Review: World Changing Women by Paul Chrystal

Synopsis: Countless books have been written about prominent women in Greece and Rome, so we know all about Medea, Sappho, Lucretia, Boudica and Cleopatra and their significant actions and achievements. This book extends the invaluable story of women in early history to pre-classical civilisations, ancient Egypt and Israel to include prominent women in those civilisations as well, thus introducing them, and their roles and places in their respective societies and social histories, to a wide audience.

The aim of this book is to demonstrate how 150 women (most little known) significantly influenced, informed and changed the worlds in which they lived. We show how a small, disparate body of women in each of these periods, united by their determination and strength of mind, were able to break free from the norms and values of the patriarchal societies which confined and restricted them to make a valuable difference to their individual societies, cultures, politics and foreign policies; in so doing they have changed perceptions of women and the role women were subsequently allowed to play. Some of the women are well known, others less so.

The book reinforces the reputations of those who have endured popularity over the centuries and, where necessary, realigns those reputations after years of prejudice and the vicissitudes of sexism, misogyny, Hollywood and sensationalist literature. For those who have been written out of mainstream history and relegated to footnotes at best, this is a chance to re-introduce them and the impact they have made on their and our world. Their relative anonymity does not mean that they are less important - on the contrary, they are equally significant and the more we know about them, the better if we want a rounded picture of the civilisations to which they contributed so much.

~ ~ ~

A collection of easy to read vignettes from the pre-classical world covering Israel, Greece, Rome, Egypt, Sumer and the Bible (roughly 24 BCE to 565 CE). The entries read like blog posts or wiki articles; they are conversational not academic; the entries are merely to ignite further research. In fact, much can already be found on the internet and in other tomes - these profiles are merely selectively chosen and gathered in one place.

However, it is unfortunate the author / publisher went with the title "world changing" - the title is rather bombastic as very few of the chosen ones changed or re-wrote anything at all. And that for me is where my engagement waned considerably.

Review: Sicilian Avengers by Luigi Natoli

Synopsis: A thrilling Sicilian saga about the legendary secret sect purported to be forerunners of the Mafia, translated into English for the first time.

Emerging from the dark streets and subterranean caves of Palermo, the Beati Paoli, masked and hooded, mete out their own form of justice to counter the unfettered power and privilege wielded by the aristocracy. For the voiceless, weak, and oppressed, the Beati Paoli are defenders and heroes.

Reminiscent of a Dumas novel, Sicilian Avengers is a vibrant, atmospheric fresco of early eighteenth-century Palermo. Onto the stage of the ancient city, Blasco da Castiglione, a bold, brash, orphan adventurer, arrives on a quest to discover his origins and seek his destiny. But this fearless, swashbuckling D’Artagnan-esque hero unwittingly gets caught up in a devious and murderous succession plot involving a powerful noble family.

When the Beati Paoli hear about this plot to usurp a rightful inheritance, they spring into action. Their shadowy machinations entangle the charismatic Blasco, who crosses paths with a cast of characters that test his loyalty and resolve in the pursuit of his true identity.

The historical accuracy of the novel is complemented by the most meticulous description of Sicily’s capital city ever written. Action-packed and laced with intrigue and chivalrous duels, Sicilian Avengers is a tale of love and hatred, friendship and betrayal, suffering and retribution.

~ ~ ~

The novel is set in Sicily over a period of about 20 years: 1698 - 1718, when Sicily was under both Spanish and Savoyard rule. Sicily at this time was recovering from an outbreak of plague, a serious earthquake, and frequent attacks from the Barbary pirates.

Sicilian Avengers is the story of the conflict between the evil, greedy and ambitious Don Raimondo Albamonte, a Sicilian aristocrat, and the Beati Paoli, a secret, oft times violent, organization committed to punish Don Raimondo for his various crimes.  A battle of good versus evil.  It is also a family saga with the main protagonist, Blasco de Castiglione, following the standard pathway of the "hero's journey", when events and family truths come full circle.

Reader be warned: this is a lengthy tome, combining two books, both well over 500 pages each. This definitely has to be read as a physical book due to both its size and the cast of characters. The writing style may not be to everyone's tastes - the descriptions are detailed and plentiful. No-one can deny that this novel is not well researched.  I do think it would be more enjoyable to the modern reader with a little bit of diplomatic editing to reduce the size whilst maintaining the overall context. 

Review: Britain's Greatest Detective by Nell Darby

Synopsis: From his offices at Basinghall Street in the City of London, Henry Slater presided over Britain's best-known private detective agency, king of all he surveyed. In the late Victorian era, and into the twentieth century, his name was synonymous with the Golden Age of private detection; he was a truly modern operator, utilising the press and technology, and creating innovative publicity campaigns to keep his agency in the public eye.

One of the key skills of the private detective was the ability to make friends - to infiltrate the lives of individuals, and to get them to trust them with their secrets. Slater, however, would make one mistake: to befriend the wrong person and to entrust them with his secrets. When that friendship ended, competition in the private detective world would lead to a trial so infamous that Winston Churchill himself came to watch proceedings play out at the Old Bailey. The trial would destroy Henry Slater's career, and expose his real identity.

This is the first in-depth study of private detective work in nineteenth and early twentieth century Britain, looking at the 'Golden Age' of private detectives and the work they did. It provides a fascinating look at the type of person who became a private detective, the people who wanted to be their clients - and the crimes that could be committed along the way. This book sheds new light on this profession, building on the author's previous work on female private detectives in order to enable the reader to gain a better understanding of a job that people of all classes desired to do. But it is also about the career of one man. Sherlock Holmes may have been the most famous fictional private detective, but Henry Slater was, for twenty years, the real star of the private detective world.

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This book does what is sets out to do - gives the reader an entree into the world of the early private detectives, the people drawn to this type of work, the methods used, and the cases they were typically involved in. Anchoring this tome is the character of Henry Slater - the self proclaimed "greatest detective" of his time.

Darby notes that it was with the passing of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1857 that gave rise to the private detective as courts required evidence of matrimonial misdeeds in order to grant a divorce. This was primarily the type of work available for the private detective, especially one with no connection to the police department.

It is against this that Darby focuses on the case that brought down Slater and his agency - the Pollard divorce case - and highlighted the underhanded dealings that went on to secure the evidence (ie: honey trap, payment of witnesses). None of this would have come to light had Slater not spurned the friendship of one of his employees - Francis Stevens - ".. a man who would do anything to get revenge ..." - including setting up a rival agency and using others to bring about Slater's downfall.

The proceeding court case against Slater and his employees is followed in detail, always referring back to the original Pollard divorce case and methodology used in gaining the required evidence.

Darby follows through to not only the conclusion of the case against Slater et al, but also what followed afterwards for the main players in this drama. Did they get off or were all incarcerated? What happened to the Pollards?

At times the construction of the narrative was a little annoying as it tended to go back and forward in the timeline, but overall it was quite easy to follow. The research that went into this tome is very evident, a times a little dry but never uninteresting.

Definitely one for those interested in the detective agencies that were the UK equivalent of Pinkertons in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Review: Henry V's Brother by Joanna Arman

Synopsis: Named after his famous grandfather, John of Gaunt, John of Lancaster Duke of Bedford, has been largely forgotten and sidelined in history. As the third of four sons, he was not his father’s heir, but he nonetheless distinguished himself in his youth in his service on the Scottish borders.

As an adult, he was overshadowed by his charismatic older brother, the warrior king and victor of Agincourt, Henry V. Yet Henry trusted John the most of all his brothers and twice left him to rule England during his expeditions in France. John Duke of Bedford was the man who really governed England for almost half of his brother’s nine-year reign.

John reached the pinnacle of his career when he was appointed Regent of France. As Regent, he governed a polity that had not existed for three centuries: a truly Anglo-Norman realm. It was not just ruled by England but populated by English settlers who lived & fought alongside the French.

For thirteen years, John held the English kingdom of France together on the negotiating table and often on the battlefield. He struggled against renegade soldiers and his adversary, Charles VII of France, but sometimes against the political machinations of his relatives to keep his late brother’s dream alive.

John became a man noted for equitable rule and an unshakeable commitment to justice. In England, people looked to him to heal the divisions which poisoned Henry VI’s government, and in France, they viewed him as the only statesman fully committed to the good governance of Normandy and Paris.

Today, John is only remembered as the man who condemned Joan of Arc, even though he was not involved. This biography provides a much-needed reassessment of John’s life and political career.

~ ~ ~

My thoughts are mixed with this one.

This purports to be a biography on John of Lancaster, Duke of Bedford, Regent of France and bother of Henry V, King of England; however, John really only comes into his own halfway through as before that he is lost amid a sea of Henrys.

