Post by Junkyarddog on Nov 18, 2016 13:52:15 GMT
Latest in the Hew Cullan series of mysteries.
This is a lighter read than the crime I normally go for and I thoroughly enjoyed the change of mood. This book is a perfect fit for the lengthening chilly evenings and an ideal Christmas present for fans of historical murder mysteries.
'1588', is set in the year of the Armada, which forms some of the background to the stories, it is one of the themes that links the five stories here contained. The calendar is significant because the people of the time lived by the seasons and the stories are linked in the form of an almanac. It is this that gives the stories a loose feel of a novel although each of the tales have been published as individual e-Stories and can be read as such. This edition, elegantly presented for a standard hardback comes with a glossary of words and historical notes that provides a light guide to the background to the stories for those who want to learn more.
The crimes/tales are well crafted and entertaining. The stories themselves cover the death of a candle maker, Spanish ghosts, love as a destructive and redemptive force, false crimes, and personal peril for Hew Cullan.
I thoroughly enjoyed '1588 A Calendar of Crime'. McKay is well versed in the history of the time; the superstition and beliefs, the emerging scientific knowledge, the cyclical nature of life. She is also comfortable with her characters and these two things have enabled her to concentrate on bringing a fresh edge and invention to the stories here told. There are also little twists on the familiar that work well. I liked the Scottish burr and McKay's light way with the old language just enough to place the novel properly in its setting. There are some darker moments, after all these were perilous times, but I was more struck by the playful and witty tone that deftly underpins the stories. Some of the encounters between characters, their banter, misunderstandings and situations that arise made me smile, (McKay created a light air of farce in one or two places).
I didn't feel that not having read any of the previous Hew Cullan novels was a hindrance to enjoying this book, and I would not be averse to picking one up in the future if I was in the right mood. As good as Ellis Peters, Candace Robb, Paul Doherty for me.
This is a lighter read than the crime I normally go for and I thoroughly enjoyed the change of mood. This book is a perfect fit for the lengthening chilly evenings and an ideal Christmas present for fans of historical murder mysteries.
'1588', is set in the year of the Armada, which forms some of the background to the stories, it is one of the themes that links the five stories here contained. The calendar is significant because the people of the time lived by the seasons and the stories are linked in the form of an almanac. It is this that gives the stories a loose feel of a novel although each of the tales have been published as individual e-Stories and can be read as such. This edition, elegantly presented for a standard hardback comes with a glossary of words and historical notes that provides a light guide to the background to the stories for those who want to learn more.
The crimes/tales are well crafted and entertaining. The stories themselves cover the death of a candle maker, Spanish ghosts, love as a destructive and redemptive force, false crimes, and personal peril for Hew Cullan.
I thoroughly enjoyed '1588 A Calendar of Crime'. McKay is well versed in the history of the time; the superstition and beliefs, the emerging scientific knowledge, the cyclical nature of life. She is also comfortable with her characters and these two things have enabled her to concentrate on bringing a fresh edge and invention to the stories here told. There are also little twists on the familiar that work well. I liked the Scottish burr and McKay's light way with the old language just enough to place the novel properly in its setting. There are some darker moments, after all these were perilous times, but I was more struck by the playful and witty tone that deftly underpins the stories. Some of the encounters between characters, their banter, misunderstandings and situations that arise made me smile, (McKay created a light air of farce in one or two places).
I didn't feel that not having read any of the previous Hew Cullan novels was a hindrance to enjoying this book, and I would not be averse to picking one up in the future if I was in the right mood. As good as Ellis Peters, Candace Robb, Paul Doherty for me.