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Rowland Sinclair #8
A Dangerous Language
Volunteering his services as a pilot to fly renowned international peace advocate Egon Kisch between Fremantle and Melbourne, Rowland is unaware how hard Australia's new attorney-general will fight to keep the "raging reporter" off Australian soil.
In this, it seems, the government is not alone, as clandestine right-wing militias reconstitute into deadly strike forces.
A Communist agent is murdered on the steps of Parliament House and Rowland finds himself drawn into a dangerous world of politics and assassination.
A disgraced minister, an unidentified corpse and an old flame all bring their own special bedlam.
Once again Rowland Sinclair stands against the unthinkable, with an artist, a poet and a brazen sculptress by his side.
In this, it seems, the government is not alone, as clandestine right-wing militias reconstitute into deadly strike forces.
A Communist agent is murdered on the steps of Parliament House and Rowland finds himself drawn into a dangerous world of politics and assassination.
A disgraced minister, an unidentified corpse and an old flame all bring their own special bedlam.
Once again Rowland Sinclair stands against the unthinkable, with an artist, a poet and a brazen sculptress by his side.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2017
66 people are currently reading
362 people want to read
About the author
Sulari Gentill
26 books1,671 followersOnce upon a time, Sulari Gentill was a corporate lawyer serving as a director on public boards, with only a vague disquiet that there was something else she was meant to do. That feeling did not go away until she began to write. And so Sulari became the author of the Rowland Sinclair Mysteries: thus far, ten historical crime novels chronicling the life and adventures of her 1930s Australian gentleman artist, the Hero Trilogy, based on the myths and epics of the ancient world, and the Ned Kelly Award winning Crossing the Lines (published in the US as After She Wrote Hime). In 2014 she collaborated with National Gallery of Victoria to write a short story which was produced in audio to feature in the Fashion Detective Exhibition, and thereafter published by the NGV. IN 2019 Sulari was part of a 4-member delegation of Australian crime writers sponsored by the Australia Council to tour the US as ambassadors of Australian Crime Writing.
Sulari lives with her husband, Michael, and their boys, Edmund and Atticus, on a small farm in Batlow where she grows French Black Truffles and refers to her writing as “work” so that no one will suggest she get a real job.
THE WOMAN IN THE LIBRARY, Sulari’s latest novel will be released on 7 June 2022.
Sulari lives with her husband, Michael, and their boys, Edmund and Atticus, on a small farm in Batlow where she grows French Black Truffles and refers to her writing as “work” so that no one will suggest she get a real job.
THE WOMAN IN THE LIBRARY, Sulari’s latest novel will be released on 7 June 2022.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
June 13, 2019
I can now say with no embarrassment at all that I absolutely love this series. I also have to pause it at this point because there is only one book left for me to read and I just plain do not want to be finished! I fully intend to buy book nine and let it sit on my shelf for weeks while I look forward to reading it.
I love spending time with all the characters in the books but especially with Rowly and Ed and their silly but wonderful relationship. I love learning about Australia in the 1930's with its corrupt politics and naïve attitude towards the situation in Germany. I love all the historical gems the author includes so splendidly both in the little newspaper extracts and in the story itself. When I finished this book I went online to see the 1934 Chrysler Airflow for myself. Check it out - it is beautiful!
I sincerely hope the author has plans for many more of these books. If not I might just have to go back and read them all again.
I love spending time with all the characters in the books but especially with Rowly and Ed and their silly but wonderful relationship. I love learning about Australia in the 1930's with its corrupt politics and naïve attitude towards the situation in Germany. I love all the historical gems the author includes so splendidly both in the little newspaper extracts and in the story itself. When I finished this book I went online to see the 1934 Chrysler Airflow for myself. Check it out - it is beautiful!
I sincerely hope the author has plans for many more of these books. If not I might just have to go back and read them all again.
May 9, 2020
In 1934, Australia (and the rest of the world) is still not alarmed at the rise of Nazism in Germany. Rowland (Rowly) Sinclair has tried to tell influential people by speaking to them about what he and his friends witnessed recently in Germany in a visit that nearly cost him his life. An exhibition of his art depicting what he saw there was also poorly received. Now he has a chance to escort Hungarian journalist and anti-Nazi activist Egon Kisch to Melbourne to speak at its centenary celebrations. However, the government has other ideas, planning to bar entry into the country of someone they see as a radical communist and agitator.
I love Sulari Gentill's brand of historical mystery. Her thorough and accurate historical research, inclusion of real figures in her books and snippets of current affairs and advice from media of the time all make for a fascinating read. I enjoyed learning about the political climate in Australia during this period leading up to WW2 when communism was perceived to be more of a threat than fascism.
Against this background, Rowly and his friends have plenty to keep them busy. There is Rowly's new car, a beautiful, sleek Chrysler Airflow to replace his beloved Mercedes, the London to Sydney air race, a murder on the steps of Parliament House, a group of thugs out to kill Rowly, as well as an old flame of his turning up out of the blue. Definitely another action packed, suspenseful episode in this fantastic series! 4.5★
With thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley for a copy to read
I love Sulari Gentill's brand of historical mystery. Her thorough and accurate historical research, inclusion of real figures in her books and snippets of current affairs and advice from media of the time all make for a fascinating read. I enjoyed learning about the political climate in Australia during this period leading up to WW2 when communism was perceived to be more of a threat than fascism.
Against this background, Rowly and his friends have plenty to keep them busy. There is Rowly's new car, a beautiful, sleek Chrysler Airflow to replace his beloved Mercedes, the London to Sydney air race, a murder on the steps of Parliament House, a group of thugs out to kill Rowly, as well as an old flame of his turning up out of the blue. Definitely another action packed, suspenseful episode in this fantastic series! 4.5★
With thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley for a copy to read
September 25, 2020
5★
“As he left, Clyde locked the suite door. He spoke to no one on the way out, lest doing so would alert the wrong people that Rowland was alone. Whatever the constables thought, it was clear to him that someone had tried to assassinate Rowland Sinclair.”
Not only Rowland – Milton was a target, too, and if not for his presence of mind, Edna would have been flattened and he would have suffered more than he did.
There is an unfortunate amount of rough and tumble in this, as Rowly tries again to raise the alarm in Australia about who the Nazis really are and that the communists are trying to fight them and all forms of fascism. Stalin gets only the briefest mention, and the good guys call each other Comrade.
Of course this never sits well with Wilfred Sinclair. Wil is Rowly’s conservative older brother, now the family patriarch, and their widowed mother is losing her marbles, albeit charmingly. She thinks she’s 35 or so and is smitten with poet Milt, he of the long hair, cravats, communist scarves and the constant poetic quotes, which he reels off appropriately but without attribution. (Rowly is often heard to mutter “Yeats” or “Byron” under his breath, but never loudly enough to detract from the aptness of the quotation.)
“‘I want you to realise that nothing good can be achieved with radical ideas and dangerous language. Most of all I want you to grow up and stop behaving like a petulant brat!’ Wilfred slammed his fist on the dash. ‘I’m sick of having to rescue you, Rowly. You’re becoming a perpetual disgrace to the name of Sinclair!’
. . .
‘I wasn’t working with the Communists, Wil,’ he said finally. ‘I’m not a Communist. The dangerous language you speak of is the truth. As for growing up, if you mean that I should forget what I know, deny my friends and join the ruddy Country Party… I’m afraid I can’t do that.’”
Milt (the Bohemian poet) together with Edna (the gorgeous sculptress who is also Rowly’s model and true love) and Clyde Watson Jones (a sturdy former farm boy, now landscape painter) live with Rowly at ‘Woodlands’ one of the wealthy Sinclair family’s Sydney mansions. Life with the Sinclairs is all dinner suits and fine cars and staff and five-star hotels.
Egon Kisch is a Czech/Austrian journalist who helped to save the lives of Rowly and his friends when they were escaping the Nazis in Europe. He is on a speaking tour and has been invited to speak in Australia, but the Australian authorities insist he’s a spy. The government has a shameful immigrant policy with trick questions for “undesirables”. They were determined to keep Kisch on the ship on which he arrived in Fremantle, WA, on the west coast of Australia.
Egon Kisch in Melbourne 1934
This story takes Rowly and the others to Canberra, and on to Melbourne to see the end of the MacRobertson Air Race from London to Melbourne, the longest in the world. He wants to beg, borrow or buy the handsome red Comet, one of only three in the world, to fly to Fremantle.
There is some unexpected romantic activity with Rowly becoming closely reacquainted with the girlfriend of his teens. There is the usual banter and loyal affection between the four friends, very different people but all on the same wavelength when it matters. And of course Rowly and Edna are devoted to each other, but she refuses to be other than friends for fear of losing her independence.
I love this series. The author has just the right blend of humour and history, politics and culture. Rowland Sinclair’s family is well-known in the highest social circles. He and his friends are also known in the lowest, where hired thugs are often shadowing them. Dinner suits don't help them there.
Gentill has said she chose this period to write about for a few reasons. I found this article interesting and thought others might enjoy it. It’s from the Canberra Times in 2019, when she explained that writers tend to live in their heads and isolate themselves, and she wanted to avoid some of that.
[My heartfelt thanks to Michael for the history!]
“I actually intentionally looked for a way to bring Michael into my mind so that I wouldn't have to come out of it so often.
Luckily for everyone involved Michael is a historian, his particular area of expertise is the extreme political movements of NSW in the 1930s.
Basically I grabbed his history thesis and I found a novel in it.”
This is the eighth in the series. She admits the similarities between then and now.
“It is so easy to put injustice on the back burner or to talk about it at the dinner table and do nothing because there are so many other things that demand our attention.
What scares me is we know how the 1930s turned out.”
It scares me too.
“As he left, Clyde locked the suite door. He spoke to no one on the way out, lest doing so would alert the wrong people that Rowland was alone. Whatever the constables thought, it was clear to him that someone had tried to assassinate Rowland Sinclair.”
Not only Rowland – Milton was a target, too, and if not for his presence of mind, Edna would have been flattened and he would have suffered more than he did.
There is an unfortunate amount of rough and tumble in this, as Rowly tries again to raise the alarm in Australia about who the Nazis really are and that the communists are trying to fight them and all forms of fascism. Stalin gets only the briefest mention, and the good guys call each other Comrade.
Of course this never sits well with Wilfred Sinclair. Wil is Rowly’s conservative older brother, now the family patriarch, and their widowed mother is losing her marbles, albeit charmingly. She thinks she’s 35 or so and is smitten with poet Milt, he of the long hair, cravats, communist scarves and the constant poetic quotes, which he reels off appropriately but without attribution. (Rowly is often heard to mutter “Yeats” or “Byron” under his breath, but never loudly enough to detract from the aptness of the quotation.)
“‘I want you to realise that nothing good can be achieved with radical ideas and dangerous language. Most of all I want you to grow up and stop behaving like a petulant brat!’ Wilfred slammed his fist on the dash. ‘I’m sick of having to rescue you, Rowly. You’re becoming a perpetual disgrace to the name of Sinclair!’
. . .
‘I wasn’t working with the Communists, Wil,’ he said finally. ‘I’m not a Communist. The dangerous language you speak of is the truth. As for growing up, if you mean that I should forget what I know, deny my friends and join the ruddy Country Party… I’m afraid I can’t do that.’”
Milt (the Bohemian poet) together with Edna (the gorgeous sculptress who is also Rowly’s model and true love) and Clyde Watson Jones (a sturdy former farm boy, now landscape painter) live with Rowly at ‘Woodlands’ one of the wealthy Sinclair family’s Sydney mansions. Life with the Sinclairs is all dinner suits and fine cars and staff and five-star hotels.
Egon Kisch is a Czech/Austrian journalist who helped to save the lives of Rowly and his friends when they were escaping the Nazis in Europe. He is on a speaking tour and has been invited to speak in Australia, but the Australian authorities insist he’s a spy. The government has a shameful immigrant policy with trick questions for “undesirables”. They were determined to keep Kisch on the ship on which he arrived in Fremantle, WA, on the west coast of Australia.
Egon Kisch in Melbourne 1934
This story takes Rowly and the others to Canberra, and on to Melbourne to see the end of the MacRobertson Air Race from London to Melbourne, the longest in the world. He wants to beg, borrow or buy the handsome red Comet, one of only three in the world, to fly to Fremantle.
There is some unexpected romantic activity with Rowly becoming closely reacquainted with the girlfriend of his teens. There is the usual banter and loyal affection between the four friends, very different people but all on the same wavelength when it matters. And of course Rowly and Edna are devoted to each other, but she refuses to be other than friends for fear of losing her independence.
I love this series. The author has just the right blend of humour and history, politics and culture. Rowland Sinclair’s family is well-known in the highest social circles. He and his friends are also known in the lowest, where hired thugs are often shadowing them. Dinner suits don't help them there.
Gentill has said she chose this period to write about for a few reasons. I found this article interesting and thought others might enjoy it. It’s from the Canberra Times in 2019, when she explained that writers tend to live in their heads and isolate themselves, and she wanted to avoid some of that.
[My heartfelt thanks to Michael for the history!]
“I actually intentionally looked for a way to bring Michael into my mind so that I wouldn't have to come out of it so often.
Luckily for everyone involved Michael is a historian, his particular area of expertise is the extreme political movements of NSW in the 1930s.
Basically I grabbed his history thesis and I found a novel in it.”
This is the eighth in the series. She admits the similarities between then and now.
“It is so easy to put injustice on the back burner or to talk about it at the dinner table and do nothing because there are so many other things that demand our attention.
What scares me is we know how the 1930s turned out.”
It scares me too.
July 17, 2019
My goodness I’m loving this series! Poor Rowly – he gets himself into constant trouble every book. This one was particularly nasty, with his brother Wilfred decidedly cross with him!
When Rowland Sinclair and his friends, Edna, Clyde and Milton all arrived at the new capital, Canberra, they were shocked at the death of a person on the steps of Parliament House. Milt had been heading to meet with the man – he kept his distance when the police arrived. But the four friends were in danger as things descended into chaos.
Rowly’s arrival in Melbourne followed by his flight to Fremantle to pick up Egon Kisch was fraught with difficulties. The Communists and the Fascists – a dreadful combination. Kisch had saved Rowly and his friends’ lives earlier; they owed him the same kindness. But could Rowly and Clyde keep him safe? The journey from Fremantle was not one that they would want to repeat…
A Dangerous Language by Aussie author Sulari Gentill is the 8th in the Rowland Sinclair series and it was another excellent episode. Set in the mid 1930s Australia, A Dangerous Language had the characters moving around between Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and Fremantle. Thoroughly enjoyable, with plenty of entertainment throughout, I highly recommend this series (read in order of publication) and definitely this one!
When Rowland Sinclair and his friends, Edna, Clyde and Milton all arrived at the new capital, Canberra, they were shocked at the death of a person on the steps of Parliament House. Milt had been heading to meet with the man – he kept his distance when the police arrived. But the four friends were in danger as things descended into chaos.
Rowly’s arrival in Melbourne followed by his flight to Fremantle to pick up Egon Kisch was fraught with difficulties. The Communists and the Fascists – a dreadful combination. Kisch had saved Rowly and his friends’ lives earlier; they owed him the same kindness. But could Rowly and Clyde keep him safe? The journey from Fremantle was not one that they would want to repeat…
A Dangerous Language by Aussie author Sulari Gentill is the 8th in the Rowland Sinclair series and it was another excellent episode. Set in the mid 1930s Australia, A Dangerous Language had the characters moving around between Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and Fremantle. Thoroughly enjoyable, with plenty of entertainment throughout, I highly recommend this series (read in order of publication) and definitely this one!
February 27, 2024
The 8th book in the Rowland Sinclair series, A Dangerous Language is set in 1934 Australia and captures the unrest felt by the country as trouble continues to build in Europe. Rowland Sinclair has seen firsthand how dangerous the Nazi regime can be and is still determined to try to spread the word as a warning to his fellow countrymen and women. It still appears as though he’s shouting into the wind and, thanks to his friendship with Communists, has been labelled one too.
As this instalment of the Rowland Sinclair series begins, Rowly is in Melbourne checking out a new car, a yellow Chrysler Airflow Eight which he plans to buy to replace his beloved Mercedes, wrecked in a high-speed crash during a race (chronicled in Give the Devil His Due). Along for the ride are Cyde Watson Jones and Milton Isaacs who are both increasingly involved in the Communist movement and are helping prepare for the upcoming Movement Against War and Fascism conference.
He volunteers to fly Hungarian journalist and anti-Nazi activist Egon Kisch from Fremantle to Melbourne in time for the man to speak at the conference. But the Australian government has other ideas about Kisch, seeing him as a Communist agitator and moves to refuse the man entry into the country.
Kisch had been the man who saved Rowly in Berlin when the Nazis abducted him and savagely tortured him. Without Kisch’s intervention, Rowly would surely have been killed and Rowland firmly believes his voice should be heard by Australians.
Once again Rowland finds himself putting his body on the line as local fascists target him and his friends as the enemy who must be stopped, preferably by killing him. Regardless of how altruistic Rowly’s motives are there are plenty of ‘patriots' prepared to go to any lengths to stop him in his tracks.
It seems that Sulari Gentill has well and truly mastered the art of combining high profile historical people, combining them with her own fictional characters and then seamlessly inserting them into history. Whether it’s former prime ministers, overseas journalists or up and coming actors, they all seem to cross Rowly’s path which often happens to steer them onto further greatness or notoriety.
There are some things you can rely on in a Rowland Sinclair mystery and we’re not disappointed here. Milt’s still quoting poetry without attribution (which Rowly quietly adds), Rowland’s mother still calls him Aubrey, his love for Edna remains unrequited and his Brother, Wilfred, continues to disapprove of every move he makes. Actually, the disapproval level manages to achieve new heights which is a pretty impressive feat for Rowland.
The level of violence in A Dangerous Language has also been ramped up to a new level. Clearly the stakes are being raised as the geopolitical stage becomes more unstable and fears on the home front are being stoked. Milt, Clyde and even Rowly are discovering that it’s becoming increasingly dangerous to be a known Communist.
As always through this remains a highly entertaining series filled with clever quips, hair raising moments and some terrific historic references.
As this instalment of the Rowland Sinclair series begins, Rowly is in Melbourne checking out a new car, a yellow Chrysler Airflow Eight which he plans to buy to replace his beloved Mercedes, wrecked in a high-speed crash during a race (chronicled in Give the Devil His Due). Along for the ride are Cyde Watson Jones and Milton Isaacs who are both increasingly involved in the Communist movement and are helping prepare for the upcoming Movement Against War and Fascism conference.
He volunteers to fly Hungarian journalist and anti-Nazi activist Egon Kisch from Fremantle to Melbourne in time for the man to speak at the conference. But the Australian government has other ideas about Kisch, seeing him as a Communist agitator and moves to refuse the man entry into the country.
Kisch had been the man who saved Rowly in Berlin when the Nazis abducted him and savagely tortured him. Without Kisch’s intervention, Rowly would surely have been killed and Rowland firmly believes his voice should be heard by Australians.
Once again Rowland finds himself putting his body on the line as local fascists target him and his friends as the enemy who must be stopped, preferably by killing him. Regardless of how altruistic Rowly’s motives are there are plenty of ‘patriots' prepared to go to any lengths to stop him in his tracks.
It seems that Sulari Gentill has well and truly mastered the art of combining high profile historical people, combining them with her own fictional characters and then seamlessly inserting them into history. Whether it’s former prime ministers, overseas journalists or up and coming actors, they all seem to cross Rowly’s path which often happens to steer them onto further greatness or notoriety.
There are some things you can rely on in a Rowland Sinclair mystery and we’re not disappointed here. Milt’s still quoting poetry without attribution (which Rowly quietly adds), Rowland’s mother still calls him Aubrey, his love for Edna remains unrequited and his Brother, Wilfred, continues to disapprove of every move he makes. Actually, the disapproval level manages to achieve new heights which is a pretty impressive feat for Rowland.
The level of violence in A Dangerous Language has also been ramped up to a new level. Clearly the stakes are being raised as the geopolitical stage becomes more unstable and fears on the home front are being stoked. Milt, Clyde and even Rowly are discovering that it’s becoming increasingly dangerous to be a known Communist.
As always through this remains a highly entertaining series filled with clever quips, hair raising moments and some terrific historic references.
June 8, 2020
A Dangerous Language is the eighth book in the Rowland Sinclair series by award-winning Australian author, Sulari Gentill. Spring 1934 sees Rowland Sinclair and his artistic friends in Canberra. Rowly has just replaced his beloved but written-off Mercedes with a Chrysler Airflow Eight, with which a drive to the ACT will also serve the purpose of delivering Milton Isaacs in situ for a little surveillance job.
Outspoken Czechoslovakian novelist, journalist and activist, Egon Kisch is en route to Australia to address the Movement Against War and Fascism, and timely word of any political moves to bar his entry will allow them to be countered without delay. To that end, Rowly has volunteered to fly Kisch from Fremantle to Melbourne on the quiet. But the best laid plans…
And it seems that some in the nation’s capital are displeased with the presence of Rowly and his left-leaning friends. Milt’s contact is murdered on the steps of Parliament House, and that’s just the beginning of a series of events that put Rowly and his friends in mortal danger, several times.
In this instalment, Gentill again serves up plenty of fascinating historical detail, giving a few famous (and infamous) figures and cameos (and some, more significant roles). There are twists and red herrings aplenty, leading to several exciting climaxes. And as always, the banter between the characters provides plenty of humour.
Also in this instalment, Edna is plagued by a persistent beau while Rowly is targeted for scandalous self-serving scheme by a past passion. A brawl, a hit-and-run accident, assaults with a knife, targeting of communists and sympathisers and, in between all these, Rowly does get to fly a De Haviland Comet. As usual, quite a bit of what he and his friends get up to meets the disapproval of his conservative older brother, Wilfred.
Press clippings of the time that preface the chapters cleverly serve the purpose of providing information related to the text that follows, as well as depicting social attitudes of the era. As always, Gentill effortlessly evokes the era. Once again, a brilliant dose of Australian historical crime fiction. Readers by now hooked will appreciate knowing they can look forward to at least two more instalments of this award-winning series, beginning with All The Tears In China (aka Shanghai Secrets).
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press.
Outspoken Czechoslovakian novelist, journalist and activist, Egon Kisch is en route to Australia to address the Movement Against War and Fascism, and timely word of any political moves to bar his entry will allow them to be countered without delay. To that end, Rowly has volunteered to fly Kisch from Fremantle to Melbourne on the quiet. But the best laid plans…
And it seems that some in the nation’s capital are displeased with the presence of Rowly and his left-leaning friends. Milt’s contact is murdered on the steps of Parliament House, and that’s just the beginning of a series of events that put Rowly and his friends in mortal danger, several times.
In this instalment, Gentill again serves up plenty of fascinating historical detail, giving a few famous (and infamous) figures and cameos (and some, more significant roles). There are twists and red herrings aplenty, leading to several exciting climaxes. And as always, the banter between the characters provides plenty of humour.
Also in this instalment, Edna is plagued by a persistent beau while Rowly is targeted for scandalous self-serving scheme by a past passion. A brawl, a hit-and-run accident, assaults with a knife, targeting of communists and sympathisers and, in between all these, Rowly does get to fly a De Haviland Comet. As usual, quite a bit of what he and his friends get up to meets the disapproval of his conservative older brother, Wilfred.
Press clippings of the time that preface the chapters cleverly serve the purpose of providing information related to the text that follows, as well as depicting social attitudes of the era. As always, Gentill effortlessly evokes the era. Once again, a brilliant dose of Australian historical crime fiction. Readers by now hooked will appreciate knowing they can look forward to at least two more instalments of this award-winning series, beginning with All The Tears In China (aka Shanghai Secrets).
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press.
January 2, 2018
If anybody could point me in the direction of a good condition Chrysler Airflow I'd be very grateful. I know there was one in the 1953 Redex Trial and there were a few in Australia at the time, so surely, somewhere, in somebody's shed... frankly I'm lusting... But I digress, and that's the problem with Sulari Gentill's Rowland Sinclair series, of which A DANGEROUS LANGUAGE is book number 8. It's easy to identify with the perfectly packaged little details, as you find yourself immersed in a time and place that's beautifully described, standing out from the pages, making the things that Sinclair and his companions get up to something you feel a part of. Reading this series is part history lesson, part time spent with good friends, part escapade.
Incorporated into all of these books are elements of fact. A DANGEROUS LANGUAGE continues the tension between Conservatives, Fascists and Communists in Australian Politics. Along the way it interweaves the sad story of the crime that became known as The Pyjama Girl Murder (for a really good outline of that story I can recommend Richard Evan's 2004 book THE PYJAMA GIRL MYSTERY), with that of the bizarre real-life story of Thomas Ley - Australian Politician, convicted murderer in England, into attempts to bring a well-known peace activist and anti-Fascist, Egon Kisch to Australia. Needless to say A DANGEROUS LANGUAGE revolves around a particularly political plot, with murder, mayhem and some hefty doses of romance and romantic shenanigans.
Told, as always, with Gentill's trademark light touch, this is not, however a book that requires the reader to be a political junkie. The history is nicely balanced against the action, and the ongoing development of the close friendship between Rowly and his companions, and the tension between Rowly and his uptight, older brother adds personal touches that don't overwhelm what is, after all, crime fiction at its core. There is a murder in Canberra to be solved. There's a peace activist to get into the country. There's a bunch of thugs to be averted. Along the way all the four companions come under threat, and at points, an under-whelmed older brother's influence is required yet again.
Being book 8 in this wonderful series, A DANGEROUS LANGUAGE is perhaps not the best place for new readers to start. There's so much back-story now to all of the characters, and their idiosyncrasies, that you really need to have started earlier on in the series. To say nothing of understanding all of the history and societal changes that have gone on in these people's lives.
For welded on fans of this series, A DANGEROUS LANGUAGE will not disappoint. On the other hand, if you're new to the series, then I envy you. Each of the books in the Rowland Sinclair series is about as good as historical Australian Crime Fiction is ever going to get.
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/review-dangerous-language-sulari-gentill
September 5, 2017
I would like to thank Netgalley and Pantera Press for an advance copy of A Dangerous Language, the 8th novel in the Rowland Sinclair series set in 1930s Sydney.
Rowlie is enjoying life and his new car when he is approached by the communist party and asked to observe proceedings at the Federal parliament in Canberra on their behalf. He declines as he is not a member of the party but his friend Milton Isaacs who is accepts. All 4 of the friends decide to go to Canberra with Milton to pass the time before Rowlie flies to Freemantle to bring famous communist writer Egon Kisch back to Melbourne before he is barred from entering the country as a subversive. They have hardly arrived in Canberra when the man Milt is to replace is murdered.
I thoroughly enjoyed A Dangerous Language. It is an exciting adventure which blends fiction with historical fact. It is tense in parts when Rowland & co seem to have no way out of dangerous situations but something always happens to save them and it makes for a rip roaring read. I like the mixture of fact and fiction as it gives the novel context and this is enhanced by pertinent excerpts from contemporary newspaper articles which give the reader a real feel for the era.
I must admit that the struggle between Australian fascists and communists, while deadly serious at the time, seems laughable nowadays and this theme didn't really hold my attention. It is interesting to see the polarity between the two positions at the time but not to the extent it occupies in the novel. What I find more interesting is the ruling elite's refusal to believe what Rowlie saw in Germany as true and to shun his paintings of it as left wing propaganda.
I like Rowlie and his friends. They are very "modern" in their left wing politics, disregard for social conventions (unless it upsets Rowlie's straight laced older brother Wilfred) and egalitarianism. They have a real friendship and are like a family in their mutual support. Not one of them lacks courage in doing what they perceive to be the right thing. Unfortunately Wilfred doesn't always view their actions in the same light.
A Dangerous Language is another fine addition to the series which I have no hesitation in recommending as a good read.
Rowlie is enjoying life and his new car when he is approached by the communist party and asked to observe proceedings at the Federal parliament in Canberra on their behalf. He declines as he is not a member of the party but his friend Milton Isaacs who is accepts. All 4 of the friends decide to go to Canberra with Milton to pass the time before Rowlie flies to Freemantle to bring famous communist writer Egon Kisch back to Melbourne before he is barred from entering the country as a subversive. They have hardly arrived in Canberra when the man Milt is to replace is murdered.
I thoroughly enjoyed A Dangerous Language. It is an exciting adventure which blends fiction with historical fact. It is tense in parts when Rowland & co seem to have no way out of dangerous situations but something always happens to save them and it makes for a rip roaring read. I like the mixture of fact and fiction as it gives the novel context and this is enhanced by pertinent excerpts from contemporary newspaper articles which give the reader a real feel for the era.
I must admit that the struggle between Australian fascists and communists, while deadly serious at the time, seems laughable nowadays and this theme didn't really hold my attention. It is interesting to see the polarity between the two positions at the time but not to the extent it occupies in the novel. What I find more interesting is the ruling elite's refusal to believe what Rowlie saw in Germany as true and to shun his paintings of it as left wing propaganda.
I like Rowlie and his friends. They are very "modern" in their left wing politics, disregard for social conventions (unless it upsets Rowlie's straight laced older brother Wilfred) and egalitarianism. They have a real friendship and are like a family in their mutual support. Not one of them lacks courage in doing what they perceive to be the right thing. Unfortunately Wilfred doesn't always view their actions in the same light.
A Dangerous Language is another fine addition to the series which I have no hesitation in recommending as a good read.
February 22, 2021
A Dangerous Language is the eighth book in the Rowland Sinclair series by award-winning Australian author, Sulari Gentill. The audio version is read by Rupert Degas. Spring 1934 sees Rowland Sinclair and his artistic friends in Canberra. Rowly has just replaced his beloved but written-off Mercedes with a Chrysler Airflow Eight, with which a drive to the ACT will also serve the purpose of delivering Milton Isaacs in situ for a little surveillance job.
Outspoken Czechoslovakian novelist, journalist and activist, Egon Kisch is en route to Australia to address the Movement Against War and Fascism, and timely word of any political moves to bar his entry will allow them to be countered without delay. To that end, Rowly has volunteered to fly Kisch from Fremantle to Melbourne on the quiet. But the best laid plans…
And it seems that some in the nation’s capital are displeased with the presence of Rowly and his left-leaning friends. Milt’s contact is murdered on the steps of Parliament House, and that’s just the beginning of a series of events that put Rowly and his friends in mortal danger, several times.
In this instalment, Gentill again serves up plenty of fascinating historical detail, giving a few famous (and infamous) figures and cameos (and some, more significant roles). There are twists and red herrings aplenty, leading to several exciting climaxes. And as always, the banter between the characters provides plenty of humour.
Also in this instalment, Edna is plagued by a persistent beau while Rowly is targeted for scandalous self-serving scheme by a past passion. A brawl, a hit-and-run accident, assaults with a knife, targeting of communists and sympathisers and, in between all these, Rowly does get to fly a De Haviland Comet. As usual, quite a bit of what he and his friends get up to meets the disapproval of his conservative older brother, Wilfred.
Press clippings of the time that preface the chapters cleverly serve the purpose of providing information related to the text that follows, as well as depicting social attitudes of the era. As always, Gentill effortlessly evokes the era. Once again, a brilliant dose of Australian historical crime fiction. Readers by now hooked will appreciate knowing they can look forward to at least two more instalments of this award-winning series, beginning with All The Tears In China (aka Shanghai Secrets).
Outspoken Czechoslovakian novelist, journalist and activist, Egon Kisch is en route to Australia to address the Movement Against War and Fascism, and timely word of any political moves to bar his entry will allow them to be countered without delay. To that end, Rowly has volunteered to fly Kisch from Fremantle to Melbourne on the quiet. But the best laid plans…
And it seems that some in the nation’s capital are displeased with the presence of Rowly and his left-leaning friends. Milt’s contact is murdered on the steps of Parliament House, and that’s just the beginning of a series of events that put Rowly and his friends in mortal danger, several times.
In this instalment, Gentill again serves up plenty of fascinating historical detail, giving a few famous (and infamous) figures and cameos (and some, more significant roles). There are twists and red herrings aplenty, leading to several exciting climaxes. And as always, the banter between the characters provides plenty of humour.
Also in this instalment, Edna is plagued by a persistent beau while Rowly is targeted for scandalous self-serving scheme by a past passion. A brawl, a hit-and-run accident, assaults with a knife, targeting of communists and sympathisers and, in between all these, Rowly does get to fly a De Haviland Comet. As usual, quite a bit of what he and his friends get up to meets the disapproval of his conservative older brother, Wilfred.
Press clippings of the time that preface the chapters cleverly serve the purpose of providing information related to the text that follows, as well as depicting social attitudes of the era. As always, Gentill effortlessly evokes the era. Once again, a brilliant dose of Australian historical crime fiction. Readers by now hooked will appreciate knowing they can look forward to at least two more instalments of this award-winning series, beginning with All The Tears In China (aka Shanghai Secrets).
Read
September 28, 2017‘The 1934 Melbourne International Motor Show was in its final day.’
Rowland Sinclair, Clyde Watson Jones and Milton Isaacs are at the show. Edna Higgins, who prefers not to see ‘grown men reduced to simpering lovesick boys by shiny machines’ has not accompanied them to Melbourne. Rowly has purchased a new car: a Chrysler Airflow. The plan is to pick up Edna at Albury on their way to a house party in Yackandandah. What could possibly go wrong?
Ms Gentill weaves her fiction around facts, and quite a lot was happening in Australia and in Europe in 1934. A visit by Egon Kisch, an internationally renowned peace advocate is planned. It is possible that the government might refuse him entry, or delay his entry so that he cannot speak at the All Australian Congress of the Movement Against War and Fascism to be held at the Port Melbourne Town Hall, Melbourne between the 10th and 12th of November 1934. Rowly volunteers to fly to Perth to bring Kisch to Melbourne. Additionally, Rowly Sinclair is approached by the Communist Party of Australia, which was quite active then, to observe proceedings at the Australian Parliament in Canberra. Rowly refuses: he may be broadly in sympathy with the party, but he’s not a member. Milton Isaacs is, though, and the four friends decide to travel together to Canberra.
Against a backdrop of the struggle between Australian fascists and communists, the MacRobertson Air Race (part of Melbourne’s centenary celebrations), the mystery of the ‘Pyjama Girl ‘ murder, life for Rowly Sinclair and his friends becomes complicated.
There’s a murder in Canberra, on the steps of Parliament House. There’s a woman from Rowly’s past, and a trip to Perth to try to get Egon Kisch into Melbourne before he is banned.
It would be possible to read this novel without reading the earlier books, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Ms Gentill has developed such richly three-dimensional characters that knowledge of their backstories is important as is immersion in the history of the 1930s. At this distance, it may be difficult to understand the struggle between the communists and the fascists within Australia before World War II. And, if you’ve never heard of Egon Kisch and the infamous dictation test, then you might be interested in looking up the Immigration Restriction Act 1901.
‘A Dangerous Language’ is the eighth novel in Ms Gentill’s award winning Rowland Sinclair mystery series, and is set in Australia in 1934. I’d recommend these novels to anyone interested in a mystery series set in the 1930s which uses historical fact as its background.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Pantera Press for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Rowland Sinclair, Clyde Watson Jones and Milton Isaacs are at the show. Edna Higgins, who prefers not to see ‘grown men reduced to simpering lovesick boys by shiny machines’ has not accompanied them to Melbourne. Rowly has purchased a new car: a Chrysler Airflow. The plan is to pick up Edna at Albury on their way to a house party in Yackandandah. What could possibly go wrong?
Ms Gentill weaves her fiction around facts, and quite a lot was happening in Australia and in Europe in 1934. A visit by Egon Kisch, an internationally renowned peace advocate is planned. It is possible that the government might refuse him entry, or delay his entry so that he cannot speak at the All Australian Congress of the Movement Against War and Fascism to be held at the Port Melbourne Town Hall, Melbourne between the 10th and 12th of November 1934. Rowly volunteers to fly to Perth to bring Kisch to Melbourne. Additionally, Rowly Sinclair is approached by the Communist Party of Australia, which was quite active then, to observe proceedings at the Australian Parliament in Canberra. Rowly refuses: he may be broadly in sympathy with the party, but he’s not a member. Milton Isaacs is, though, and the four friends decide to travel together to Canberra.
Against a backdrop of the struggle between Australian fascists and communists, the MacRobertson Air Race (part of Melbourne’s centenary celebrations), the mystery of the ‘Pyjama Girl ‘ murder, life for Rowly Sinclair and his friends becomes complicated.
There’s a murder in Canberra, on the steps of Parliament House. There’s a woman from Rowly’s past, and a trip to Perth to try to get Egon Kisch into Melbourne before he is banned.
It would be possible to read this novel without reading the earlier books, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Ms Gentill has developed such richly three-dimensional characters that knowledge of their backstories is important as is immersion in the history of the 1930s. At this distance, it may be difficult to understand the struggle between the communists and the fascists within Australia before World War II. And, if you’ve never heard of Egon Kisch and the infamous dictation test, then you might be interested in looking up the Immigration Restriction Act 1901.
‘A Dangerous Language’ is the eighth novel in Ms Gentill’s award winning Rowland Sinclair mystery series, and is set in Australia in 1934. I’d recommend these novels to anyone interested in a mystery series set in the 1930s which uses historical fact as its background.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Pantera Press for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
January 10, 2020
Rowly and the gang are confronted by reminders of Germany, and murder.
August 9, 2020
Really just 3.5 stars but I rounded up because I really like the series.
The blurb is excellent--do read it. I really enjoyed the deft way that the author worked Rowland and his friends into Egon Kisch's tour of Australia. [Egon Kisch had a cameo appearance in an earlier book in this series, Paving the New Road]. Once again the author gives the modern reader a good look at the political conflicts bubbling up in Australia in the mid-1930s.
I was not enthusiastic about the sub-plot involving Rowland's former girlfriend. Just ugh. Though the whole episode was almost worth it, just for Wil's reaction.
Though this particular book is not my favorite in the series, I am looking forward to reading the next.
BTW, Rowland's new car is a true work of art. The 1934 Chrysler Airflow is a gem. Check it out.
The blurb is excellent--do read it. I really enjoyed the deft way that the author worked Rowland and his friends into Egon Kisch's tour of Australia. [Egon Kisch had a cameo appearance in an earlier book in this series, Paving the New Road]. Once again the author gives the modern reader a good look at the political conflicts bubbling up in Australia in the mid-1930s.
I was not enthusiastic about the sub-plot involving Rowland's former girlfriend. Just ugh. Though the whole episode was almost worth it, just for Wil's reaction.
Though this particular book is not my favorite in the series, I am looking forward to reading the next.
BTW, Rowland's new car is a true work of art. The 1934 Chrysler Airflow is a gem. Check it out.
October 23, 2021
Rowly Sinclair is an appealing hero. The fact that he's rich, handsome & privileged is offset by his support of bohemian friends, controversial politics & generosity. He's also just enough of a boy scout--upright, loyal, kind, gentlemanly, brave--but not quite perfect. He's a bit rash, charges in to save the day without thinking through the consequences & sometimes lets his family down. And we further sympathize with him because he can have anything he wants except the woman he loves. Congrats to author Sulari Gentill for creating such a memorable & lovable main character for her wonderful historical cozy mystery series! I'm enjoying every episode!
August 6, 2021
I continue to really enjoy this series, so thanks again Patti for recommending it.
This time, Rowland Sinclair and his friends dedicate themselves to bringing Ego Kisch, a real historical figure, to Australia, so that Australians can learn more about what is happening in Europe, especially in Germany under the Nazis, of whom both Kisch and Rowland have been victims. Unusually, it begins with a murder, also historically accurate, that the team initially investigates, but soon lets go because of the bigger issues, one of which is the murder of a Communist associate of Milton's. The goings on take the group to Canberra and the surrounding area, Fremantle, Melbourne, Sydney, Yass, etc. Oh, and Rowland becomes romantically involved with his teenage sweetheart, which brings a whole different aspect to the series.
This time, Rowland Sinclair and his friends dedicate themselves to bringing Ego Kisch, a real historical figure, to Australia, so that Australians can learn more about what is happening in Europe, especially in Germany under the Nazis, of whom both Kisch and Rowland have been victims. Unusually, it begins with a murder, also historically accurate, that the team initially investigates, but soon lets go because of the bigger issues, one of which is the murder of a Communist associate of Milton's. The goings on take the group to Canberra and the surrounding area, Fremantle, Melbourne, Sydney, Yass, etc. Oh, and Rowland becomes romantically involved with his teenage sweetheart, which brings a whole different aspect to the series.
October 31, 2017
Once again Sulari takes you on a non-stop adventure. The only problem is that I read it too quickly and have to wait for the next book.
December 4, 2017
I saw that this was 'Pick of the Week' in the Age yesterday, and I wanted to have not read it so I would have that delightful anticipation all over again. I'm thinking of beginning from 'A few Right Thinking Men' all over again, but I lent it to someone and they haven't returned it 😒
October 15, 2017
And so concludes Book #8 in the Rowland Sinclair Mysteries. Loved this book as I have all in the series. Sulari's mixture of real people and fictional characters holds continuing fascination for me. Also of great interest is the politics of the 1930's which is an education in itself for me as I never had the interest so never learned just how critical the politics were at that time in our history. This story is set in 1934 and we all know now what happened to our world just a few short years later. That is not to say what occurred from 1939 onwards is something that happened over night...so many years before built up to the terrible events now so well known. Thank you Sulari for yet another wonderful book. Rowland, Edna, Milt and Clyde ( oh and not to forget Wilfred) are like old friends now. I look forward to many more adventures.
November 25, 2017
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
If someone had told me that A Dangerous Language was an authentic heretofore unknown classic golden age mystery, I would have no trouble believing it. It's beautifully plotted, taut, and meticulously researched. With most modern period mysteries, there's a polite suspension of disbelief which allows the reader to enter the story in whichever time period whilst reading a modern feeling narrative. This book (and the others in the series) absolutely resonate with the spirit of the 1930s. I was transported. Terribly trite, but the settings and story really came alive for me.
There is something very quintessentially Australian about this book. Many (most?) of the wealthy social upper class in Australia still had close ties to England, and that's the case with Rowland. He's on the outs with his ultra traditional (stuffy!) brother, Wilfred, who disapproves heartily of Rowland's bohemian friends, and feels that Rowland's escapades are willfully designed to embarrass.
Sinclair is affluent, self-deprecating and genuinely likeable. He's loyal to his friends and dashing and not above a bit of derring-do and can be relied upon in a tight spot. With fascists and anti-communist thugs as well as disapproving family members and an old flame trying to make life difficult, Rowly and company have their work cut out for them.
Such a fun read. The dialogue is wonderfully written and pitch perfect. There are sidebar news bits providing current (1934) headlines and backstory history along with an epilogue at the end of the book with real-life backstory, with which I was previously unfamiliar. The historical sidebars and chapter intros make up roughly 10% of the page content and are cleverly interwoven into the plot seamlessly.
Five stars, brilliantly written, flawlessly executed. I want to go re-read the series now.
As an aside. I do think the book could be read as a standalone, but definitely benefits from being read as part of the series.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher.
If someone had told me that A Dangerous Language was an authentic heretofore unknown classic golden age mystery, I would have no trouble believing it. It's beautifully plotted, taut, and meticulously researched. With most modern period mysteries, there's a polite suspension of disbelief which allows the reader to enter the story in whichever time period whilst reading a modern feeling narrative. This book (and the others in the series) absolutely resonate with the spirit of the 1930s. I was transported. Terribly trite, but the settings and story really came alive for me.
There is something very quintessentially Australian about this book. Many (most?) of the wealthy social upper class in Australia still had close ties to England, and that's the case with Rowland. He's on the outs with his ultra traditional (stuffy!) brother, Wilfred, who disapproves heartily of Rowland's bohemian friends, and feels that Rowland's escapades are willfully designed to embarrass.
Sinclair is affluent, self-deprecating and genuinely likeable. He's loyal to his friends and dashing and not above a bit of derring-do and can be relied upon in a tight spot. With fascists and anti-communist thugs as well as disapproving family members and an old flame trying to make life difficult, Rowly and company have their work cut out for them.
Such a fun read. The dialogue is wonderfully written and pitch perfect. There are sidebar news bits providing current (1934) headlines and backstory history along with an epilogue at the end of the book with real-life backstory, with which I was previously unfamiliar. The historical sidebars and chapter intros make up roughly 10% of the page content and are cleverly interwoven into the plot seamlessly.
Five stars, brilliantly written, flawlessly executed. I want to go re-read the series now.
As an aside. I do think the book could be read as a standalone, but definitely benefits from being read as part of the series.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher.
July 18, 2018
4 1/2 stars. I really enjoyed this, the third I have read in the Rowland Sinclair series. The books have a similar feel to Kerry Greenwood's Phyrne Fisher, exceedingly wealthy and attractive protagonist, all the latest cars, planes, etc, and down to earth friends, but Gentill's books have more depth. I liked the history of Canberra in #8, and background of fascism and communism in Australia.
September 28, 2017
Review originally posted on A Keyboard and an Open Mind September 29, 2017:
Leaping into the eighth book in a series without having read the others is a risk. I have to admit the main reason I picked this ARC up on NetGalley was because I had seen Sulari Gentill host a panel at the recent Canberra Writer’s Festival and was interested to sample her writing. I think I probably would have been a bit more engaged had I been familiar with the core cast of characters from books one through seven, but this book was enjoyable nonetheless.
In 1930s Australia, Rowland Sinclair finds himself caught up in intrigues between the government, and Fascist and Communist factions when he agrees to help a notorious anti-Fascist speaker get into Australia before the government can ban him. The journey takes him across Australia and nearly gets him killed on more than one occasion.
I enjoyed the characters in this far more than the mystery or the political machinations, really. The core cast are a really fun bunch, and hopeless romantic that I am, I also really enjoyed watching Rowly wrestle with romantic feelings and other related entanglements. I did enjoy the way Gentill wove actual historical events into the story, though at the same time, I am never quite sure how to feel about actual historical figures as characters in novels.
There were two murders featured in the story, though they felt like window dressing for the political machinations, which seemed to be more of the focus. For a significant portion of the book, there was no focus on either death. One of them was solved towards the end, but the other one was just concluded via a note in the epilogue, and I think was mostly there to create some tension at the beginning of the story, when Rowland and his friends thought the victim might have been their friend and colleague, Edna. Once it was established that Edna was safe, there was no real reason for the main characters to give the death any more than a passing interest.
That sort of peripheral focus on the murders is something I am not sure isn’t a feature of the series. I have no idea what form the mysteries take in the other books and so I don’t know if it is just that I wasn’t used to it, being a newbie. Ditto the excerpts from newspapers and other publications of the time at the beginning of each chapter. I have no idea if this is a stylistic feature present in all the books; if it is, I would probably bear with it a bit more, though as it was, I felt they weren’t always necessary and at times, I even skipped them.
Still, I can definitely see why this is a popular series, especially with those who are big readers of historical fiction.
(Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing a free copy of this book in exchange for a review)
(This review is part of the Australian Women Writers Challenge 2017. Click here for more information).
Leaping into the eighth book in a series without having read the others is a risk. I have to admit the main reason I picked this ARC up on NetGalley was because I had seen Sulari Gentill host a panel at the recent Canberra Writer’s Festival and was interested to sample her writing. I think I probably would have been a bit more engaged had I been familiar with the core cast of characters from books one through seven, but this book was enjoyable nonetheless.
In 1930s Australia, Rowland Sinclair finds himself caught up in intrigues between the government, and Fascist and Communist factions when he agrees to help a notorious anti-Fascist speaker get into Australia before the government can ban him. The journey takes him across Australia and nearly gets him killed on more than one occasion.
I enjoyed the characters in this far more than the mystery or the political machinations, really. The core cast are a really fun bunch, and hopeless romantic that I am, I also really enjoyed watching Rowly wrestle with romantic feelings and other related entanglements. I did enjoy the way Gentill wove actual historical events into the story, though at the same time, I am never quite sure how to feel about actual historical figures as characters in novels.
There were two murders featured in the story, though they felt like window dressing for the political machinations, which seemed to be more of the focus. For a significant portion of the book, there was no focus on either death. One of them was solved towards the end, but the other one was just concluded via a note in the epilogue, and I think was mostly there to create some tension at the beginning of the story, when Rowland and his friends thought the victim might have been their friend and colleague, Edna. Once it was established that Edna was safe, there was no real reason for the main characters to give the death any more than a passing interest.
That sort of peripheral focus on the murders is something I am not sure isn’t a feature of the series. I have no idea what form the mysteries take in the other books and so I don’t know if it is just that I wasn’t used to it, being a newbie. Ditto the excerpts from newspapers and other publications of the time at the beginning of each chapter. I have no idea if this is a stylistic feature present in all the books; if it is, I would probably bear with it a bit more, though as it was, I felt they weren’t always necessary and at times, I even skipped them.
Still, I can definitely see why this is a popular series, especially with those who are big readers of historical fiction.
(Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing a free copy of this book in exchange for a review)
(This review is part of the Australian Women Writers Challenge 2017. Click here for more information).
June 14, 2020
It is 1934 Australia, and as Hitler gains power in Europe, the conservative ruling forces of this island nation are wary of any intrusion by speakers from outside the country who might cause trouble. In particular, they don’t want to hear from a left-leaning advocate for world peace.
Author Sulari Gentill skillfully has blended actual historical personalities and events into A DANGEROUS LANGUAGE, her eighth adventure with our hero, artist Rowland Sinclair. This time, she turns the history behind the real-life banning of a renowned international peace advocate, Czech journalist Egon Kisch, into a page-turning thriller as Rowly seeks to bring him to a Melbourne rally to speak out against Hitler.
To the constant exasperation of his brother Wilfred, Rowly is more likely to act from his heart rather than his head. Wil habitually turns up his nose at Rowly’s Woodlands mansion entourage. An artist at heart and fabulously wealthy by birth, Rowly’s friends include the beautiful Edna, a model for his famous nude portraits; Milton, a charming ersatz poet with leftist leanings; and Clyde, a pragmatic young fellow who comes in handy in any brawl that might arise or when Rowly’s sports cars break down. Wil openly disapproves of Rowly’s lifestyle, associates and career choice; he lives in the other Sinclair estate near the nation’s capital, where he is politically and financially involved.
In A DANGEROUS LANGUAGE, Rowly quite literally owes his life to Kisch, who smuggled him out of Germany after having been held captive, nearly murdered and forcefully tattooed with a swastika by his Nazi captors (in GENTLEMEN FORMALLY DRESSED).
A lawyer by education, but fortuitously a historian by chance and an award-winning author by choice, Gentill has produced eight historically accurate yet thoroughly enjoyable novels. She has created a cast of characters who romp through these books with adventuresome joy backed by solid research into a perilous era, introduced in each chapter through brief cuts from real news articles of the times. Rowly can be found dining with a young Winston Churchill, and trading insights with H. G. Wells and other famous sages of nearly a century past.
Gentill is a real find, and fans of historical fiction and murder mysteries will consider her treasure trove of novels to be a rich discovery, especially during these challenging times.
Reviewed by Roz Shea
Author Sulari Gentill skillfully has blended actual historical personalities and events into A DANGEROUS LANGUAGE, her eighth adventure with our hero, artist Rowland Sinclair. This time, she turns the history behind the real-life banning of a renowned international peace advocate, Czech journalist Egon Kisch, into a page-turning thriller as Rowly seeks to bring him to a Melbourne rally to speak out against Hitler.
To the constant exasperation of his brother Wilfred, Rowly is more likely to act from his heart rather than his head. Wil habitually turns up his nose at Rowly’s Woodlands mansion entourage. An artist at heart and fabulously wealthy by birth, Rowly’s friends include the beautiful Edna, a model for his famous nude portraits; Milton, a charming ersatz poet with leftist leanings; and Clyde, a pragmatic young fellow who comes in handy in any brawl that might arise or when Rowly’s sports cars break down. Wil openly disapproves of Rowly’s lifestyle, associates and career choice; he lives in the other Sinclair estate near the nation’s capital, where he is politically and financially involved.
In A DANGEROUS LANGUAGE, Rowly quite literally owes his life to Kisch, who smuggled him out of Germany after having been held captive, nearly murdered and forcefully tattooed with a swastika by his Nazi captors (in GENTLEMEN FORMALLY DRESSED).
A lawyer by education, but fortuitously a historian by chance and an award-winning author by choice, Gentill has produced eight historically accurate yet thoroughly enjoyable novels. She has created a cast of characters who romp through these books with adventuresome joy backed by solid research into a perilous era, introduced in each chapter through brief cuts from real news articles of the times. Rowly can be found dining with a young Winston Churchill, and trading insights with H. G. Wells and other famous sages of nearly a century past.