After noting his birth, it is not really until about page 51 that John makes his political entrance under the mentorship of Ralph Neville, Earl of Westmoreland (c.1403) - and this is roughly the same time any real page time has been dedicated / allocated to him. He reappears again at page 108 when recognised as Henry V's heir presumptive and is summoned to France (1419); page 122 when made regent of France (1422). Even after this, it is still hit and miss through to page 187, which marks the end of the tome, with a two paragraph summary of his life, influence and achievements.

Much of the information contained therein is readily available on the internet. Too much time was spent of Richard II, Henry IV, Henry V and other (unnecessary) diversions for this to be even considered a relevant biography of a singular individual. Providing the basic history of the era is fine - getting bogged down in it due to a lack of biographical information on your primary subject is another matter. And unfortunately, too often this is the case - preferable to read the synopsis and move on.

For someone well-read on the period, this is pretty basic stuff and in fact there is nothing new here at all.  For a dedicated "re-assessment" I was expecting so much more. For some-one new to this period, there may be some confusion as to whom this book is actually about - it reads as a basic history of the events leading up to the war in France, using John of Lancaster is a very flimsy anchor. So much more of John's life and career could have been explored without the information dump. If the information is not there / not available - don't just fill the pages for the sake of it. I personally would rather read 50 pages of fact than 200 pages of waffle.

As initially mentioned, this tome brought about mixed thoughts - one, being kudos for selecting to write about John of Lancaster, and two, points off for presentation and delivery; this was poorly executed. To my mind, John of Lancaster is never in the forefront of this narrative.

"A much-needed reassessment of John’s life and political career" this most definitely is not.

Review: The Signare of Goree by Laura Rahme

Synopsis: 1846. In the heat of West Africa, the French navy uncovers the corpses of two French soldiers. Inspector Maurice Leroux arrives at the island of Gorée. It seems death has come to this small colonial outpost off the Senegal coast, home to the prosperous mixed-blood women known as the signares.

The navy suspects that the Bambara people, emboldened by approaching emancipation, may be out for blood. While confronted by the locals’ strange magical beliefs, Maurice remains skeptical. Does malevolence play a part, or are these deaths accidental, brought upon by the brutality of nature in an island known as the white man's grave?

But when murder strikes, it becomes clear that a killer is stalking Gorée.

Swept by a mystery unlike any he has known, Maurice meets Signare Angélique Aussenac. The proud métis, deserted by her wealthy Bordeaux lover, casts her spell upon Maurice.

But beyond the throbbing sounds of the tam-tams and the glittering signare soirées, danger lurks. Someone is watching. And the deaths go on.

Could the killer be one of the rich Bordeaux merchants? Or are they hiding among the powerful signares?

~ ~ ~

I finally started this a couple of days ago and finished it today (20 Sept 2024). I would have completed it in one sitting but was rudely interrupted by life.

In the 18th and 19th century, Gorée was home to a Franco-African Creole, or Métis, community of merchants. Métis women, called signares, were descendants of African women and European traders, were especially important to the city's business life. The signares owned ships and property and commanded male clerks. They were also famous for cultivating fashion and entertainment. As the trade in slaves declined in the late eighteenth century, Gorée converted to legitimate commerce. In 1872, Goree became a French commune with an elected mayor and a municipal council.  However, our story is set in the 1840s.

The Signare of Goree is a compelling mystery, dripping in ancient culture and superstitions, the land of Goree and its people sweep evocatively across the pages, as Laura Rahme demonstrates her mastery of story-telling. Without giving too much away, the reader, like Leroux, is beguiled and bewitched by Goree, succumbing to the rhythmic tam-tams and its ancient magic, a distraction from the task at hand - finding a killer that may not be human.

Highly recommended.

Review: The Conspiracies of the Empire by Qiu Xiaolong

Synopsis: The legendary Judge Dee Renji returns, in this lyrical combination of mystery, history and ancient Chinese politics from the author of the renowned Inspector Chen mysteries.

In Tang dynasty China, Empress Wu - seductive, ambitious and vindictive - rules with an iron fist. Her premier minister, Judge Dee Renji, is honored to be trusted by her. But when she orders him to carry out an urgent investigation into the disappearance of disgraced poet Luo Binwang, he can't see why the matter is of such vital importance.

Luo Binwang joined a doomed uprising against Her Majesty, and vanished after the final, bloody battle. Is he missing - or dead? Either way, now that the rebellion has been mercilessly quashed, what harm could a poor, elderly poet do?

Traveling out of the great capital of Chang'an, accompanied by his loyal manservant Yang, Judge Dee launches a painstaking investigation, in the hopes of achieving what the empress' secret police could not. But the journey is marred by ill omens, and with death and disaster following his every step, Judge Dee soon begins to wonder if the empress trusts him as much as he thought . . .

This powerful mystery, set in ancient China, will appeal to fans of Robert Van Gulik's novels featuring the semi-fictional historical character Judge Dee, and includes an appendix of poems from some of China's finest Tang dynasty poets, newly translated by the author, who is an award-wining poet and critic in his own right.

~ ~ ~

The second in the Judge Dee mystery series set in China during the reign of Empress Wu, the first being The Shadow of the Empire.  This is a period and a character I love !

Set during Tang Dynasty China, this narrative revolves around the search for missing poet Luo Binwang, author of some politically motivated, and motivating, poetry. Forget Western style concepts of the murder mystery if embarking on this tome.  The investigation is conducted in a leisurely pace, observing the courtly protocols and etiquette of the period, however, there is till plenty to occupy the reader - murder, scandal, cover-ups.

For me, I could take or leave the poetry at the end though this did not detract from me reading or enjoyment of any Judge Dee mystery.

Check out the "Young Judge Dee" movies on YouTube or various PayTV channels.

Review: The Most Maligned Women In History by Samantha Morris

Synopsis: Examines the lives and legacies of historically vilified women, questioning the truth behind accusations of witchcraft, treason, and murder.

Throughout history women, from the lowliest of the working classes to the highest echelons of society have been accused of crimes ranging from witchcraft and vampirism to treason and mass murder. Such accusations stuck particularly when it came to women who held power – the names that we most associate with maligned women today include those that we will all have heard of. The infamy of women such as Lucrezia Borgia and Elizabeth Bathory have come down to us throughout the centuries and even in the modern world, many women are needlessly and falsely vilified. 

But just how true were these accusations? The Most Maligned Women in History takes a look at the lives of a number of women whose crimes have been seen as some of the most heinous, just how true the rumours were and whether their reputations are deserved.

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Morris' book revisits the myth of the wickedness of the eleven (11) women featured and this is then put into context with both the time and the original authors (ie: those with an axe to grind).

For me personally, it was a pretty basic tome with no real arguments - the "usual suspects" are covered off (ie: Lucrezia Borgia, Elizabeth Bathory, Empress Wu, Anne Boleyn, etc) - there was no-one new for me here. At times, the "vindication" consisted of a mere paragraph or two, which I found disappointing - this would have been the perfect opportunity for a more in-depth exploration of the "tarring and feathering" of our ladies.

I would suggest this would be a "starter" tome for someone interested in furthering their study / knowledge of historical women; however, much can already be found quite readily on the internet without too much effort.

Review: The Red House Mystery by AA Milne

Synopsis: The creator of such beloved storybook characters for children as Winnie-the-Pooh, Piglet, and Eeyore, A. A. Milne was also the author of numerous dramas, essays, and novels for adults — among them, this droll and finely crafted whodunit.

In it, Milne takes readers to the Red House, a comfortable residence in the placid English countryside that is the bachelor home of Mr. Mark Ablett. While visiting this cozy retreat, amateur detective Anthony Gillingham and his chum, Bill Beverley, investigate their genial host's disappearance and its connection with a mysterious shooting. Was the victim, whose body was found after a heated exchange with the host, shot in an act of self-defense? If so, why did the host flee, and if not, what drove him to murder?

Between games of billiards and bowls, the taking of tea, and other genteel pursuits, Gillingham and Beverley explore the possibilities in a light-hearted series of capers involving secret passageways, underwater evidence, and other atmospheric devices.

Sparkling with witty dialogue, deft plotting, and an intriguing cast of characters, this rare gem will charm mystery lovers, Anglophiles, and general readers alike.

~ ~ ~

This book was one that I have been wanting to read for eons and now (in 2024) finally took the plunge and picked it up.

First published in 1922, it is rather dated now with its "Jeeves & Wooster" / "Brideshead Revisited" style narrative, so that should definitely be taken into consideration when reading.

A standard though intriguing locked room mystery with all the elements needed to make for an enjoyable read. Set in a typical English "big house" with guests, servants, and a family at odds - did one brother kill the other or is there more to this murder mystery than meets the eye.

