The Lost Constitution (Peter Fallon #3) by William Martin

I always enjoy reading William Martin’s novels.  They have well-developed characters, interesting plots, and a writing style that makes then fun to dive into. His Peter Fallon series is a perfect blend of a couple of my favorite genres: historical fiction and modern day thrillers.

For those that have yet to experience one of the Peter Fallon books, let me summarize the approach. Peter is a rare-book and manuscript expert and businessman, specializing in collectables of historical significance. In these novels, he is a treasure hunter, following clues from many sources until, hopefully, he reaches a successful end to his journey. But what makes these books unique is that we readers get to follow along in history, joining the historical figures (both real and fictional) and their adventures with that very same treasure that Peter is hunting in the present day. It is really cool to jump back and forth and see how the events laid out in history transform into clues for Peter to follow.

This time, the treasure is nothing less than an original near-final draft of the US Constitution, with margin notes scribbled by the founding fathers. This novel was published in 2007 but is even more relevant today as Peter’s present day world is engaged in a nation-wide debate on the the right to bear arms. Gun violence has reached such a level that they are even considering a repeal of the 2nd amendment. ("A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."). What would happen if some of those margin notes provided further insight on what the framers of the US Constitution might have been concerned with?  Of course both sides of the issue have their thoughts and extremists in this novel are even willing to kill to either find the lost constitution or see it destroyed.

This makes for a fascinating tale and the book rises to the occasion. The historical chapters follow Will Pike and his descendants as the lost constitution is smuggled out of Philadelphia, sold, purloined, auctioned, and hidden for over two centuries. There are a lot of action sequences as the document's value grows over time and people fight over its location or ownership as well as a lot of family intrigue. I did feel some of the middle sections grew too long and other parts could have stood some pruning as well but overall it was a fully engaging story. It was also nice to see progress with Peter’s personal life as well.

I certainly recommend this series, particularly for those interested in historical America. The first two books in the series (Back Bay and Harvard Yard) were almost entirely set in the Boston area but this one found its way to all of the New England states. I always look forward to my next William Martin novel.

The Seventh Scroll (Ancient Egypt #2) by Wilbur Smith

"The Seventh Scroll", by Wilbur Smith is the follow-up to "River God", one of the best historical novels I have read in a very long time. "The Seventh Scroll" was meant to be read after "River God" but it is not exactly a sequel. It actually takes place in the present day with a couple of archeologist types who are out to discover the hidden tombs that were depicted in the first book. What an intriguing concept! What we got to live through before is now seen through the eyes of history, including all the distortions of history that are bound to happen. After all, what we assume to be true through archeological research isn't necessarily the way it really happened. 

The author does another intriguing thing in this book. He inserts himself into his own fiction, having a main character refer to Wilbur Smith as having authored the fictional "River God" from information uncovered in the first 6 scrolls found in the tomb. Of course it is the 7th scroll that the characters are after in this second book. This leads to some funny moments as the two main protagonists argue about just how accurate Wilbur Smith was in the first book; one of them goes so far as to dismiss Mr Smith as a hack writer who changes the historical record in order to include more sex and violence. It's a twisted loop whereby an author actually negatively critiques his own work...I guess you have to be pretty secure in your own writing career to do that. Regardless, it works wonderfully here. 

The novel itself is just as good as the first book in the series. When you get right down to it, this is a pretty straightforward adventure/treasure hunting story along the likes of "Romancing the Stone". But Wilbur Smith is an outstanding writer who has a knack for making you read just a little more and then still more despite any deadlines you may have to deal with. You know the two main characters will hook up by the end but it's not predictable how that happens. The dangerous scenes in the book are really dangerous and the suspense is spot on. As for historical accuracy...everything sure seemed to be accurate based on my limited knowledge of ancient Egypt and my trip to that country a few years ago.

I've read all the "Ancient Egypt" series (at least those written by Wilbur Smith himself) and count this one among the best. I've tried a couple of others, reportedly written with co-authors but frankly I believe Smith's only contribution to those may have been outlines or notes due to his advanced age. They're still coming out now, after his passing. Unfortunately, while they're "not bad", they sure don't live up to Smith's abilities. From here, the series returns to the past and the further adventures of Taita. Good stuff!

The Big Bundle (Nate Heller #18) by Max Allan Collins

In 1953, six-year-old Bobby Greenlease, the son of a multi-millionaire auto dealer was kidnapped from a Catholic pre-school located in Kansas City, Missouri. The ransom demand was the largest in American history at the time, $600,000 (the titular “big bundle”). Enter private investigator Nathan Heller, who’s worked with movie stars, mob bosses, and presidents and been on the periphery of some of the biggest national secrets and scandals of U.S. history. Heller quickly works the case on behalf of young Billy’s parents, following the money to solve it and find some sort of justice for Billy’s family.

But not complete justice as it turns out. Five years have passed and less than half of the ransom money has been recovered. It’s now 1958 and Nathan Heller once again finds himself working the case, this time to try and discover what happened to the missing dough. Can it be tied up in Jimmy Hoffa’s exploits even as Robert Kennedy seeks to find some way to charge Hoffa with a crime? Or perhaps a cab driver who took one of the original kidnappers to the Coral Court Motel had tipped off local mobster Joseph G. Costello. Or maybe a couple of dirty cops are behind it all.

This is the eighteenth book in Max Allan Collins’ Nate Heller series. The very first novel, True Detective, was written back in 1983 and won the Shamus award for best PI novel that year. While there might be some benefit in reading them in order, they were not written/published in chronological order so each novel can easily stand alone. These books are hard-boiled, true-crime detective novels with a fascinating protagonist. Indeed, Heller himself, doesn’t always take the high road but tends towards shades of gray. Regardless, he’s a man seeking justice, even though, just like in history, he doesn’t always find it. These novels are extremely well-researched and to read one is to absorb real history of the middle of the American 20th century in a very readable and enjoyable way.

Despite this being the eighteenth novel in the series it is the first to be published by Hard Case Crime which seems like the perfect match. I had a wonderful time reading it and am now kicking myself for not having read each and every one of the others in the series. But, I will be sure to remedy that.

Murder Knocks Twice (Speakeasy Mysteries #1) by Susanna Calkins

In 1929 Chicago, Gina Ricci is the newly hired cigarette girl at the Speakeasy known as The Third Door. It’s not her ideal job but she is struggling to earn money for her ailing father and so she casts her concerns aside and plunges into the job. But when she learns the girl she replaced was actually murdered, her concerns mount. And then a photographer, hired by the speakeasy to take pictures of customers having good times with celebrities, is murdered right in front of her. His dying words to Gina are to safeguard his camera at all costs.

I thoroughly enjoyed this historical mystery. The setting of a 1920s Chicago speakeasy was enough to draw me in and that setting along with the colorful characters and the page-turning mystery plot kept me reading right past my bedtime. Gina makes for a nice amateur sleuth, more the type that finds herself in a tough situation than the poking-her-nose-in-where-it-doesn't-belong type. The atmosphere was great, with the spot-on language of the depression, the ongoing prohibition enforcement efforts, all on the edge of the mobster scene. Various celebrities like Clarence Darrow, Amelia Earhart, Babe Ruth, and Lou Gehrig, and several references to Al Capone pepper the scenery. This is not a hard-boiled crime novel by any means but it's not exactly a cozy either. Everything was just as I hoped for when I first picked up this book and considered it to read.

This is the first mystery I’ve read by this author but I already have book #2 on my TBR list and may well pursue her Lucy Campion series as well.

The Devil in the Marshalsea (Tom Hawkins #1) by Antonia Hodgson

London, 1727…on the eve of the coronation of George II.  Young Tom Hawkins, refusing to follow in his father’s footsteps as a clergyman, has instead been seeking out a life as a gambler, a rake, and a chaser of women.  But when he finds himself in debt, he must wager big in order to keep himself outside of debtor’s prison.  Surprisingly, he wins that big gamble but on the way back to his rooms, he is mugged and is thusly tossed into the “Marshalsea”.

Life in debtor’s prison is just as harsh and cruel as what Dickens describes.  The gaol is divided into two sections.  For those with enough influence with family and friends on the outside to provide enough money to keep them afloat, they can stay on the “Master’s” side and provide a cut to the overseers.  For those less lucky, there is the “Commons” side where life is short and about as miserable as can be imagined. "Process must be followed Mr. Hawkins. You can’t just throw men into prison and let them rot.  That would be cruel. They must have their time in court. Their case must be heard, their creditors must be called to account…Then they can rot.”  Running the whole thing is a governor of sorts, and along with a myriad of innkeepers, barkeeps, brothel owners, etc. their only real interest is how much profit they can make off the misfortune of the inmates.

And like in almost any prison in the world, even today, “If you wish to survive in this gaol…in this world then you must make people believe you are the most ruthless, calculating, treacherous man they know. They must believe you are capable of anything—the worst imaginable outrages.  If your enemies learn that you are weak, they will destroy you.  That is the way of the world.”  Men die every day in the Marshalsea but when our young gambler’s roommate is murdered in the middle of the night in their locked room, all signs point to Hawkins himself as the killer.  He must solve the mystery of the real killer before time runs out or he will be executed.

I really enjoy these sorts of historical mystery novels.  In addition to a nice murder mystery element, adventure, intrigue, and betrayal, there is a lot of good history here as well, not the least of which is how debtor’s prisons worked in the 1720s.  It’s always been a strange concept for me to wrap my brain around anyway…how can you expect somebody who is in debt to be able to work themselves out of debt and gain their freedom when they are locked up?  Thanks to the excellent research by the author, this novel was an eye opener for me in that regard, especially the free enterprise system that thrived within the prison walls.  So much so that many of the prisoners stayed on voluntarily after they had found a way to pay off their debts, just to keep on raking in the profits.

This is the first book in a series.  I had already read and enjoyed the second book, The Last Confession of Thomas Hawkins, so I wanted to go back and get this first one under my belt as well.  While I still recommend they be read in order, either of the first two can be read as a stand-alone novel and I have heard the same of the third, which I will, in due course, pursue as well.

Jackdaws by Ken Follett

Whenever I read a Ken Follett novel, I expect a lot.  Not every book I’ve read by him has been outstanding but most have and so I always hope for one of those.  This one certainly qualifies.

It’s a story that takes place during the ten days just prior to the D-Day landings in 1944 during WWII.  The French resistance is in full gear, expecting the imminent invasion, even if they don’t know the exact date.  The SOE (Special Operations Executive) in London has determined to support the French resistance in its efforts to sabotage a key target which, in turn, will greatly aid the success of the invasion.  The Gestapo HQ in Paris in the square at Sainte-Cécile, also houses the critical telephonic communications hub.  If that were to be taken out of commission, then critical communications to those defending against the invasion forces would be severely impacted.

We follow along with Felicity “Flick” Clairet as she builds a team to infiltrate and destroy the communications hub.  She chooses all women (Code name: "Jackdaws") so that they can pose as a cleaning crew and make it easier to withstand close scrutiny.  Recruitment proves difficult and she must settle for inexperienced women with very little time to train.  Most of them are misfits in one fashion or another – comparisons to the Dirty Dozen are not inaccurate.

One mark of an excellent thriller story is the quality of the primary antagonist and here, the character of Major Dieter Franck, working on Field Marshal Rommel’s staff, is a wonderfully drawn bad guy.  He is extremely dedicated to his task of finding Flick and stopping her mission, and while he can be deliciously evil in his effective torture techniques, he also demonstrates admirable traits of intelligence and dogged determination.  

The pacing here is perfect.  A nice buildup of intrigue and emotion and stressful intensity interspersed with danger as well as softly romantic moments.  The pages keep turning despite whatever else might be going on in your life that would drag you away from reading further.  The danger is real, and not all characters survive but the ending is deeply satisfying.

Highly recommended.

Harvard Yard (Peter Fallon #2) by William Martin

Every time I read a novel by William Martin, I feel so lucky to have found him and have long since elevated him to my favorite author list.  I’ve yet to read a bad or even an “OK” book by him. They all hold precious real estate on my best book shelf.  I can now add that his Peter Fallon series is among my favorite series of all…ever.  This series combines many of my favorite genres: historical fiction, historical mystery, and modern day thrillers, all in a single superb novel.  They can be read as stand alones but it would be better to read them in order.

This is the second of the Peter Fallon books (following the excellent "Back Bay" and the first thing I noticed is that we’ve jumped a number of years forward from the end of the last book.  Peter is now a well-regarded antiquarian book dealer and has stumbled across a clue to a long lost, never before known, Shakespearean play titled ‘Love’s Labours Won’, a companion to his well-known play with a similar name.  In the hands of a lesser author, such a premise would strike me immediately with thoughts like ‘here we go again’ and ‘haven’t I seen this before’ and I would most probably pass it by in search of a better book to read.  But since it is William Martin, I knew I was in for an amazing journey.

As in the first book of the series, chapters alternate between the present day Peter Fallon mystery/thriller plot where he hunts for further clues to the history behind the lost play, all the time being hounded by rivals willing to kill for such a valuable find, and the past whereby we get to witness history unfold and actually see what happened along the way. Every time Peter uncovers a new piece of the puzzle, we then get to go back and see how that actually came to be. This leads to a fascinating, page-turning read.

There are numerous historical characters in this novel, as you might imagine considering we get to travel through all of American history from 1605 to the present, following the fictional Wedge family and their caretaker approach to the Shakespearean manuscript.  In 1605, a good friend to Shakespeare, Robert Harvard, received the play as a gift and it is his son, John Harvard who was instrumental in founding the first college in America. The setting for most of this novel is Harvard University and, indeed, it really becomes a character in and of itself. So many major American historical figures graduated from Harvard or taught there, or both, and the novel benefits from all of them. Major events and eras such as the Puritan’s witch burning, the fires of the Civil War, the riots of the 1960s and famous figures such as Cotton Mather, heroes of the Boston Tea Party and the Revolutionary War, through the era of Teddy and Franklin Roosevelt, Joe and Jack Kennedy, etc. etc. all play out on the Harvard stage. And through it all runs the thread of the lost Shakespearean play.

I must say, I have never been a huge fan of Harvard University. Not sure why really, other than a lifelong image of an old stodgy institution that seemed in a world all its own and so not for a common sort of fellow like myself. But this novel really opened up my eyes about Harvard and helped me to appreciate its history and what it stands for. Just the fact that Harvard (formed initially in 1636 and known as ‘New College’) was renamed for John Harvard in 1639 because of his gift of his personal library of some 400 books is awesome. And to see the school meander its way through history, witness its ups and downs, its triumphs and controversies, is really to watch the evolution of the entire country as well.

The patriarch of the fictional Wedge family and good friend to John Harvard, Isaac Wedge was fond of saying “A man is best known by his books”. That is a sentiment that I can certainly relate to and I am proud to count this book among my own library.

Back Bay (Peter Fallon #1) by William Martin

I had read three or four stand-alone books by William Martin and enjoyed them all so I thought it was high time I began reading his Peter Fallon series.  Back Bay is actually the first novel he published, more than 30 years ago.  And, as expected, I enjoyed it very much.

This is a complex story that weaves historical events with a contemporary thriller/mystery-type plot.  Peter Fallon is a present-day student/historian working on his PhD and becomes entangled in a 200-year-old mystery concerning a silver tea set crafted by Paul Revere.  What follows is a multi-generational treasure hunt that drives the other aspects of the plot. I love the way the historical parts of the story are woven in among the contemporary scenes, allowing us to follow the history of the tea set and its impact on one very important and prominent New England family, the Pratts.  Chapters are presented alternately, with a historical chapter taking place in, say 1789, followed by a contemporary one.  I've read novels written this way before and sometimes they can be disruptive or downright confusing.  But not so with this one. There are a lot of plot threads here that have to connect across time and Martin does a fantastic job of keeping them all straight and allowing us readers to follow along easily, building suspense and intrigue along the way.

I also have to mention the setting.  Boston, especially historical Boston has long been a favorite of mine, ever since I read "Johnny Tremain" back in the 7th grade.  So along with the history of the Pratt family and the tea set, we get to witness the town of Boston grow through its history.  I've found the biggest theme in all of Martin's books is that we are the products of history and of our own personal decisions; the seemingly insignificant choice of some ancestor who made one small decision and thereby changed the lives of generations yet unborn, and of course, of the grand movements of history that affect us all.

Wobble to Death by Peter Lovesey

A “wobble’, for the uninitiated, is a pedestrian contest wherein competitors walk or run for a set period of time, trying to complete as much distance as possible before time is called. It eventually transformed into the modern sport of speed walking. Just such a wobble is the setting for this whodunnit novel set in London, 1879 and the set time is 6 days. That’s a long walk by anyone’s standards but when one of the primary competitors is found dead by strychnine poisoning, Sgt Cribb and his constable partner, Thackeray are called in to investigate.

This first book in the eight volume Sgt Cribb series is the very first book ever published by the highly regarded Peter Lovesey. I’ve been wanting to sample some of his work ever since I saw him as a panelist at a conference. A witty, charming, and downright hilarious speaker, he has won just about every mystery author award in existence. This book shows plenty of signs of that award winning style and it is difficult to believe this is a first effort written more than 45 years ago. I will say that it got off to a bit of a slow start (no racing pun intended) with the body not being discovered until nearly 20% of the way through. Up to that point it was all about the racers themselves and I was starting to think this was a sports novel rather than a murder mystery. But once Sgt Cribb arrives on the scene, it’s filled with all the clues, red herrings, and final denouement that one expects from such a story. There is also a very subtle humor running throughout the book, more due to the nature of the setting than actual events.

The mystery was good and I will admit to having to wait for Sgt Cribb to ID the murderer for me but in hindsight I could see it clearly. That’s a sign of a solid mystery for me. I do feel that I will need another book or two to really get to know Cribb but Thackeray seemed a bit more fleshed out. Happily, this isn’t a series where the main sleuth is a genius and the sidekick a bumbler who serves as a foil for the reader. Rather, both men are capable investigators and work well together while neither is a perfect detective.

Looking forward to sampling more of this series as well as some of Lovesey’s other works.

Gone for Soldiers by Jeff Shaara

Ever since I read "The Killer Angels" by Michael Shaara many years ago, I’ve been enthralled with the work of his son as well. I’m not one of those people who constantly says the son just ain’t as good as his dad. I believe he does indeed have the right stuff, and his numerous awards for writing would seem to bear that out.

I’ve read many of Jeff’s books and enjoyed them all but somehow I missed this one along the way, only his third published book. Now that I think about it, I suppose that is analogous to the subject of the book itself. The Mexican-American War, taking place 13 years prior to the Civil War, is often an overlooked war, remembered most often as a sort of training ground for many of the future military leaders of the Civil War.

I certainly learned a lot from reading this book. I knew some of the basics but to witness first hand the major events of the war through the eyes of key participants was both fun and educational. Turns out it was much more than just a training ground, with all the complex political and military conundrums that plague most wars. The actual results and the what-might-have-been’s are indeed profound, with major impacts on both countries.

Most of the novel is told from the perspectives of two individuals: 1) Winfield Scott, the overall commanding general who probably never received as much credit as he deserves, and 2) the 40-year-old Captain Robert E. Lee, the engineer who would win numerous accolades for his brilliant and workmanlike performance. Others also get a chapter perspective, especially during the culminating battle for Mexico City, including US Grant, Lt Jackson (eventually to be dubbed “Stonewall” Jackson), Lt Longstreet, Lt Pickett, as well as General Worth. In addition, many others whose names would become famous in the Civil War are present as well. Interestingly, there are also several chapters from the perspective of Mexican General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, a man who was truly an incredible larger-than-life historical character.

I love reading these sorts of historical novels where I can enjoy the story as well as learn from a trusted source. Looking froward to my next Jeff Shaara book. 

Bombshell by Max Allan Collins and Barbara Collins

In September of 1959, Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev arrived in the United States for an extended visit and a summit meeting with President Eisenhower. As part of his trip, he visited Hollywood in Los Angeles on the 19th. Among the day’s activities, he was given a tour of the Twentieth Century Fox Studios and was taken on to the sound stage for the movie “Can-Can”. He met a slew of celebrities including Frank Sinatra, Shirley MacLaine and Juliet Prowse. However, when he was told he could not visit Disneyland due to concerns over his own safety and security, he exploded in anger.

This is all documented history. But what the public doesn’t know is that Khrushchev also met Marilyn Monroe, and together they uncovered a complex assassination attempt on his life. This novel covers that hitherto unknown thrilling aspect of his visit to the US, including a detour to Disneyland after all.

This novel grew out of a short story by Barbara Collins entitled, “Da Svidaniya, Khrushchev” which was published in 1997’s anthology, “Marilyn: Shades of Blonde”. The expanded version was written by Barbara and her husband, Max Allan Collins and originally published under their combined pseudonym, “Barbara Allan”. Now, it has been reprinted thanks to the good folks at Wolfpack Publishing.

This novel really took me by surprise. I confess my knowledge of both Khrushchev and Marilyn Monroe is minimal, mostly limited to the major headlines and public personas. I was also a little nervous about the seemingly absurd premise of the book. After all, how plausible is the idea of Marilyn Monroe overhearing an assassination plot and risking everything to lead Khrushchev to safety? At Disneyland of all places. But I must say, this story really gripped me. Absolutely delightful all the way through.

The story is told from the point of view of both of these icons as well as that of secret service agent, Jack Harrigan.  I found all of them to be fully engaging and realistic, especially the characterization of Marilyn Monroe. It really captures her accidental zany antics combined with a laser-focused purpose.  It’s hard to pull off a light-hearted but danger-filled pulpy thriller but these authors have done it superbly. And both authors’ knowledge of the era and celebrities of that time is on full display. Even Walt Disney gets in on the action.

All in all, this is a tremendously fun read. A page-turner to be sure.

Last Days of Night by Graham Moore

This novel provides a fascinating portrayal of one of the most exciting times in world history, at least when it comes to scientific invention and the birth of technology.  It was enjoyable to read, to get to know the real-life characters, and at the same time learn about these historical events in a non-textbooky way.

The plot revolves around three main historical characters: Thomas Edison, George Westinghouse, and Nikola Tesla.  The inventor, the businessman, and the genius.  All three men were primary warriors in what became known as the “current war”, i.e. the battle over whether or not A/C or D/C would win out in the end.  In the middle of this tripod of giant historical figures is a young 26 year old recently graduated attorney named Paul Cravath, a name not familiar to me when I began reading this book but who I learned became one of the giants of the legal profession, largely due to his involvement in the “current war” and its successful resolution (depending on one’s point of view).

This is a pretty fast-paced novel with short chapters and a swift narrative style.  The facts are well-researched and the author provides a welcome section at the end wherein he separates facts from fiction.  There is also a nice little romance sub plot. But where the novel really shines is in how it is capable of transcending the simple facts of the events during the late 1800’s when electricity was harnessed and helps us to understand the nature and value of the inventive process.  A relatively brief 15 years in our history saw not only many new discoveries related to electricity, but also the birth of new ideas on how we would go about “inventing” in the future.  The notion of an eccentric lone inventor working in his personal lab quickly morphs into the business of inventing.  Really, it’s the beginnings of how technology is advanced today. 

This was what made me interested to read this book.  But in addition, thanks to having Paul Cravath as the protagonist character, I also got to witness the concurrent development of the legal profession, seeing it change quickly from a cottage industry into a legal “factory” with Cravath’s introduction of the idea of associate attorneys and building an entire legal firm.  Pretty cool.

I’ve read this author’s previous novel, "The Sherlockian" and enjoyed it a lot and I’ve also seen the “The Imitation Game” movie for which he was the screenwriter.   Clearly, much like the characters he writes about, Graham Moore is a name to watch in the future.

Highly recommended!

70,000 to 1 by Quentin Reynolds

On May 21, 1943, Gordon Manuel was serving  as bombardier aboard a B-17E and was shot down by a Japanese night fighter. He bailed out over the island of New Briton, the only survivor. His leg was broken, and he had few supplies. He did have a .45 but only five bullets. He would be stranded there for almost nine months, evading the hordes of Japanese forces on the island. This book is a fictionalized account of his true story, told from his first-person perspective.

The author, Quentin Reynolds, was an American journalist and World War II war correspondent. The book was first published in 1946, using the same sort of language the GI’s used, meaning a bit coarse for that era but pretty mild by today's standards. The first few chapters read much like a Robinson Crusoe story, with Manuel figuring out how to find food, water, and shelter and to care for his broken leg. Eventually he befriends an island native who speaks a sort of pidgin English and ultimately takes him back to his home village where he is well cared for. The natives dislike the Japanese presence on their island so are happy to protect Manuel and even scout out Japanese locations. By the end they are even finding other downed airmen and bringing them back to Manuel so they can organize a rescue.

If you’re going into this one expecting a Rambo-style plot with one man fighting his way through groups of Japanese soldiers with cool tactics and edge-of-your-seat suspense, then you will need to look elsewhere. I remember just two times when Manuel was even close to the enemy and both turned out to be anti-climactic. This despite several mentions that he has been living just 100 yards from an enemy encampment for much of the time. It is, however, an interesting read, partly because it is based on an actual event. Anytime a man can get shot down and survive for nine months on an enemy-controlled island is bound to be of interest. Additionally, Manuel’s first-person perspective of his adventures is told in a plain-language style that endears him to the reader and you can’t help but want him to succeed.

Man on the Tightrope by Neil Patterson

In post-World War II Czechoslovakia, a circus owner/operator named Cernik is frustrated by his country’s now-Communist government and is determined to escape to Austria.  After being interrogated by the state security enforcers, Cernik’s plans are forced into a faster-than-planned timeline.  He must contend with spies for the state, competing circuses, a beautiful but perhaps unfaithful wife, and a willful daughter in order to bring the plan to fruition and bring his entire circus across the border.

This book really is a lost treasure. I picked it up along with a batch of extremely cheap pulp-era paperbacks, and based purely on the cover art, I wasn’t expecting all that much. Happily, I was pleasantly surprised.  I also hadn’t realized that it is based on a true story.  It first appeared as the magazine novel, "International Incident" and was based on the actual escape of the Circus Brumbach from East Germany in 1950. The author, Neil Patterson (James Edmund Neil Patterson), was a well-regarded Scottish writer and among his works is the Academy Award for best adapted screenplay (1959’s "Room at the Top").  This book, too, was turned into a movie a year following publication.

It’s a pretty quick read and it kept me engaged throughout.  I would recommend it to others except it might be very difficult to obtain. It reads like an adventure novel of daring escape and after reading it, I am interested to chase down the movie as well.  Although you know how that goes…

Second Generation by Howard Fast

Another page-turner by Howard Fast. Following up the first book in the series, (The Immigrants), as the title would imply, this is about the children of the Lavette family, particularly Barbara, that takes center stage this time. She makes for a good protagonist because she has trouble deciding what to do with her life and therefore tries everything under the sun. The novel takes place during the depression-era 1930s and on through World War II, so there is plenty of adventure to attract her, including several lengthy trips to foreign countries as part of her budding writing and journalism career.

But it’s not all about the younger set. There is still plenty of drama for the first generation to go through as well, particularly Dan, the main protagonist of book one. Additionally, I was surprised to see the turn that his first wife, the aristocratic Jean took, turning from a rather boilerplate character into a really interesting one.

This series continues to be a well-done portrayal of a family saga of immigrants wrestling with the tumultuous events of America in the 20th century.  Some seek wealth or power while others seek purpose in life. Some achieve their goals while others miss the mark. Some lives are cut short. But always, the plot remains unpredictable.

Happily, there are several more books in the series, as I’ve become attached to the characters and am anxious to see what happens next. For me that's just about the highest praise I can offer.

The Immigrants by Howard Fast

This first novel in the 6-book “Lavette Family” series begins in 1889 with fisherman Joseph Lavette and his wife Anna completing their Atlantic sea voyage and arriving at Ellis Island. But most of the story features their son, Dan Lavette and takes place in California between 1906 and the early 1930s.

Dan begins as a fisherman like his father but loses both parents in the great San Francisco earthquake of 1906. Even though taken in by friends of the family, he grows up quickly and uses his talents to grow an empire, eventually including cargo ships during WWI and later ocean liners, hotels, department stores, land acquisition, and even the rapidly expanding early airline industry. Risk, it seems is its own reward. This is a story of building great riches, great power, and complex relationships. Huge gains and big losses against a backdrop of world war, prohibition, and stock market crashes. A cornucopia of characters contribute to the overall story with a number of sub plots and story arcs but ultimately this is Dan’s story as he learns what is truly important in life. 

The author, Howard Fast was, himself, the son of immigrants and much of his early life seems partly to parallel that of Dan Lavette’s early struggle to succeed. This series of books comes fairly late in his prolific career and it reflects his love of history as well as an accomplished professional style that is both informed and entirely readable. In some ways this reminds me of the novels of Jeffrey Archer or perhaps Harold Robbins' The Carpetbaggers. This one kept me turning the pages wanting to see what happened next and now I am most anxious to pursue the next books in the series.

South of Sulu by George F. Worts

This collection of five short stories revolves around the character of Samuel Larkin Shay, otherwise known as “Singapore Sammy”.  Sammy is an American who has spent the last six years (1920’s) roaming around the Asiatic tropics, (the South Seas), trying to catch up to his no-good scoundrel of a father.  See, Sammy’s grandfather has left him a fortune in his will, but his father has absconded with the document, preventing the estate from passing on to Sammy.

Each of these five stories was a wonderful adventure yarn, packed full of exciting pulpy shenanigans.  An adventure in every port, you might say. Sammy isn’t afraid to let his fists do the talking when he spots an injustice.  Interestingly, each story is subtly different from one another.  For example, one is a heist story while one is a revenge story, and another is more of a mystery with supernatural elements.  But they all tie together in Sammy’s unending quest to catch his father and gain the upper hand.

George F. Worts was a prolific pulp writer, probably most famous for his character, Peter the Brazen. During the first World War, Worts was a wireless operator throughout the Pacific and later worked for Collier’s, visiting and writing articles on China, India, the Philippines, and Malaya.  The vivid landscapes he describes in these stories are evidence of his knowledge of the locations, the people and their culture.

These Singapore Sammy stories first appeared in "Short Stories" but the character eventually made his way into "Argosy" with another handful of stories, all of which were highly regarded at the time according to the Letters to the Editor.  I need to track those down now too, both for the sheer fun of reading them but also to find out if Sammy can ever wrestle away that only copy of the will from his father.

Quantrell's Raiders by Frank Gruber

Frank Gruber, one of the most prolific pulp writers of all time, is also famous for saying there are only seven different plots for westerns.  One of those is the “Outlaw story” in which outlaw gangs dominate the action.  This book, although heavily influenced by historical events, is just such a story.

