BLACK OUT - Book review

John Lawton’s highly accomplished debut novel was published in 1995, the first of eight detective Troy books. It's a mix of crime in the main plus espionage elements. Sergeant Frederick Troy doesn't like any form of his given name, preferring to be addressed by his surname. He is the younger son of a Russian immigrant father who has become a wealthy newspaper publisher and baronet. Defying class and family expectations, the independently wealthy Troy joins Scotland Yard, becoming an investigator on the ‘murder squad’. 

The book begins at the height of the London Blitz, February 1944, when a dog is spotted carrying the severed arm of a man. Before long, Troy is assigned to find out who's murdering German scientists who've been secretly smuggled out of Germany and into Britain. There seems to be a conspiracy of silence regarding the murders and the upper echelons of the American forces. The newly formed OSS is involved, it appears. The convoluted investigation has its compensations for Troy, however, in the erotic form of not one but two femmes fatales – socialite Diana Brock and US Army sergeant Tosca.

The story skips to 1948, when Troy tracks a suspect to Berlin during the Blockade, which provides a fine twist.

Throughout, the characters are well defined and interesting, from the Inspector Onions, to the Polish pathologist Kolakiewicz, the dissolute MI5 man, Pym, the voluptuous Diana and the amusingly voluble and voracious Tosca, to Troy himself. The sense of time and place are expertly evoked.

There is wit and sly humour as well as a little graphic sex. For example, an amusing scene where Troy’s Uncle Nikolai, who works at Imperial College, has a dud bomb stowed in his lab. ‘It fell in Islington churchyard last night. Believe me, it’s as safe as houses.’ That particular metaphor did nothing to reassure Troy. So many houses in Islingon these days were nothing more than rubble and dust’ (p78).

‘Pym was running rapidly to seed and looked as though he meant to enjoy every moment and ounce of it. Somewhere in his attic was a portrait that was forever young’ (p93).

And we have suspense, also: ‘She smiled and took the page from him, and he knew as certain as eggs were powdered that there was someone hiding in the next room’ (p113).

A pleasure to read.

The second Troy book, Old Flames, takes place in 1956 during Khrushchev’s visit to UK. Subsequent books skip about in time, some before the events in Black Out.

THE MAN WHO DIED TWICE - Book review

Richard Osman’s second cosy crime novel (2021) is as enjoyable as his first.

The members of the Coopers Chase Thursday Murder Club are meeting again. But it seems that Elizabeth is somewhat distracted. She’s had a letter, an invitation from a man who was in her past and should have stayed there. Despite herself, she is intrigued and meets him…

And so begins a new mystery, with the prime issue being a horde of diamonds stolen from the mafia. Also involved is MI5.

We meet again Joyce, as amusing as ever as she pens her diary, psychiatrist Ibrahim, who suffers a crisis, and old trade unionist Ron. They’re keen to help – or is it hinder? – Elizabeth. Bogdan is also called upon to provide muscle and any heavy lifting.

The life of DCI Chris Hudson has taken a dramatic upturn. He’s romancing an attractive woman and it could turn out to be serious – much to the surprise of his colleague PC Donna De Freitas. These two are trying to find evidence to be used against the local drug dealer Connie Johnson.

The story is bookended neatly with a new sympathetic character, Sylvia Finch.

From the outset and all the way through Osman’s style and humour enhance the telling and characterisation. It isn’t laugh-out-loud but there’s a smile raised on virtually every page. And, as with the first novel, Osman exhibits his affection for these old folk and humanity in general.

There’s a twist or two, terrible but not graphic murders, and even some suspense. Several threads are cleverly and neatly combined satisfactorily.

The title is apt, and can be construed literally or, sadly, medically when relating to a particular devastating illness.

Book review - Lohengrin

Antony Melville Ross’s ninth book Lohengrin (1986) is a spy thriller set during the Second World War. It’s a tense and believable read but has been out of print for some time, which is a pity as it’s a competent suspenseful story about the incredible yet true Double-Cross System, when the British security service actively ran and controlled the German espionage system in the UK.

We’re introduced to the highly attractive Claire Helier who is ‘a favourite of London society and an orphaned daughter of an ancient house.’ She is recruited into MI5’s ‘Beautiful Bitch Brigade’ who helped suborn identified German spies. Her target is Frank Pelham, a man who has been allocated the codename Lohengrin. Claire’s controller is George Pemberton, whose earlier turned German agent, Parsifal, had committed suicide due to the pressure.

Claire and the security service entrap Frank, playing on his emotions. It isn’t hard for Claire, because she fell in love with him. That was an uncalled for complication. But while she loved Frank, she hid her duplicity, and he was convinced that if he didn’t cooperate with the security service Claire would be hanged. The psychological submission and attempted rebuilding of Frank is plainly detailed, and could be construed as shameful, yet in this case, as with others in a similar situation, the end justified the means. Most nights London and elsewhere was bombed. Life went on, but few knew if it might be snuffed out in an instant. The XX system was an ingenious and essential way to fight back.

At one point the daring manipulators send Pemberton with Lohengrin to Portugal and thence to Berlin. Ostensibly, Pemberton was offering to be a double agent for the Germans. This is tense stuff; he is interviewed by Admiral Canaris, among others, and treated to watch an entertainment – two Nazi women whipping a naked black marketer to within an inch of his life. The audience is in raptures over it; while Pemberton later is violently sick, wondering if a similar fate awaits him: ‘Pemberton took his second shower of the night, spending ten minutes under it as though disgust was a material thing he could cleanse from his body.’ (p239)

The narrative is tense and suspenseful, laced with humour and good observation for the period. ‘May I have the boiled mutton without spinach, please? I know that spinach is good for you, but I’ve always hated it and as I don’t want muscles like Popeye it would be a waste.’ (p185)

The subtext is about trust, honesty and being true to oneself.

The German viewpoint is touched upon. Despite being ignorant of the deception, they were circumspect: ‘We have learnt to suspect anything put out over the BBC, but the British press is a different matter. It can have a “D” Notice forbidding publication applied to it, but I doubt there is the machinery to enforce the printing of misleading information. Their reporters are too curious and freedom of the press still means a great deal to the British, even in time of war. It’s almost an article of faith with them.’ (p183)

The ending is perhaps inevitably downbeat. Maybe this accounts for the book being all-but forgotten. The title might not have helped sales either. Of the ten books by Melville Ross, seven are one word titles.

In the 1980s he was a respected author of tense thrillers. He called upon his experience in WWII in command of his own submarine, was awarded the DSC, and worked in the Secret Service after the war. He evokes a powerful feeling for his characters, whichever side they’re on.  I’m certainly inclined to look up his other books.

Blindfold (1978)

Two Faces of Nemesis (1979)

Back Lash (1979)

Tightrope (1981)

Submarine quartet

Trigger (1982)

Talon (1983)

Shadow (1984)

Command (1985)

Shaw’s War (1988)

Antony Melville Ross died in 1993, aged 73.

Great choice of character name!

In today’s newspaper I’ve just read a very favourable review of Mike Herron’s newest MI5 spy novel, Real Tigers, third in the 'Slough House' series, hot on the heels of his earlier two outings, Dead Lions and Slow Horses. And he's also a fellow Geordie, no less...

Imagine my pleasant surprise when I read that one of their spies, who is kidnapped, is named Catherine Standish!  Now, this just shows what a great choice of name Mr Herron has selected.

Reminds me of my own psychic spy character, Tana Standish, whose first two adventures in the 1970s can be found in The Prague Papers and The Tehran Text. And he’s also used Catherine, which is the name of my heroine in the 'Avenging Cat' series, viz Catalyst, Catacomb and Cataclysm – and usually she’s called Cat, which is doubly appropriate, since the series is published by Crooked Cat Publishing!

Catherine Standish. Yes, it has a certain ring to it.

May be worth looking up the above. Certainly, Mr Herron has gained an enviable number of reviews and kudos.