A charming read!

Review: The Queen's Lies by Oliver Clements

Synopsis: While working on a powerful new weapon for England, the country’s first secret agent John Dee finds himself threatened from all sides. First, his secret plans are stolen, then his son is kidnapped by a vengeful enemy from his past. At the same time, Dee’s wife, Jane, is sent by Queen Elizabeth I to console her cousin, Mary, Queen of Scots, as court advisors attempt to try her for treason.

But Jane suspects her assignment is much more than a visit from a sympathetic cousin. Is it possible that Elizabeth sent her to speed Mary to her death without the public trial that she knows will forever define the limits of royal power? Together, John and Jane begin to feel genuine sympathy for the Scottish queen and work to finish his invention, protect their son, and save Mary from the scaffold. But can they do that while remaining loyal to the English crown?

~ ~ ~

Fourth book in the series and honestly thought that as I started with book three, there may be some continuity for me.

Unfortunately, the second time around, I wasn't a fan. I guess I found the narrative a bit too fanciful and not truly believable, despite the fact that John Dee was mixed up in some unbelievable things!

As I previously mentioned, I have read much historical fiction set in Elizabethan England, with the focus on her notorious spy network, with characters such as Marlowe and Shakespeare, Walsingham and Cecil; as well as non-fiction on the subject to hand. And whilst this tome had all the essential elements: Elizabethan espionage, treason, rivalry, secret codes, notable nobles - jumping in the middle of a series can detract from anyone's reading pleasure.

The short paragraphs keep the story flowing and a cursory idea of the period in question is always a bonus for the reader delving into something new. There is a curious plot twist at the end which I did enjoy - and definitely kudos for taking on the character of John Dee as the main protagonist. Start at the beginning to ensure greater enjoyment of the work at hand.

Review: City of Woe by AJ MacKenzie

Synopsis: Florence, 1342. A city on the brink of chaos.

Restored to favour at court, King's Messenger Simon Merrivale accompanies an English delegation to Florence, the powerful centre of European finance, to negotiate a loan to offset King Edward III’s chronic debt.

A top secret plot, one to decide the fate of European control.

But the delegation has another purpose: to set up an Englishman, Henry Stapledon, Bishop of Dorchester, as an anti-pope in Rome. If they can succeed, they will undermine the papacy and strike a hammer blow to French support across Europe.

But one devastating betrayal will shatter their hopes.

When disaster strikes, Merrivale finds himself alone, isolated and with a dozen different factions out for his blood. With no way to go but forward, he must plunge back into the seething torrent of Florence’s cutthroat streets, and dangers greater than any he has ever faced before, if he is to survive.

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The fifth in the series so I do advise reading the first ones prior to this as there is some continuation of the narrative.

In this outing, Simon Merrivale, the King's Messenger is being sent to Florence with two tasks: chase up King Edward III's missing treasury funds from banker Donato de Peruzzi (to whom Edward III owed considerable amounts), and to install Henry Stapledon, Bishop of Dorchester, as an anti-Pope in an effort to undermine the French.

There is plenty of detail to ensure that the reader is captured by the authenticity and complexity of the period. Florence was a city where bankers and merchants replaced the old noble families as the center of power. There had been a revolution of sorts, with a French aristocrat and crusader, Walter of Brienne, assuming Lordship of the Republic. How did this happen - well it seems that since 1339, Florence had been in the grip of a severe economic crisis brought about by immense English debts to Florentine banking houses, and by astronomical public debts incurred in trying to obtain the nearby city of Lucca. The Florentine nobility looked to foreign powers to solve the city's seemingly impossible financial problems. Unfortunately, Walter ruled like a despot and was ousted after less than a year in power, and once again Florence was a city in turmoil.

MacKenzie ensure that there is enough mystery, intrigue, jealousy, betrayal, political and religious machinations to keep the reader suitably engrossed.  For those with a penchant for historical fiction set in the 14th Century, this will not fail to keep you satisfied.

Books in the series:

• A Flight of Arrows
• A Clash of Lions
• The Fallen Sword
• By Treason We Perish

New Year Update 2025

Happy New Year for 2025!

The start of 2025 will be spent catching up on posting my reviews of books read in 2024. External studies in the second half of last year put a halt to reviewing (but not reading) so I still have quite a few reviews still pending.

Hope 2025 kicks off a bumper reading year for your all!