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The Crimes & Crests Saga #1
Blue Swords: Book One of The Crimes & Crests Saga
Imagine if the medieval times had police officers. Now they do, the BLUE SWORDS.The year is 1411; Jep, a wandering peasant, has journeyed to the south in hope to break free from poverty.
On arriving at the vibrant town of Stanford, Jep witnesses what he perceives to be a brutal crime and bravely intervenes. Coming into difficulty, he is aided by a Blue Sword, a prestigious warrior, sworn to uphold the law. Inspired by the Sword’s abilities and social status, Jep goes to try-out and successfully passes to become a Blue Sword.
His first investigation unites him with the Baroness, Lady Ivy, who is desperate to learn the true fate of her missing father, Isaak. Jep reignites the stale case, and the relationship between the Baroness and Jep begins to fall on dangerous ground.
As the death toll rises, the clues dwindle. Jep will need to battle his self-doubt to discover the truth behind the corruption that plagues the town, and his fellow Blue Swords.
Author profits will be donated to the Stroke Association UK.
On arriving at the vibrant town of Stanford, Jep witnesses what he perceives to be a brutal crime and bravely intervenes. Coming into difficulty, he is aided by a Blue Sword, a prestigious warrior, sworn to uphold the law. Inspired by the Sword’s abilities and social status, Jep goes to try-out and successfully passes to become a Blue Sword.
His first investigation unites him with the Baroness, Lady Ivy, who is desperate to learn the true fate of her missing father, Isaak. Jep reignites the stale case, and the relationship between the Baroness and Jep begins to fall on dangerous ground.
As the death toll rises, the clues dwindle. Jep will need to battle his self-doubt to discover the truth behind the corruption that plagues the town, and his fellow Blue Swords.
Author profits will be donated to the Stroke Association UK.
- GenresFantasy
250 pages, Paperback
Published July 17, 2020
About the author
James Horton
2 booksJames Horton left his hometown in rural Lincolnshire to join the police service in London at the age of nineteen. Serving as a police officer in several units, James has had his eyes opened to the highs and lows that comes with serving as a constable.
Suffering a stroke at the age of twenty-seven, James turned to historic action novels to help settle his mind and aid his recovery.
After his recovery, James decided to start writing his own novel, combining a career in the police and his passion of medieval stories. His first book, BLUE SWORDS, the first of The Crimes and Crests Saga has been based on true events, merged with a historic twist.
Author profits for Blue Swords, books 1&2 will be donated to the Stroke Association UK.
James would love to hear from his readers and can be contacted via the bellow link to his author page.
Suffering a stroke at the age of twenty-seven, James turned to historic action novels to help settle his mind and aid his recovery.
After his recovery, James decided to start writing his own novel, combining a career in the police and his passion of medieval stories. His first book, BLUE SWORDS, the first of The Crimes and Crests Saga has been based on true events, merged with a historic twist.
Author profits for Blue Swords, books 1&2 will be donated to the Stroke Association UK.
James would love to hear from his readers and can be contacted via the bellow link to his author page.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 25, 2021
On paper the concept of this book might not appear to work, but it not only does, but does it well.
Jep is a really likable protagonist a young man prone to making the rash mistakes of youth, but he is also brave, honourable with a strong sense of right and wrong. It is his actions just after arriving in town in saving a young woman from a vicious assault that sees him trying out for and ultimately becoming one of the most revered Blue Swords the law enforcement and bastion of justice. His first case as a Blue Sword sees him in over his head as he tries to find a man who has gone missing... Trouble is there are powerful people that want that person to stay missing, worst still the corruption might have spread to his beloved Blue Swords and he is assailed with self doubt . My only slight bug bare was that the women in the story ( with the exception of a young child) seemed to either be there to be idolised or saved sometimes both, but considering this is both a debut novel and the first in a planned series there is plenty of time for a strong female character to make herself felt. Overall this a swift moving barnstormer of a read and I highly recommend it.
Jep is a really likable protagonist a young man prone to making the rash mistakes of youth, but he is also brave, honourable with a strong sense of right and wrong. It is his actions just after arriving in town in saving a young woman from a vicious assault that sees him trying out for and ultimately becoming one of the most revered Blue Swords the law enforcement and bastion of justice. His first case as a Blue Sword sees him in over his head as he tries to find a man who has gone missing... Trouble is there are powerful people that want that person to stay missing, worst still the corruption might have spread to his beloved Blue Swords and he is assailed with self doubt . My only slight bug bare was that the women in the story ( with the exception of a young child) seemed to either be there to be idolised or saved sometimes both, but considering this is both a debut novel and the first in a planned series there is plenty of time for a strong female character to make herself felt. Overall this a swift moving barnstormer of a read and I highly recommend it.
