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Phil Leader (619 KP) rated A Certain Threat (Merriman Chronicles #1) in Books

Nov 11, 2019  
A Certain Threat (Merriman Chronicles #1)
A Certain Threat (Merriman Chronicles #1)
Roger Burnage | 2012 | History & Politics, Thriller
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Set at the end of the 18th Century just before the Napoleonic Wars, this follows the exploits of Lietenant Merriman. Injured in a battle with Barbary pirates he is given leave and returns to his family's home near Chester. He learns of a gang of smuggers who have taken a Customs ship. Before long he is summoned back to London and given command of his own ship to investigate this theft and also rumours of Irish and French involvement.

What follows is a cracking story that combines Naval adventure in the age of sail with investigation into the mystery around the loss of the Custom ship. Merriman is a strong lead character, a capable officer who looks after his men as best he can at a time when the navy was hard and brutal work, with many seamen ending up dead or injured on even the most routine missions. He is also relentless and imaginative, using the information and resources at his disposal to maximum effect to uncover the true purpose of the smugglers.

Burnage shows tremendous ability in his writing. The tone and dialogue feel very authentic, the characters well drawn and memorable. Every scene drives the plot forward or builds Merriman's character and there is a real sense of momentum and drama in the story. The descriptions of the naval encounters are a real highlight, exciting but clearly showing the danger that existed at the time, as well as the skill required by every member of the crew to ensure victory in any engagement.

Overall this was a terrific book and I would recommend it to readers of any age as a thrilling story. An easy 5 stars and an introduction to what promises to be a thrilling series.
  
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ClareR (5589 KP) rated Little in Books

Jul 20, 2020 (Updated Jul 20, 2020)  
Little
Little
Edward Carey | 2020 | Fiction & Poetry
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Little by Edward Carey was an absolute joy to read. It didn’t occur to me that this was about the early years of Madame Marie Tussaud (or Little) until I’d read the first two chapters. That’s when I decided that I should perhaps read the synopsis. Part of me wishes I hadn’t, because I would have loved the reality to gradually dawn on me. What an early life she lived though!

18th century Paris was a place of great uncertainty - and this book has echoes of Dickensian London. It’s so much more than that though. Not only do we get some wonderful descriptions of the sights, sounds and smells of Paris at the time, we also get to look at Edward Carey’s beautiful pictures. I say beautiful, they’re pictures that portray people in their sometimes beautiful ugliness (that’s a thing, right?).

The life that Little lives! I hadn’t known any of the background of Madame Tussaud, and to be honest, with the way her formative years went, I’m astonished that she survived to old age. The Paris of the French Revolution was a dangerous place, and Little had come to know some dangerous people.

I don’t want to say anything else. It would be a shame for me to reveal any of the (what were to me) big surprises. This is a startling, moving, frustrating, emotional, bizarre, glorious journey through the French years of Madame Tussaud’s life. It was recommended to me by book blogger @yearsofreading, and I’m so glad I listened to her. Now I recommend that if you haven’t read this book, and you’ve read my review this far, go out and read it. You won’t regret it!