Shawn Callon's Blog, page 10
July 15, 2021
Songbird
I have read and enjoyed most of Peter Grainger's work; his portrayal of Detective Sergeant DC Smith as a cantankerous but very successful intuitive investigator was always delightful. In this novel Smith is retired but still permeates the story as Waters and others reminisce about how Smith would have handled the case or how he would have described a situation. Fortunately, Smith does appear in the flesh in several meetings with Waters as he tries subtly to get Smith's take on the investigation into a woman's violent end.
The author does a great job describing other main characters - the stiff, formal DI Terek who always wears a suit "he still had an air of grim sartorial determination" and of course DCI Cara Freeman who dominates most of the latter half with her casual demeanor yet incisive powers of analysis.
This novel is long on detail - police procedure and process. Grainger seems to have acquired considerable knowledge and is not afraid to share it. Some of the description adds little to the plot and character development, though.
A good read and I'd thoroughly recommend it.
This review was written by Shawn Callon, author of The Diplomatic SpySongbird
The author does a great job describing other main characters - the stiff, formal DI Terek who always wears a suit "he still had an air of grim sartorial determination" and of course DCI Cara Freeman who dominates most of the latter half with her casual demeanor yet incisive powers of analysis.
This novel is long on detail - police procedure and process. Grainger seems to have acquired considerable knowledge and is not afraid to share it. Some of the description adds little to the plot and character development, though.
A good read and I'd thoroughly recommend it.
This review was written by Shawn Callon, author of The Diplomatic SpySongbird
July 9, 2021
News of the World
My spouse read this novel and here's her review:
This book is a tender story of an an old man returning a young child to her relatives. Johanna's parents and sister had been killed by a raiding party from the Kiowa tribe. She had been taken captive and raised in their culture. After four years, she had completely erased all previous memories of her home, family, language and customs. Now handed back, Captain Kidd undertakes the arduous and dangerous journey to return her to an aunt and uncle.
Although I'm not a great fan of 'wild west' literature, I enjoyed the vivid descriptions of frontier towns and the harshness of the lands in between.
Captain Kidd is well drawn as a kind-hearted man who does his best to prepare this wild child for the rules of a cruel New World culture.
This review was edited and written by Shawn Callon, author of The Diplomatic Spy.News of the World
This book is a tender story of an an old man returning a young child to her relatives. Johanna's parents and sister had been killed by a raiding party from the Kiowa tribe. She had been taken captive and raised in their culture. After four years, she had completely erased all previous memories of her home, family, language and customs. Now handed back, Captain Kidd undertakes the arduous and dangerous journey to return her to an aunt and uncle.
Although I'm not a great fan of 'wild west' literature, I enjoyed the vivid descriptions of frontier towns and the harshness of the lands in between.
Captain Kidd is well drawn as a kind-hearted man who does his best to prepare this wild child for the rules of a cruel New World culture.
This review was edited and written by Shawn Callon, author of The Diplomatic Spy.News of the World
June 10, 2021
Jack of Spades, David Lucero
“’Jack of Spades’ is an exciting historical thriller based on real and fictional events during World
War Two in North Africa. It celebrates the unquantifiable success of the then-newly-created
British SAS (Special Air Service). Their mission: Destroy German planes, fuel depots, and create
fear among enemy troops far behind the battlefront. The author’s vivid descriptions of SAS
attacks against German troops, Rommel’s near-capture by British soldiers, and his reference to
real-life persons (Rommel, Montgomery, Churchill, Roosevelt, David Stirling and Paddy Mayne
to name a few) provide the novel an authentic feel. One will have difficulty finding which parts
is fiction.
Jack Ruggero is the central character in this story. He’s an American liaison officer and self-
proclaimed man-of-opportunity. Add to his skill as an unabashed card shark and womanizer, his
anti-hero personality highlights bravery of Axis and Allies suffering common deprivations of
hunger, thirst, and the sickening horrors of mechanized warfare. His knowledge of a secret
German base loaded with precious petrol needed for Rommel’s advance into Alexandria and
Cairo have made him all-important to the SAS. Their mission, along with Jack’s help, is to locate
this base and destroy it before Rommel beats Montgomery to the punch.
But will Jack put his desire to save his own skin aside and do his part in the fight against the
powerful Afrika Korps? Or will he resign himself to let others do the fighting for him?”David LuceroJack of Spades: A World War Two StoryJack of Spades: A World War Two Story
War Two in North Africa. It celebrates the unquantifiable success of the then-newly-created
British SAS (Special Air Service). Their mission: Destroy German planes, fuel depots, and create
fear among enemy troops far behind the battlefront. The author’s vivid descriptions of SAS
attacks against German troops, Rommel’s near-capture by British soldiers, and his reference to
real-life persons (Rommel, Montgomery, Churchill, Roosevelt, David Stirling and Paddy Mayne
to name a few) provide the novel an authentic feel. One will have difficulty finding which parts
is fiction.
Jack Ruggero is the central character in this story. He’s an American liaison officer and self-
proclaimed man-of-opportunity. Add to his skill as an unabashed card shark and womanizer, his
anti-hero personality highlights bravery of Axis and Allies suffering common deprivations of
hunger, thirst, and the sickening horrors of mechanized warfare. His knowledge of a secret
German base loaded with precious petrol needed for Rommel’s advance into Alexandria and
Cairo have made him all-important to the SAS. Their mission, along with Jack’s help, is to locate
this base and destroy it before Rommel beats Montgomery to the punch.
But will Jack put his desire to save his own skin aside and do his part in the fight against the
powerful Afrika Korps? Or will he resign himself to let others do the fighting for him?”David LuceroJack of Spades: A World War Two StoryJack of Spades: A World War Two Story
May 19, 2021
New Book
Have completed manuscript for my next novel The Repentant Spy. Now going thru editing and proofing process. Publication date to be announced soon.