Gentill is a real find, and fans of historical fiction and murder mysteries will consider her treasure trove of novels to be a rich discovery, especially during these challenging times.
Reviewed by Roz Shea
June 17, 2020
"A Dangerous Language" is a mystery/suspense set in late Fall of 1934 in Australia. This is the eighth novel in a series. You don't have to read the previous books in order to follow this one, and this book did not spoil the previous books. Murders seem to happen whenever Rowley and his friends are around, so the first part of the story involved trying to solve the murders. The mystery was a clue-based. Rowley and his friends asked questions, followed up on clues, and passed on information to the police.
A second thread in the story was that Rowley's determined to get a foreign journalist to a speaking engagement on time because this journalist has seen what's happening in Nazi Germany. No one's listening to Rowley's warnings, but maybe they'll listen to the journalist. However, there are a lot of people who don't want this man to even enter Australia. Rowley and his friends worked together to keep the man alive so that he had a chance to be heard. Interesting historical details (especially surrounding this man's arrival in Australia) were woven into the the story. The main characters were interesting, engaging people. There was a fair amount of bad language. There were no sex scenes. Overall, I'd recommend this interesting, suspenseful novel.
I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
A second thread in the story was that Rowley's determined to get a foreign journalist to a speaking engagement on time because this journalist has seen what's happening in Nazi Germany. No one's listening to Rowley's warnings, but maybe they'll listen to the journalist. However, there are a lot of people who don't want this man to even enter Australia. Rowley and his friends worked together to keep the man alive so that he had a chance to be heard. Interesting historical details (especially surrounding this man's arrival in Australia) were woven into the the story. The main characters were interesting, engaging people. There was a fair amount of bad language. There were no sex scenes. Overall, I'd recommend this interesting, suspenseful novel.
I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
June 21, 2020
My fascination for this author is that I can never reconcile in my head the image she conjures with 1920's style Melbourne and Sydney with the present day cities as I find them. My children are immigrants who have been there for a while but still you look at life in a slightly different angle. Sulari Gentill's angle fascinates.
We have Rowland Sinclair aristocratic but simple, and his cohorts a mixed bunch if ever there was one from the bohemian to the communist. All raging red flags to his conservative brother who feels the respectability of the Sinclair name must be maintained at all costs though what Rowland does is actually nothing disgraceful. The idea of not having anything about the family in the gutter press is the worst thing that could happen to the Sinclairs and this time around, Rowland outbeats all his previous endeavours !
I loved the quick pace of the story, the characterization of everyone and the settings for this story covering several cities in Australia.
History of early 20th century Australia at its best.
We have Rowland Sinclair aristocratic but simple, and his cohorts a mixed bunch if ever there was one from the bohemian to the communist. All raging red flags to his conservative brother who feels the respectability of the Sinclair name must be maintained at all costs though what Rowland does is actually nothing disgraceful. The idea of not having anything about the family in the gutter press is the worst thing that could happen to the Sinclairs and this time around, Rowland outbeats all his previous endeavours !
I loved the quick pace of the story, the characterization of everyone and the settings for this story covering several cities in Australia.
History of early 20th century Australia at its best.
November 7, 2021
One of my favorite series set in 1930's Australia when scarily Fascism was becoming politically popular. As usual the author perfectly blends a fictional mystery with historical characters and events. Half the fun is reading the beginning of each chapter and the real newspaper articles from the 1930's that forshadow the plot and give the reader an entertaining history lesson.
This series can be disturbing but enough humor is included in the dialogue that it's impossible not to fall in love with Rowly and his disreputable friends (society's and Rowly's older brother's opinion not mine!): Edna, Clyde and Milton.
Here's one of my favorite quotes which is a conversation between the wealthy Rowland and Clyde, who grew up in humble surroundings:
"What did they sound like, Rowly?” “What do you mean?” “Were they likely to have been your lot, or workers?” Rowland tried to remember. Men tended to swear with the same inflection. “It was hardly ‘I say, Sinclair old bean, you’re a dead fellow’…but I think they were what you keep insisting is my lot.” “Don’t be offended, Rowly—the Good Lord wouldn’t have given you all poncy accents if He didn’t want us to tell the difference.” LOL!
As I was reading this I also listened to the wonderful Audio narration by Rupert Degas.
Highly recommend!
This series can be disturbing but enough humor is included in the dialogue that it's impossible not to fall in love with Rowly and his disreputable friends (society's and Rowly's older brother's opinion not mine!): Edna, Clyde and Milton.
Here's one of my favorite quotes which is a conversation between the wealthy Rowland and Clyde, who grew up in humble surroundings:
"What did they sound like, Rowly?” “What do you mean?” “Were they likely to have been your lot, or workers?” Rowland tried to remember. Men tended to swear with the same inflection. “It was hardly ‘I say, Sinclair old bean, you’re a dead fellow’…but I think they were what you keep insisting is my lot.” “Don’t be offended, Rowly—the Good Lord wouldn’t have given you all poncy accents if He didn’t want us to tell the difference.” LOL!
As I was reading this I also listened to the wonderful Audio narration by Rupert Degas.
Highly recommend!
July 28, 2022
Wealthy, impetuous young artist Rowland Sinclair is not a communist, but the journalist Egon Kisch, who is, once helped save his life, and he is determined to help Kisch speak at an Australian anti-Fascist conference. In the endeavor to do this, he is stabbed, beaten up, set upon, and must hire a plane to fly long distances across the Australian countryside, with the help of his friend Clyde Watson-Smith, a fellow artist who is a communist. Sinclair must also fight off the seductions of his first love, who has returned to Australia determined to start an affair with him. (Well, he doesn't fight her off very effectively.) The plot is rather convoluted, but one doesn't read this series primarily for plot, but for the characters and background.
July 12, 2021
2021 bk 208. This book involves politics at the highest level in Australia. Pressed into service to learn what the government plans to do about an upcoming visit by a renowned Communist to the Australian Communist Party Convention, Isaacs first find is his deceased predecessor. Rowley is pulled into the Communist plotting by the fact that he can fly - and is asked to escort the speaker by plane from Freemantle to Sydney. The guest speaker is the man who saved their lives in Germany and what else can Rowley do but agree. There are definitely pro-Nazi forces that have not forgiven Rowley for his interference in their plans to take over Australia that want to see him dead. Well put together.
January 20, 2018
This wonderful series continues to effortlessly blend historical characters from Australia of the 1930s with a group of delightful fictional characters while somehow dealing with a murder mystery at the same time. The setting for this one is the attempt of the government at the time to prevent anti-fascist Egon Kisch from landing on Australian soil and addressing the people. I’m hoping there will be many more books to come.
January 2, 2018
For lovers of murder, politics and Australian history. This novel weaves our hero into the story of Canberra, the rise of fascism, and those working to expose it. It mixes fiction with real characters including a murderous MP and brings this era to light with a real affection for the period and a clear eye for the momentous events building throughout the world and the parallels today.
June 7, 2020
I love Rowland Sinclair Mysteries and this was as good as all the instalment in this series. As the other ones it's wonderfully written, well researched and with a great cast of characters.
The historical background is an important part of the plot and it's always full of details and very accurate.
Strongly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC
The historical background is an important part of the plot and it's always full of details and very accurate.
Strongly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC
March 24, 2024
Maybe 3.5 but not a 4 for me. I enjoyed the history of the period. I didn’t have any idea of the politics in Australia at the time. I felt the crimes were not very interesting and the interactions among Wil and Rowland and his crew were just about the same as in previous books. It was just okay.
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