Murder in Java

RJ & Sandringham #4

by Richard Garner, Richard McDowall

Former British Special Boat Service commando Major John Sandringham is now valet and bodyguard to a wealthy industrialist.

Once a man of principle, Sandringham has entered into a world of darkness and seemingly abandoned his old code of honour. With loyalties tested to their limits, can his employers help him overcome recent tragedies and the demons that follow him? Or will the major’s descent into debauchery be dangerously irreversible?

From the rains of England to the tropical heat of Indonesia, from the financial districts of central Europe to the remotest part of Siberia, Richard Garner’s Murder in Java is a tense thriller of continually unfolding drama.

369 pages, Unknown Binding

First published July 13, 2015

Reviews

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder in Java is my first Richard Garner novel. I can't put my finger on why exactly it's a page turner except to say the novel is a good escapist kind of story. Garner pulls you into the characters, locations and scenes. Sandringham and RJ's family remind me a bit of the Pendergast gang always getting into adventures. Lord Hudson, RJ's Uncle is a tool-a difficult old codger. The bad guys in the story are reminiscent of Bond tales & are very vicious. The story clipped along and kept my interest. I will be looking for the other books in the series and any future stories that come out.

I won this novel in the Goodreads giveaway.

[Krista · Rating 2 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. Although I did read the book, it has a great deal of gruesome details that I didn’t care for and didn’t advance the story. I haven’t read any of the series so I could only fill in the details of the series, but even then, I have no inclination to read any more-

[Elizabeth White · Rating 1 out of 5]

Right away I tagged this book as self-published and in dire need of heavy editing. The first paragraph contained the fluff words "very" and "rather". It needed livening up by eliminating unnecessary words and restructuring the sentences to make them more concise. William Strunk Jr's advice in Elements of Style was not followed here. "Vigorous writing is concise. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences...every word should tell". The author needs to learn to tell. Instead of saying, "Lady Patricia walked into the very large and rather ornate kitchen and looked at the clock on the wall. It read 6:30 a.m.", describe details that make the reader see the ornateness and feel the largeness. Say something like, "When Lady Patricia walked into the room the clock read 6:30 a.m.

I did not find RJ's backstory convincing. Yes, a four year old can remember past traumatic events. But no, not that someone brought in a tray with three plates of grilled chicken breast and pasta - with the pasta being brought to life with a deep-red spicy tomato sauce. I doubt that a four year old could identify cinnamon and pepper as the ingredients that made the sauce spicy. He would remember the horror and fear of seeing his parents killed, but that was not "shown" adequately.

How RJ survived the plane was not explained. It all seems implausible.

And the clichés and trite phrases! "My computer teacher took a shine to me." Ugh!

Like I say, much editing should have been done before publishing.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

i won this book ages ago and have not yet received it so I am unable to give a review at this time. I hope i get it soon because I'm really looking forward to reading it.

I finally got Murder in Java by Richard Garner as a goodreads win and a signed copy at that. It was fabulous. It is the 4th book with the characters RJ and Sandringham but a stand alone. I like the idea that there was enough of a synopsis in the book that gave a background on the characters so you could know what was going on. RJ is a 19 year old rich kid who has had a very horrible youth with Major Sandringham as his personal valet. The story is full of intrigue, murder and mayhem and the trials and tribulations that help bring back Sandringham to his former self. The 2 men are very tight in their relationship and will do anything to save the other.

I look forward to reading the other 3 books by Mr. Garner and any others that he puts out. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes a good murder mystery.

Cheers

[Delta · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not entirely sure what to think about this book. A part of me thought it was ridiculous and a part of me thought it was well written action. Our two main characters are basically Bruce Wayne/Batman and Alfred/Sherlock Holmes. I had a hard time understanding what happened in the first three books and, as such, it took a lot longer for me to connect with the characters. The over-the-top Red Skull-esque villain came a bit out of nowhere. Despite all of this, the action scenes were very well written and I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. I'm sure this is right up some people's alley, but I'm not sure if it was up mine.

**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**

[Dessy Rachmawati · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is part of the other series of RJ & Sandringham. It started out with the journey back for refuel the spirits of RJ's adventure partner - Sandringham back into track with the trainings. But, in accidentally had to stopped by in Indonesia, where the actually of some more interesting adventures started out.
It has a lot of mysteries among their adventures. Had a lovely way of making the puzzles out of the adventure journey they had.

Love the endings that comes to myself to think what will be the next adventure of RJ & Sandringham ? For sure.

I will be looking forward to read next series.

[Laura Davies · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book in a give-away :)

From reading the blurb I wasn't sure what to expect as I normally don't enjoy action and crime book, however, this came as a pleasant surprise.

I enjoyed the relationship between the two male protagonists and how they were willing to do anything for each other

The only issues I have with this story is that some of the action scenes are a bit far fetched and unbelievable.

Overall I enjoyed reading this book, was a bit meaty at first but a pleasant read with plenty of twists and turns to keep readers on their toes. I look forward to reading the others in this series

[Jenny McDowall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 4th book in the RJ & Sandringham's series, that I have been waiting for since last year, and finally it's worth the wait.

The book is longer than the previous 3 in the series.With some sequences of mysteries added the curiosity that made me keep reading on, until I didn't realize that its the last chapter. Once again I can't wait for next book!

GREAT BOOK, congratulation to The Author!,

[Terrell Solano · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book in Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review.

I LOVED this book. The lead characters are thoroughly enjoyable, the plot engaging and fun! I am reminded a bit of a 007 theme and had a hard time putting it down! Definitely worth the read!

[Emiley Allen Bowes · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 STARS Great cover, colorful and eye grabbing. James Bond has nothing on these guys. The Valet and the Samuri. RJ is the secret weapon, brains and speed. This book will hold you spellbound from beginning till end. Thanks to goodreads for the ARC>

[rooss Just · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent book