Bowden P. (Trey) - , reviewed on 10/13/2009 + 260 more book reviews

This is another Robert Carey novel. And like anything on the border between Scottland and England, things are not what they seem. And in this one, there are a multitude of twists.

It starts with a night patrol that encounters a German fugitive from Scottland, then a bursting handgun during a skirmish. From there it moves to Carey's inspection of the weapons received at Castle Carlisle from the Tower in London (after being done out of the armory clerkship - an office he could sell), the Muster and a brazen theft from the armory at castle Carlisle. After that, Carey and the long suffering Sergeant Dodd head to Dumfries Scottland, home of its arms industry and where King James is holding court.

I can't give too much away without spoiling it - its twistey. Very twistey with multiple overlapping plots, schemes and players. Still, its pretty good. The plots are brought to resolution, but in a way I didn't expect. It does give an excellent feel for the period and region. The characters seem very real - different from us. Carey is unusual in that he believes in the rule of law (which I'm not sure is authentic), but otherwise he's the self-important popinjay, but a skilled soldier and intriguer nonetheless. Dodd is ... Dodd. Calm and very much a product of the area and time.

All I need is Plague of Angels and I'll have finished all the Robert Carey novels, which is a shame. Still, there are her other Elizabethan novels.

Back to all reviews by this member
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details