through. Colt agrees, but his departure is delayed by the tempting presence of Cassie Braden, the sheriff's daughter, and the return of the outlaws. Will Colt make it to California, and if so, will Cassie go with him? This romance was enriched by a trio of chi ldren-true-to-life characters whose exploits left me chuckling. I found the bickering and misunderstandings between Colt and Cassie a little tiresome , but eajoyed the story and thought the author depicted believably her chosen time and place

Claire Morris

A HEART FOR ANY FATE

Suzanne Lyon, Five Star, 2005, $25.95, hb, 295pp, 1594143293

On the beautiful banks of the New River in Virginia in 1790, Hannah Allison married Willard Temple Cole. Hannah and Temple took up farming on the Cole farm in the nearby area. The farm , like many frontier farms, was overworked, and Temple looked westward for a new beginning . The new frontier of Kentucky offered a fresh start and better economic opportunities. The Coles migrated to Kentucky. Lucy, the Allison family slave, accompanied Hannah. Lucy became a trusted servant and helped Hannah through many difficult times on the frontier, including Indian raids , starvation, and natural disasters, along with helping Hannah raise her children.

Suzanne Lyon bases her novel on the true story of Hannah Cole, Missouri's "Pioneer Mother." The author states, "In the center of Boonville, a stature of Hannah, 'Breaking New Ground,' was recently unveiled. The dedication ceremony was attended by over 2000 of her descendants. This event celebrated several firsts for Missouri women 'Breaking New Ground ' 25

is the first life-size statue of a woman in the state of Missouri ."

The author also writes that at the wedding of Hannah and Temple, Dolley Todd and her husband , a cousin to Temple Cole, gave Hannah a personal journal and encouraged the newlywed to record her life. Dolley Todd, after the death of her husband, married James Madison and eventually became First Lady of the United States.

A Heart for Any Fate is an interesting story based on historical fact. Definitely a good read.

Sue Schrems

**THE UNCONVENTIONAL MISS WALTERS

Fenelia-Jane Miller, Hale, 2005, £18 99 , hb, 224pp , 0709079559

Nineteen-year-old Eleanor Walters is obliged by the terms of her guardian's will to marry an older man, her cousin Lord Leo Upminster, whose uncontrolled temper and rapid changes of mood she finds both bewildering and frightening. However, his dark, handsome looks are undeniably attractive . Ellie is certain that Leo has married purely out of a sense of duty and therefore she insists on a marriage of convenience, denying any intimacy to her husband. Frustration and a series of misunderstandings cause mounting tension, despite Eleanor's growing affection for Leo However, she is forced to run away from him after becoming the unwitting victim of malicious gossip. Eleanor decides to take refuge on a lonely country estate with near disastrou s results following the outbreak of riots in the area.

Miller's detailed picture of the social unrest that followed the Napoleonic wars , and the appalling hardship in the country caused by lack of employment, absentee landlords and unscrupulous agents, provides a realistic background to the story. Eleanor 's dilemma, her growing maturity and social consciousness are sensitively portrayed; moreover, the limitations imposed on her actions , including her plans to renovate the dilapidated housing on the estate, reflect the social realities of the period The author clearly has a detailed knowledge of fashion history, fabrics, interior furnishings , and other items of everyday use, and I was particularly fascinated by these minor details that add special colour and interest. Miller's characterisation is wholly convincing, making the novel a particularly engaging and entertaining read that I thoroughly recommend.

Lucinda Byatt

THE DEVIL'S ECKLACE

Kat Martin , Mira , 2005, $7.50/C$8.99, pb , 408 pp , 0778321991

Grace Chastain is a spirited young miss in Regency England who risks her reputation-as well as a trip to prison- in ISSUE 35, FEBRUARY 2006

order to break her father out of jail. After the deed is done, she arranges a trip to an aunt's house, only to have her ship intercepted by Captain Ethan Sharpe, the privateer whose crew was destroyed because of her father's treachery. Ethan is determined to wreak vengeance on his enemy by turning this wench over to the authorities Yet Grace enchants h im; soon they are sharing more than state secrets. Now convinced of her innocence , Ethan releases her only to discover that his actions aboard ship have bound him more deeply than ever. He does the right thing and marries Grace, but can he learn to love a woman with a traitor's blood , as well as the child she carries? Clear, straightforward, and lusty in a wonderfully sweet way, The Devil's N ec kla ce is the second novel in the author's "necklace" trilogy, and it stands well on its own

Lisa

Ann Verge

LADY MIDNIGHT

Amanda McCabe , Signet Eclipse, 2005 , $6.99 / C$9 99, pb , 404pp , 0451215036 Katerina Bruni is the daughter of Venice's most elite courtesan, and is being groomed to follow m her mother's footsteps. However, she, her mother, her mother's protector, and the man who has been picked out to be her protector are caught in a terrible storm while yachting. Katerina is washed up on a beach and nursed back to health She realizes that she can make an entirely new life for herself, since those close to her and her old way of life have perished. Lady Midnight is the story of her endeavor to do this: her move to London, then becoming a governess for Michael Lindley ' s young sister and his daughter in Yorkshire The sparks fly between Katerina (now plain Kate Brown) and Michael at first sight. I found it refreshing that they acknowledged their mutual attraction fairly quickly , and that any misassumptions between them weren't allowed to drag on very long . Set at the very end of the Regency , this is a charming •historical romance with some suspense added in.

Trudi E Jacobson

RATCATCHER

James McGee, HarperCollins, February 2006,£10,hb , 412pp,007212666

This historical thriller is set during the Napoleonic Wars in Regency London The central character Matthew Hawkwood is a Bow Street Runner with a mysterious military background He is asked to inv estigate a violent robbery by highwaymen, durin g which a naval officer was killed. This is the staring point for a murder investigation that leads Hawkwood to call on the services of his friend Jago with his expert knowledge of the back streets and alleyways of the crime-ridden city Their search uncovers a sinister plot and the hunt for the highwaymen turns into a race to prevent a French Imperial plot from undermining the Royal Navy.

Historically, this is an interesting novel because it brings out of the shadows of the regency period the importance and role of the Bow Street Runners. They were not simply a prototype of the 'Peelers', but an elite group of between 7 and 10 officers who carried out assignments abroad as well as at home.

The author has also managed to capture the scents of the city , and you can almost smell the polluted Thames as you read about it. The tough character of Hawkwood is believable , but for me it is Jago who stands out as the warm-hearted, loyal man who will do anything for ' Captain' Hawkwood. The style is easy to read and there is a good balance between historical fact and fiction, which makes it accessible to both those who have knowledge of the period and newcomers to it. 'Ratcatcher' and Hawkwood have all the hallmarks needed to make them memorable names in historical thriller writing Myfanwy Cook

DREAM WEST

David Nevin, Forge, 2005, $14.95, pb, 639pp,0765313987

John Charles Fremont, who led several expeditions that helped map the American West in the 1840s, is the subject of this admiring biographical novel. Supported by his powerful and expansionist father-in-law, Senator Thomas Hart Benton, Fremont discovered mountain passes and laid the groundwork for settling the Great Plains and beyond the Rockies. The story of his elopement with the senator's 17-year-old daughter reads like romantic fiction, but Nevin's account of a secret marriage conducted by a Catholic priest squares with the historical record. Jessie Fremont was a full partner with her husband in ventures like his campaign as the Republican presidential nominee in 1856, an early version of Bill and Hillary running as two for the price of one.

The best parts of the book deal with the desperate conditions faced going through frigid mountain passes led by Kit Carson and other legends. Crossing the mountains into old California, Fremont's explorers became involved in the rebellion against Mexico that led to California's eventual inclusion in the United States, forestalling a supposed acquisition by England. Nevin's hero has much to recommend him to the modem reader, such as a decision to emancipate the slaves in territories under his Civil War command in the state of Missouri. Fremont's business ventures are always portrayed as part of his overall idealism, but there was substantial evidence of fraud and forgery in many of his dealings. The book justifies what was seen as his insubordination in California by referring to secret orders by the delightfully devious President Polk, one of the book's better villains. This reprinted novel stimulated my interest enough to read Tom Chaffin's recent biography Pathfinder,

which I would recommend as a corrective or a substitute.

James Hawking

THE REALM OF SHELLS

Sonia Overall, Fourth Estate, 2006 , £17 99, hb,326pp,0007164107

Frances, the youngest daughter of strictly religious parents , moves with them and her two older sisters and brother, to Margate just after the end of the Napoleonic Wars. Her parents open two schools - one for boys and the other girls. Frances is ferried between the two , constantly reminded of obedience and humility. But Frances is a perspicacious child and sees, without altogether realising it, that people are not what they seem and even the most Godly can be led into terrible temptations which lead them to disaster. The catalyst for the family's downfall is her discovery of an underground chamber in their garden. Lined with iridescent shells forming intricate pictures and patterns, it is the embodiment of the imaginative world of temptation beyond the understanding of those around her. Only she is open to its beauty.

I found this a very strange novel. Not quite historical in the true sense, in that this story could have taken place at any time, except perhaps the present, it nevertheless conjured up the repression of early 19 th century England. The story is entirely written from Frances's point of view, wither in her own childish manner or in a more measured style in letters to her elder brother, James, who is studying for the priesthood. This begins to grate after a while. It ends very suddenly. Whilst this is not a bad thing , I could then have done without the coda written by a now adult Frances. This was frustrating and unsatisfactory.

I'm afraid I ended up wondering what the novel was for. Why Margate? Why this particular historical period? Does such a shell chamber exist in Margate or anywhere else for that matter? If not, what does it all mean? There were too many questions and not enough answers for me, I'm afraid which marred what could have been an intriguing novel.

Sally Zigmond

A CHRISTMAS GUEST

Anne Perry, Headline, 2005 , £14.99, hb, 146pp, 0755327241/US: Ballantine, $16.95, 0345483804

Mariah Ellison is a cranky old woman who is put up with rather than liked by her relatives. With her usual hosts deciding to visit France for Christmas , the crotchety Mariah is dumped at her daughter ' s She is joined there by another exile from a family , Maude, a woman who has indecorously spent forty years abroad. In spite of herself, Mariah takes a shine to this stranger. When Maude is found dead, apparently of heart failure, Mariah suspects she was murdered. Is the answer to be found with the dead woman's family?

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This is the latest in a series of detective novellas set around Christmas. In spite of being only about 30,000 words, the characterisation is superb The period feel is excellent. The snobbery, pretension and straitlaced rule s of Victorian society are beautifully illustrated in a most clear and pleasing way This is not my usual kind of historical novel , and at the end the plot and Mariah's con version to Christmas cheer didn't quite convince, but I found this a real page-turner.

Martin Bourne

DREAM OF FREEDOM

Michael Phillips, Tyndale House, 2005, $24.99, hb , 320pp,0414301766

The first volume in the "American Dreams" series , Dream of Freedom is not only the story of slavery ' s brutal , degrading conditions but of the beginning of a journey to the "promised land of Jordan" by generations of noble peoples descended from kings. But all is not so clear-cut. Yes , these slaves suffer at the hands of their white owners They also suffer at the hands of their own people, who have grown cold and abusive after whippings and ill-treatment by the owners. One owner couple, in particular, is symbolic of the coming transition of slavery to freedom. Richmond and Carolyn Davidson are forced to question their traditional view of slavery. The story of how they change earns them numerous friends and enemies from both slave and plantation families. Freedom, in this poignant novel, is both costly and treasured, no matter how it is achieved.

Viviane Crystal

SEX WARS

Marge Piercy, William Morrow, 2005, $24.95 / C$32 95, hb, 416pp, 0060789832 Pub . in the UK by Piatkus , 2005 , £10.99, pb,320pp , 0749936282

In post-Civil War America, early feminists ran into a backlash worse than today's attacks on second wave feminism. Crusaders for women's right to full citizenship and equality in the family , educated women like Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, were reviled as threats to family values Far more scandalous was Victoria Claflin Woodhull, the spiritualist medium and free love advocate who aspired to run for president. Woodhull's fame as a writer and speaker magnified the publicity value of her multiple lovers, to the horror of the conservative wing of the suffragists , who feared sexual scandal would be used to discredit the entire movement. The astonishing rags-to-riches saga of the self-educated Woodhull included a colorful relation ship with railroad magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt.

Piercy, a prolific and acclaimed feminist writer, sets her latest novel in New York City, primarily between 1868 and 1873 , with flashbacks and an epilogue to 1915. She creates a sprawling historical canvas centered on fictionalized biographies of Woodhull, Anthony, Stanton , and the wholly fictional

THE HISTORICAL NOVELS REVIEW

Freydeh Levin, a composite representing immigrant Jewish women struggling to survive and support their families. Freydeh is a young widow with two adopted street children who pulls herself out of poverty with a business manufacturing condoms in her tenement flat for clients in pharmacies and in brothels. Chief villain of this tale is the very real fanatical anti-vice crusader Anthony Comstock, who succeeded in getting Congress to prescribe long jail terms for makers not only of printed contraceptive instructions but also obscene objects made of rubber.

A breezy, gossipy style characterizes the book, making it highly readable in spite of careless editing and excessive length. Sex Wars gains narrative energy from the conflict between views of sexuality in the nineteenth century women's movement, and the social hypocrisy fueling Comstock's type of draconian legal repressions.

Nina de Angeli

A TREACHEROUS PROPOSITION

Patricia Frances Rowell, Harlequin, 2005, $5.50, pb, 296pp, 037329364X

After her profligate husband is murdered, Lady Diana Corby and her two children are left penniless. Vincent, Earl of Lonsdale, is determined to shield the lovely widow from those who would tum her need to their own advantage, but when one of the children is nearly abducted, Vincent realizes that the killer is still on the hunt. Not knowing whom he can trust, he flees with his charges to his country home to await the murderer's next move.

While this novel has many interesting pieces, it feels like a puzzle that has been put together using scissors and tape. For example, Vincent is adamant that he take Diana to his stronghold where he can protect her, yet it is an ordinary estate staffed with gardeners and cooks. One particular scene in the moonlight- a scene that does nothing to further the plot- requires contortions of rationale to explain why Diana would risk taking her children out into the night. Add to this the sudden appearance of a hitherto unmentioned brother, who was presumed drowned when he was eight, and this turns out to be a most disappointing novel.

Nancy J. Attwell

DONIPHAN'S THOUSAND

Les Savage, Jr., Five Star, 2005 , $25.95 , hb , 295pp, l59414155X

How did Alexander Doniphan, a Missouri lawyer, win command of the I st Missouri Volunteers in the Mexican War? In the custom of the day , his men elected him A gifted amateur, Colonel Doniphan led his one thousand volunteers to victories from Santa Fe to Chihuahua. Doniphan provides much more than military lead ership in this excellent historical Western. He also provides a moral compass for two fictional characters that joined th e army for adventure , profit and romance. Nate and Kirby Hatcher have more than Mexicans to

fight when they both fall in love with Inez Torreon, a Santa Fe noblewoman.

The Mexican Army provided only one of Doriiphan's challenges His volunteer force resisted army discipline Traders, anxious to exploit new markets like Santa Fe and El Paso , schemed to sneak around the U.S. advance. Consequently, Doniphan had to restrain the traders ' wagons to his rear, quell dissension in his ranks and fight a numerically larger foe to hi s front.

The way "Doniphan ' s Thousand" made it into print is a historical tale of its own Les Savage, Jr. wrote this novel more than fifty years ago However, the editors of the day thought a mixed race marriage was inappropriate for audiences of the 1950s Happily, the editors of Five Star have brought us his original manuscript for Doniphan 's Thousand, and a number of other Savage novels. Unfortunately , Savage died at the age of thirty-five- the same age as Alexander Doniphan when he commanded one thousand Missouri volunteers in the Mexican War.

Chuck Curtis

SNOW FLOWER AND THE SECRET FAN

Lisa See, Random House, 2005, $21.95 / C$29 95,hb , 258pp, 1400060281 Pub. in the UK by Bloomsbury, 2006 , £10.99,pb,240pp,0747580669

Set in 19 th century China in a secluded village, Snow Flower and the S e cret Fan is the graceful story of Snow Flower and Lily's life experiences from the time they are paired as laotongs , an intimate friendship meant to last their all their days, and one that is more precious between two women than even marriage.

See's research takes a fascinating journey , providing detail s on the painful binding of the girls' feet, the obligations of their birth families, arranged marriages , and the general worthlessnes s of womenwhich is balanced only by their ability to produce sons. Her prose abounds with a distinctive luminosity that allows her imagery to flow effortlessly The high point of See ' s exploration into Chinese culture , and the key to Snow Flower and Lily's relationship , is nu shu, a secret written language for women. It is through these words that they are able to reveal the truths of their lives and sustain each other through separation , being " married out," rebellions , and the entrenched lies of traditions , status and di sloyalty But most of all , this is a story of love , hurting , tendernes s, and the misunderstandings that become tangled up with true devotion

See has written not only a mesmerizing and allurin g tale of a complex relationship , she ha s chronicled the ways of a culture in a beguiling torre nt of word s.

Wendy Zollo

DARK DESIRES

Eve Silver, Zebra, 2005, $3.99, pbk, 349pp, 0821779664

This gothic romance, set in foggy, late 19 th century London, revolves around Darcie Finch, a once well-to-do young lady newly forced into service by dire financial circumstances Her employer is the handsome, golden-haired anatomist Dr. Damien Cole, and though young women are being viciously murdered on London's street s by someone using doctor's in struments, Darcie has seen the good doctor burning a shirt covered in blood, and has been cryptically warned against him and his secrets ("He is a man to fear. "), she can't help but fall head over heels. Could the man she loves obtain his bodies for dissection from Resurrectionists , or worse ?

Thi s conglomeration of cliches borrows heavily from other sources, both fiction and nonfiction. The grisly murders are straight Jack the Ripper, and the Darcie and Cole plotline is strongly reminiscent of Valerie Martin ' s Mary R e illy , though lacking its delicious tension and literary acumen. The reader will peg the murderer by the middle of the story , if not the very beginning, and the end of the novel is sheer melodrama. Though there isn't a single unfamiliar prospect in this entire panorama, readers of the genre may enjoy sexy Dr. Cole, the gothic atmosphere, and the sensuality of the romance.

Bethany Skaggs

DAME DURDEN'S DAUGHTER

Joan Smith , Hale, 2005, £ 17 .99, hb, l 92pp, 070907929

Helver Treboume has spent a lifetime setting tongues wagging in the sleepy village of Tisbury and only his young neighbour and childhood friend, Edgitha Durden, has a good word to say about him . Eddie, as she's called , is the only child of an eccentric window , who is known as Dame Durden Dame Durden is obsessed with the Tudor period and insists on living her life according to its fashions and customs. She considers that • to be acceptable, a person must be able to trace their bloodline back to the Saxons Eddie is a spirited young woman who , although she loves her mother, wishes she could live a more normal life

Ilelver, returning from a jaunt around the continent, finds himself the Duke of Saymore and is forced to put aside his feckles s past and assume the mantle of re s ponsibility Marriage is the last thing on his mind , he has a beautiful widow , Lady de Courcy to pursue and farm cottages to build Eddie allows herself to be pushed into an unsuitable engagement with a local doctor of divinity , Dr Thome, who although penniless has impeccable bloodlines. Will Helver realise that his perfect mate is right under his nose before it is too late?

The characters are likeable and the plot well drawn This is a well-written and enjoyable book It is a shame the

THE HISTORICAL NOVELS REVIEW

cover is so inappropriate to the content. It depicts a coy maiden, clutching a bunch of flowers and wearing a flimsy muslin gown, sitting on a horse. Eddie wore only Tudor fashions and was anything but coy, and no woman would ride a horse in a day dress - she would wear a habit.

Fenelia Miller

TANGLED DESTINY

Shirley Smith, Hale, 2005 , £18.99, hb, 224pp,0709079125

Tangled Destiny has all the necessary-if predictable- ingredients of Regency Romance. Orphaned heiress, Sophia Winterton, runs away from an arranged marriage on the wedding day, her only thought to reach her godmother in London. Sir Paul Maunders (rich and handsome) meets her on the road and reluctantly offers to take her to London in his carriage, a journey of two days. Enter the dastardly and lecherous William Baggett (also rich) who sees her with Maunders at an inn, unchaperoned. Sophia ' s reputation could be ruined by Baggett if she does not yield to his blackmail. There is also , of course , the ubiquitous ex-mistress of the hero to add to Sophia's troubles.

I know that Regency Romances must, to some degree, be formulaic, but must they all be so samey? There is surely room, within the formula , for some surprises along the way. This, for me, is a novel of missed opportumt1es. Shirley Smith has an excellent writing style and a firm grasp of the Regency period---dothes, manners and good descriptive scenes. Her characters were well-drawn and I easily identified with them. They were so good they deserved a stronger plot with a bit more tension.

Celia Ellis

TENACIOUS

Julian Stockwin, Hodder & Stoughton, 2005,£16.99,hb, 346pp , 0340832207

Having thrilled to Mast er and Commande r and delighted in Hornblow e r , Tenacious had something to live up to for me. It started well-England in danger of a French invasion and only the Navy stands between us and disaster. Great stuffi Lieutenant Kydd and the crew of the Tenacious are ordered to the Mediterranean and eventually join Admiral Nelson at the Battle of the Nile.

This writer knows his stuff when it comes to describing life at sea. You feel as if you are on board as the ship ruffles its way through the waves. Also, when it comes to history and accuracy both in the detail of buying a Toledo steel sword and in battle, he cannot be faulted. However, I found the story slow to catch me at the start and found little human interest in the first chunk of pages. The story picked up later and the battles were exciting, as were the onshore adventures of Lieutenant Kydd. As the book went on I felt that the story became gripping but had it been a library book I might have returned it without

discovering its heart As I was reviewing I read on and came to enjoy it. I believe this book would make an excellent film because all the sea action would come over so vividly on screen . However, it failed to grip me at the start and I was disappointed in the lack of real human interest amongst the crew and officers , at least until about halfway through- which is often too late.

Linda Sole

MATCHMAKER,MATCHMAKER

Joanne Sundell, Five Star, 2006 , $26 95, hb, 302pp , 1594144117

Newly qualified doctor Zoe-Esther Zundelevich must take her father, Yitzhak, west to try to cure his tuberculosis. But 1867 Colorado Territory is not very hospitable to women doctors , let alone Jewish ones. The only work she can find is practicing among the poor who live in tent cities near the mines. When saloon owner Jake Whiskey shows her a kindness, ZoeEsther recalls the prediction of a matchmaker that her future husband will be named Yaakov Should she comply with her father's wish for her to marry fellow medical student Daniel Stein, or give in to her growing feelings for Jake ?

I liked the novelty of Jewish main characters in a Western historical romance , and the romantic parts are passable But some of the history generated a raised eyebrow. On their westward journey , Sundell has the Zundeleviches gathering wood for the evening fire on treeless plains. And a character uses the modem expression, "Yeah , right." Capping that is a major plot problem- Yitzhak ' s inadequately-motivated decision in the denouement. There ' s potential here , but the book didn't quite work for me.

B J. Sedlock

NEW BEGINNINGS

Sharon Lee Thomas, Five Star, 2005, $26 95,hb , 252pp, 1594143730

The book starts mid-journey on the Oregon Trail in 184 7. An accident kills Marjory Turner's father , leaving her to care for her sickly mother and three very small siblings. The wagon train captain assigns young Walt Wilkins to help drive the Turners as far as the nearest army fort, where they can wait for the next group going back East. But when Ft. Bridger is found mysteriously empty, they must continue on Her mother's increasing headaches and the rigors of the trail complicate a budding romance with Walt. Thomas creates a realistic, complex relationship between Marjory and her mother. Marjory thinks her mother was jealous of her close relationship with her father. Her mother is reluctant to confide in Marjory, who resents being treated as a child. She is puzzled by her mother's distant behavior, not knowing whether it is due to her illness, or personality quirks caused by grief. Thomas did research in period medical books and successfully portrays the

state of frontier medical knowledge. A little more polish on the relationship between Marjory and Walt would lift a good historical romance into the "great" category.

B.J. Sedlock

THE WITCH! G WOMAN

Sarah Vern , Hale, 2005, £ 17.99, hb, 224pp, 070907915X

When Alexander McNair dutifully visits his uncle on the island of Tora he never imagines that it will change his life. Within hours he has fallen for the charms of Mhairi-Anne Graham and contrives to become her lover. However, his obsession with the young woman does not prevent him from also seducing the innocent village librarian, Victoria Liversidge Although he leaves the island under a cloud Alexander discovers he is unable to forget Mhairi-Anne and finally decides to return to her, only to discover that Victoria has a prior claim to him-a claim he is unwilling to ignore.

Sarah Vern's novel is not a straightforward romance, but a subtle story of obsession and duty. Alexander is not always a likeable character, but neither is he an outright villain- just a young man trying to escape his Victorian upbringing and yet unable to cast off its morals and codes of behaviour. It demonstrates that in the end we are all victims of society with our actions so often dictated by others. Although not exactly a family saga, The Witching Woman could easily be followed by a sequel or even a series of linked stories. A very pleasing first novel.

Sara Wilson

THE SULTAN'S SEAL

Jenny White, W.W Norton , 2006, $24 95, hb,384pp , 0393060993

Pub in the UK by Weidenfeld & Nicolson , 2006,£12.99 , hb,368pp , 0297852566

In late 19 th century Istanbul, the body of a young Englishwoman has washed ashore, and it soon becomes apparent that she was not only a governess in the current sultan's household, but was also wearing a necklace that tied her to the former deposed sultan The crime also resembles the unsolved murder of another English governess years before. Magistrate Kami! Pasha clings to science in the midst of political intrigue as his murder investigation intertwines with the story of a young Muslim woman who is linked to both governesses.

White skillfully evokes the turbulent zeitgeist of 1880s Turkey, and the atmosphere she conjures is perfect-the old Empire of odalisques and harems dissolving into a modern Turkish society. The contrast of the Western and Eastern worlds in Istanbul and the ways in which their collision affects the character relationships is fascinating. Kamil Pasha is a well-drawn and sympathetic character, and the reader is given a deeper look into his psyche than usually happens in mysteries. The mystery plot itself moves along rather lazily, but the

THE HISTORICAL NOVELS REVIEW

scenery is so nice that the reader won't mind much. Extremely well done for a debut work, this novel is a lavish and enjoyable read.

Bethany Skaggs

THE RIVER DEVIL

Diane Whiteside, Kensington Brava, 2005, $14.00/ C$20.00, pb, 384pp, 0758207948

The River Devil opens in Kansas City in April 1872. The heroine, disguised as a man, is a much sought-after "runaway railroad heiress." Rosalind Schuyler's brothers taught her to dress and act like a boy. Her father taught her to play poker like a professional, taking her with him to play in gambling establishments. She has no trouble posing as a riverboat gambler. The only person to recognize her is Hal Lindsay , a riverboat pilot, who had seen her once in New York. That brief glimpse had burned itself into his subconscious, and his body reacts so strongly to the male stranger across the poker table that he recognizes her at once. They begin a torrid love affair on the spot. There follows a harrowing race down the Missouri River to catch the escaping villain, their common enemy.

Whiteside's hero is likable, the heroine gutsy, and the villain despicable. Her love scenes are highly erotic. The descriptions of riverboat life on the Missouri River are illuminating. Too often, however, the narrative is interrupted by flashbacks and fantasies that slow the action and destroy the tension. A geographical error and a poker anachronism may disturb the purist.

Audrey Braver

THE SONGBIRD

Valerie Wood, Bantam Press 2005 , £17.99, hb , 400pp,0593053826

I 890s - The Empire, Hull, Yorkshire, at the time when music hall was becoming more acceptable from the dissolute and degrading occupation it had once been.

Poppy Mazzini, of Italian descent on her father's side, was born over her parents' grocery and coffee shop and had never been shy of singing and dancing in front of anyone. Her innocent beauty and lovely voice lead her to fame on the stage and, eventually, to happiness.

The Songbird is a delightful story, beautifully crafted and fluently written. The characters are well defined and realistic and Valerie Wood recreates the late Victorian times so skilfully that the noise and vibrancy of the music hall is tangible to the reader - from the joyful expressions on the faces of the audience to the tapping of their feet to the tunes.

My only criticism is that I would have wished Poppy to have been a couple of years older than depicted here, where she seems too young for the independence, ambition and romance woven around her. This is, nevertheless a lively, easy to read novel with a fairytale ending.

Gwen Sly

THE STONECUTTER'S DAUGHTER

Janet Woods, Simon & Schuster, 2005, £5.99,pb,387pp,0743484002

A ship breaks up off Portland where the Dorset coast is treacherous and the inhabitant's retrieve the ship's cargo to ease their own hard lives. If they could have saved the lives of its crew or passengers, they would have done so. But there is only one survivor, a female infant secured into a cradle decorated with a rose. Stonecutter Joseph Rushmore and his wife take the child and call her Joanna Rose Their own stillborn boy is buried with the little girl's mother.

In the offices of Darsham and Morcant Shipping Company, manager, Tobias Darsham waits with ten year old Alex Morcant for news of the Cormorant, the vessel bringing a most precious cargo from New York The news is brought that the Cormorant has foundered, Tobias has lost his young wife and their baby girl ; Alex has lost his father , the Cormorant's captain.

Years later Tobias visits the grave of his wife and child on Portland. The presence of a mourning girl, distressed and hauntingly beautiful, leads the hard headed, middle aged ship owner along a course that for ever changes the life of Tobias, Alex and Joanna Rose.

This is a thoroughly researched, well paced and enjoyable novel, conveying Portland's unique, sometimes sm1ster atmosphere To be ultra fault-finding: it is surprising to find such a capable author occasionally using expressions that don't ring true for the mid-nineteenth century 'Bad for my image' is one such.

Nancy Henshaw

19 th I 20 th CENTURIES

MADISON HOUSE

Peter Donahue , Hawthorne Books , 2005, $ I 6.95 , 514pp, pb, 0976631105

Maddie Ingram settles in Seattle in 1899 after her husband abandons her in the Yukon With Yukon gold, Maddie buys a boardinghouse on Seattle's Denny Hill. The boarders become her new family: Clyde, her albino handyman; Loye, a feminist student; Chiridah, an aspiring actress ; James, publisher of one of Seattle ' s black newspapers ; Ray, the struggling photographer; and Ada , the girl who helps with chores. But Maddie ' s contentment is shortlived ; city planners are detennined to regrade Denny Hill , meaning she will almost certainly lose her property, her happy living situation, and her cherished stability.

This hefty novel is reminiscent of the tomes of the 19th century- filled with descriptive passages and forays into the lives of the various characters, telling, ultimately, the tale of Seattle's emergence as a city during the first decade of the 20 th century. The author's research shows, but does not intrude. The characters are unique and believable, and [ genuinely cared about ISSUE 35, FEBRUARY 2006

the predicament they found themselves in.

Peter Donahue has penned a memorable chronicle of life in the Pacific Northwest one hundred years ago.

Claire Morris

20 th CENTURY

RASPUTIN'S

DAUGHTER

Robert Alexander, Viking, 2006, $23.95 / C$33.00, hb, 304pp, 0670034681

Rasputin, one of the most notorious and enigmatic figures in Russian history, is brought vividly to life from the point of view of his daughter Maria in this new novel. The book begins in April 1917, with Maria being interrogated by the poet Alexander Blok, who represents the Provisional Government. Maria recounts the events of Rasputin's last week, which is the main focus of the book. At first Maria and her sister worship their father for his miraculous "healing powers." Then Maria finds out that rumours of her father's enormous sexual appetites are true when she sees him groping a woman who has come to ask him for help. She is tom between her loyalty to her father and her knowledge of his true nature, but when she discovers a plot against him by Prince Felix Yusupov, Grand Duke Dmitri, and other high-ranking nobles, she tries to save him.

Rasputin's Daughter does not quite come up to the standard set by Alexander's earlier The Kitchen Boy (one of my very favorite historical novels). In particular, I thought that the love story between Maria and a young man named Sasha, who was involved in the first attempt on her father's life in 1914, did not ring true. It was bard for me to believe that Maria would be so willing to trust Sasha again after he had betrayed her. But the author's depiction of Rasputin was wonderful: be is not the monster that legend has made him out to be, but a very complex figure. At times, the author takes liberties with historic facts: Maria was not present when Rasputin healed the Tsarevich Alexei, or at her father's death. But those scenes are so powerful that I did not mind a little artistic license.

Vicki Kondelik

THE TALE OF HOLLY HOW

Susan Wittig Albert, Berkley Prime Crime, 2005,$23.95,hb,303pp,0425202747

Running commentary from badgers, dogs, sheep, and other creatures of farm and field give a suitably Peter Rabbitisb flavor to this tale of murderous neighbors set in the English Lake District village of Sawrey in 1906. The mystery begins when famed children's book author and new landowner Beatrix Potter discovers the bludgeoned body of a local shepherd while looking for her lost sheep. Who could have killed old Ben Homby, tenant of a fine property coveted by his neighbors?

While Beatrix plays sleuth, aiding the magistrate looking for clues, another drama

THE HISTORICAL NOVELS REVIEW

unfolds in the village. Wealthy Lady Longford neglects her orphaned granddaughter Caroline and succumbs to the influence of her two-faced lady 's companion, Miss Martine. The plot thickens when Lady Longford develops a mysterious intestinal ailment and Caroline overhears a suspicious conversation threatening her own safety. Albert's charming style places her low-key mystery with its engaging human and animal characters in a lovingly described lake country landscape. 2nd in series.

Nina de Angeli

THE DEVIL'S OWN RAG DOLL

Mitchell Bartoy, St. Martin's Minotaur; 2005,$23.95,hb,304pp,0312340885

Detroit during World War II is a dangerous place. Suspicion is rampant about supposed enemy agents perhaps seeking to infest and destroy the production output so lucrative for Detroit and necessary for the American war effort. A young woman is murdered. She's the daughter of a prominent citizen and businessman as well. So it's no surprise that Detective Pete Caudill is not only assigned the investigation but also charged with covering up the crime rather than bringing the criminal or criminals to justice. ls this an Axis plot? Actually, it turns out that Pete Caudill 's own family is embarrassingly involved, a fact that doesn't stop him from pursuing the murderer or murderers.

This isn't really an in-depth historical novel, but it certainly carries the atmospheric weight of this precarious time when patriotism meant everything. One was either for or against victory, and there was no room for grey wavering. Too bad Pete Caudill doesn't believe that much, and plunges ahead based on his own definition of integrity and patriotic duty. This is a fastpaced detective story that any crime fiction lover will thoroughly enjoy!

Viviane Crystal

KAROOBOY

Troy Blacklaws, Harcourt, 2005, $ I 3.00, pb, 196 pp, 0156030659 Pub. in the UK by Gerald Duckworth, 2005, £9.99, pb, 256pp, 07 I 563397X

Douglas Thomas is a white teenager in Cape Town, South Africa, in the late 1970s. He lives with his mother, father, and twin brother Marsden, and most of his life is spent in school, surfing, and hanging out with his friends. When Marsden dies in a freak accident, the family falls apart: Douglas's father leaves, and his mother uproots the household to live in the harsh desert town of Klipdorp, in the Karoo region, where she spends her time painting. Douglas must learn to cope with the loss of his twin, as well as the small town mentality of Klipdorp and its residents. Two people enter his life who will pem1anently alter his worldview: a black gas station attendant named Moses, who is trying to restore an old Volvo so that he can escape to Cape Town (just as Douglas dreams of escaping

back "home" to Cape Town), and Marika, a hardened but kind girl with a violent, racist father. Through his friends and the more narrow-minded residents of Klipdorp who try to bring them down, Douglas learns to stand as an individual, and as an adult.

Blacklaws has created a very vivid, engrossing story with spare prose; the characters and environment transported me to unfamiliar territory very successfully, and my engagement with the text never waned. The language is peppered with a great deal of regional slang that will be unfamiliar to most readers outside South Africa, but it adds to the atmosphere. Each of the supporting characters is convincingly, perceptively drawn; my only regret is that the novel was so short. It is not one I will forget soon, and I highly recommend it to anyone who might value a thoughtful South African coming-of-age story.

Andrea Bell

THE THIRD TRANSLATION

Matt Bondurant, Hyperion, 2005, $22.95/C$29.95, hb, 378pp, 1401301819 Pub. in the UK by Hyperion, 2006, £10.99, tpb,384pp, 1401302238

Inspired by an Egyptian antiquity in the British Museum, Matt Bondurant completed this book while working there. Walter Rothschild, an American Egyptologist, is working on unlocking the riddle of the Stela of Paser, a centuries-old funerary stone. Six days before his contract ends, he meets a young woman in the pub, invites her back to the museum, and wakes up next morning to find her and a priceless artifact gone. Being told of the theft, be realizes that his careerand life- are on the line. All the time he's searching for the woman, he also finds himself trying to reconnect to a daughter he's lost touch with.

Interspersed with flashbacks to bis youth, spent in Egypt with his father, and college days, readers get a full picture of Rothschild. His character is fantastically well developed and interesting. The plot is intriguing, with a plethora of Egyptian history and translation integral to it, though at times it got in the way of the story. Overall, The Third Translation is well written and interesting, most especially if one is fascinated with all things Egyptian.

Dana Cohlmeyer

BANDEAUX CREEK

Carolyn Rawls Booth, Winoca Press, 2005, $18.95,p~428p~0975591037

Bandeaux Creek is the sequel to Between the Rivers, Carolyn Rawls Booth's downhome saga of the McBryde family of Bladen Country, North Carolina. This installment follows the family from I 9241931, from farming rural North Carolina bottom land to white collar jobs in the big city of Wilmington. Ms. Booth uses a deft hand to weave historical context into her sprawling family history. For example, a character, who has been described as

ISSUE 35, FEBRUARY 2006

particularly stylish, pauses to adjust her coat collar to hang a short way down her back before leaving. This quickly evokes a Gatsby-esque flapper with the classic droopy-collared coat- all without losing pace or tension in the scene . Although I enjoyed my visit with the McBrydes, I felt at a significant dis-advantage having not read the first book. Apparently thinking reintroducing characters in detail would be tedious for her returning readers, Booth has in stea d opted for quick one-liners" Everything else reminded Len that he was just a country hick from Colly, North Carolina, who ' d come to Boston to find his mama. " Len's mama, Maggie Lorena, was apparently the main character in the first book but had been mentioned only once in the first 70 pages of Bandeaux Creek This sudden change of storyline away from the McBrydes (Maggie Lorena is a distant cousin) threw me for a loop A family tree in the frontispiece would have been a great help.

Booth's story is an imaginative retelling of her own family history, and her love for each of the characters is palpable on every page. Fans of the Southern family saga will love Bandeaux Cr ee k , though [ recommend reading B e tw een th e Rivers first.

Lessa J Scherrer

QUARREL WITH THE FOE

Mel Bradshaw, Rendezvous Crime, 2005 , $ l 5.95 /C$18 95, pb, 229pp, 1894917286

Paul Shenstone returned to Toronto from the Great War and eventually rejoined the police force He resolutely tried to forget his time in France in the trenches , but on the night Digby Watt was murdered, Paul was forced to revisit memories of a time he had put behind him. Watt was a wealthy man who owned many companies, one of which was an arms manufacturer during the war. Paul was present when one of his old schoolmates was mortally wounded by the explosion of a faulty shell manufactured by Watt's company. The man who discovered Watt's body, newspaperman Ivan MacAllister, was also present when the shell exploded. Ivan claimed that someone phoned him and told him to come quickly to Watt's office . Thus he was the first to find the body I thought Paul was an interesting and well developed character; his war experiences had changed him immensely. The contrasts between police work then and now are enormous. The author paints a picture of 1920s life in Toronto , where speakeasies were everywhere and cops took the bus to crime scenes ; very few officers had cars. Mr. Bradshaw is a longtime resident of the city , and his knowledge of its history is unquestioned.

Lorraine Gelly

THE HISTORICAL NOVELS REVIEW

FAN-TA

Marlon Brando and Donald Cammell, Knopf, 2005, $23 95 / C$33.95 , hb , 256pp, 1400044715

Pub. in the UK by Heinemann, 2005, £16 99, hb,368pp,0434014001

The tale begins with a cockroach race in a Hong Kong prison in 1927. Like guardian dogs outside a Chinese temple, the repulsive details warn away the weak of stomach. The setting is claustrophobic with pages of description of the disgusting cell. Anatole "Annie" Doultry is serving his sentence for arms dealing when his cockroach bests the "Wondrous Bird" of Hai Sheng A pirate being hanged denounces Hai Sheng as a ringleader of pirates and curses him for betraying the gang Doultry comes to his defense, claiming Hai Sheng was the cook on his ship.

Fan-tan is a game of chance. Following his release, Doultry is summoned to a gambling parlor in Macao , where he meets Madame Lai Choi San, a notorious gangster and the boss of Hai Sheng She is grateful for Doultry's lie He gambles by refusing her reward.

Captain Doultry sails in a sampan across Hong Kong harbor. The description is atmospheric as night falls and joss sticks are lighted on all the vessels to Ma Tin Hau, goddess of the sea. He is brought to Madame Lai's war junk and realizes she is the chief pirate known as Mountain of Wealth. She raises the stakes and draws him into her high-risk game.

The opening of the book is overwritten to the point of being treacly , but once the story gets its legs underneath it, it takes off. This is the gritty underworld of Asian crime , and Madame Lai is as bad as they come. The sweep of the story is cinematic , and the conflict is life or death. Doultry learns a hard lesson and teaches one, too.

Marcia K. Matthews

SPECTRES IN THE SMOKE

Tony Broadbent, Thomas Dunne, 2005, $23.95 / C$31.95 /£ 17.99, hb, 322pp, 0312290268

It is I 948, and Jethro the cat burglar is off on another adventure . It is also, by the way, a mission for the British secret service, MIS. Jethro immediately find s himself immersed in political intrigue as well a s orgies and black magic As the novel progresses , the protagonist goes deeper and deeper into the murk y underworld of postwar London , including backroom politics along with the ever-present threats of communism and fascism.

Tony Broadbent has written an intriguing novel of suspense as well as history. The reader gets an up-close look at the shady world of the 1940s cat burglar, including the lingo (a glossary is provided) , and a surprising view of the post-war chaos that simmers just below the surface of English society and politics This is an exciting read!

Gerald T. Burke

THE MAN FROM BEYOND

Gabriel Brownstein, W.W. Norton , 2005, $23 .95 / C$33 .00 , 298pp, hb , 0393051528

Sir Arthur Conan Doyl e is bette r known as the creator of Sherlock Holm es than an enthusiast for Spiritualism , but it is that passion which has brought him to America to lecture in 1922 While vacationing in Atlantic City with his wife and children and his friend Harry Houdini , he meets the medium Margery and her hu s band/manager Dr. Hugo Sabatier. Conan Doyle is all too willing to believe in Margery's powers, but Houdini is definitely dubious , a nd his outspoken skepticism is such a threat to the medium and her husband that he almost loses his life during the performance of one of his escape tricks. Radio Tim es reporter Molly Goodman finds herself with a wealth of stories when both Conan Doyle and Houdini use her to denounce the other's beliefs , and she finds herself more involved than she had foreseen when sources point to the medium as a fellow Vassar graduate Spiritualism began to flourish in the mid-nineteenth century and had other famous proponents such as Alfred Russel Wallace and Horace Greeley Although its trappings- seances,ectoplasm , pseudopods -seem like so much hokum today , the idea of communicating with the dead is having a resurgence of popularity on American television Those trappings , however, form the least interesting part of the book. More interesting is the contrast between Conan Doyle, the creator of the very logical Sherlock Holmes, and Conan Doyle , the Spiritualist, desperate to believe m Margery ' s abilities . And yet , all the characters , Conan Doyle included , are held at a distance from the reader . While Brownstein gets all the period details right- his descriptions of New York City in the I 920s are pitch perfect- the reader finds little empathy for the characters whose motivations are neither fully revealed nor understood, a false note in a book that held more promise than it delivered Ellen Keith

THE HEART'S CIT ADEL

Anita Burgh , Orion, 2005 , £11 99 , tpb , 356pp , 0752860712

This is the second book in a hi s torical trilogy set in Devon about th e fortunes of the ari s tocratic Cresswell family . England is on the brink of war with Germany and the family and estate workers appear obliviou s to th e effect that the war will have on their lives Members of the family are carried along in the social upheaval that is already taking place , particularly for women involved in the suffragette movement. Although Th e Heart's Citade l can be compared with Upstairs Downstairs it does lack the colour and drama of the televi s ion series.

The story could be set anywhere in England and holds no special affinity with Devon This disappointed me - nor were ISSUE 35, FEBRUARY 2006

the characters particularly strong or colourful. As I ploughed my way through the three hundred and sixty-five pages I kept hoping for better things but the short incident of Esmeralda's rape, once it was over, lacked any dramatic follow-up. I found th e novel a disappointment after Anita Burgh's earlier works

Jane Hill

DEAR ENEMY

Jack Cavanaugh, Bethany House, 2005, $12.95,373pp, pb ,0764223100

Annie Mitchell, a nurse , recalls her military experiences and her life with her husband, Keith, as she works through the craziness of her feelings for Karl Hausmann. Keith had served as a surgeon until he was killed in Belgium's Ardennes Forest during World War 11 - by Karl. Shortly after Keith's death, Karl's fellow Nazi troops abandon him Seizing the opportunity to set his own course in life , Karl captures Annie and forces her to assist in rescuing children he had observed days before, when they were in hiding from him and his troops as they destroyed the area. Baffled by Karl's actions, but determined not to remain imprisoned , Annie expresses the desire to carry the bodies of Keith and her friend Mouse out of the forest. When Allied soldiers spot them , it becomes clear that Karl plans to surrender.

Since much of the plot focuses on Annie's romantic relationships , the author has created a confusing story. Annie's preoccupation with romance blocks her ability to see Karl as a survivor who uses her in plots to save his own life. The novel becomes a tale of two soldiers, formerly enemies, unable to deal with the relationships they forged during wartime; it puts a romantic twist what may simply be gratitude to have survived.

Jetta Culpepper

**THE TATTOO ARTIST

Jill Ciment, Pantheon, 2005, $23.00, hb , 207pp, 0-375-42325- 7

Young Sara Ehrenreich is in love in New York City. She is Jewish and bohemian , artist and anarchist, and completely in thrall to her lover, Philip, a far less talented avantgarde artist turned art dealer who loses everything in the Depression When Philip finds a sponsor for a trip to the South Seas to collect tribal masks to sell as primitive art, it looks like the answer to their financial problems and the adventure of a lifetime.

The trip does not go exactly as planned. Cultural clashes and inopportune tragedy tum the Ta ' un'uuans against Sara and Philip. The islanders decide that if these intruders want their art so much , they will give it to them - Sara and Philip are forcibly tattooed with the facial marks the islanders consider to be art form, mark of character and personal narrative. This is the first of many shocking developments, closely followed by the second: they are

THE HISTORICAL NOVELS REVIEW

abandoned on their little island and must make a life for themselves in this foreign culture, surrounded by primitives who despise them.

Sara's need to create sustains her. She finds a niche in the tribe by taking up the bone needle and learning to tattoo, working on her own skin and on the tribe. She tells her story as an old woman , returned to New York after thirty years, explaining the marks on her body and the dramatic events that inspired them. As the Ta'un'uuans intended, Sara's tattoos illustrate her character. From disfigurement to human tapestry , Sara undergoes a remarkable, harrowing evolution.

It 's not very often that a novel literally takes your breath away. The Tattoo Artist leaves its own mark, creating a picture of invention and endurance.

Colleen Quinn

**THE MADONNAS OF LENINGRAD

Debra Dean, Morrow, 2006, $23.95 / C$29.95,hb,240pp,0060825308

Pub. in UK by Fourth Estate, 2006, £10.99, pb,288pp , 0007215053

This superb first novel by author Debra Dean tells the story of Marina , a young tour guide at the Hermitage Museum during the siege of Leningrad in World War II. After her fiance, Dmitri, is drafted into the army, Marina moves with her aunt and uncle into a shelter in the basement of the mu se um. By day , she helps to pack up art treasures to send them out of the city for safekeeping, while at night she stands watch on the museum 's rooftop, on the lookout for German bombers. As the horrors of the siege grow worse and worse, she commits each painting to memory , creating a " memory palace" that helps her keep her sanity amid the deprivations of war.

The story of Marina's experiences in the siege of Leningrad alternates with chapters telling of Marina as an old woman living in the Pacific Northwest and suffering from Alzheimer's. While her family prepares for her granddaughter's wedding, her mind rapidly deteriorates , and at times she cannot even remember her daughter's face, or the details of her children's lives.

This is a beautifully-written novel , a haunting tribute to the power of memory to help us survive in the worst of times. The story of the siege and the horrors that the people of Leningrad had to endure-with many starving to death, while the survivors waited in endless lines for bread- is especially powerful. And Dean's descriptions of the paintings make you want to visit the Hermitage.

Vicki Kondelik

**THE BAD BEHAVIOR OF BELLE CANTRELL

Loraine Despres, Morrow , 2005 , $23.95 / C$32.50,hb,352pp,0060515244

Tired of mourning her husband, Belle Cantrell does what any aspiring suffragette would do--she bobs her hair-a nd the town of Gentry, Louisiana, will never be the same. Before twenty-four hours have passed, her mother-in-law hires a handsome new overseer for their plantation, Rafe Berlin drives into town in his Stut z Bearcat, and drunken hooligans terrorize the preacher of the local Negro church.

The rich symbolism of Belle emerging into full womanhood as she offers the barber her virgin tresses sets the tone for this sassy but poignant novel. On the surface, The Bad Behavior of Belle Cantrell is a light-hearted tale of the adventures of a widow struggling with the longings that have begun to "float around the backwaters of her mind. " But at heart, this novel is a multi-layered commentary encompassing such issues as race relations, religious bigotry, women's suffrage, and social mores. Although Belle's insightful observations reveal the dark side of her neighbors , the villains are rounded characters ("Belle recognized in him a hungry child beginning the next bite before swallowing the last, in case someone snatched the food off his dish"), and the heroes have their warts ("I never knew you Southerners cared so much for your darkies"). That no one in this novel is politically correct gives it greater authenticity and relevance.

This is a book that will be enjoyed in college dorms for its amusing scenes of a woman breaking free from the restraints of the 1920s, and in reading groups for its brilliant symbolism and thought-provoking themes. Beautifully written in tight prose that never flounders, The Bad Behavior of B e lle Cantrell is entertainment with a capital "E." Outstanding!

Nancy J. Attwell

FALL OF A PHILANDERER

Carola Dunn, St. Martin's Minotaur, 2005, $23.95/C$31.95, hb, 258pp, 0312335892

In 1924, Daisy Dalrymple Fletcher goes to the seaside village of Westcombe with her husband , Scotland Yard detective Alec Fletcher, his daughter Belinda, and a friend of Belinda's , hoping to have a relaxing summer vacation. Any chance of that is ruined when, on a picnic by the sea, Alec finds the body of the philandering innkeeper, George Enderby, at the foot of a cliff. Cecily Anstruther, the woman who runs the boardinghouse where Daisy and her family are staying, had been having an affair with Enderby, and her husband , a naval officer who had been in a barroom brawl with Enderby the night before the murder, is immediately suspected. Also under suspicion is a schoolmaster lodging with the Anstruthers, who has been asking

ISSUE 35, FEBRUARY 2006

questions about Enderby and refuses to say why. Or could the killer be the husband or father of one of Endcrby's many conquests?

Fall of a Philanderer is another delightful entry in Dunn's mystery series. I especially loved the descriptions of the beautiful countryside around the village, and I always enjoy the relationship between Daisy and Alec, who clearly love each other, even though Alec is often embarrassed by Dai sy 's interference in his cases.

Vicki Kondelik

THE PAINTED DRUM

Louise Erdrich, HarperCollins, 2005, $25.95 /C$34.95 hb , 276pp, 0060515104

To be published in the UK by Perennial in Sept. 2006 at £7 .99

It took some sixteen years for Louise Erdrich to complete The Painted Drum, a masterwork of deeply colored, exquisitely drawn life scenes.

The Painted Drum is two stories. Faye Travers tells her story first. She tells us that while appraising the value of her neighbor 's estate - she is an estate dealer - she found a ceremonial drum of extraordinary value. Astonishingly, she stole the drum, intent on returning it to its rightful owners , the Ojibwe people But there is much more to Faye's story: her abortive love affair, a tragic crash that kills young neighbors , the orchard she refuses to let bloom again, her fascination with ravens, and underneath all - the childhood death of her sister, Nette.

Faye returns the Drum to the Ojibwe, and here begins the second story, the Drum's story. It is a wonderful tale narrated by Bernard, Shaawano's grandson, who is himself approaching old age. The Drum, Bernard tells us, came to be out of Shaawano 's desolation His child was killed by wolves. At the darkest point of his grief she appeared to him in a vision, instructing him to find the sacred cedars and build the drum. And thus the drum began its life.

In the closing chapters of the book the Drum again takes its place among the Ojibwe people , healing and " looking after" its own. The tale of the Drum seems to change from a myth to a real story. Or does it? In the end the question that remains with me is " What is the Drum, after all?"

This is a must read book.

Lucille Cormier

THE WILD GIRL

Jim Fergus, Hyperion, 2005, $23.95, hb, 355 pp , 1401300545

Told as in the notebooks of Ned Giles, a teenage photographer in 1932, The Wild Girl tells of his fateful encounter with a captured Apache girl while on an expedition to rescue a wealthy young Mexican child kidnapped years earlier. The expedition is a colorful band of rich adventure-seeking Americans, soldiers, politicians, and an anthropologist. Ned and Margaret , the anthropologist, decide that they can trade the wild girl for the boy. Their plan kicks

THE HISTORICAL NOVELS REVIEW

the adventure into high gear and leads to disastrous results.

This is a remarkable adventure , peopled with unforgettable characters and told through coming-of-age eyes soon scarred by events that mark his life forever. A fine galloping read as well as a literary achievement. Highly recommended.

Eileen Charbonneau

BERLIN

Pierre Frei, 2003 (translated 2005), Atlantic Books , pb,425pp,£12.99, 1843543230

Following the end of hostilities in the Second World War , in the surnn1er and early autumn of 1945 the nascent post-Nazi German police and their US occupying powers have a series of murders in the American sector to clear up. The victims are all blonde and attractive females, and all killed in the same cruel and gruesome manner. So it is clear that the authorities have a serial-killer on their hands , and the tensions between the defeated Germans and their American occupiers make the investigation particularly difficult. The author describes effectively the efforts of a society to build itself up after the cataclysm of abject defeat just a few months ago. Frei writes capably, but the novel is stuffed full of clinches and conventional plot developments, and has much explicit sex and violence. The story is utterly unrealistic and the reader has to completely suspend disbelief; if you can do this, then it is good entertainment and fairly unchallenging Each victim has a long chapter telling the story of her life in Germany leading up to the War and her role during it. All four are exceptional women, bravely opposing the extreme Nazi ideology and leading unbelievably dramatic, dangerous and successful lives

This novel , albeit lacking any great literary quality, is still part of the academicled revisionist movement within Germany that seeks to concentrate on the sufferings of the German people during the final stages of the conflict and somehow compare them in equality to the vastly greater horrors inflicted on the populations of Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union by the Wehrrnacht and SS units . On a personal level , I find this somewhat dishonest and rather disturbing Doug Kemp

NON-COMBAT ANTS

Alexander Fullerton, Time Warner Books 2005 £ 18.99 hb 278 pp 031672957 1940 : Summertime, but dark days for the British Merchant Navy. Andy Holt has signed on as Second Mate in the SS "Quilla" for the dangerous Atlantic crossing. He's calculating the days before his return that will reunite him with his beloved Julia. "Quilla" carries only ballast but the small convoy is s till tempting prey for the U Boat wolf packs. The westward journey is disrupted by a dreadful duty of rescue: a torpedoed liner with its crew and passengers - mainly children, 33

evacuees from Nazi blitskrief or invasion, on their way to safety in the USA. From the pitifully small number of survivors, Samantha, the children's nurse , forms a close friendship with Andy.

Quilla is diverted to New York and Andy reworks his calculations for reunion with Julia when Quilla receives fresh orders: the elderly vessel must take a potentially lethal loading of high octane aviation fuel (leaking) topped by ammo. The description of the exquisite care taken to stow this deadly combination of possible horror is one of the most vivid in a novel where every laconic word and action conveys authenticity. Quilla sets sail, one of a large armada. The German wolf pack will be licking its chops.

Any reader who find s the beginning of "Non-Combatants" hard going must be patient. Fifty pages in, and the nautical terms will be making hard sense. The final one hundred pages bring a nail-biting buildup of suspense released in a shocking multiple climax.

Nancy Henshaw

RAMPART STREET

David Fulmer, Harcourt, 2006, $25 / C$34, hb,352pp , 01510l0242

Rampart Street brings New Orleans of 1910 vibrantly alive with descriptions of "jass," bordellos and street life in the third of the Valentin St. Cyr mystery series. After an absence of fifteen months, St. Cyr, once a brilliant private detective , has returned to Storyville a much altered man. He becomes an apathetic bouncer in a gambling club until his boss asks him to look into the death of a prominent businessman who was murdered on Rampart Street. Reluctantly, the Creole detective goes through the motions for the sake of the deceased 's family while suspecting they'd bury the truth once it was known Then a second man , a former partner of the first, is found dead. St. Cyr doesn't think this is a coincidence. The investigation becomes personal, dangerous, and fatal for one of Valentin's friends as he uncovers a trail of infamous deeds that lead straight to the top of New Orleans ' American society.

David Fulmer writes a tight , wellconstructed, exciting mystery. In St. Cyr, he has created an intelligent and complicated hero. Fulmer's love for the Crescent City and the music that expresses its soul is pa ssionate, and he willingly shares it with hi s readers

Audrey Braver

COAL CAMP JUSTICE

Ricardo L. Garcia, Univ. of New Mexico Press , 2005, $24.95, hb, 317pp, 0826336973

The time is the Great Depression ; the place is a coal mining community in northern New Mexico. Raymond "Swannie " Swanson struggles with the bottle while his fellow miners struggle with a tyrannical mining ISSUE 35, FEBRUARY 2006

company. Swannie's commitment to sobriety takes an ironic tum when he loses his job at the mine and providence provides him a job as a "dry agent," a lawman who enforces Prohibition. Meanwhile, his friends suffer under a corporate domination that one African-American miner says is worse than his grandfather's slavery. Unionization hovers in the background as a wistful but dangerous savior. Twenty men, women and children were killed in a miners strike just seventeen years earlier in nearby Ludlow, Colorado.

Swannie's crusade to smash every still in the county leads to his disappearance. The crooked mine managers accuse Swannie's African-American friend, Julian Heard, of his murder. Then an odd thing happens to the plot. Swannie all but disappears from the story, and attention shifts to Julian Heard and his family. Despite this narrative disconnect, Ricardo Garcia perfectly balances the harshness of company-town mining life with the saving graces found in family and friendship. The chapter on the annual Fourth of July baseball game stands as an ode to the ways competition and teamwork can bring out the best in our natures.

Chuck Curtis

TRAI FROM MARJETT A

Dorothy Garlock, Warner, 2006, $12.95/ C$ I 7.95, tpb, 373pp, 04466953 I 9 Here is an enjoyable and relaxing curl-up read for a cozy Sunday afternoon' This is Dorothy Oarlock's newest addition to her three dozen titles. It's a Depression-era romance, with a sweet young nurse, Kate Tyler, who's headed cross country for a job in San Francisco. Along the way, she's kidnapped by a bunch of Texas ruffians who were commissioned by her father's unscrupulous business partner.

To the rescue comes her hero, Tate Castle, a Texas cowboy. Castle is hired by Kate's wealthy father to find and rescue her from the outlaws. While Kate seems like a city girl, her spunkiness comes out as the adventure progresses, and of course, Castle finds this irresistible. There's more to the story, since Tate has a young handicapped daughter not too eager to embrace Ms. Tyler or the affections her father has for this other woman.

This book has lots of climatic adventure in the wild, a good dose of romance and just enough nurturing and love; so sit back for a fun and sweet novel.

Carol Anne Germain

WICKETT'S REMEDY

Myla GoldbeTg, Doubleday, 2005, hb, $24. 95 / C$34.95, hb, 326pp, 0385513240

In Wickett 's Remedy, Goldberg introduces us to Lydia Kilkenny, a somewhat ordinary Irish-American young woman from Southie (South Boston) who aspires to the more refined way of life found beyond the Broadway Bridge. She meets a shy medical student, Henry Wickett, who woos her with love letters. Their marriage enables Henry to find strength to defy his rich parents and

become an independent businessman (parttime while working for his father) and creator of the elixir "Wickett's Remedy."

The novel is set mostly around the year 1918, during the great flu epidemic, but also covers selected short periods up to l 993. Lydia's luck in eluding illness is relative, since she survives the loss of people she cares about. Throughout the book she's followed, unconsciously, by the whisperings of friends and loved ones gone before. Also featured throughout are media glimpses at the success of QD Soda, marketed and owned by Quentin Driscoll (one of Henry's former business associates); the soda is yet another of Lydia ' s losses.

Wickett 's Remedy presents a ski Iful glimpse into women's working class life around the I 920s. The brazen intrusions of the QD Soda story are stark contrasts to the elements of Lydia's world. Goldberg accomplishes much with her deceptively easy style: the characters live, and the plot moves right along, even at times when it doesn't appear like it's going anywhere. The unusual marginalia format of the whisperings took a little getting used to but didn't intrude on the story. It was sad to close this book for the final time; I look forward to Goldberg's next novel.

Janette King

THE PRINCE

Hushan Golshiri, Harvill Secker, 2005, hb, 153pp, £12, 1843431718

In I 920's Iran, the tubercular Prince Ehtejab, last of his degenerate line, is dying. Drifting in and out of consciousness, he is haunted by his tyrannical grandfather - who thought nothing of beheading a child for poor schoolwork - and his late wife, who mocks him for his impotence. Ehtejab's only consolation is that he seduced her maid. Other ghostly ancestors are equally unpleasant.

The author ( 1937 - 2000), a leading writer and critic of post-Revolutionary Iran, won Germany's Erich Maria Remarque Prize for fighting oppression and promoting democracy and human rights. This book (published in 1969), highly critical of the pre-Revolutionary aristocracy and, by implication, the Shah, landed Golshiri in prison.

I was once a reader for a paperback publisher who bought mainly American books. Part of my job was to judge if the books would 'cross the Atlantic'. The Prince demonstrates a similar problem. In spite of the translator James Buchan's 17page introduction giving the necessary background, I still had only the vaguest idea what was happening. Prince Ehtejab's assumptions, decadent life style, sexual and social relations were so alien and repellent that my predominant feeling on finishing the book was relief that he was dead. An Iranian friend commented, 'But that's how it really was!'

One really needs to know the MiddleEastern background well to enjoy this book. Elizabeth Hawksley

DAWN OF A THOUSAND NIGHTS

Tricia Goyer, Moody, 2005, $12.99, pb, 505pp,pb,0802408559

Libby Conners, a civilian pilot, and Dan Lukens, a hot shot U.S. Army Air Corps pilot, fall in love in 1941, in the fun-loving, military-saturated beaches of Oahu Their happiness is abruptly shattered by the bleak reality of war after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Dan is sent to suffer through the misery of being stationed in the Philippines, where enduring the Bataan Death March is only the beginning of his trials. Libby attempts to find acceptance serving her county by ferrying aircraft for the military as one of the first WAFS (Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron). Both Dan and Libby follow their own paths , never knowing if they will be reunited or will even survive the war.

Although Dawn of a Thousand Nights is a relatively quick read with its casual style of writing and large type, its content is dark and complex. The story deals with the suffering and despair of war, but is also tempered with a strong inspirational element that courses though the plot, making the reader's journey more bearable. This novel is an educational read, especially for someone not familiar with the events that took place in the Philippines during the Second World War, and it illustrates the meaning of personal endurance. It is not, however, a book to consider for relaxing bedtime reading Andrea Connell

NO PEACE FOR THE WICKED

Pip Granger, Poisoned Pen Press, 2005, $24.95 / C$34.95, hb, 3 I Opp, 1590582160 Pub. in the UK by Corgi, 2005, £5.99, pb, 0552150673

Fourth in the ongoing series of post-WWII Soho and its enclave of family, friends and fiends finds Lizzie Robbins trying to put her life back together after her daughter's death, working as a costumier by day and at Sandy's bar in the evenings. Her life is soon enriched-and challenged-with the arrival of an Anglo-Chinese girl, Peace, who has run away from school and seeks refuge with her surprising guardian, smoking, drinking and man-crazy Bandy. Lizzie gets in deep when she takes the child in, and the girl soon disappears into the Chinese underworld of Limehouse. Rounding up help from her friends, especially new heartthrob, T.C., a former policeman, they are soon at the mercy of Chinese bandits. Lizzie learns a lot about Chinese culture and even more about herself.

Pip Granger's characters are the heart and soul of her novels. The strong bonds of Soho are heartwarming without too much sweetness creeping in. Fans of the series will enjoy this latest entry, but new readers will be captured , too, as each novel stands well on its own.

Tess Allegra

URN BURIAL

Kerry Greenwood, Poisoned Pen Press, 2005 (cl 996), $24.95 / C$34.95, hb, 189pp, 1590581695

What a delightful read! Think of a classic mystery spoof transplanted to Australia, complete with an eccentric rich heroine, her Chinese lover, a ghastly manor house filled with guests and secret passages and cut off from the world , then add upstairs/ downstairs characters, including an elderly knitting spinster Pl called Mary Mead- and you have the perfect makings for a boisterous romp

Phryne Fisher, visiting MP and free spirit, finds the body of one of the maids. However, the body disappears , and the hunt for it begins through the huge, ugly mansion before spilling over to the neighboring caves. On the way are traps, conspiracies, and the mysterious scattering of the burial urns, ending with the final expected confrontation of all involved parties and the unveiling of the secrets.

The writing is crisp, vivid, and very much in tune to the mood, music and clothes of the Roaring Twenties. I smiled my way through the book, which acts as a perfect sherbet after a darker novel. I now fully intend to track down the other adventures of Phryne and urge the readers to do the same Nicole Leclerc

COTTONWOOD SAINTS

Gene Guerin, Univ. of New Mexico Press, 2005 , $19.95,pb,34lpp,0826337244

As he tells us in the Acknowledgements , Gene Guerin's first novel " is based on forty handwritten pages of reminiscences which my mother , Margaret Ortega Guerin, committed to a spiral notebook." Guerin has transformed his mother's memories into a story of determination and heartbreak as the hopes and ambitions of the main character, Margarita Zamora Galvan, are repeatedly raised and dashed by her difficult life in Las Vegas, New Mexico.

Born in a lumber camp in 1913 and raised like a princess in her grandparents' hacienda , Margarita decides early she must leave New Mexico. But despite her dreams, she ends up married to a butcher and living out her years as a wife and mother back where she began To escape from Las Vegas as his mother's surrogate, her youngest son Michael becomes a priest and an alcoholic and disgraces himself in the process.

Guerin shows us how the West was still being won in the boom-and-bust towns like Las Vegas as late as the 1950s. Most interesting of all is the short section when Margarita herself takes over the narration from Michael. As a narrator, Michael is a romantic, softe ning the edges of his mother's story with clear affection for her. Though in her youth Margarita s hared his romantic optimism, in middle age her life is "a series of small triumphs dotted across a desert of insignificance-as is only proper for a

THE HISTORICAL NOVELS REVIEW

woman of my station." Though I can clearly hear Margaret telling her son that her story is not worth writing, it is the tension between these views that propels the novel from narrow biography, through the influenza pandemic of 1918, the rise of the Ku Klux Klan, the Great Depression, and World War II , to become the iconic story of the 20 th century for New Mexico's poorest citizens.

Lessa J. Scherrer

DOROTHY'S WAR

Ruth Hamilton, Bantam Press 2005, £17.99, hb , 419pp , 0593053133

Condemned to a life of confinement and misery with her deranged mother , Molly/Dorothy finally escapes with her childhood sweetheart, Steve. Just when it looks as if she will finally have a family of her own, Steve is killed in the Battle of Britain and Dorothy miscarries their baby. Bereft, Dorothy longs for death until circumstances force her to escape from her mother once again and stand on her own two feet. This she does at Burbank Hall, a hospital set aside for the mental and physical treatment of wounded and disfigured victims of the war. Within its walls, Dorothy finds love again with a young doctor and finally begins to understand the demons that drove her mother.

Told partly in flashback, Dorothy's War takes an in-depth look at how different people cope with trauma. Nearly every character in the book is scarred, either externally or mentally and sometimes both. Ruth Hamilton 's writing is both dramatic and sympathetic and keeps the reader's attention throughout. If Dorothy's rehabilitation is rather rapid it can be forgiven as it provides a neat ending to an involving novel.

Sara Wilson

THE COBBLER'S KIDS

Rosie Harris, Arrow Books, 2005, £5.99, pb,359pp,009948l774

Michael Quinn is the eponymous cobbler who returns from the First World War to a family he now despises. His wartime experiences have left him incapable of compassion or empathy. He tyrannises his family and neglects his wife After their mother's death , Vera, Eddy and Benny are left to cope alone with an increasingly irascible father until the day Di Deverill swans into their home intent on squeezing the family for all she can get. As the children grow older they learn to look after themselves and each other until the day they realise just how unwell their father has become. Vera's strength of character is the glue that holds the family together and when her old school friend, Jack, comes back into her life it looks like she finally has the chance of happiness.

There is an emotional depth in Rosie Harris' novels that is sometimes lacking in the saga genre. She writes with great integrity producing fully rounded characters

with many faults, but never totally devoid of redeeming features. 1t is this humanity that lifts The Cobbler's Kids above the usual run and turns it into a study of the long-term effects of trauma on the human mind. An emotional and uplifting read.

Sara Wilson

THE VICTORY CLUB

Robin Lee Hatcher, Tyndale, 2005, $ 12.99, pb,348pp , 0842376666

The Vi c tory Club is the predictable story of four women on the American home front during World War II. Margo King has never gotten over her abandonment by the cad who got her pregnant out of wedlock. Her daughter, Dottie, follows the same path the night her high school sweetheart shipped out to Europe. Lucy Anderson , lonely and afraid , turns to another while her husband is away. Penelope Maxfield, resentful of her life as working mother and wife to a man unfit for active duty, eventually leaves to pursue her own happiness. The four women work together at Gowen Field in Boise, Idaho, where they struggle to keep their faith in Christ despite war and personal tragedy.

Hatcher has an armful of awards for her many previous novels, so this can't be one of her best. I've enjoyed other inspirational fiction, but I found Hatcher's assumption, in the character of Penelope and her husband, that a non-Christian would feel jealous of a Christian woman's relationship with God more than a little annoying. Overall, Th e Victory Club seems an attempt to hammer a Christian message over the same old Mrs. Miniver plot

Lessa J. Scherrer

SWING

Rupert Holmes, Random House, 2005, $24.95 / C$34.95, hb , 372pp, 140006158X If you like Big Band music and enjoy historical thrillers , you'll have a lot of fun with this book It includes a good mystery and is accompanied by a CD compilation from author/ musician Rupert Holmes (remember the Piiia Colada song?!). Additional clues to the mystery are embedded in the lyrics, but the reader will find plenty of clues within the text to solve the mystery

Holmes creates interesting characters and well-developed , well-researched scenery. Set during San Francisco's World 's Fair, the story is narrated by saxophone player Ray Sherwood. Be highlights his musical and personal escapades but also copes with the death of a young daughter. Throughout the story, the reader sees flashbacks of their tender moments together. After her death , Sherwood continues his musical travels and finds himself in the Bay City in the middle of murder and intrigue.

Holmes does an excellent job elaborating on the lesser known 1939-1940 World's Fair and its extravagant expositions. With his colorful and intricate ISSUE 35, FEBRUARY 2006

descriptions, the reader will get a good idea of what the original exhibition looked like. The author develops a clever musical/ murder adventure.

Carol Anne Germain

NO MAN'S LAND

Duong Thu Huong, Hyperion , 2005, $24.95/C$33.95, hb, 402 pp, 1401366643 The author makes an astute observation: "A ghost that comes back to the living is three times as hungry for life as an ordinary man." In a mountain hamlet of Vietnam, 1975, the commune president tells Mien, "Bon gave his share of blood in the war against the Americans to liberate our country." After 14 years, Bon has returned, and he wants his wife back. The problem is, Mien has married a successful planter, Hoan They have a son and a happy marriage. Social pressure, conflict and jealousy threaten to destroy them

The plot evokes post-war films such as "Le Colonel Chabert" starring Gerard Depardieu , a French colonel presumed dead who straggles back from Napoleon's Russian campaign to find his wife remarried ; and "Sommersby" set in the post-Civil War South.

Huong 's no man's land is ambiguity. In rich descriptions of the seaside, metaphors of fish and flowers, she weaves a lyrical spell. She knows th e human heart and explores the agonizing dec isions of a noble so ul, evoking sympathy for all three people in limbo Each has a viewpoint, and she peels back the years from an everyday scene to depict the history that led up to it. Bon is haunted by the ghost of his sergeant. Hoan remembers a fisherwoman who was kind to him in his younger days The author paints a panorama with all the details. In dialogue the characters seek to make amends and grant justice. In depicting their plight, she conveys an anti-war theme.

Huong's depiction of political intrigue is not flattering to the Communist Party, which ousted her in 1990. Her novels are banned in Vietnam, where she lives in internal exile.

Marcia K Matthews

ALL THE STARS CAME OUT THAT NIGHT

Kevin King, Dutton , 2005, $24.95 / C$35.00, hb , 432pp , 0525949054

It's Depression-era America, and baseball is the all-American sport. Walter Winchell narrates , from the grave, about the greatest baseball game that never happened , at least officially. He includes the events that led up to the night of October 20, 1934, when the all-star teams from the Negro League and the Major Leagues slugged it out in Fenway Park in Boston. All the great players from the era are there: Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Shoeless Joe Jackson, Josh Gibson , Cool Papa Bell , Turkey Stearnes, Buck Leonard, and even the young Joe DiMaggio

King's novel is a rousing and comical tale of a time when bootleggers, Hollywood stars, and the big names of American industry all rub elbows. His vivid descriptions of both the period and the game of baseball in its heyday make this an exceptional historical novel that is enlightening and entertaining Gerald T. Burke

THE WOMAN FROM HEARTBREAK HOUSE

Freda Lightfoot, Hodder, 2005, £6.99, pb , 440pp ,03 40830050

The Great War is over and Kate Tyson's husband, Eliot, has returned from the trenches a changed man. The family tries to adapt to the challenges of post-war England whilst continuing to run the shoe factory that Eliot is no longer interested in. Sadly Kate 's son, Callum, feels estranged from his stepfather and Eliot's sister-in-law, Lucy , lingers as a malign force within the household. Tragedy strikes and Kate needs to gather her strength to begin all over again. Just when events take an upbeat tum, Lucy's plot to ruin the family falls into place. Only Kate's strength of character can save her family from catastrophe.

Freda Lightfoot has written a string of successful family sagas and this latest book continues in that tradition. Although the sequel to an earlier novel , The Woman From Heartbreak Hous e can easily be read as a stand-alone. On the face of things it is a simply written tale of a woman living a hard life, but such are the spirit of the characters and the liveliness of the writing that the reader never feels depressed as disaster follows disaster.

Sara Wilson

UNIT PRJDE

John McAleer and Billy Dickson, Lyons, 2005 (cl981), $14.95, pb, 386pp, 1592287506

This Korean War novel has an unusual pedigree. McAleer, a Boston academic, became pen-pals with Dickson, an inmate in a maximum security prison. Through the course of their 1,20 0-letter correspondence, Dickson revealed his experiences in Korea. The two worked on turning them into a novel , until Dickson was murdered a few years after his release from prison. McAleer made further revisions to the manuscript, finally getting it published in 198 I. Lyons Press has issued this reprint.

Friends and infantry grunts Billy Stacey's and Dewey Anthis's introduction to Korea is watching ROK soldiers execute a deserter after making him dig his own grave. The ordinary soldier's difficult job of staying alive in a combat zone is complicated by their cowardly lieutenant, Miller, whose maneuvers to save his own hide put his men in danger. Billy and Dewey get a break when they are attached to a French unit, enjoying superior food, liquor rations, and women Back with their own outfit, they join the others in

undermining Miller's authority They can't discredit him because of his influence with someone higher in command. Thoughts of "friendly fire" lurk in the platoon's heads as they are sent out on winter patrol. But an enemy attack interrupts their mock trial before they can pass sentence on Miller, leading to unexpected results.

The book's high point is its realism. Unit Pride is not for the squeamish. Wounds and death are graphic, and the men's profanity-laced, politically-incorrect dialogue rings true to the period. Another plus is the strong friendship between the two protagonists. Two small drawbacks: Miller is a bit over the top as villain, and two Japanese sisters encountered on R&R in Tokyo are unbelievably accommodating. Despite that, this book is memorable enough to be a contender in a "g reatest Korean War novel" discussion.

B.J. Sedlock

A SEASON OF SHADOWS

Paul McCusker, Zondervan , 2005, $ 12.99/ C$ l 7.99 /£ 7.99, pb, 332pp, 0310254329 Life seemed perfect for Julie Harris in Washington, DC, in January 1940: highsociety dream home , dream husband, dream life Upon waking the next morning, she finds her world turned upside down. As she struggles to cope with widowhood, she soon learns that her husband wasn't quite the perfect man she thought she had married . Her search for answers finds her posing as an aide at the U.S. Embassy in wartime London, coping with her personal struggle over her husband's betrayal, and trying to move forward into a new world.

Characters and plot combine to keep the reader guessing. McCusker's characters are well developed and intriguing As Julie isn't certain she can tell the good guys from the bad, the reader is left second-guessing her decisions and wondering who she can really trust. Just when the reader might have the mystery solved, the plot takes a fantastic twist and shoots off in another direction with the reader left as shell-shocked as a bomb-weary Londoner.

In the midst of an intriguing story, it is possible to see parallels in the political rhetoric of wartime London and modem American politics. At one point, Churchill comments, "That in the name of freedom, freedom is diminished." Certainly words to ponder in these political times. Having said that, no one should be put off by this book. Thoroughly enjoyable, it comes highly recommended.

Dana Cohlmeyer

THE PEOPLE'S ACT OF LOVE

James Meek, Canongate, 2005, $24.00/ C$34.95, hb, 394pp, 1841957305

Pub. in the UK by Canongate, 2006, £7.99, pb , 400pp, 1841957062

The People's Act of Love is set in the isolated village of Yazyk, Siberia, in 1919, where a company of Czech soldiers, stranded and on ISSUE 35, FEBRUARY 2006

the losing side of the conflict, lives an uneasy coexistence with a Christian sect. Into this uneasy peace, young Samarin arrives. An escapee from prison, Samarin emerges from the woods near the village and meets Balashov, the leader of the sect. He tells Balashov that he must warn them of a fellow convict who's following him. When pressed for details, he says the man took him for food when they escaped. "Perhaps it would be better if I turned back," Samarin says. "Did you hear the story about the monk who arrived in a small town in Poland one time, rang the bell in the marketplace, gathered all the citizens and told them that he had come to warn them of a terrible plague which would soon afflict them? Somebody asked him who was carrying the plague. The monk said: 'I am." '

Samarin is not what he seems , and neither is Balashov nor the sect. This is an absolutely riveting novel. Cannibalism, murder, a Russian sect of castrates: it certainly doesn't make for easy reading. Yet for all its brutality, there is a love story here, and the horror isn't unrelenting; there are moments of humour and humanity in this tale of the acts that can lead to the disintegration of reason and civility. The People 's Act of Love has the feel of a Russian novel, but Meek has imbued it with his own distinct style; his prose is at times stark, at times fluid and gorgeous. He rewards the careful reader with a satisfying tale that is entirely engrossing and unforgettable. Highly recommended.

L. K. Mason

EXPLORERS OF THE NEW CENTURY Magnus Mills, Bloomsbury 2005 , £10.99 , hb, pp, 0747580189. Pub. in US by Harcourt 2006,$14.00,pb, l92pp,0156030780

This is a strange, puzzling novel about two groups of explorers taking different routes to reach the vaguely named , 'Agreed Furthest Point', from civilisation. Its location is imprecise.

One team is English and the other Scandinavian, though they are not in competition to be first to reach the A.F.P. At first I thought that this might be an oblique retelling of the Scott and Amundsen expeditions. Then it seemed to be more of a parable about exploration in general. Later it emerged that the purpose of the expedition, or possibly, just the English party's journey was the cruel and stupid idea of leaving their mules at the A F.P to set up their own colony in the wasteland.

The group is beset with difficultie s, many of them due to the leader's autocratic pig-headedness and there are undercurrents of disagreement and dislike among the other members of the party. The men 's relationship with the mules becomes increasingly weird culminating in one mule gaining a kind of mastery over them. When they reach their goal they find that the other group has reached it before them.

THE HISTORJCAL NOVELS REVIEW

The story of the Scandinavian group is much more of a straightforward narrative of an expedition. The leader has made a more sensible choice of route and they make steady progress to their goal. Realising that the English group had taken insufficient supplies the leader suggests that they return to look for them. A suitably ambiguous end to an enigmatic book.

Only parts of this novel made sense to me, in spite of my frustration I am still fascinated by it.

Ruth Nash

**KURAJ

Silvia di Natale, Bloomsbury 2005, (trans. Carol O'Sullivan and Martin Thorn) £10 99, pb, 448pp , 0747565341/Pub in the US by Bloomsbury USA, 2006, $15, pb, 448pp, 1582342202

The Tunshans give the name kuraj to the tumbleweed that the winds send rolling over the Asian steppe in springtime The word also conjures up the idea of 'a person without fixed home and without will of his own who lets himself be dragged along by chance.' This is how nine-year-old Naja sees herself. The daughter of a khan and a descendent of Genghis Khan himself, Naja is given to Gunther Berger by her father U'lan in recognition of a debt of honour. Gunther takes her home to post-war Cologne where she finds herself a stranger in a strange land . Desperate to fit in and clever beyond her years, Naja suppresses all memories of her former life, her culture and even her language. She grows up, marries and moves overseas but she cannot truly forget her past and knows that one day she must return to her birthplace to find the answer to the questions that dog her: 'Who am I and where is my home?'

Kuraj charts one woman's search for identity and her coming to terms with herself and the life she has been forced to lead It is a an extraordinary story of adoption and isolation conjuring up all the fear and confusion felt by a child who longs for acceptance but knowing all along that she belongs somewhere else. The faded splendour of post-war Germany is beautifully captured but this is a novel that transcends time and place. It is rather a study of the universal human need to know oneself Kuraj is a grand achievement and an astounding first novel.

Sara Wilson

VOODOO SEASON

Jewell Parker Rhodes, Atria , 2005, $24.00 /C$33.00, hb, 277pp, 0743483278

New Orleans in early 2005 is the setting for the mysterious string of deaths of young people- all women but one, all dead of no apparent cause. One of the dead women is pregnant, far enough along that the attending physician is able to save her baby. Strangely, the baby reminds the doctor so much of her own mother that she names the orphan Marie, after her. The doctor's attachment to the infant compels her to 37

become involved with the investigation into the baby's mother's death. That involvement also means involvement with a handsome police detective called Reneaux. The second of a mystery trilogy, Voodoo Season is a contemporary look at voodoo. The historical connection comes in the form of dreams that carry Dr. Marie Levant back to the 19 th century, back into the memories of another Marie, her ancestor Marie Laveau. Leaving us with three Maries or is it just one?

Jewell Parker Rhodes' characters are capably drawn, although not all are outstanding- Dr. Marie is good , but the best is the villain Allez. The strength of this novel lies in the voodoo itself. The dream sequences are haunting and compelling, and the otherness of this mystery prevents it from ever being too much of a formula novel.

Janette

King

ANGELS IN THE GLOOM

Anne Perry, Headline, 2005, £16.99, hb, 312pp, 0755302885/US: Ballantine , $25.95, 0345456564

This is the third in a series of five novels covering WWI. It's March, 19 I 6, and Joseph Reavley, badly wounded while rescuing an irtjured man from no-man's-land, is sent home to Cambridgeshire to recover. A friend running a scientific establishment nearby confides they are almost finished developing a weapon that will halt the German U-boats, which are wreaking havoc on the British navy and the supplies from America.

Then the brilliant young scientist ts murdered, and the project cannot be completed as speedily as hoped. At the same time Joseph's brother Matthew is working for Intelligence, and trying to discover who is leaking secrets to the Germans. Is the murder a personal revenge, or part of the treachery? The two stories converge, and the brothers look for solutions.

This is a beautifully written book, of epic scope. It brings to vivid life the horrors of the trenches and of sea battles. At the same time it shows the trials and painful emotions of those left at home, knowing little but fearing much. Anne Perry is equally at home with violent action and philosophical reflection.

The only irritation [ felt was for the references , sometimes inadequately explained, to previous events in the early books of the series. It is always a difficult balance to explain enough for new readers while not boring old ones, but even old ones, a year later , sometimes need a reminder of what went before.

Marina Oliver

A GRAVE MAN

David Roberts , Constable 2005 , £17.99, hb, 262pp, l 84529 l 28X. Pub. In US by Carroll & Graf 2005 , $25.00, hb, 288pp, 0786715960

The novel is set in the late [ 930s when Hitler is threatening Europe but some politicians believe they can buy peace through appeasement. It recreates the world ISSUE 35, FEBRUARY 2006

of detective fiction where the amateur sleuth is an aristocrat, Lord Edward Corinth, aided by journalist and member of the Communist party, Verity Brown, not to mention various important police and political contacts.

At a Memorial Service an unpleasant archaeologist is killed, stabbed with an ancient dagger. While resolving this crime Lord Edward is also investigating a medical research foundation set up by the husband of one of Verity's friends, which is being used , people suspect, for experimental research into eugenics.

The two strands coverage, especially after a second murder, and the scene shifts from London and rural England to the Riviera , home to a variety of deposed monarchs. There is a wealth of period detail , from the social attitudes to high political concerns, and the novel will appeal to fans of this period.

Marina Oliver

**NO

REST FOR THE WICKED

Wendy Robertson, Headline, 2005, £18.99, hb,342p~0755309448

This is a delightful and unusual story. The three principal characters are unlikely heroines , but beautifully drawn and immediately pique our interest. Pippa is a young French girl rescued from a sweatshop to act as assistant to the wardrobe mistress of a troupe of travelling players in the I 920s. Worldly-wise Miss Abigail, the wardrobe mistress was once a dancer until she broke both her ankles: she is Pippa's mentor and stands between her and the harshness of the world. The third heroine is Tcsserina an Italian vagabond rescued by Pippa from a hostile crowd and who turns out to be a magical dancer in the style of Loie Fuller. She too shelters under Miss Abigail's wing

The interactions, secrets and ambitions of the three women are skilfully shown against the backdrop of the variety troupe, full of lively individuals. The northern English towns are shown through Pippa's eyes as grey and chilly compared with the sunny south of France where she was born Secrets are slowly revealed, each solution leading to another mystery. More than one tragedy occurs before all the ends are neatly tied up. An absorbing and enjoyable read Pamela Cleaver

MRS. FREUD

Nicolle Rosen, Arcade, 2005, $24.00, hb, 2 I 3pp, 1559707836

IL is 1946, seven years after the death of Sigmund Freud. American journalist Mary Huntington Smith contacts Freud's wife, Martha, with a proposition to write her biography. Mrs. Freud declines, but the two strike up a friendship, and Martha agrees to write to Mary "off the record." What follows is a wonderful epistolary novel , an insightful, complex portrait of a woman who is generally a background figure in Sigmund Freud 's life. In Nicolle Rosen's

THE HISTORICAL NOVELS REVIEW

novel, the tables are turned, and Martha comes to the fore, while the reader catches fascinating glimpses of Sigmund, daughter Anna, Carl Jung and other famous figures in the world of psychoanalysis. Martha's letters to Mary alternate with chapters in which Martha privately muses on the events in her life, reflecting on many of the events that she cannot write to anyone but herself. Martha reflects on her childhood; Sigmund's passionate courtship and the early days of their marriage; her sister Minna , who quickly replaces her as Sigmund's intellectual companion; the many people holding court around Sigmund, including Jung and Ferenczi; Judaism and atheism; Sigmund's death , and Martha's life after he is gone.

The novel is filled with a large cast of characters, and the discussions of events in Martha's life are not chronological, but Rosen manages to include everything without losing or confusing readers, including those who are largely unfamiliar with Freud or other luminaries of psychiatry. Rosen's research and narrative gifts allow Martha to emerge as a vibrant, captivating companion, without ever making her out to be anything but what she is : a devoted wife, mother, and friend . Andrea Bell

SWALLOW! G STONES

Lisa St. Aubin de Teran, Harper Perennial , 2006, $14.95/C$18.95, pb , 528pp , 0060781041

Venezuelan revolutionary and scholar Oswaldo Barreto Miliani is intrigued by the numerous rumors placing him in the most nefarious situations. Some are amusing, while others are degrading and fantastic. What emerges from this fictional/ biographical account is more about what shapes a notable historical figure. For Otto (his later code name) himself, in this novel, makes it clear that his career occurred almost as a series of accidents to which he shaped his scholarly approach lo life Growing up as an unattractive boy and resented for living after his favored brother dies , Otto turns to self-learning. Then he discovers a life-long love of poetry and a keen skill at making speeches. However, his presentations are almost always inflammatory, and Otto is soon labeled a political enemy almost everywhere he goes in Venezuela

What starts as a megalomaniac pride in rebellion transforms to a revolutionary zeal directed at the tyranny of unjust political leaders. Never totally accepting the principles and theories of Marxist Communism, Otto follows and eventually leads the Communist movement to end the decadent rule of Latin American and African dictators. The narrator provides a fascinating insight into the minds and activities of men such as Hitler, Che Guevera, Ben Barka, and Fidel Castro. Depicted as passionate, brilliant, and effective strategists, they succeed m

winning total support of other rebels as well as common people. That most of them are assassinated or become as tyrannical as their deposed forefathers confuses Otto. Shifting with these unpredictable tides, he, however, maintains an integrity that never ceases to believe that justice must prevail.

Oswaldo Miliani resembles the stuff of legends, but Lisa St. Aubin De Teran opens a realistic window into little known Latin American history and politics, well worth reading indeed in this brilliant novel.

Viviane Crystal

LIBERATION

Joanna Scott, Little, Brown, 2005, $23.95, hb ,2 72pp , 0316010537

"Today was ... what was today? The eighteenth day of June in the year 1944 Just anoth<!r afternoon in a villa surrounded by olive groves and vineyard Just another war in the history of an island." So begins this tale of an older woman remembering the invasion of Elba, the Italian island famous for Napoleon's last residence in exile , during WWII by Germans and African/French forces. On the day after her 70 th birthday, Adriana Runde! is traveling on a commuter train from New Jersey to Manhattan. She begins to feel ill and seems to be floating back to those childhood memories in between realizing she is as helpless now as she was then.

In this novel, Joanna Scott has plumbed the depths of what war creates in the mind and feelings of a war-struck child. Weaving between the real and the imagined, Adriana is forced to hide in a cupboard while Senegalese and French soldiers kill , rape , and maim her neighboring villagers. When things calm down, she ventures outside to explore the reality of what she has been imagining from her relatives' talk. Soon she meets Amdu Diop, a Senegalese soldier, who has been forever changed by the rape and murder he witnessed , committed by fellow soldiers. They actually save each other's lives , but neither fully realizes until much later the miracle behind their finding one another. Unique to this story is the way this family is forced to cooperate or resist military forces that change from enemy to friend within a very brief time period. The devastation of war on the psyche, the loss of faith, and the preservation of hope in the face of such utter devastation are the focal points of this moving novel of first love. Yiviane Crystal

**THE TURK AND MY MOTHER

Mary Helen Stefaniak, Norton, 2005 , $ 14.95 /C$2 1.00, tpb, 316pp, 0393326993

This is the story of several generations of a Croatian family, both in their native country and in the United States. The mother of the title is Agnes, and it is her husband Josef who first emigrates to the U.S. , just before World War I. Other key characters include Josefs mother, known as Staramajka (the Croatian word for grandmother); Josefs ISSUE 35, FEBRUARY 2006

brother, Marko, a soldier who is missing in action; Agnes's daughter Madeline; and George, Agnes's son and the narrator of this story. Josef is unable to bring his family to Milwaukee until after the war, and that provides the opportunity for Agnes to the meet the Turk in her native village.

This dry recounting of the bare bones of the book gives , however, no sense of the incredible richness and mesmerizing nature of the storytelling The different stories weave in and out, and we learn more details about people and events as we read further. Staramajka is a wonderful character, full of life and impishness and hidden secrets, so it comes as a shock when one of the younger generation remarks that she appears to others as a frightening old woman. We have seen her humanity and her incredible sense of compassion There are echoes of events from generation to generation, and a number of surprises along the way.

In an extensive interview with the author at the end of the book, she mentions that her greatest challenge was to make sure the reader could identify where and when the action on any given page was taking place. This can shift from sentence to sentence, and even within a sentence, but she has succeeded admirably, and I never felt confused. The author also mentions that her secret wish was that she " write a book whose ending would make the reader feel compelled to go back and reread the book." Her wish will shortly be fulfilled by this reader, who longs to enter this enchanting tale once again.

Trudi E. Jacobson

GARDENIAS

Faith Sullivan, Milkweed Editions , 2005 , $24.95, hb , 38lpp , 1571310452

In The Cape Ann , Sullivan introduced us to young Lark Erhardt, her mother Arlene, and other family members. In the years leading up to World War II, Lark and her parents were living in Harvester, Minnesota. Gardenias continues their story, as Lark, Arlene, and Aunt Betty leave Harvester and Lark's father to start a new life in San Diego. Aunt Betty's husband is living in Los Angeles and working for one of the Hollywood studios, but they haven't seen each other in some time. And Arlene has lost all faith with her husband after he gambled away the money she was saving to buy them a new home

Lark leaves Harvester, her friends , and memories of a dear friend most reluctantly , but is soon caught up with her new neighbors in the makeshift housing development called the Project, filled with people who have drifted to San Diego from all over the country. She gets to know Shirley, a girl her age, who is utterly neglected by her family. Shirley is crude and lacks manners, but when Lark's family get a piano, Shirley is drawn to it , and is found to have extraordinary talent. A subplot that runs throughout the novel chronicles Lark's fascination with the

THE HISTORICAL NOVELS REVIEW

enigmatic movie star Alicia Armand, whom Lark caught a glimpse of on the train ride from Minnesota to California.

Both The Cape Ann and Gardenias are magical books, filled with engaging characters and giving an excellent sense of the historical period. I recommend them highly, and hope to have the opportunity myself to read about Lark's teenage years.

Trudi E. Jacobson

THE KING OF KINGS COUNTY

WhitneyTerrell, 2005

$24.95 / C$35.00, 36lpp , hb,0670034258

This extended saga of the Acheson family is recommended with one caveat: though this dramatic tale feels realistic, readers should not confuse its historical background with actual happenings in real estate development around Kansas City, Missouri , in the 1950s. Jack , the son of Alton Acheson, relates his father's schemes to seek wealth and social position. Even as a youngster, Jack considered himself to be a victim; he suffers embarrassment due to his con-man father's practice of buying land for pennies, in comparison to its actual value. Jack first obtains his education in the business world by hearing about his father ' s unethical land deals. Later, Jack defends those transactions in court as his father's lawyer.

The novel incorporates Jack's struggles in growing up amid football games and college parties into a sensual yet corrupt narrative. His infatuation with Geanie Bowen , granddaughter of a local land baron, runs throughout his recall of family life. Over time , Jack's community becomes a society shaped by segregation , highway construction, and crooked heroes. The mafia is considered a successful business model.

This farcical tale contains insightful historical detail on inner city and suburban growth. The author has a crisp, captivating style, and he employs a shocking finale. But although readers will be drawn into the entertaining plot, they may feel cheated by the emotional closing, and withdraw any pity they might have had for Jack.

Jetta Culpepper

MAID OF THE SEA

Janet Thomas , Hale, 2005 , £18 99 , hb , 224pp,0709079540

In 1914 Morwenna Pengelly returns to her childhood home in Cornwall after several years away at school. No sooner has she rediscovered her love for Tom Edwards than he joins up to fight and is posted to the front. Lonely and yearning for Tom's return, Mor finds herself drawn into the company of brash young Irishman Kieran Doyle. Their relationship deepens after Tom is listed as missing presumed dead , but Kieran has a dark secret and its revelation causes Mor to throw herself even harder into the nursing duties she has taken up. Meanwhile Tom is suffering from amnesia and has become an unidentified prisoner of war. Morwenna's future happiness depends 39

on her keeping faith with the future and on Tom recapturing his past.

Janet Thomas has written a sweet wartime love story. The twists and turns in the plot are not too hard to guess, but this never really undermines its appeal. The characters are well drawn and the atmosphere of wartime Britain is effectively evoked. Maid of the Sea is a good choice for readers looking for an undemanding read with plenty of heart and soul.

Sara Wilson

ONE SMALL CANDLE

Janet Mary Tomson, Robert Hale Ltd, 2005 , £18.99,hb , 224pp,0709079060

'Cartagena' is now a decaying mansion build on land given by Elizabeth I to Francis Lamb At the time he inadvisably offered her half share of the spoils from a Spanish treasure galleon captured off the coast of the Americas. Her Majesty , being the Queen she was , took the lot.

In the latter part of the twentieth century, Shirley Weeks is employed by the elderly and lonely Lady Lamb at 'Cartagena'.

Eighteen years later, Guy Lamb, heir to the estate and Shirley's secret fiance , has disappeared after stepping of a plane at Heathrow airport. Ruled by her mother with whom she lives , and always hoping Guy will return, Shirley is trapped not only by her past but by an enduring love for the aristocratic house in which she works

Janet Mary Tomson has written a modem novel with ties to the past and expresses clearly her passion for history and all things English, but in pulling the story full circle she lets opportunities slip and thereby does not give the book a truly satisfying ending.

The characters are shallow creatures , human no doubt but difficult to empathise with. Tighter editing would have clarified contradictions within the text.

The historical content of One Small Candle is eleven lines in the Author's Note; the book may have limited appeal for readers seeking a historical setting, but nevertheless it is an imaginative story.

Gwen Sly

THE SEASON OF OPEN WATER

Dawn Clifton Tripp , Random House , 2005, $24.95 / C34 95 , hb , 286pp, 1400061873

The Se as on of Op en Wat er is the intensely introspective character study of a family in a New England seaside town It is October 1927. Bridge Weld is nineteen, headstrong and beautiful , working in her grandfather's Noel ' s boatbuilding shop. When Noel is approached by a local bootlegger to refit a boat for smuggling , he takes the job for the money it offers and for the promise of security for his beloved granddaughter and her brother, Luce. What Noel doesn't count on is that Luce will be lured into the rum-work himself and will try to pull Bridge into it with him. But Bridge embarks on a different course when she falls in love with Henry, a WWI veteran ISSUE 35, FEBRUARY 2006

Caught up in a passion that propels her beyond the confines of her known world, ultimately Bridge must choose between the man who loves her and the brother to whom she has been loyal all her life As Bridge strikes out on her own , Luce's fierce attachment spirals out of control.

At one point, Tripp describes Bridge's mother as "gorgeous, but in a distant sort of way ." So, too , is her prose style in this novel. Though the characters and setting breathe with life , I felt the languid pace and lack of clear character motivation seemed to hold me at arm's length Still the rich descriptive passages and deft characterization make The S easo n of Open Water shimmer like an ocean bay under a quarter-moon Readers of lite rary historicals will find much to love in thi s book.

Lessa J Scherrer

THE ADVENTURE OF MAO ON THE LONG MARCH

Frederic Tuten, New Directions , 2005, $1 l.95 /C$17.00, tpb , 144pp, 0811216322 ls this a novel? Does it capture for the reader more about Mao's Long March-or about the literary scene in the U S during the nineteen-sixties and early seventies? Thi s is a reprint of a work that appeared first as part of a " box-sculpture " among "s tamp s, seals lithographs " at a time when "yo ung people believed the Revolution was at the gate." Yes, Mao takes his march He breaks through the Nationalist cordons against impossible odds in a very encyclopedic style. But he also has poetic leaps, interviews with a journalist and visions where Greta Garbo, dressed in red worker's coveralls, presents him with a tank in good working order covered with peonies and laurels. Spliced in between are passages written in the style of Faulkner and Hemingway , quotes from Jack London and Herman Melville on " Roman Statuary," lots of esoteric discussions on art, the purpose of art, and telling us that "art is bogus fabrication." Interesting , in a self-conscious Sixties sort of way. The source notes at the end are the best help Ann Chamberlin

WHEELING AND DEALING

Elizabeth Waite, Time Warner Books , 2006, £17.99 , hb,380pp,0316727423

Life isn' t always easy in the East End of London during the 1950s as Ella Dryden is soon to discover. With a marriage that ha s gone stale, a husband who is just this side of being a crook and two young children to bring up, it's no wonder that Ella has let herself go a bit. Then comes a wake up call, Dennis leaves home and she is left to fend for herself. Thank goodness for Winnie , her reliable mother and best friend, who encourages her to get a job, lose some weight and find herself a new man Just when things seem to be on course another bombshell explodes. Dennis has got a local girl pregnant. Ella's response is to throw herself into her bar work at the

British Legion and start a new relationship with old schoolfriend Sam. But what if Dennis has turned over a new leaf and wants to come back into her life? Can Ella fall in love with him all over again?

Wheeling and Dealing is just what an East End saga should be - full of life, colour, tears and laughter. Elizabeth Waite has obviously drawn heavily on her own background of growing up in Tooting and her intimate knowledge of place and time shows through clearly in her writing It's a lovely bit of storytelling, with characters a reader can genuinely care about.

Sara Wilson

THE SCARLET QUEEN

Jacqueline Webb, Hale, 2005 £ I 8.99 hb, 223 pp , 0709079419

Fourteen-year-old Kate Whitaker is, to say the least, difficult. Sure of herself, rude and cruel in her humour, she cannot bear to be crossed in anyway. After running away from school, she is expelled Kate is delighted when she sees her archaeologist father's new assistant, Adam Ellis Knowing herself to be perfect in her father's eyes, Kate plans to torment him , as she has done to all his predecessors. Her plan runs into a snag in that her father's patron's wife Lady Alice Faulkner is also travelling A charming and friendly young woman, Lady Alice manages to make Kate feel that her behaviour is childish and silly, without scolding her.

Seven years later Kate and Adam meet in London and Kate feels resentful that he still orders her about like a child. Adam is now the representative of the museum that is sponsoring her father in his obsessive search for the tomb of the Pharaoh Khaemwaset and Kate must give him all due courtesy. All she can do is to be thankful that she is going back to Egypt, but she finds Adam has also been sent there by the museum to discover if there ever really was a pharaoh called Khaemwaser. The story now becomes involved with rivals, grave robbers, and bandits thwarting them in their search for the statue, known as The Scarlet Queen There are deaths-natural and murder , as well.

The setting of Egypt feels authentic, though sanitised, as is the actual archaeology. We do not get the sheer horror of the work in the tomb tunnels. But the characters are well defined and the writing is good, moving quickly as the plot develops. I quite enjoyed it.

Mairead McKerracher

HIGH COUNTRY

Willard Wyman , Univ. of Oklahoma Press , 2005,$24.95,hb,395pp,0806136979

It is not often that I come across a book that I put aside to wait anxiously for that peaceful time of night when all is quiet, and I can start what promises to be a really good read That is the anticipation I had when I received High Country to review The

promotional material calls it "writing in the tradition of Norman Maclean's A River Runs Through It." It had all the ingredients that would interest me: a storyline placed in the history of the I 930s in the Bitterroot Valley and Swan Mountain range of my adopted home country. However, it does not compare to Maclean's book. The story is slow and methodical, and in several places the historical facts are wrong.

In brief, sixteen-year-old Ty Hardin leaves his family's failing ranch during the Great Depression to work with a packer, Fenton Pardee. Pardee operates out of the Swan Valley and packs into the rugged Swan Range, which later became known as the Bob Marshall Wilderness The story moves through Ty's adventures with the legendary Pardee and then into his enlistment and adventures in World War II. Once home from the war, Ty moves on to the high country of the Sierra Nevada, where an older, more mature Ty becomes a legend in his own right.

It would have been easy for the author to look at a map of Montana and see that the Clark Fork River , rather than the Blackfoot River , flows by the University of Montana. It is very glaring to the reader who knows the difference , and the author mentions the misplaced Blackfoot more than once. Also, it is not historically correct to write that miners were working the mines in Anaconda , Montana ; this was a smelting town built to process the copper that was mined in nearby Butte, Montana Historical misrepresentations detract from any story, and certainly detract from High Country

MULTI-PERIOD

THE DIAMOND

Julie Baumgold, Simon & Schuster, 2005, $24.00, hb,320pp,0743264819

To while away the time on the remote Atlantic island of St. Helena, Napoleon Bonaparte's companion-in-exile, Count de Las Cases, pens the history of a fabled diamond Plucked from the earth in India, the uncut gemstone is brought to Europe by Thomas Pitt, an Englishman, who dangles it before Europe's crowned heads in hope of making his fortune. Cut and polished to a final size of 140 carats, the stunning jewel christened the Regent finds a purchaser in Louis XIV, who cherishes it as proof of his majesty and displays it proudly. From that period onward, the diamond's fate is interlocked with that of the French rulers During the Revolution , they and their state jewels- the diamond among them-suffer. Napoleon, the Regent's next owner, is superstitious-the Regent becomes his touchstone, his good omen Embedding it into the hilt of his ceremonial sword, he refuses to hand it over to either of his wives. Las Cases, whose political sympathies lean more royalist than republican, nevertheless

finds himself as fascinated by his Emperor as he is by the Emperor's prized possession.

Baumgold's writing is as vivid as the eras she describes, filled with fascinating detail and sharp observations about historical figuressome better known than others. Entertaining and interesting in equal measure, The Diamond is warmly recommended.

Margaret Barr

**THE CONJUROR'S BIRD

Martin Davies , Hodder & Stoughton, 2005, £12.99, hb, 309 pp, 0340896167/ £10.99 pb, 0340896175 / USA: The Conjurer's Bird, Shaye Areheart, $24.00, hb, 1400097339 Like A.S. Byatt's novel Possession, Martin Davies' The Conjuror's Bird is a literary thriller. The book weaves together past and present in a spe llbinding double narrative of contemporary conservationists and thwarted I 8th century lovers Fitz, once on the verge of breakthrough in the scientific world, is summoned by his ex-wife to track down the long lost Bird of Ulieta, which was sighted on Cook's 1774 expedition to the South Seas. A single specimen of the bird was brought back to England. Then both the bird species and the specimen vanished.

Fitz immerses himself in the life of Sir Joseph Banks , famous I8th century naturalist and one-time owner of the bird specimen. Soon Fitz finds himself enchanted by the figure of Banks' elusive mistress, who disappeared out of history without so much as leaving her name behind. It becomes clear that this woman is the key to finding out what happened to the specimen. Meanwhile the stakes are raised when Fitz's ex-wife reveals the true and murl-..-y purpose behind the search. Fitz encounters fierce competition and fights foul play In the end, he must become a conjuror and trickster to ward off unscrupulous competitors hot on the trail of the bird

Davies' writing is elegant and lyrical. He paints an arresting portrait of Banks' shadowy mistress, a woman whose ambitions and yearnings place her centuries ahead of her time. A haunting story, highly recommended. Mary Sharratt

TIMESLIP

A BREA TH OF SNOW AND ASHES

Diana Gabaldon, Delacorte, 2005, $28.00/ C$39.95,hb,980pp,0385324l62

Pub in the UK by Century, 2005, £14.99, hb ,979 pp ,07 12679839

The sixth book in this popular series of novels begins in March 1773 , when a family of settlers in backcountry North Carolina is found dead. Jamie Fraser, his extended family, and friends are safe, but clearly events like this have the inhabitants of Fraser's Ridge rattled. Because Jamie's wife, daughter , and son-in-law are all timetravelers from the 20 th century, he knows that the American colonists are about to revolt against English tyranny. His hope is to safeguard his loved ones through the

THE HISTORICAL NOVELS REVIEW

coming months. Memories of the horrible days before and after the battle at Culloden, when the Jacobite cause suffered staggering defeat, haunt his dreams, making him justifiably nervous to be on the rebel side once more. Despite reassurances from Claire, Bree, and Roger that this time things will be different, Jamie still has worries.

While the majority of the action centers on Jamie and Claire, others have their stories as well. Characters introduced in previous books show up again. Some old mysteries are solved while new ones begin . This is a satisfying, wide-ranging historical novel. Diana Gabaldon is a natural storyteller. Her pacing is crisp, something you might not expect in a novel of such length , yet thoroughly detailed Her prose is vividly descriptive , and her gift for writing dialogue is unsurpassed Yes, I'm a fan. Could some of the action be cut or pared? Possibly Is the abduction scenario overused? Maybe once or twice. Would I have wanted this book to end any sooner? Definitely not. So, leaving those small grievances aside, I must say that I loved this and will definitely be rereading it at least one more time before the next book is released.

Alice Logsdon

THE STUART SAPPHlRE

Alanna Knight, Allison & Busby , 2005, £18.99, hb,243pp,0749082569

Thi s is the third in the series about the adventures of time traveller Tam Eildor, a visitor from the 23r<1 century with a series of missions to complete rather a la Quantum leap. His latest assignment brings him to Regency Brighton , where he is assumed after a series of adventures to be a shipwreck's sole survivor and gets taken up by ' Prinny' to settle a bet between him and Beau Brummell. Not a moment too soon, as almost immediately a body is found in the prince 's bed - his latest mistress Sarah, Marchioness ofCreeve. But is Tam a spy for the French , a spy from his estranged wife Caroline or something worse? With Princess Charlotte infatuated with him, and the net closing tighter it is up to Tam to find out whodunit and scarper before he is in real trouble

These are entertaining books , with plenty of gothic mystery , period colour and even a soupcon of science fiction. Alanna Knight mixes the genres like a master chef and comes up with something I always find palatable , although there are flaws. All women seem to find Tam irresistible, which gets annoying fairly quickly , and the murders themselves need to be more convoluted to satisfy whodunit readers , their main audience. To its credit the portraits of the Prince Regent, Beau Brummell and the thief-taker appear to be rooted firmly in fact rather than romance and Knight gives a warts-and-all picture of Brighton in its heyday to match . Ultimately this is an entertaining book although more for its ambience and factual background than for

the plot which is something of a letdown. Worth reading, but not her best work. Rachel A Hyde

THE LAST BRJDE

Sandra Landry, Berkley, 2005, $6.99/ C$9.99, pb , 307pp, 0425204448

Time travel books are a wonderful subgenre; they allow the pleasure of experiencing another time, even if it is vicariously. If the reader has a favorite setting or period of history , it's pure joy to read about it as discovered by a modem transplant. In The last Bride, medieval France is the setting, and the labyrinth of Chartres Cathedral is the mean s by which the present-day heroine is transported back in time to 1202. The under-lying theme is reincarnation and the reuniting of this young woman with her past (or future) husband who is languishing in feudal Normandy, beset by sneering relatives and retainers , and plagued by a ghost. Aidan is a hunk, but no one will have him for fear of the haunting who specifically attacks women he attempts to woo. Some of the modem-to-medieval wordplay is funny, such as Claire feeding Aidan Dove chocolate, but others did not work as well-such as Claire referring to a medieval tavern maid as a "breast reduction candidate." It was enjoyable but fairly predictable

Mary K Bird-Guilliams

HISTORICAL FANTASY

THE DEVIL'S KNJGHT

Lucy Blue, Pocket Books , 2006, $6.99/C$9.50, pb , 384pp, 9781416511953

The Devil's Knight is Tristan DuMaine , cousin to King Henry 11 , who is sent to fortify a border castle. He tries to be a benevolent, if stem, lord. His servants and serfs, however, remain loyal to the son of the former lord. The son, Sean, and his sister, Siobhan, have turned brigands and live in the forest. With the help of their people on the inside, the brother and sister take over the castle and kill all the Normans except DuMaine They force him to marry Siobhan, then beat him and carry his dying body five days away where instead of killing him they leave him to die A vampire spots him and decides to be merciful and speed his dying , but DuMaine, ever the fighter, bites him back and becomes a vampire himself. DuMaine is a good vampire; he only feeds on evil people Recovered from his wounds, he returns to the castle to wreak revenge and claim his bride. Lucy Blue seems to have written this vampire story with tongue in cheek, but it is not a spoof. She includes many trite myths and legends , but if vampires are your meat , here's a fresh approach to feed on.

Audrey Braver

THE WIZARD OF LONDON

Mercedes Lackey, DAW , 2005, $25.95/C$36.00, hb , 342pp, 0756401747

The Wizard of London, the fourth book in Lackey's bestselling Elemental Masters ISSUE 35, FEBRUARY 2006

series, tells the story of Lord David Alderscroft, Master of the British Elemental Masters Council. The novel opens with twelve-year-old Sarah Jane Lyon-White arriving from Africa on her way to the Harton School for Boys and Girls in London-a school intended to educate both children of missionaries as well as those gifted with magical abilities. Sarah befriends a Cockney student, Nan, and they soon find themselves being hunted down by dark forces. What follows is an almost catand-mouse hunt between Alderscroft's benefactor, Cordelia, and the people charged with protecting the girls.

For those fans of Lackey's work, this will be another delicious addition to this se ries They will love it. For those who haven ' t read the earlier books in the series, I can only recommend that you do so first. I spent most of the time with my brow furrowed trying to make sense of things. The adventures that these two girls have are entertaining. I enjoyed their part of the story. When it came to dealing with the adults, though, I was just confused.

I have no doubt that the story is a pageturner for those who have invested their time in the previous installments.

Dana Cohlmeyer

THE DARK MIRROR

Juliet Marillier, Tor, 2005, $27.95 / C$36.95, hb ,5 12pp,0765309955

Pub. in the UK by Tor, 2005, £17.99, hb , 560pp, 1405041056

Bridei is a young nobleman fostered at the home of Broichan, one of the most powerful druids in the land. His earliest memories are not of hearth and kin but of this dark stranger, who, while not unkind, is mysterious in his ways. The tasks that he sets Bridei appear to have one goal-to make him a vessel for some distant purpose. What the purpose is Bridei cannot fathom, but he trusts Broichan and is content to learn all he can from him and his tutors

But something happens that will change Bridei's world forever and possibly wreck Broichan's plans : Bridei finds an infant on the doorstep on a bitter Midwinter Eve, a child seemingly abandoned by the faerie folk. It is uncommonly bad luck to have dealings with the Fair Folk, and all counsel the infant's death. But Bridei sees an old and precious magic at work and fights to save the child. The two grow up together and as Bridei comes to manhood, he sees the shy girl, Tuala , blossom into a beautiful woman. But Broichan feels only danger and does not know if Tua la will be a key part in Bridei's future or spell his doom

The Dark Mirror is the first in a new series by acclaimed fantasy writer Juliet Marillier. This is an enchanting and engrossing novel , based on the life story of Bridei , son of Maelchon , who ruled the Picts from 554 AD In the author's note Ms. Marillier states that the Bridei Chronicles are a blend of known history,

THE HISTORICAL NOVELS REVIEW

informed guesswork, and imagination The blending of these elements results in an atmospheric, ethereal and magical story. Highly recommended Andrea Connell

THE DREAM THIEF

Helen A. Rosburg, Medallion , 2005, $6.99, pb,325pp, 1932815201

In 16th century Venice, a night stalker is seducing young women to death. Young Pina already has her hands full with her hidden charity work in the Jewish ghetto and an overbearing fiance who's making moves on her maid. Then her cousin is found to be a victim, and Pina herself is having strange sensuous dreams that are sapping her young life away. Her mother moves her to their country estate and enlists the aid of Pina's long ago nurse Erta, who now has no teeth but a keen sense of the occult. She finally names Pino 's handsome stalker a Dream Thief who also shapeshifts into the name she gives him, Tallhart. In response to her kindness and interest, Pino's handsome but life-sucking stalker begins to remember his human past, and the two fall in love In his Deer guise, he even comes to her rescue when her spumed fiance turns homicidal and finds an ax.

This sensuous, erotic fairy tale's swooning and sleepy heroine may not be every reader's cup of tea (she drinks that beverage often, even though tea wasn't introduced to Europe until 1605) , but at least her female support network, from mother to nurse to handmaid, are all helpful, with nary a cackling stepmother in sight. Eileen Charbonneau

STATES OF GRACE

Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, Tor, 2005, $25.95 / C$34.95 / £ 17 99, hb, 332pp, 0765313901

Yarbro, author of more than twenty novels about the life of the Count Saint-Germain gives readers a satisfying new chapter in th~ life of this much-written-about vampire in her latest book. Dividing his time in the early 1530s between Venice and the Spanish Netherlands, the Count, aware that his lavish lifestyle is attracting the attentions of jealous Venetian merchants, takes on a mistress: the talented musician Pier-Ariana Salier. In addition, the Inquisition is investigating his publishing business in the Netherlands , and he finds his employees in danger of being branded with heresy. While trying to protect them, he soon discovers that the man entrusted to protect it has embezzled a vast portion of his fortune; as a result, he is also under investigation for the man's disappearance.

The characters and plot are both intriguing and unique. Much of the plot is moved forward by the use of letters instead of first-person writing. At times this became frustrating, as it made the story feel a bit clunky. But the descriptions of Venice, as well as the intrigue and suspicions that

swirled around its society, are fantastic. Also interesting were the machinations and panic inspired by the Inquisition. The author has written much about this vampire, and this book is just another chapter in his time on earth. As such, it is a standalone novel that piques one's interest in reading the others.

Dana Cohlmeyer

CHILDREN'S & YOUNG ADULTS'

THE SAND CASTLE

Margaret Whitman Blair, White Mane Kids, 2005,$8.95,pb, 187pp, 1572493461

Sand Castle is Blair's third young adult adventure novel set during the U.S. Civil War with fictional characters Jamie and Rob Henry and Sarah Singleton. These tenacious youngsters journey back in time to resolve an unexpected conflict. Young adult readers will appreciate the explorations, dilemmas and escapades these history enthusiasts venture into.

Blair nicely uses the historical Battle of Fort Fisher (maps are included) and real individuals of the time period to provide an age-appropriate history lesson. In addition, while many readers may affiliate themselves with the Union, they may find it difficult not to root for the South , since the main characters become entangled in that side of the struggle. The author also provides some very interesting lesser-known facts about the Civil War and people of the era. One of the nicer features is the epilogue, which contains information on what eventually happened to the historical figures in the story.

While an interesting tale, the novel's audience may be more willing than others to suspend their disbelief in some of the language and somewhat silly actions presented by the lead characters, in particular Jamie Henry.

Carol Anne Germain

COYOTE MOON

Martin Booth, Corgi, 2004 , £4.99, pb, 265pp, 0552550019

Corgi, 2005, $8.58, 272 pp, 0552550019

Coyote Moon tells the story of Daniel Chase, a twelve year old boy who has fled to America after his parents were banished from England for stealing in the 1860s. After much travelling, Daniel emerges from the Texan bush and finds himself at Dark Creek ranch He is taken in by the family living there, and the owner, Matt, sets about training him to become a cowboy. Daniel is given a horse called Satan, and he learns how to ride, throw a lasso and fire a shotgun. He finds things strange at first but quickly adapts to his new surroundings, and soon learns many new skills, but still has much to learn. However, there is the Civil War raging in America, and Daniel, Matt, and the cowhands, No-Head Nolan and Beto set off to herd fifty cattle 680 miles ISSUE 35, FEBRUARY 2006

along the trail to Kansas City. Along the way, Daniel and his fellow travellers face many dangers including hide rustlers, poisonous snakes and a ruthless group of outlaws. Will they survive these hazards, and reach their destination? And will Daniel finally find a place he can call home?

Action-packed and compulsive reading, this book is well written, and I really enjoyed reading it. I would recommend it to 11-13 year olds.

Charlotte Kemp

THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PYJAMAS

John Boyne, David Fickling, 2006, hb, £10.99, 224pp, 038560940X

David Fickling, 2006, 224 pp, 0385610319

This story, set mainly in Auschwitz, is about Bruno, the nine-year-old son of the camp Commandant, and his secret friendship with Shmuel, the boy in the striped pyjamas, and one of the inmates.

According to the press release, this is an extraordinary book and set to become a modem classic. The hype is not misplaced; it is every bit as powerful as they claim. It reminded me of Orwell's 'Animal Fann': the writing is deceptively simple and understated and there are no overt horrors, nevertheless, the feeling of entering a terrifying world without moral boundaries permeates the whole book There are no cliched moral assumptions. For example, Bruno sees his father as stem and unsympathetic; Shmuel is terrified of him; even Bruno's mother tip-toes around her husband, but the family maid, whilst hating what the Commandant does (though she keeps silent about it) tells Bruno that his father once saved her mother and herself from destitution and gave her a job. 'He has a kind soul ,' she says. There are also moments when humanity shines through. Josef, now a prisoner but once a doctor, illegally treats Bruno's injuries when he falls from a tree. Bruno and Shmuel's friendship develops, even in such terrible conditions. The episode where Bruno (like St Peter) denies knowing Shmuel and gets him into serious trouble, demonstrates that both boys understand that a wrong requires an apology on one side and forgiveness on the other. The final scene where the Commandant realizes that the instrument of death which he has meant for others has swallowed up his own son is worthy of Greek tragedy. Age range: 13 plus, but the reader needs to know about the Holocaust and to have maturity enough to cope with it.

Elizabeth Hawksley

I really liked this book; it was original and, overall, fantastic. l loved how Bruno was so innocent, and the ending was very moving and sad. It was a new point of view about World War II for me, which made it very interesting I don't have any criticisms. It would be a good book for studying at schoo l as it 1s easy to read and written incredibly well. Lucy Beggs aged 13

THE HISTORICAL NOVELS REVIEW

POCAHONTAS

Joseph Bruchac, Harcourt, 2005, $5.95, pb, l92pp,0152054650

This is a historically accurate account of the period leading up to the meeting between Captain John Smith and Pocahontas. Naturally, it is quite different from the Walt Disney version. Bruchac uses Smith's diaries, historical records, Algonquin word lists and oral tradition to weave together a fascinating look at the early days of Jamestown Colony, Virginia, narrated in alternating chapters by Smith and 12-yearold Pocahontas.

In 1606, the London Company was granted a charter to travel to and establish a new colony in the Chesapeake Bay area. They knew very little about their destination, and even less about the native people they would encounter. Most all had limited experience in dealing with those from other cultures. Likewise, the Powhatans had no great experience in dealing with the "coatrnen" and little reason to trust them. The cultural gulf between the two groups was vast, which, from the first meeting, lead to misunderstandings and violence. As daughter to chief Mamanatowic, Pocahontas has the chance to bridge the gulf, and hopefully fashion a peace between the two groups, by introducing Smith to her traditions.

This story is simple and complex at the same time. It is appropriate for young adults , age 12 and up. There is some violence, and some unpleasant details about sanitary conditions among the colonists.

Alice Logsdon

COPPER SUN

Sharon Draper, Atheneum, 2006, $16.95, pb,20pp,06898218l6

In 1738 , fifteen-year-old Amari's peaceful village life in Africa came to an end. Her village was burned and her family brutally murdered as she watched. She was then put on a slave ship, bound for America , where she would be bought as a gift for her owner's sixteen-year-old son. Amari would have given up completely, without the loving guidance of Avi, a woman she befriends on the ship to America. Avi tells her never to give up hope. An indentured white girl, Polly, is given the job of training Amari Polly is not happy about having to work with an African, but soon these two young women learn they share the same dream: freedom

Sharon Draper is the author of several Coretta Scott King award-winning books In Copper Sun , Draper shows her readers glimpses of the horrors of slavery, but keeps her descriptions general, making this book accessible to the faint-hearted reader. This historical young adult novel would be a great classroom assignment. The afterward of the book explains some of the interesting historical details that enrich the novel.

Ages 12-14

Nan Curnutt

**ESCAPING INTO THE NIGHT

D. Dina Friedman, Simon & Schuster, 2006, $15.95, hb, 208pp, 1416902589

In her first book for a younger audience, Ms. Friedman does well Escaping into the Night is a gripping telling of a little-known aspect of the Holocaust: the underground forest encampments that saved several thousand Jews from the Nazis. Halina Rudowski finds herself being spirited out of the Polish ghetto she and her mother are living in. She soon finds herself living a strange existence underground in the forest, struggling to cope with sudden changes in her life. This thirteen-year old girl, a talented singer, discovers her own resilience through the friends she chooses to embrace.

This compelling book, intended for ages I 0-14, is simply fantastic. It is impossible to not be drawn into the life Halina is forced to live and hold one's breath as the choices she makes place her in harm's way. Not only is her story fascinating , the exploration of the underground camps that allowed Jews to escape the Nazis is intriguing and one rarely- if ever- heard.

Escaping into the Night is marvelous One hopes that the author finds other equally compelling stories to tell for young people Dana Cohlmeyer

ITHAKA

Adele Geras, David Pickling Books , 2005, £ 12 .99, hb, 405pp , ISBN 0-385-60391-6 Harcourt, 2006, $17.00, tpb, 368 pp , 0152056033

The Odyssey tells the epic tale of the Greek hero Odysseus's ten year adventures on his voyage home to Ithaca after the end of the Trojan War. His wife Penelope and son Telemachus have been waiting faithfully and Penelope has been fending off the advances of various suitors who have their eye on her and her rich island home Or so the story goes.

Adele Geras has a new take on what happened to Penelope in this intriguing book . I've often thought that Penelope has a raw deal, stuck at her weaving and repulsing unwanted suitors whilst Odysseus is having adventures. The story is seen through the eyes of her maid Klymene, interspersed with shon verse retellings of Odysseus's adventures (killing the one-eyed giant Polyphemus , dallying with the nymph Calypso, visiting the Underworld and so on) as Geras tracks him on his way home , together with the thoughts of Odysseus's faithful dog, Argos. Gods and goddesses, too , have their parts to play.

Not only does Geras offer a realistic and gutsy account of life in Bronze Age Greece, she also goes deeper. She looks at how people respond to change. Penelope comes to love one of the suitors, Leodeshow long should she remain faithful to a husband everyone tells her is dead? Her maid Klymene is growing up in dangerous times. She has to run the gauntlet of sexual harassment from Penelope's suitors and ISSUE 35, FEBRUARY 2006

learn who is to be trusted. Both must tread a difficult path between love and duty .T his is a tale of greed, steadfastness, heartbreak and love.

I really enjoyed this, but I suspect that readers who don't know the Odyssey stories might find it confusing at times.

Age range: 11-14

Elizabeth Hawksley

Ithaka was an interesting read as it wove different narratives together. It focuses mainly on Klymene , but also has bits about Penelope's life , the dog Argos's dreams , and I especially liked the appearance of the gods. It has a romantic story line mixed in with tales of war, which I think may appea l to both sexes, though I found it more romantic than violent.

Unfortunately, in some places the pace dropped, for example, the episodes with the suitors were too long-winded. The story might also be difficult to grasp if you didn't know the Odyssey Overall though, this was a really well written book

Lucy Beggs Aged 13

WILLOW RUN

Patricia Reilly Giff, Wendy Lamb Books, 2005, $15.95, hb , 160pp, 0385730675

Newbery Honor author Giff does a superb job in this absorbing novel for middle-grade readers. It's 1944 in Rockaway , New York, and Meggie Dillon learns that her father ha s accepted a position at a B-24 bomber factory in Willow Run , Michigan. She and her pare nts will be moving there for the duration of the war. Meggie's big brother, Eddie, is stationed overseas in the army. Meggie will have to leave behind her German-born gra nd fat her, a decorated WWI US Army veteran. He and Meggie spend lots of time together, fishing and gardening. Meggie , fearing anti-German sentiment, believes he will be safer in Rockaway and wants someone to be there in case Eddie returns from the war. Meggie loves her grandfather, but is also embarrassed by his German accent and old-fashioned ways. Giff perfectly captures the ambivalent feelings children often have for a grand-parent. As Meggie settles into life in Willow Run and makes friend s, she realizes how much she misses her grandfather and his garden. From her new friends and her correspondence with her grandfather, s he learn s many life lessons, including how to have hope, be brave , and seize the day, eve n when faced with an uncertain future. l lighly recommended Jane Ke ss le r

THE KING IN THE WINDOW

Adam Gopnik , Hyperion , 2005, $19.95, hb, 416 pp , 07868 I 862X

One January evening in modem-day Paris , eleven-year-old American Oliver Parker embarks upon an adventure that takes him on a journey far beyond his wildest imaginings. Standing in his bedroom window, wearing his Epiphany prize of a gold-paper crown, Oliver encounters a

THE HISTORICAL NOVELS REVIEW

Window Wraith who leads him to the palace at Versailles and the "court" of the Window Wraiths, which includes such 17 th century luminaries as Racine and Moliere. These spirits, trapped in the palace windows for centuries, believe Oliver is the King in the Window who will win their war with the evil "Master of Mirrors."

In this first foray into children's literature , award-winning nonfiction author Adam Gopnik has crafted a historical fantasy populated with a parade of real-life and fictional characters , including Alice in Wonderland and Nostradamus. The role which mirrors and windows play in the plot is interesting, but overly complicated. The story doesn ' t truly begin until we are about one hundred pages into the book-too long , I think, for today's readers , whether juvenile or adult. The pace, slow in general, is exacerbated by the author's frequent parenthetical (and otherwise) diversions from Oliver's viewpoint. These stylistic meanderings seemed to me not only unnecessary, but on occasion, downright odd. Ages 9-12.

Alana White

DARK SONS

Nikki Grimes, Hyperion , 2005, $15.99/ C$21.99, hb,216pp ,07868 18883

This book is written in tender poetic narratives through the voices of two emotionally charged young men Ishmael, the son of the Biblical Abraham, is faced with the emotions of encountering a new young half-sibling Sam, the modem- day dark son, is also confronting the arrival of a new half-brother. Both boys feel betrayed and abandoned by their respective fathers and wrestle with their feelings of love , hate, and faith. In the end, it is the faith of each of these youngsters that enables them to come to terms with their family and cultural conflicts. The juxtaposition between the past and the present demonstrates the reality that people throughout history have had to grapple with personal struggles.

Even though this was written for a young adult audience, readers of all ages will appreciate these thoughtfully crafted poems and the s tories they unweave Sam's "One Week Old" and the "Thank You Card" are especially moving and are sure to open your heart Ms. Grimes does an excellent job with providing an insightful coming of age story. There is an appropriate amount of religious content throughout the text. Ages 9 and up Carol Anne Gern1ain

THE FORETELLlNG

Alice Hoffman , Little Brown, 2005, $16.99/C$22.99, hb , 169pp, 0316010189

Pub. in the UK by Egmont, 2006, £9.99 , hb, 192pp, 1405220929

The well-known novelist sets her story for young adults in an undefined ancient time, when the Amazon warriors are rulers of their part of the world, east of the Black Sea.

Rain is our narrator-she is the daughter of the current queen, but is shunned by her mother because she is the result of her mother's capture and assault by fifty dishonorable men when the mother was a thirteen-year-old girl. Despite the nebulous time period , we learn some historical details about peoples living in that area. The Amazon women gain power through their unique association with horses and their use of them in battle They summer and winter in different places , and they take their colonies of bees with them when they move. Rain's narration shows that their life is a hard one, frequently relying upon what their priestesses foresee. When Rain begins to question her society's emphasis on war, some of her mother 's subjects wonder whether she should be allowed to become the next queen While Rain's life is very different in many ways from today's teens , friendship, one's place in the world, and other timeless themes will help to make connections with today's teens. Age 12 and up.

Trudi

E. Jacobson

AN INNOCENT SOLDIER

Josef Holub, Arthur A. Levine, 2005, $ I 6.99/C$2 1.99, pb , 240 pp, 0-439-62771-0

Fifteen-year-old Adam is taken by his employer, a farmer, in the middle of the night to be conscripted into the army-a replacement for the farmer's son. Confused and upset , Adam is now called Georg and forced to join the Wiirttemberg battalion as they follow Napoleon's Grand Army on its 1812 march into Russia. Plagued by a malicious sergeant, Adam is drilled non-stop until a young count, looking to replace his servant, insists that he enter his service. Adam finds solace and soon friendship with the count as they suffer hunger, freezing weather, Russian cannonballs, all in the name of war. Army life and its depravations are vividly described, and the growing friendship between a former stable boy and a count is believable and heartwarming The novel's sentences are often incomplete and choppy. I wanted to know sooner what country Adam was from. There are a few historical inaccuracies slanted against the French , but this is seen from the perspective of a young German boy The condemnation of war runs throughout the story. Good action. Recommended for children 12 and up.

Diane Scott Lewis

HITCH

Jeanette Ingold , Harcourt, 2005, $17.00, hb , 272pp,0152047476

Award-winning young adult author Jeanette lngold's latest offering, Hit c h, tells the story of seventeen-year old Moss Trawnley during the Great Depression. Thinking his life is finally going well between his job and his girlfriend, everything changes when he suddenly finds himself jobless, homeless and riding the rails in search of his future Things change when he signs up for a sixmonth hitch in Montana with the Civilian Conservation Corps. ISSUE 35, FEBRUARY 2006

This book is meticulously researched and well written. The character of Moss Trawnley gives readers a captivating, insightful look into the struggles young men faced during the Great Depression and how programs such as the CCC changed lives . Other characters, however, weren ' t as captivating as Trawnley and almost felt as though they came straight from Hollywood central casting. Ingold's descriptions of the CCC and what it was like to be involved are fantastic.

Overall , the story felt like a well-done film where one can ' t help but root for the hero. Although intended for young adults, anyone will find Hit c h a great read If readers are searching for a strong, thoughtful, well-done story, then Hitch comes highly recommended Dana Cohlmeyer

MY STORY: WATERLOO

Bob Jenkins , Royal Horse At1illery 18141817 , Bryan Perrett, Scholastic, 2003 , £5.99, paperback, I 60 pages , 0439978 I 73

This is from Scholastic's fictional diary series, My Story

Fifteen-year-old Bob Jenkins takes part in the Waterloo campaign, but as the servant to an officer, not a soldier. As Bob was a civilian and servant he should have been safe well behind lines with the baggage but when the horses run off Bob follows desperately This results in him meeting firstly a Grenadier of the Old Guard and then the Emperor Napoleon himself - who gives him a message for the Duke of Wellington Stretching credibility perhaps but it does get both Napoleon and Wellington into the story.

Although a servant Bob is still in a good position to see - and describe - the Battle of Waterloo. His description includes Napoleon on his grey stallion rallying his troops and the final annihilation of the Guard. Throughout much technical information is trickled into the story and clear explanations are made of limbers, howitzers and rockets During the actual battle the part played by the infantry squares is made very clear. The horrific injuries and the primitive treatment by army surgeons is shown but somewhat played down.

Bob's duties al so show something of the lifestyle of the officers . He has to be able to pack the Captain ' s kit on the two packhorses. There is a surprising amount of it including a tent , a collapsible table, table , chair and washbowl , lamp and coffee pot, cups , saucers and much more.

An added story element is introduced by giving the Captain a rogue of a jealous younger brother who would like him dead so that he could inherit himself.

Comes with a historical note , a timeline, a plan of the Battle of Waterloo and pictures.

II+

Mary Moffat

THE HISTORICAL NOVELS REVIEW

M ONKEY TOWN : T he Summ e r Of th e Sco pes T rial

Ronald Kidd, Simon & Schuster, 2006, $15.95,hb,272pp , 9781416905721

Billed as a cross between To Kill a Mockingbird and Inh erit the Wind, this novel aims high and does not disappoint. Frances Robinson is fifteen years old the summer of the Scopes trial. Her father, Frank Robinson, is the chairman of the school board and one of the architects of the publicity stunt meant to put Dayton, Tennessee, back on the map. A thoughtful, intelligent girl , Frances has always loved and respected her father. But recently she has developed a friendship (he won't see it as more) with her teacher Johnny Scopes. This summer she will be forced to question her faith and all that she loves as her town is overwhelmed by the media frenzy surrounding the trial. Yet France s faces the events with an understated dignity and blossoming maturity that puts the adults around her to shame . Kidd handles all of Frances ' s inner turmoil : her more-than-justa-crush relationship with the older teacher, her increasingly tumultuous relationship with her father, and a rift with her best friend with as much skill and insight as he does the larger questions of faith versus science Anyone looking for a well-written, emotionally absorbing, relevant novel for a child 11 years or older? Or for themselves? Sue A s her

FREAKS: ALIVE, ON THE INSIDE

Annette Curti s Klause, Margaret K McElderry, 2006 , $ 16 95 / C$23 50, hb, 336pp,068987037X

Set in 1899, Fr eaks: Alive on th e In s ide tells the story of Abel Dandy. Born to an armless mother and a legless father, Abel's upbringing has been anything but normal. Even so, this seemingly ordinary teen finds himself running away from the freak show to join the circus. Is it a coincidence that he leaves his world~r most of it-behind after being gifted with a mysterious turquoise ring , carved in the image of a scarab beetle, or that he is also suddenly plagued by peculiar dreams ?

Annette Curtis Klause take s the concept of "normal" and turns it on its ear, using unusual characters and settings to great effect--each time her protagonist tries to do the responsible thing, she puts him in truly bizarre (and fascinating) situations. Her characters are vividly yet sympathically drawn. This is an extraordinary tale intricate enough to interest adult readers. A delight.

Age 14 and up.

Janette King

DANC I G THROUGH FIRE

Kathryn Lasky , Scholastic, 2005 , $9.99/ C$12 99 , 17lpp,hb, 043971009X

The Opera Ballet is the center of Sylvie Bertrand's world in this coming-of-age novel set in Paris during the politically tumultuous 1870s. Sylvie is a 'petit rat,' a 45

poo r but aspmng ballet dancer , who is talented enough to move up in the ranks, but yet three quarters of an inch too short Encouraged by her 'show-biz' mother, Sylvie continues to practice, but the walls of the old Opera house can't hold back the approaching war. The Prussian siege of the city halts lessons and performances , and draws Sylvie, despite her mother's warnings, into the outside world. The young girl helps smuggle food, tries to save a dying friend , grapples with the ideals of the c ommunards , and attempts to come to terms with the meaning of her art in the midst of such tragedy. Bravo to Kathryn Lasky for such a well-sketched portrait of late 19 thcentury Paris , and for bringing one of Edgar Degas' little ballerinas to Iife

Lisa Ann Verge

THE COLOSSUS OF RHODES

Caroline Lawrence , Orion Children ' s Books, 2005 , £8 99 , hb , 2 l 2pp/ (US) I 842552538 , Roaring Brook Press , 2006 , hb,208p~ 1594430826

Caroline Lawrence's successful series of Roman Mysteries continues with this , her ninth. The book is told through the point of view of Lupus, a mute Greek boy as he sets off on an adventure with his three friends , Flavia, Nubia and Jonathan. Lupus had his tongue cut out by slave dealers and communicates with his friends by writing on a waxed tablet.

This multicultural group set out from Ostia on a journey that will take them to the Greek island of Rhodes. They are trying to uncover who the kidnapper of freeborn children is and whether it is the feared slave dealers. Driven by the need to solve the mystery they set off guided by their gods and superstitions on their latest adventure . The action is set against a detailed background of Roman classical history. Although the settings and cultures of the times are accurately portrayed the wit and interaction between the diverse group of friends is something that a contemporary child can relate to

Although this is a lively story in itself, it informs the reader of the world in which these children lived and the very different values they lived by

For tho se young enquiring minds who wish to know more there is a comprehensive glo ssa ry at the back of the book

I think the author brings hi s tory and adventure alive in a realistic way in this enjo yable series .

Val Loh

CURSE OF THE BLUE TATTOO

L. A. Meyer, Harcourt , 2005 , $6.95 , pb , 488pp , 0152054596

In this second instalment in the life of Mary "Bloody Jack" Faber, the wildly unconventional teenager embroil s herself in another adventure , this time in early 19th -century Boston. Hustled off a British ship-of-the-line (where she ' d spent her last escapade, dressed

ISSUE 35 , FEBRUARY 2006

as a boy,) Jackie finds herself installed in a posh finishing school. She has promised her sweetheart, a decent and well-bred midshipman, that she'd do her best to become a lady. The impish young woman can't help herself, however, as she escapes for a short walk in the city only to wind up--as she so often does- in a heap of trouble with the Puritans , the Mistress, or the law. This is a "hold-your-breath-what's-she-going-to-donext" kind of novel, yet the innocence and rough sweetness of the character prevent the story from veering into the absurd. In fact, this heroine is so charmingly impulsive, so goodhearted, so utterly irrepressible that this reviewer anticipates many future instalments. Bright, energetic and lots of fun , Curse of the Blue Ta/loo is a keeper. Age 12+.

Lisa Ann Verge

THE WHISPERING ROAD

Livi Michael , Puffin , 2005, £5.99, pb , 403pp,0141317035

Putnam Juvenile , 2005, $17.00, hb , 328pp, 0399243577

Lancashire at the time of the Industrial Revoloution. This long book follows the lives of two workhouse children who are put in the care of evil people who are working them to death They manage to escape and from then on their adventures really begin They come into contact with many people and have exciting adventures. They first meet Travis who helps them and sets them on their way. Later they meet an old woman who lives with wolves and make good their escape from her. Then they meet up with a strange set of people who act plays and they take strange delight in the girl but have little use for the boy Finally the boy decides to split from his sister. He first goes with a gang of street children in Manchester but eventually he meets up with a rich old man who takes him to live at his home He is cared for and the old man studies him which annoys the lad so that eventually he tries to escape.

He does so and makes friends with someone who is printing an illegal newspaper. He helps to distribute it and soon the law is changed so that they can sell the paper legally. Eventually he goes in search of his sister and discovers that she has been taken into the hospital but has not spoken not one word since entering there. The doctor is astonished when the boy finally manages to break through the girl's si lence and she makes a complete recovery.

Almost Dicken sian in its scope this book covers a wide canvas. The horrors of the workhouse system, the disease ridden cities, the attitude of the rich philanthropists, the growing reform movement and the treatment of the mentally ill - all are described in great detail.

An exciting story with a comprehensive background of England in the middle of the nineteenth century. Jan Shaw

POLLY'S MARCH

Linda Newbery, Usbome, 2004, £4.99, pb, 191 pp, 0746060319

London 1914. 12-year-old Polly lives with her parents in the first floor flat of a once posh house in Chelsea. The upstairs flat has some new tenants, Edwina and Violet, who, to Polly's parents' horror, are suffragettes. Edwina has even been in prison But Polly, who is chaffing against the restrictions imposed on well-brought-up girls, admires them and comes to share their views. She sneaks out to a suffragette rally and is caught by her furious father. The story charts Polly's growing independence of mind as she learns to stand up for what she believes is right.

It may be difficult for young girls today to understand how far women have come over the last 90 years. Polly wants to be an explorer - she can't. She can't go out unaccompanied. Her father rules the household and what he says goes - without argument. When she's grown up, she won't be able to vote and so on.

ln this lively story, Linda Newbery provides an excellent introduction to the changing role of women in the 20th century. The new tenants represent opposing views of the fight for women's suffrage. Edwina believes in direct action and finds herself in prison being force-fed, released under the notorious Cat and Mouse Act and then re-arrested. Violet is a supporter of Sylvia Pankhurst and more concerned about the terrible working conditions in the East End. Polly's moth e r will not go against her husband openly but is a secret sympathizer, and Polly herself represents the new generation. All the characters have fully rounded personalities - Linda Newbery is far too good a writer to offer her readers mere stereotypes. Recommended for girls of 8-10.

Elizabeth Hawksley

I really liked this book because it was an entertaining and interesting read. particularly liked the way the author put a good clear picture in my head. It taught me lots about suffragettes and what people thought of them. My favourite part is where Polly herself becomes a sort of suffragette. I would give it 9 out of 10.

Rach e l Beggs Aged I0

EYES OF THE EMPEROR

Graham Salisbury, Wendy Lamb , 2005, $15.95, hb ,240 pp ,0385 729715

" if they ever let us fight in this war, I will stand up and go to the end. They ' re not going to crush me, no. Ganbare! Persevere! That was what Pop would do." Ganbare is a Japanese term which means to hold steady with courage beyond what one thinks is possible Eddie Okubo is 16 and yearns to be successful in America , unshackled by traditional Japanese values held by his father, mother, and other older immigrants from Japan So in his rebellion, Eddie lies

about his age and joins the American Army. After the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor, however, perceptions are not so clear on any side . Eddie's father is forced to move beyond the rigid honor code he has always accorded Japan and accept his rebellious son's career choice as equally honorable. Eddie, however, is about to face his own crucible. For he will be forced to obey lifethreatening commands that place him in the most horrific position any human being could endure outside of combat. This is the story of how Eddie and his father do more than survive a war and learn what true, unconditional loyalty to country is all about. This is a must read for anyone who wants to know all points of view regarding Japanese residents in America during WWII. Accurate and real, it adds several layers of meaning to the time-honored notions of patriotism during a time of war.

Viviane Crystal

HO EYBEA

Kim L. Siegel son, Hyperion, 2006, $ I 5.99, hb , 268pp,0786808535

Beatrice is born a slave on the Rillieux sugar plantation in Louisiana. Her father has died trying to escape, and her mother, Ara, disappears shortly after her birth, leaving Beatrice in the care of her enigmatic GreatAunt Abeille. All of the women in Bea's family are gifted with special talents that frighten many of the other plantation residents : they can envision the future, talk to the spirit world, or control plants and bees. A battle of wills develops between Abcille and Bea as the girl grows into young adulthood and the old plantation owner, Reynard Rillieux , takes particular notice of her , drawing her deeper into his household, where dark secrets about Bea's heritage arc lurking Will Bea be lured into Reynard's self-interested ploy to contain her, or will she learn who she really is and embrace her birthright and the mysteries that surround her? Honey B ea reads like a sinister, opulent fairy tale; Siegelson's style and plot are very distinct from Philip Pullman's His Dark Mat e rials trilogy, but the two works share an uncommon maturity and darkness that are likely to appeal to adult readers as least as much as to young people -a nd possibly more so. Age IO and up.

Andrea Bell

TEDDY'S CATTLE DRIVE: A Story From History

Marc Simmons, illus. Ronald Kil , Univ. of New Mexico , 2005, $18.95, hb, 56pp, 0826339212

This is a wonderful book to add to a collection of Wild West tales. Historian Marc Simmons tells the story of Teddy Abbot, an eleven-year-old boy who is thrust into his first cattle drive in l 871, when his father decides to take the train back to Nebraska and leaves Teddy in the hands of the sage trail boss, Vito Cross. Teddy must learn the cowboys' ways as they drive the

ISSUE 35, FEBRUARY 2006

herd of cattle from Texas to Nebraska. The story is based on the life of E.C . " Teddy " Abbott, who spent fifty years of his life as a cowboy. This rather lengthy picture book is filled with details of western cattle drives Ronald Kil, a cowboy him se lf, does a wonderful job blending black and white sketches with full-color illus trations. A glossary of cowboy words and a note on sources are includ ed at the end, which help make this book a perfect addition to an elementary curriculum. (Ages 6-12)

Nancy Casta ldo

DANCING WITH EL VIS

Lynda Stephenson, Eerdmans, 2005, $17.00, hb , 336pp, 0802852939

One word: fantastic! How could one not love a book set in a 1950s Texas town peopled with characters such as Miss Mabel Hi ghtowe r, the nine-fingered piano teacher? Lynda Stephenson's debut novel opens with Frankilee Baxter and her mother rescuing Angel Musscldorf from abusive parents. Things go downhill from there: Angel moves into Frankilee's house, closet, and life

A book with such a plot could be easily dismissed as entertaining fluff, but fortunately there 's much more to it than that. While Frankilee struggles to get her life, clothes, and boyfriend back , the community find s its e lf coping with school integration and racism. [n the midst of her teenage problems, she re a lizes some thing s are more important , and works to promote integration. The novel maintains a good balance between entertaining teenage angst and serious social issues. The characters are brilliantly well developed , and the plot clips along at a good pace without ever letting the reader feel certain about what's up next. There are a couple of plot twists that make the last third of the book an un s toppable page-turner

Dancing with Elvis is intended for those aged twelve and up, but is heartily recommended for everyone.

Dana Cohlmeyer

WOLF GIRL

Theresa Tomlin so n, Corgi, 2006, £5.99, paperback, 372 pages, 0552552712

This story is set in Whitby Abbey in the year before the Synod of Whitby Cwen, the weaver, is accused of stealing a valuable necklace If a royal necklace stealing it would be treason and the punishment would be slow death But Cwen's daughter Wulfrun is determined to prove her mother innocent. She finds some surprising allies in the Princess Elfled, the novice monk Adfrith and the cowherd/ poet Cadmon. Their quest takes them to a small fishing village and then to a hennit in a forest. But there are those who do not want the truth uncovered and Wulfrun and her friends eventually find themselves on a wild desperate flight to Bamburgh . Whitby Abbey and its community are brought vividly to life both by the author's

THE HISTORICAL NOVELS REVIEW

descriptions and also by the useful little plan at the beginning of the book. Right away this makes it quite clear that this is a Celtic Abbey and not one of the better known medieval Roman ones. For a start Hild's community contained both monks and nuns. The everyday work of the little community can be easily imagined by the reader. There is Adfrith in the scriptorium, Fridgyth with her herb garden, Cadmon with his calves - and we share his pain when the blood month arrives and they are killed.

The book just abounds with strong, independent female characters. To name but a few: there is the Princess Elfled, wilful and imperious but also courageous and determined , Wulfrun, resourceful and responsible beyond her fourteen years, and the abbess Hild herself who rules her little community wisely and who wields power among the greatest kings and princes in the land.

The pace is just perfect. Fast enough to keep the reader's interest but without making the common mistake of sacrificing background and character development. And the twists and turns of the plot never become confusing.

Thoroughly researched and comes with maps and notes on the history and the sources.

Theresa Tomlinson says she wanted to find a way of writing about the AngloSaxon hi s tory of Whitby which would make it interesting to young adults. She has done just that. In fact she has done more. Wolf Girl should be fascinating for young people and adults alike.

12+

Mary Moffat

DRAGON KEEPER

Carol Wilkinson , Hyperion , 2005, $ I 6.99, hb, 352 pp, 078685819

Carol Wilkinson waves her pencil like a magic wand and creates a fantasy world set in 141 B.C China that 's as real as your morning cup of coffee. She begins her story with Ping , a slave girl living in the farthest reaches of the ancient Chinese empire. Before the book ends, you find it quite natural that the young emperor of China has befriended Ping and made her hi s Imperial Dragon Keeper. The dragon in her care, Long Danzi , is the last dra gon in China. Together, they begin two journeys. One journey aims for the faraway ocean that will restore Danzi's health. The other journey brings Ping a growing awakening of her powers of second sight and magic. Along the way, Danzi guides Pin g with Yoda-like wisdom that adds Daoi st spiritual teachings to Ping's innate goodness.

Ping and Danzi need all the goodness they can muster, because their journey and their lives are challenged by drunks, robbers, corrupt politicians and wizards of the underworld Ping's believability grows on you because she, like the nine- to twelveyear-old readers for whom th e book is written, has flaws , limitations and sclfdoubts. In fact, Wilkinson gives us a 47

character with which readers of all ages can identify.

Chuck Curtis

NON-FICTION

SHAKESPEARE: THE BIOGRAPHY

Peter Ackroyd , Chatto and Windus, 2005, £25.00, hb , 546pp, 1856197263

Mr Ackroyd's biography of Shakespeare is at once thought-provoking and delightfully intriguing. For those whose knowledge of Shakespeare is limited to their school dayswith the addition, perhaps, of the occasional theatre visit - they will find much to stimulate their interest. Dealt with in some depth, is the question of who precisely Shakespeare was The various arguments that have been aired by many over the years are dealt with in passing. But who , then, is Mr Ackroyd's Shakespeare? In this biography we find our famous playwright presented as the first-born son of an up and coming - poss ibly recusant CatholicStratford family. Shakespeare himself takes front stage as a man of many talents -a usurer, an actor, a poet, a business man - the list goes on. CertainJy Mr Ackroyd offers here an intimate portrayal of Shakespeare's life from its earliest moments. Anyone at all interested in the social history of Elizabethan family life will be delighted by the many details here provided of a Stratford family. His research is thorough and the details impeccable. Added to the brew is the utterly fascinating picture that forms of the burgeoning Eliz.abethan theatre Altogether this is a compelling and utterly enjoyable read. I thoroughly commend it to you.

Fiona Lowe

VULNERABLE IN HEARTS

Sandy Balfour, Atlantic Books, 2005, £14.99, hb, 291 pp, 1843543656

Sandy Balfour' s father and the game of Contract Bridge were both conceived in 1925 It is this connection between the eighty years of Tom Balfour 's life and the hi s tory of how Contract Bridge spread around the world which forms the basis of the book Described as part memoir, part hi s tory and part entertainment, it gives an insight into the character of Tom Balfour and tbe relationship with his son based around hi s passion for the game of Contract Bridge Well written, and a pleasant read ; for me the book is less successful as a memoir and history. The early part of Tom Balfour's life in Scotland and the decision to ship him to South Afnca in 1940 is well described, but the later years in South Africa are glossed over. These were the years of apartheid , and the struggle against white supremacy, and yet this whole tumultuous period is dealt with in a couple of sentences, giving an impression of a white family living in relative seclusion in their home outside the city, playing Contract Bridge while the apartheid system was being challenged. The history of the game was of interest, but I found the

ISSUE 35, FEBRUARY 2006

detailed examination of various games of contract bridge an unwelcome, confusing diversion. Aficionados of Contract Bridge will find this book an enjoyable read, and will doubtless appreciate its finer points. For me it was a disappointment, and if like me you are not a "serious" card player, then you, dear reader, may feel the same.

Mike Ashworth

AGI COURT

Juliet Barker, Little, Brown, 2005 , £20.00, hb,460pp,0316726486

Henry V's triumph at Agincourt has long been synonymous with victory against all odds. Internationally acclaimed historian and biographer Juliet Barker turns her meticulous eye onto this 1415 battle and the result is a compelling and colourful portrait of the Middle Ages itself. Barker 's assessment of the King, the Campaign and the Battle is a fascinating exploration into what mad e medieval society tick Chivalry and piety played their roles, but so did brutality and pure bloody-mindedness. Agincourt is a tremendous achievement and bound to become a standard work on the subject. It should be on the wish-list of every historian and writer interested in the medieval period.

Sara Wilson

WORDSWORTH, A LIFE

Juliet Barker, HarpcrCollins , 2005, $29.95, hb,576pp,00607873l7

Pub. in the UK by Penguin , 2001, £12.99, pb,576pp,0140261621

The author, well known for her acclaimed work The Brontes, has skillfully interwoven a wealth of published and unpublished material to create a scholarly biography that is also uncommonly readable Wordsworth's life-public, private, and poetic-as well as the doing s of his circle are laid before the reader in a thorough style which cheerfully recalls period journals. Although Wordsworth's star has dimmed in our classrooms, Ms. Barker 's work will serve as a timely reminder of his undiminished influence upon the modem mind.

Juliet Waldron

THE MYSTERY OF OLGA CHEKHOVA

Antony Becvar, Penguin, 2005, $15.00, pb , 300pp,0143035967

Pub. in the UK by Penguin , 2005, £8.99, pb, 320pp,01410l7643

Though this work of nonfiction is allegedly the story of Olga Chekhova, niece of the legendary playwright Anton Chekhov, a more accurate title might be A Truncated History of th e Chekhov Family and Moscow Art Theatre, Pre-Revolution to Post-World War II Becvar seems forced to mine the lives of other family members due to the dearth of reliable information about Olga herself As the author often mentions, Olga was notoriously disingenuous in her own portrayal of the facts about herself, and facts from other sources are few. Olga left revolutionary Russia in 1920 for Germany, where she soon became a celebrated

THE HISTORICAL NOVELS REVIEW

actress favored by high-ranking Nazi officials, including Goebbels and even Hitler himself. The Bolsheviks recruited Olga for espionage, but Becvar never manages to untangle the murky political ties to reveal any actual spying involving her; he has better luck in this area with her enigmatic brother, Lev. The portrait drawn of the Moscow Art Theatre, Stanislavsky, Anton Chekhov's widow (also named Olga), and the other supposedly peripheral individuals who often steal center stage is absorbing. An interesting read- just don't expect Beevor to solve the mystery of the inscrutable actress, or even spend the majority of the book on her.

Bethany Skaggs

GU POWDER PLOTS: A Celebration of 400 Years of Bonfire Night

Brenda Buchanan et al, Allen Lane 2005 , £14.99, hb , l88pp, 0713998865

After 400 years why docs the British population still celebrate an event that did not succeed when many more auspicious occasions go unmarked? In this fascinating little book six authors give their account of the complexities of the reasons behind the Catholic plot to assassinate James I and what might have happened if Guy Fawkes and his cohorts had succeeded.

Ann Oughton

NAPOLEON AND THE HU OREO DAYS

Stephen Coote, Pocket Books , pb 308 pp. £8.99, 0-7434-4993-2

This book seeks to tell the tale of the tumultuous months which began with Napoleon's escape from Elba on 27 February 1815 and ended with his defeat at Waterloo on 18 June and departure for the remote South Atlantic island of St Helena. Those whose main interest is in the Hundred Days may prefer to skip the first sixty pages, since these merely summarise Napoleon's career up to March 1815 Otherwise, though Mr Coote says little that is new, and his work is targeted at the general reader rather than the specialist in the period , he provides a clear and lively account of a momentous episode in European history

I had vaguely assumed that Napoleon was sent to Elba in 1814 as an exile, but he was in fact given sovereignty over the island as part of the peace settlement under which his continental empire was dismantled and the Bourbons restored to the French throne But rule over Elba - sixteen miles by seven, two days' sailing from Nice and 60 miles from his Corsican birthplace - was never going to provide sufficient occupation for the Emperor, who was still only 45, and what was more, had a warship and a battalion of the Imperial Guard at his disposal. With the benefit of hindsight, it seems quite astonishing that the victorious allies ever expected him to stay there. Instead, after less th an a year, he gambled on his continuing appeal to the French, a gamble which paid oft: for at his approach soldiers deserted the uncharismatic 48

Louis XVIII in their tens of thousands, put aside the white cockade of the Bourbons and resumed the revolutionary tricoleur. The course of the Waterloo campaign is wellknown, and the events Mr Coote describes are familiar , but his account is vigorous and, in the proper places, exciting. For me, the most interesting part of the book was the final chapter. Once again, I had vaguely assumed that Napoleon was on his way to St Helena within days of Waterloo, but, as this book makes clear, it was not until the second week of July, three weeks after the battle, that he surrendered to !IMS Bellerophon, and in the interim had attempted to raise another army and then, seeing his cause was hopeless, sought asylum in the United States. Indeed, the Bellerophon blocked his attempt to take ship from the Biscayan port of Rochefort.

Recommended

Ann Lyon

CONSTANTINOPLE: The Last Great Siege 1453

Roger Crowley, Faber & Faber 2005, £16.99, hb, 230pp, 0571221858. Pub. In US as, 1453: The Holy War for Constantinople and the Clash of Islam and the West, by Hyperion,$25.95,hb,320pp , 1401301916

In the spring of 1453 the Ottoman Turks advanced on Constantinople in pursuit of the ancient Islamic dream, to capture the thousand-year-old capital of Christian Byzantium. On 29 May, in the first massed use of artillery bombardment, Sultan Mahmet defeated the Emperor Constantine and took control of the city.

The fall of Constantinople awakened memories of the crusades. Both sides believed that they were fused in a struggle against a foe intent on destroying the world and it would be two hundred years before the advance of the Ottomans into Europe was finally halted. In this gripping account of one of the great set-piece moments in history, Roger Crowley discusses the background and the factors that led up to and became , inevitably, the catalysts in the fall of Constantinople.

Ann Oughton

WORLDS OF ARTHUR: King Arthur in History, Legend and Culture

Fran and Geoff Dael and Terry Lloyd, Tempusffrafalgar Square, 2005, $18/£9.99, p~ I l9p~0752433938

This compact volume delivers a meticulously researched introduction to the historical and mythological Arthur. Part I: Arthur's Place in History, is a highly readable, well-paced account of the British warlord , Arthur. Part II : The Arthurian Legends covers topics ranging from medieval Welsh Arthurian tales, to the French romances, Malory's Morie D 'Arthur, and Arthur in the twentieth century. The book also contains some thirty illustrations , a gazetteer of Arthurian sites, a bibliography and an index. Worlds of Arthur is an excellent and enjoyable introduction to Arthurian lore and

ISSUE 35, FEBRUARY 2006

literature. Highly recommended for reading on its own or as a companion to the original texts

Lucille Cormier

THE GREAT CROWN JEWELS ROBBERY OF 1303

Paul Doherty, Constable 2005, £ 18 .99, hb , 288pp, I 845291875. Pub. In US by Carroll & Graf, $25.00, hb , 304pp, 0786716649

While King Edward I was away fighting the Scots a band of unscrupulous rogues led by a merchant with a grudge against t11c king pulled off an elaborate plot to steal the royal treasure from Westminster Abbey. This is the true sto1y of that audacious robbery and of its perpetrators. Prolific novelist, Paul Doherty tells the tale with verve incorporating much fascinating historical detail and vividly portraying a gallery of villainous clerks, greedy sheriffs and naughty monks. But the telling is badly let down by bizarre punctuation and too many tortuous, ungrammatical sentences tllat don ' t quite make sense. [NB. I read a fmished copy, not a proof or advance reading copy.]

Sarah Cuthbertson

JUDGE

SEWALL'S APOLOGY

Richard Francis, Fourth Estate, 2005, $25.95/ C$34.95, hb, 432pp, 0007163622

Pub. in UK by Fourth Estate, 2005, £20, hb , 432pp , 1841156760

This work focuses on Samuel Sewall, a judge at the Salem witch trial s who was so remorseful after the resulting executions that he later made a public apology. Viewing the trials and colonial society through Sewall's eyes provides fascinating insight into the Puritans' worldview. The picture that emerges from Sewall's diary is contradictory-an avowed family man, he spent pages de sc ribing what he had for dinner , but wasted only a sentence on the death of his child. Overall , this is an absorbing look at a complex man who lived through interesting times and had the courage to admit that he had been wrong.

Bethany Skaggs

WARTIME: BRITAIN 1939-1945

Juliet Gardiner, Review , 2005, £8.99, pb , 689 pp , 0755310284

This is a comprehensive work dealing with life in wartime Britain, drawing extensively on private accounts and letters of the period. Interspersed with personal stories are historical information and statistics on wartime government and events. It is a long book but never dull or dreary The author has concentrated, first and foremost, on telling a story, or rather , many stories: the national story and accounts of real " lived lives". The focus on the particular is deeply enriching as well as moving and often entertaining. Frances Partridge tells of the jokes made about the propaganda concerning German parachutists arriving dressed as nuns. When walking with Julia Strachey on the downs , she was "almost brained by a wounded pheasant" which

THE HISTORICAL NOVELS REVIEW

Julia Strachey joked was a parachutist in disguise. Another diarist deplores the expense of the black out curtain material and is shocked to find that those who are too poor to buy it simply paint their windows black or dark blue, thus obscuring all light, making houses seem like caves.

There is a wealth of cultural and social history in these pages, giving a unique account of wartime life in Britain that draws on previously unpublished material. The book is a must for anyone writing of this period and highly recommended as a resource. It is also a wonderful story, told entertainingly and with verve, which makes it a deeply absorbing book from start to fmish.

Geraldine Perriam

FIRE ON THE WATER:

The USS Kearsarge and the CSS Alabama

Jame s Gindlesperger, Burd Street Press , 2005, $27.95, pb, 333pp, l 57249378X

The Confederate commerce raider Alabama ranks with the Monitor and the Merrimac as one of the most famous warships of the American Civil War. Commanded by the redoubtable Captain Raphael Semmes, the British-designed and -built Alabama captured or destroyed 71 Union merchant ships between September 15, 1862, and April 27, 1864. Throughout these commerce raiding cruises, the gifted Captain Semmes was hunted by the Union Navy. Captain John Winslow fmally caught up with Semmes off the port of Cherbourg and sank Alabama on June 19, 1864. Gindlesperger presents a workmanlike description of the Alabama and her conquests, as well as an equally comprehensive history of the U.S.S. Kearsarge and Captain Winslow.

John R Vallely

DESCARTES

A.C. Grayling, Free Press , hb , 352pp. £20.00, 0-7432-3147-3

J approached the prospect of reviewing this book with a good deal of trepidation. Philosophy is not my thing ; all I knew about Rene Descartes was that he lived in the seventeenth century and was the originator of the maxim Cogito ergo sum - 'I think, therefore I am.' To my relief, Descartes (1596-1650) did more in life than simply tllink As a young man he fought in the Thirty Years War, and Professor Grayling puts forward an intriguing hypothesis that he spent much of his career as an espionage agent. As tlle author admits the evidence is circumstantial, but in this period intellectuals were in demand as intelligence agents. Not only did they travel widely and might live for long periods in other countries - Descartes himself spent much of his adult life in the Netherlands, and died as tutor to Queen Christina of Sweden - they maintained close links with international fellow-scholars and, above all, had command of several languages If Professor Grayling is correct, for whom did Descartes ply his trade? Probably the Jesuits ; Descartes had received a Jesuit education and 49

was tllroughout his life a good tllough unostentatious Catholic. In his day ilie Jesuits favoured tlle Habsburgs over successive French kings - indeed Henri IV 's assassin was a Jesuitand Grayling postulates tllat intelligence work for tlle Jesuits lay behind Descartes ' long exile from France, his frequent changes of lodging during his tinle in Holland and secretive habits. Spying aside, however , Descartes' life was a quiet one, his energies channelled almost entirely into scholarship, though he did father a daughter out of wedlock This book is likely to be of greatest interest to students of philosophy, whether those taking the subject at university or general readers . Those interested in the history of science and mathematic s will also find much to absorb them.

Ann Lyon

THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER: The Story of the Missing of the Great War

Neil Hanson, Doubleday 2005, £20.00, hb , 540pp,038560453X

Drawing on hitherto unpublished letters, Neil Hanson has recreated the experiences of three unknown soldiers; a Briton , German and American. Through their eyes the reader experiences the indescribable horror of trench warfare Of all the millions of British troops who died in the War only one was ever returned to his native soilthe Unknown Soldier. Jt was the Rev David Railton 's idea tllat a permanent post-war memorial should be created in Westminster Abbey to commemorate the sacrifices of the 'ghost army, three million strong, all of whom have no known grave.'

This is the most moving account of this period of history that [ have ever read . Ann Oughton

CHURCHILL'S BODYGUARD

Tom Hickman, Headline , 2005, £20, hb, 3 12 pp, 07553 14484

Churchill's Bodyguard is the authorised biography of Walter H Thompson, based on his complete memoirs Walter Thompson was born in the East End of London in 1890. After tracking down spies during WW I , he was briefly bodyguard to Lloyd George before being assigned to Winston Churchill froml921-1936 and 1939- 1945. He died in 1977 Along with the threat from enemy action as Churchill repeatedly crossed the Atlantic and visited theatres of war, Thompson had to contend with the constant threat of assassination, as well as Churchill's recklessness in the face of danger as he rushed to watch the bombs fall on London, or tried to get close to the front lines Thi s is a fascinating book, which will appeal to both history buffs and the general reader. It provides a unique insight not only into a relationship, which lasted more than twenty years and became an unlikely friendship, but also into Winston Churchill himself. Recommended Mike Ashworth

ISSUE 35, FEBRUARY 2006

A LONDON CHILD OF THE 1870s

Molly Hughes, Persephone, 2004, £12.00, pb, 200 pp., ISBN I 903 155 517

This work is a re-publication of the first volume of Molly Hughes' autobiography, chronicling her early life with her family in Islington in the late Victorian era. The author's picture of life with her large family conveys a vivid image of closeness, fun and the whirligig of their finances, never strong but dipping and swaying between lean and less lean. Molly overhears a comment by her father to her mother at one of the lean times: "Never mind, Mary, whatever happens you and I are in the same boat - so nothing matters". The family is depicted as joyfully eccentric, loving, intelligent and eager for amusement, most of which they contrive themselves, such as their father teaching them to make toffee, the annual Christmas play and reading aloud after tea on a Sunday.

Too much detail would spoil the joy of this book which is an absorbing read, full of social as well as family history. There is domestic detail interspersed with childhood memories and the whole is told with such enthusiasm that one cannot help but be absorbed into the young Molly's family life. I would, however, recommend reading Adam Gopnik's beautifully written preface after reading the book. The preface is full of insight and sensitivity to the nuances of family and personal memories as well as providing further details of Molly's life. This book is a rewarding read and the endpapers, taken from a Morris wallpaper print are an additional joy. Highly recommended.

Geraldine Perriam

CULINARY PLEASURES

Nicola Humble, Faber & Faber 2005, £16.99, hb, 335pp, 0571200052

From Mrs Beeton to the Great War, to nouvelle cuisine and the rise of the celebrity chef, Nicola Humble offers a complete historical record of the evolution of British food, complete with recipes. Compare Thai pork rissoles with lime leaves, chillies and mint to Lord Woolton's pie, a combination of root vegetables under a pastry crust, and be thankful for the cornucopia of delicious food that we enjoy today.

Ann Oughton

CUPID A D THE Kl G: Five Royal Paramours

HRH Princess Michael of Kent, Touchstone, 2006, $16.50, pb, 362pp, 074327086X

Pub. in the UK by Cantium, 2002, £17.00, hb,440pp,0954327209

This reprinted collection of biogrnphies varies in one way from the original: the author, having written a whole book about Diane de Poitiers, has removed her from this version. Quite a cast of characters remain: the basebom Nell Gwyn, Restoration favorite of Charles II of England; the Marquise de Pompadour,

accomplished art collector who charmed King Louis XV; Marie Waleska, the beautiful Polish patriot who bore Emperor Napoleon a son; the whip-wielding Lola Montez, whose power over the Bavarian king ultimately led to his abdication; and the tomboyish beauty Lillie Langtry, who spent a lot of time with Queen Victoria's heir. Though quite romanticized, these short biographies about unconventional women are brisk, informative, and highly entertaining.

Lisa Ann Verge

GEORGETTE HEYER'S REGENCY

WORLD: The definitive guide to the people, places and society in Georgette Heyer's Regency novels

Jennifer Kloester, William Heinemann 2005,hb£l7.99, 0434013293

This book formed part of Jennifer Kloester's PhD thesis and, as such, you might expect it to be an academic work. However, it is aimed at the general reader, so assertions about the social world of the English Regency period are backed up with reference to Heyer's books, and not to public and private writings of the period. Historical novelists of the period might, therefore, find it disappointing. That said, as a definitive guide to the fictional world of Georgette Heyer's Regency novels it is easy to read, historically accurate and correct in the references to the books it is based on.

Divided into 14 chapters and 6 appendices it covers such topics as 'Up and Down the Social Ladder', 'A Man's World', 'Shopping' and 'Eat, Drink and Be Merry'. There are also thumbnail sketches of the historical people Heyer mentions in her Regency novels, a glossary of cant, a Regency tirneline, and a short bibliography.

The copious black-and-white drawings of women's fashions, Carlton House and some of the carriages used during the Regency, both add to the appeal of the book and are useful as a quick visual reference; and the small maps of London, Brighton and Bath will help in orienting a reader of Heyer's novels.

For readers starting out on their Regency journey Georgette Heyer 's Regency World will make an admirable reference book; and for those who are already well-acquainted with the period it will be a useful aide memoir. For a more serious look at Heyer herself and her fiction, we will have to wait for the biography Kloester is currently writing.

Jay Dixon

DUEL

James Landale, Canongate, 2005, £14.99, hb,304pp, 1841956473

In 1826 David Landale killed his bank manager in a duel. The reasons for this action and the events leading up to it are reconstructed in this intriguing book. From this jumping off point his descendant, James Landale, goes on to look at the wider question of why the phenomenon of duelling arose, the

culture that encouraged it and the social changes that led to its outlawing.

As Chief Political Correspondent for BBC News 24, Landale knows the value of a good story and using his family connection is a masterstroke, immediately engaging the reader with the personal angle. Duel is full of fascinating and revealing social history.

Sara Wilson

MICHENER: A WRITER'S JOURNEY

Stephen May, Univ. of Oklahoma Press, 2005,$29.95,hb,331pp,0806136995

Prolific author James Michener came from uncertain parentage and grew up in dire poverty to become a scholar, teacher, world traveler and-unknown until now-spy. Having known the poorhouse and where it led, he could not let himself slip up for a second, or "the gnawing fear that...one innocent afternoon of laziness would send him straight into the gutter." This propelled him to succeed and remain completely focused, often unaware of offense given to those around him. He was an early pioneer of saving our planet and donated to charities even though he didn't spend his money readily. This new biography expands on the caring, human side as well as the extensive writings of one of America's admired contemporary writers.

Tess Allegra

CALAMITY JANE: THE WOMA AND THE LEGEND

James D. McLaird, Univ. of Oklahoma Press, 2005,$29.95,hb,378pp,0806135913

McLaird most thoroughly debunks all Calamity Jane tall tales, along with my favorite, the Doris Day movie. This is a meticulously researched book that reveals not only the story of the real Calamity Jane, aka Martha Canary, but delves into how all the legends and tall tales sprang up in the first place. That, perhaps, is the book's only flaw, for the author takes such interest in proving what wasn't reported accurately about her that the reader tends to lose sight of who she really was. Still, what does emerge is a picture of a hard-living, yet warm-hearted alcoholic, inspiration for dime novels and Hollywood musicals alike.

Ellen Keith

IVAN'S WAR: The Red Army 1939-45 Catherine Merridale, Faber & Faber 2005, £20.00, hb, 396pp, 0571218083. Pub. In US by Metropolitan Books, $30.00, hb, 480pp, 0805074554

Using letters, diaries, military records, the documents of the secret police as well as the testimonies of hundreds of surviving witnesses Catherine Merridale gives a voice to those who lived through the worst war in history. Troops were sent in to battle with little training, their sense of duty instilled in them by Soviet propaganda. By February 1942 twenty Red Army soldiers had died for every German killed. Betrayed by their ISSUE 35, FEBRUARY 2006

own country after the war when starvation and incarceration in labour camps awaited the survivors. Even the memories of the ordinary Ivan were not his own but formed for him, under Stalin's regime, 'it was as if people could build walls in their mind.'

Merridale brings to life the hea1t-breaking story of all the Ivans who died in their millions to overcome the Fascist regime intent on enslaving the whole of Europe.

Ann Oughton

THE LONGEST NIGHT: VOICES FROM THE LONDON BLITZ

Gavin Mortimer, Weidenfeld&Nicolson , 2005, £18.99, hb , 353pp, 0297846388

This book details the events of I 0-11 May , 1941, in London during the worst days of The Blitz As well as giving historical details and background, the author quotes extensively from printed records and interviews giving eyewitness accounts of those two days, especially the long and terrible night , when so many were killed. The lives and accounts of several people are chronicled: a policeman, a firewoman, a socialist doctor, a debutante, Vera Lynn, a vicar's wife and active RAF servicemen are just a few of what Mortimer calls the "main players" in this extensive history of "ordinary people" (who were obviously most extraordinary) from all walks of life and strata of society. There is a first-hand account of journalist John Hughes picking his way through the rubble in Westminster Abbey, assessing the damage and obtaining information for his article. There is the palpable resentment of East End Londoners when the Royal Family visited the East End to "dance on the debris " as one eyewitness put it. Working-class Londoners were unimpressed by claims that the Royal Family were suffering the same as them. "Jt upset a lot of people," said John Fowler. "When she [the Queen Mother] turned round and said ' We're the same as you now' after an end room in Buckingham Palace had caught some bomb damage. They weren't the same as us ; they had somewhere else to go. My mum and dad had nowhere."

There is immediacy in these accounts. Apart from the contemporary details there is a vividness of " lived lives" which are admirably chronicled and interspersed with narrative and historical background In allowing the various people to speak, in their own words, the author has captured the complexity as well as the horror of London during the Blitz. Full marks to the publishers for the excellent maps as endpapers. They proved a most useful reference as well as being beautifully reproduced as are the wonderful and sometimes terrifying photographs.

The amalgamation of all of the accounts and detail into a cohesive whole is excellent but it is marred in places by the melodramatic "Sunday paper prose" in THE I-IlSTORICAL NOVELS REVIEW

parts. I must admit to being off-put by the opening lines of the book: "Hitler stood before his acolytes, smirking contentedly at their chants of adulation". Oh dear. I also found the subjective descriptions of the main players in the back of the book an unnecessary part of the identification. Why describe someone as a "surly Scottish fire engine driver" or "a flighty society girl who won a George Medal"? Surely the reader needs only the details. The text and the people should be allowed to speak for themselves.

In spite of my irritation at the expression on occasion, I am also full of admiration for the way in which the whole account is made quite gripping. The reader comes to care about the individuals and their experiences as well as being interested in the background and detail. This book is highly recommended for those interested in this period and also for writers who are striving for authenticity in their work, whatever the period.

Geraldine Perriam

THE STORY OF CHICAGO MAY

Nuala O'Faolain, Michael Joseph 2005, £16.99 , hb , 306pp, 0718145232. Pub. In US by Riverhead, $24.95, hb, 320pp, 1573223204 Nineteen-year-old May Duigan took the family's savings and turned her back on the grinding poverty of Edenmore for the promise of a bright future in America. When her small fortune dwindled May was reduced to thieving and prostitution in order to survive. This self confessed ' Queen of Crooks', born in post famine Ireland died at the age of 59 in the world of telephones, sports cars and movies in 1929 .

O 'Fao lain was inspired by May ' s own account, published the year before her death but May only reveals what she did , not what she thought. Despite the author's attempts to flesh out her character, May remains elusive. What O'Faolain succeeds in doing supremely well is to vividly recreate the historical background of the time and the desperate plight of ordinary women and their struggle to survive in a world dominated by corruption and deprivation. Unfortunately , the publishers did not see fit to include an index.

Ann Oughton

WRITING HISTORICAL FICTfON:

Creating the Historical Blockbuster

Marina Oliver, Studymates, November 2005,£9.99 , pb ,227 pp, 1842850776

A sound, practical guide to wnting historical fiction, which updates Marina Oliver's original Writing Historica l Fiction published in 1998. Although Oliver covers aspects of fiction writing of particular interest to historical novelists , such as research and handling esoteric information, the book will appeal to all writers, both established and aspiring. Its suggestions and exercises will be as useful for toning flabby

wntmg muscles as for developing entirely new skills.

A must-have for writers and creative writing teachers.

Sarah Bower

ALFRED THE GREAT: THE MAN WHO MADE ENGLAND

Justin Pollard, John Murray, 2005, £20.00, h~350pp , 0719566657

The only English king to be given the title 'Great,' Alfred was the first champion of literacy in the English language He personally translated Boethius's Th e Consolation of Philosophy and other important works. Pollard (The Seven Ages of Britain) has written a gripping account of the 9 th century king's life and legacy. Alfred's long years fighting the Vikings inspired him to reform the army, to found an English navy, and to build burhs, or fortified towns. Understandably, Alfred has been much mythologised. Pollard sets out to salvage the true identity of the man behind the legends.

The author indulges in a bit of mythmaking himself, however, with chapter titles such as 'The Once and Future King' and 'The Last Battle . ' He presents Alfred as a real-life Arthur who drove the Vikings out of Wessex and Mercia, just as the mythic Arthur was said to have driven Alfred's Saxon ancestors from Britain. Pollard pits Alfred, the heroic Christian king, against the 'Great Heathen Army ' of 'illiterate pagan s' (despite the fact that the Vikings had runes and a rich oral culture of skaldic poetry) and ' terrorists.' Much of the book is devoted lo the Norse threat. Here lies the rub: readers with some knowledge of Viking and Old Norse history will have reservations. Alfred's victory over the Vikings at Edington, which led to the baptism of his arch-nemesis Guthrum, is not viewed by all historians as the unilateral English triumph Pollard describes. Tt could just as well be seen as a truce between equals Guthrum was appeased by being given lands on which to settle. As the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle states, Alfred was 'k ing over the whole English people, except for the part which was under Danish rule 'i.e. most of Britain . This would be the truth behind the legend.

Mary Sharratt

SUPPER WITH THE CRIPPENS

David James Smith, Orion, 2005, £18.99 ($35),hb,344pp,0752867423 ln 1910 Doctor Crippen, homeopath and qu ack doctor, and hi s mistress Ethel Le Neve (disguised as his son) were arrested on board the SS Montrose for the murder of hi s wife. The case caused a great sensation on both sides of the Atlantic, not least because the new-fangled wireless telegraph played a key part in their capture.

Ethel was acquitted pretty swiftly - a young and pretty face helped, the author suspects - but Crippen was found guilty and hanged. There was no doubt he was guilty.

ISSUE 35, FEBRUARY 2006

The mystery was not whodunit, but why, how, when and where. Another puzzle was Crippen's personality. Mild-mannered, quiet and unassuming, he was never seen or heard to lose his temper. He was the sort of man you didn't notice. Yet, he commanded respect even as he walked to the gallows and women seemed drawn to him.

One might think there was nothing new to say about this case. And indeed, the author has not unearthed much in the way of new evidence. His talent lies in the reinterpretation of known facts. What is new, though, is his theory that Ethel Le Neve might not have been as innocent as previously thought. She later married and raised a family but never told anyone of her true identity. Surely , the author maintains , if she was innocent, she would ha ve been keen to clear herself from any taint of complicity which still hung around her despite her ac quittal. And yet , not even her husband knew who she really was.

What I found most fascinating about this book was the all too brief discussion of Crippen's personality. The psychopathic brain was not known at this time, although with the benefit of hindsight, the evidence now seems overwhelming : his quiet composure, lack of panic, his unfailing politeness , his peripatetic and somewhat dubious lifestyle life, never settling always keeping one step ahead of exposure, the ability to inspire devotion , especially in women His first wife died and he married his unfo1tunate second wife very soon after. There is the thought that she may have been his first victim but now we'll never know. And in any case, none of this leads us any nearer to the question of why. Even today , when forensic psychiatry is advanced , the conclus ion can only be that they kill because they get away with it. At least for a while

Supported by a full bibliography, this book is full of period detail and is a must for anyone interested in historical crime and the nature of personality.

Sally Zigmond

THE COLONEL OF TAMAR.KAN: Philip Toosey and the Bridge on the RiverKwai

Julie Summers, Simon & Schuster 2005 , £17.99 , hb , 432pp , 0743263502

In 1958 Alec Guinness won an Oscar for his portrayal of Colonel Nicholson, the flawed hero commanding the pri soners of war for ced to build the Bridge on ihe River Kwai. In reality there were several bridges , but no Nicholson. This is an attempt by the granddaughter of the real Colonel , Philip Toosey, to set the record straight.

Julie Summers has pieced together the story of Toosey's determination to help his men survive the starvation , crnelty, disease and despair they faced in captivity. There are tales of dramatic bravery here, but also a rich portrayal of the value of discipline and simple human kindness .

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The true story is more complex but also more inspiring than the film, and there is much food for thought in Summers' portrayal of the consequences of mixing fact with fiction.

Ruth Downie

HIDING THE ELEPHANT: how magicians invented the impossible Jim Steinmeyer, Arrow, 2005, pb, 362pp, £7.99, 0099476649

2005 was the centenary of the founding of the Magic Circle. There have been celebratory lectures and shows of Victorian magic, together with a small exhibition , at the British Library , so this book is very timely. Steinmeyer offers a fascinating history of the golden age of magic, from the mid 1800s to the I 920s, which goes behind the scenes to see how such magicians as Robert-Houdin , Maskelyne, Houdini and Devant invented and performed their tricks. It is a heady tale of double-dealing, theft and brilliant showmanship. It made me long to time-travel and see The Levitation of Princess Karmac, or The Disappearing Elephant for myself.

Informative and a great read.

Elizabeth Hawksley

AUSCHWITZ: A HISTORY

Sybille Steinbacher, Ecco, 2005, $23.95 /C$32.50, hb, 168pp, 0060825812

Pub. in UK by Penguin Books, 2005 , £7.99, pb, 176pp, 014102142X

This book provides a thorough overview of the city, the concentration camp , and the legacy of Auschwitz. Without becoming emotionar, Steinbacher presents a thoughtprovoking piece moving beyond the horridness of the legacy to give readers a complete look at how the town existed with the death camp. Read it.

Dana Cohlmeyer

VILLAINS' PARADISE: BRITAIN'S UNDERWORLD FROM THE SPIVS TOTHEKRAYS

Donald Thomas, John Murray , 2005, £20, hb,506pp,0719557348

The ' heroic myth' of the British experience of the Second World War pays scant attention to the criminal underworld, which flourished on the Home Front throughout the hostilities and continued during the 'austerity years' that followed. With virtually all essential items subject to strict rationing and most luxuries simply unavailable, anybody who could tap a source of scarce items was assured of a ready market at prices far in excess of the real value of the goods. Professor Thomas sets his survey of the criminal underworld----covering the period from the 1940s to the mid I 970s-very firmly in the context of the peculiar opportunities which the Second World War provided for organised crime , but in reading it I had at times a distinct sense of deja vu. In the late 1940s, for instance, there was much concern over the increased incidence of juvenile crime, then attributed to an absence of

consistent discipline in the home due to fathers being away for long periods during the war, and a sudden wave of gun crime, often utilising weapons originally obtained as 'spoils of war' and passed on via the black market. While the author paints a vivid picture of an age, he does not fall into the trap of glamourising high profile figures such as the Krays ; his criminal underworld is at best slightly seedy, at times downright sordid, and always with vicious retribution lurking for any of its members who chanced a little too much . Highly recommended.

Ann Lyon

EASTER 1916: The Irish Rebellion

Charles Townshend, Allen Lane 2005, £20.00,hb,442pp,0713996900

Beneath the layers of myth, Easter 19 I 6 reveals a polarized country on the brink of war between Nationalists and Unionists As WWI held the public attention a group of men decided to take the actions that would tum a peaceful Dublin into a battleground and eventually a national capital. Charles Townshend details the causes and effects of the events whose repercussions are still felt today.

Ann Oughton

GENERALS: Ten British Commanders Who Shaped The World

Mark Urban , Faber & Faber 2005, £20.00 , hb , 336pp , 0571224857

Mark Urban chooses ten exceptional soldiers who left their mark on Britain and investigates the characteristics that make a successful general: 'skills of tact, persuasion and sometimes skulduggery. ' Success or failure depended on their ability to work within British Parliamentary democracy and against tyrants, despots and emperors who were often free to act alone . From George Monk to Bernard Law Montgomery, Mark Urban tells their stories, warts and all and explains why there are no generals to speak of after 1945.

Ann Oughton

BODIES AND SOULS: THE TRAGIC PLIGHT OF THREE JEWISH WOMEN FORCED INTO PROSTITUTION IN THE AMERICAS

Isabel Vincent, Morrow, 2005 , $25.95 / C$34 95 , hb , 288pp , 9780060090234

Sexual slavery is today's news. Drugging, abduction, rape, beating , and threats of disfigurement v1ct1m1ze women in a harrowing, sad and sordid underworld. Isabel Vincent braved rejection and frustration to unearth the stories of the prostitutes , some suicides, and their pimps, buried in Rio de Janeiro. An intrepid and determined investigator, Vincent researched the years from 1869 to I 939, when the Jewish mob controlled thousands of brothels in Rio, Buenos Aires , and New York. They trafficked in poor women and girls from Eastern European ghettos and shells, duping them into sham marriages. In 1906, the women organized a burial society.

ISSUE 35, FEBRUARY 2006

They worked to establish a synagogue and observe the rituals that restored to the women a measure of self-respect.

Marcia K. Matthews

THE SUBTERRANEAN RAILWAY

Christian Woolmar , Atlantic Books 2005, £9 99,pb,35lpp, 9781843540236

The London Underground was the world's first underground railway system. Indeed , given the expense and complexity of building it , it was very nearly the last. Woolmar tells a fascinating tale of eccentric visionaries, concerned philanthropists, engineers and money men , but the real star is the Underground itself. The briefest glance at its uniquely user friendly map (even I can read it!) gives a sense of the romance of the Tube , listing stations with names like Waterloo and Cutty Sark, Arsenal or Wimbledon. Filthy, noisy and often closed for anything from staff shortages to bomb alerts, the London Underground remains the city's arterial system , as integral to its unique character as guardsmen in bearskins or the ravens at the Tower.

Woolmar's pros e tends more towards the undergraduate di sse rtation than Dickens , but the story he has to tell is irresistibleand a great way of pass ing the time when your train's delayed.

Paperback edition of a book first published in hardback in 2004.

Sarah Bower

SOUND

From Geraldine Perriam

AKENFIELD: PORTRAIT OF AN ENGLISH VILLAGE (non-fiction)

Ronald Blythe, read by Stephen Thome , Soundings Audio Books , 2005, playing time: 13 hours , ISBN I 84559 177 1 The village of Akenfield in East Anglia and its inhabitants are the inspiration and source of this book Giving a brief history of a particular aspect of the village at the head of each chapter, Blythe then allows its inhabitants to speak. First published in the I 960s, this book gives accounts of the lives of farm labourers, farmers, their experiences of the Great War and the changing nature of life on the land during the 20 th Century. The taxing life of the farm labourer with little financial reward is particularly vivid and the efforts of labourers to form a union are recalled by those involved in the early stages of its development. There is a wealth of detail in the work, a rich storehouse of memories, relationships and events, wellread by Stephen Thome.

THE HISTORICAL NOVELS REVIEW

PERDITA: THE LIFE OF MARY

ROBI SON (n-1)

Paula Byrne, read by Diana Bishop , Isis Audi Books , 2005 , playing time, 17 houcs 30 minutes, ISBN 0 7531 3437 3 The more I listened to this book , the more I realised how little I knew about Mary Robinson , author, poet, actress and Georgian celebrity. I only knew that she had been , at one time, the lover of the Prince Regent in his youth at the end of the 18th Century. lt is typical of the ways in which women are depicted that they are often best known , not for their achievements but for their liaison with a man. Paula Byrne redresses the balance with a comprehensive work backed by extensive research. Mary Robinson's life is told with sensitivity and balance. The author does not ignore the highly selective nature of Mary's own memoirs and publicity. Robinson 's li fe was a full one, swaying between fame and fortune on the one hand and poverty and notoriety on the other. The book conveys a picture of Mary Robinson as intelligent, creative, witty, reckless and kind-hearted, eliciting loyalty and warmth from friends and admirers Life was never dull with "Perdita" (a nickname deriving from her portrayal of that role in A Winter's Tale). A balanced and clear reading from Diana Bishop.

Friend s Forever

Forest of Souls Lyn Andrews Carla Banks

A Final Discord Tessa Barclay

Caught Out in Cornwall Janie Bolitho

Jailbird 's Daughter Iren e Carr

Abbeyford Inheritance Margaret Dickinson

The Frozen Lake Elizabeth Edmondson

A Cursed Inheritance

Kate Ell is Darkest Before Dawn Katie Flynn

Flashman and George the Tiger MacDonald Fraser

An Honourable Murder Philip Gooden

The Constant Princess PhilippaGregory

Anything Goes

A Penny Dip

Becky Ryan

Billy Hopkins (n-1)

Meg Hutchinson

Sheila Jansen

Mistress to her Husband Penny Jordan

Alibi

Joseph Kanon

Ogilvie 's Royal Command

The Grace Girls

Henry's Women

Philip McCutchan

Geraldine O'Neill

Pamela Oldfield

Death of a Go-Between James Pattinson

The Serpent 's Tooth

Michelle Paver

The Ruffler's Child John Pilkington

Children of Eve

The Paid Companion

Deirdre Purcell

Amanda Quick

Constable Along the Trail Nicolas Rhea

Mixed Blessings

Elvi Rhodes

No Rest for the Wicked Wendy Robertson

The English Assassin Daniel Silva

Out of the Shadows

The Legacy

The War of the Worlds Peter Turnbull H G.Wells

It is always worth visiting the Isis website for special offers Check the website: www.isis-publishing.co.uk for details

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To contact Isis / Soundings, or to obtain a full catalogue contact the publishers at:

Isis Publishing Limited

7 Centremead

Osney Mead

Oxford

OX2 0ES

Tel: 01865 250 333; E-mail: audiobooks@isis-publishing.co.uk

Website: 11y ww.isis-publishing.co.uk

AND VISION

Mary Jane Staples

Bird of Passage icola Thome

The Midwillow Martyrs

Janet Mary Tomson

A Crimson Dawn Janet McLeod Trotter

Maxwell's Flame

M.J. Trow 53

Alas, the screens have gone dark this quarter but hopefully there will be more reviews next time. SB

OUT OF PRINT BOOKS

The following deal in out of print historical fiction:

Boris Books , Market Place , Sturrninster Newton, Dorset DTl0 !AS, UK www.borisbooks.co. uk

Diaskari Books, 7 Southmoor Road, Oxford OX2 6RF, UK chris.tvzack(a1btinternet.com

Forget-Me-Not Books, 11 Tamarisk Rise, Wokingham, Berks RG40 IWG , UK

Judith ridley@hotmail.com

Rachel Hyde, 2 Meadow Close, Budleigh Salterton, Devon EX9 6JN rachelahyde@ntlworld.com

Karen Miller, Church Farm Cottage, Church Lane , Kirklington, Nr. Newark , Notts NG22 8NA, UK

Karen@,Millerl964frceservc.co.uk

Rosanda Books , 11 Whiteoaks Road , Oadby, Leicester LE2 5YL, UK dbaldwin @ themutual.net

David Spenceley Books, 75 Harley Drive, Leeds LS 13 4QY davidspenceley @email.com

ISSUE 35, FEBRUARY 2006