Though The Heavens May Fall

Amos Hawke #1

by E.V. Thompson

1856. When three men are murdered in Cornwall Amos Hawke is sent to investigate. He finds lodgings with one of the murdered men's wives - and her daughter, Talwyn. But while Amos's relationship with Talwyn gets off to a bad start, she is to prove crucial in helping him bring her father's killers to justice.

484 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Ernest Victor Thompson was born in London and spent nine years in the Navy before joining Bristol police. He moved to Hong Kong, then Rhodesia and had over 200 stories published before returning to England in 1970 to become a full-time award-winning writer.

He settled in Cornwall, living at Idle Cottage in Sharptor.

He wrote 42 historical novels, mostly set in Cornwall, beginning with 'Chase the Wind' in 1977, a book that was voted the best historical novel of the year, with detectives Churchyard and Hawke two of his main characters.

He was awarded the MBE in the 2012 New Years' Honours list for services to literature and the community in Cornwall. He was also a Bard of the Cornish Gorsedd (Gorsedh Kernow). This is an individual honoured for significant contributions to the Cornish language, culture, or heritage.

He also wrote the Scottish historical epic 'Homeland' in 1991 under the pseudonym James Munro.

He died peacefully, with his wife, Celia, and two sons, Nathan and Luke, by his side, at his home in Launceston, Cornwall, on 19 July 2021, shortly after his 81st birthday.

Reviews

[Eva · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ensivilkaisulta E.V. Thompsonilla on käsissään hyvän historiallisen romaanin ainekset: tarpeeksi eläväiset päähenkilöt, uskottava tapahtumaympäristö ja murhamysteeri ratkaistavaksi. Harmi vain, että näistä aineksista ei saada aikaan mitään keskinkertaista lukukokemusta kummempaa. Pettymys on suuri siksikin, että kirjan mahtipontinen nimi lupailee paljon, mutta sisältö ei vastaakaan odotuksia.

"Though The Heavens May Fall" alkaa vetävänä jännärinä, mutta ei oikein saa tuulta siipiensä alle. Tuskin lukija on ehtinyt romaanin puoliväliin, kun hän voi jo arvata loppuratkaisun, etenkin tarinan pääparin osalta. Historiallisessa kuvauksessa tai juonessa ei sinänsä ole mitään vikaa, mutta Thompsonin kompastuskiveksi muodostuvat lopultakin simppelit hahmot ja täydellinen ennalta-arvattavuus. Hyvä voittaa ja paha saa palkkansa tässä mustavalkoisessa maailmassa. Lukija jää turhaan odottamaan dekkariin kuuluvaa loppuhuipennusta, eivätkä Amos Hawken jahtaamat rikollisetkaan ole kovin pahoja poikia. Kyseessä on nimenomaan romanttinen seikkailu komeissa kulisseissa. Juuri sellainen tarina, josta saisi näyttävän elokuvan ilman sen kummempia tavoitteita kuin ihmisten viihdyttäminen sateisena syysiltana.

"Though the Heavens May Fall" sopinee englannin harjoitukseksi suomalaisille lukijoille ja kevyeksi iltalukemiseksi kenelle tahansa historiallisista seikkailuista kiinnostuneille. Suuria elämyksiä on turha odottaa, mutta pääseepähän hetkeksi Cornwallin rannikolle...

[David Gill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy holiday read, but a bit predictable.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the way this novel developed. The geographical and historical settings were convincing and the quality of language is superb.

When I was about 50 pages in this is what I thought: This is a promising start. In the first 6 chapters many of the central characters have been met.
The central one being Amos Hawke, who has arrived in Cornwall to assist with tracking down the murderer of 3 people. I love the descriptive language: A quote: "When Amos rode along the narrow lane to keep his first rendezvous....a quarter-moon was playing hide and seek with the cirrus cloud that peppered the night sky."

By page 250: The early promise of a good story was certainly developing.
" You see, I am a friend of the London detective who was shot......I would hate you to cheat justice by dying before the judge makes an example of you".
The characters are believable and the quality of the descriptive writing is making this an enjoyable book to read.

If you enjoy regional based historical fiction this is worth a read.It has convinced me that I want to read the 9 book Retallick Saga, by this author.

[Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was a bit disappointed with book. I found his hero very wooden, not in the slightest romantic, the 'love' scenes were very poor it was as though Amos was addressing a political meeting! I don't think he would have been much fun. I also thought that Tamlyn and her mother would have been more devastated at the murder of their husband and father. It was as though he used up all his imagination in the murder plot and left nothing over for the romantic strand of his story - he could have left it out altogether. Good plot but very poor characters.

[Andrew Thelander · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found the plot to be too predictable and the protagonist, Amos, too perfect. I would also have liked to have been given more of a picture of Cornwall and its social tensions. The villain brothers remained stereotypical for me although something certainly moulded them into the bullies they became. But we never learned much about them as people - not even on the gallows. A holiday read for me.

[Ena Weverink · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was a cute story; somewhat contrived but still a nice, clean story that included a murder mystery and romance. While not great literature, this book may appeal to a younger reader who likes the challenge of a full novel but isn't mature enough for adult content.

[Raine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Great mix of characters and action. Don't go looking for security, drugs and rock and roll. Just a good old fashion story!

[Jenni · Rating 3 out of 5]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/12918158

[Les Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very easy and enjoyable read.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I only have one more E.V.Thompson book to read - I so enjoyed his writing, and this one did not let me down