The novel opens in 1861 with new West Point graduate, Second Lieutenant Doniphan “Donny” Fletcher on his way home to Kentucky to await his first posting. While Donny’s loyalties lie with the Union, most of his family, hometown friends, and an especially attractive young lady next door are slaveholders and either pro-South or just trying to remain neutral. But no sooner does he arrive when trouble between Jayhawkers and Bushwhackers boils over onto his home turf forcing Donny to kill a couple of Union guerrilla fighters in self-defense. Under arrest and about to face a firing squad, Donny manages to escape, but has nowhere to run. He wants revenge and the answer, at least for now resides in becoming a guerrilla fighter himself, ultimately joining up with William Quantrill and “Bloody” Bill Anderson.

This novel is historical fiction disguised as a western.  The story of Quantrill’s Raiders (I’m not sure why it’s spelled “Quantrell” throughout the book) and how it became known as the breeding ground for outlaws after the Civil War’s conclusion, including such luminaries as Cole Younger, Jesse and Frank James, and others is an exciting one. The action, particularly in the second half of the book is bloody and brutal, and all the more horrifying because it is factual. These men are outlaws at their worst. The scenes involving the massacre of Lawrence, Kansas are especially disturbing as some 450 guerrilla fighters swoop in and murder numerous innocent noncombatants including women and children.

The character of Donny Fletcher undergoes a sweeping transformation, from loyal Union Army officer to wanted Southern guerilla fighter and criminal.  Ultimately, no longer willing to participate in such atrocities, he works with the Union once again to turn on Quantrill and the other guerrilla leaders helping to bring an end to their reign of terror.  This is largely a tragic tale, watching one man get caught up in circumstances beyond his control but it does end on a positive note. 

Definitely worth reading, especially for readers interested in this period of history.

Force 10 From Navarone by Alistair MacLean

As far as I know, this is the only Alistair MacLean novel that is a sequel, a follow-on to "The Guns of Navarone".  But, strangely, it’s a sequel to the movie version of that novel rather than the novel itself and consequently a little bit confusing given the changes to the characters.

This book picks up immediately after the events of the first (movie version).  And I do mean “immediately”.  Perhaps 10 minutes have passed and the survivors of that first mission, (Captain Keith Mallory and Corporal Dusty Miller) now on the rescue boat, are told to turn back to shore in order to take on a new mission.  They recruit their Greek comrade Andrea Stavros for the mission, code named “Force 10”. This time around, together with three redshirts British Royal Marine Commandos, they parachute into Nazi-occupied Yugoslavia.  Their mission: to aid the Yugoslav Partisans in their battle against the Nazi German occupiers.  Of course this is an Alistair MacLean novel so there is a hidden mission, hidden even from the British Commandos.

Aside from the slight confusion of this being a sequel to the movie version of a prior novel, it is actually a pretty decent read. There is more confusion however, due to multiple layers of deception.  The main characters act as double agents…and then triple agents and sometimes the characters themselves are unsure of who to trust.  It does, however, all make sense…as long as you can follow it all.

Bottom line:  not quite as good as Guns of Navarone but still worth reading, especially for MacLean fans.

The Guns of Navarone by Alistair MacLean

During World War II, five men are recruited to achieve the impossible:  destroy a German fortress that threatens Allied Naval operations in the Aegean Sea and prevents over 1,200 isolated British soldiers from being rescued. These five men are all experts at various specialties required by the commando operation, including demolitions, engineering, and most provocatively, mountain climbing since access to the fortress is impossible without scaling a sheer cliff face.

Even though the Greek island of Navarone does not actually exist, the story takes place within the real historical context of the “Dodecanese Campaign”, (specifically the Battle of Leros), the Allies' attempt to capture the German-held Greek islands in the Aegean Sea in 1943. Only the second novel by Alistair Maclean, this 1957 World War II novel has been considered a classic of the genre for decades now.  These days, of course, stories or movies about a handful of talented men, each with specific specialties, teaming up to pull off a near-impossible task are a dime a dozen but I dare say many of them owe quite a bit to this book.  In 1961, a classic film was produced staring Gregory Peck, David Niven and Anthony Quinn, among others.

I’ve read a number of Alistair MacLean books over the years and usually find them OK, but notice they do tend towards the “slow-burn” style, taking quite a while to build to their climax.  This one, however, kept me riveted throughout.  It’s easy to see why this has become a classic: excellent characters, plenty of edge-of-your-seat suspense, and wonderful pacing.  MacLean didn’t believe in much of a wrap-up after the major climax and this one is no exception.  The big story payoff was literally on the last page of the book.

I’m very glad I finally got around to reading this one, and now have my sights set on the sequel, [book:Force 10 from Navarone|149608].  I’m also planning to see the Guns of Navarone film this week so as to fill another hole in my WWII film history.