February 17, 2022
great book
A real Sherlock Holmes type mystery. I was surprised by the ending. The characters are well written and I can see them in my mind.
A real Sherlock Holmes type mystery. I was surprised by the ending. The characters are well written and I can see them in my mind.
August 20, 2020
An engaging story.
I enjoyed this easy read, although I found it difficult to warm to the central character.
I dropped a star for this book for 2 reasons. 1, The many mistakes in the book were a little distracting, I hope the future books will be better. 2, I found some of the character decisions odd, sometimes they moved the plot on quicker and sometimes didn't seem to have any relevance to it or the characters personality.
I would still recommended this book to anyone who likes novels based around knightlore etc.
I enjoyed this easy read, although I found it difficult to warm to the central character.
I dropped a star for this book for 2 reasons. 1, The many mistakes in the book were a little distracting, I hope the future books will be better. 2, I found some of the character decisions odd, sometimes they moved the plot on quicker and sometimes didn't seem to have any relevance to it or the characters personality.
I would still recommended this book to anyone who likes novels based around knightlore etc.
August 3, 2021
Wow what a great book this was, I only came about this author due to a Facebook advert, and when I found out that the profits went to the Stroke Association UK I had to buy it.
Enjoyed the story immediately and especially loved seeing my surname in this book thanks to the Cavaliers of Stamford. Would recommend this book to fans of historical fiction and crime fiction.
Enjoyed the story immediately and especially loved seeing my surname in this book thanks to the Cavaliers of Stamford. Would recommend this book to fans of historical fiction and crime fiction.
April 26, 2021
Incredible!
This book was written by a very brave former police officer who suffered sudden illness. You wouldn’t know it from the writing, as it’s absolutely brilliant. Well recommended!
This book was written by a very brave former police officer who suffered sudden illness. You wouldn’t know it from the writing, as it’s absolutely brilliant. Well recommended!
November 7, 2021
A interesting book that just did not flow. Took a while to read and lacked depth, may read next book depending on price !
December 30, 2021
Riviting
Couldn't put it down, it was different to the other medieval books I usually read, but it was very entertaining
Couldn't put it down, it was different to the other medieval books I usually read, but it was very entertaining
January 9, 2022
Loved it!
Well written with a fantastic storyline, very different . Loved the characters . Really easy to read and hard to put down.
Well written with a fantastic storyline, very different . Loved the characters . Really easy to read and hard to put down.
July 31, 2020
Loved it
Not my usual type of book. Absolutely loved it. James is a very talented author and look forward to the next book. Well done Spike
Not my usual type of book. Absolutely loved it. James is a very talented author and look forward to the next book. Well done Spike
September 2, 2020
Has potential. Some things to question.
Ultimately, if there is a book 2, I will probably continue with the series to see what becomes. The premise was interesting and there was a degree of escapism. I look forward to seeing if the detector shows up with some Father Brown type adventures, some side quests, that include some animated characters and troughs, and of course our protagonist. I didn't care for the lack of even one villainous woman. All women were treated on one hand as objects of desire and on the other hand as angels among men. This reverent treatment takes away from a strong female character as there is no such thing in this world as a negative female character to contrast against. I didn't follow [SPOILER] the antagonists motives as they themselves were the acting evil that they preached against in the end. Without their callous actions, the atmosphere would have been less menacing and may have even had a positive effect on the reigning powers that be. Though virtue, morality and faith were hailed, actions among the most moral characters were sinfully justified or left in the air, even with brutal consequences. We'll see what the future holds.
Ultimately, if there is a book 2, I will probably continue with the series to see what becomes. The premise was interesting and there was a degree of escapism. I look forward to seeing if the detector shows up with some Father Brown type adventures, some side quests, that include some animated characters and troughs, and of course our protagonist. I didn't care for the lack of even one villainous woman. All women were treated on one hand as objects of desire and on the other hand as angels among men. This reverent treatment takes away from a strong female character as there is no such thing in this world as a negative female character to contrast against. I didn't follow [SPOILER] the antagonists motives as they themselves were the acting evil that they preached against in the end. Without their callous actions, the atmosphere would have been less menacing and may have even had a positive effect on the reigning powers that be. Though virtue, morality and faith were hailed, actions among the most moral characters were sinfully justified or left in the air, even with brutal consequences. We'll see what the future holds.
February 18, 2021
A really well written debut novel! Can't wait for the next one!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews