Dutch Courage

Max Rydal #4

by Elizabeth Darrell

A Max Rydal Military Mystery - The truth must be told; blinkers removed from eyes. Thats the message sent anonymously to Sam Collier, a helicopter pilot decorated for bravery in Afghanistan. When a campaign of harassment is then mounted against his wife, she turns to Max Rydal of Special Investigation Branch for help. As Max probes into the lives of this seemingly ideal couple, he discovers dark undercurrents, which are liable to engulf him . . .

Genres: Mystery

352 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

A pseudonym used by Edna Dawes and Emma Drummond.

Reviews

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first Max Rydal Military Mystery. The author herself having served as a British Officer in the British Military obviously knows what she is writing about.

Story: The British Special Investigation Branch in Germany (this takes place at a Base in Germany) are called in by a wife who alleges that she and her husband are being harassed and she is worried about her husband. As the investigation starts, her husband is brutally attacked, and while recovering in hospital he denies he has no idea why.

Along the way a doctor is accused of sexual harassment, and blackmail rears it's ugly head.

This book delves into the lives of several of the Special Branches families and how they are, and are not dealing with military life. I enjoyed it, especially as it had a good ending. I hate those cliff hangers, and depressing endings! This book leaves the reader saying, good book, will get the next one.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though the military stories are quite well-done and the Afghanistan aspects are painful and revealing and the central idea in each book is interesting, the plots are a bit hard to follow and Max Rydal never comes to life for me—if I were to have lunch with him I’d have no idea what to talk about, he’s remained a shadowy figure through the three novels I’ve read—I wish he’d been fleshed out. In fact, all the main characters sort of blend into each other and I’d have a hard time passing a quiz on their individualities. And remembering just what each book was about ...

[Basia Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Severn House British mystery featuring Max Rydell, a British mylitary officer with the Red Caps. Very topical and informative regarding mylitary problems and views of those engaged in current wars.

[Ray Noyes · Rating 1 out of 5]

A disappointment. An overly simple plot with lightweight characterisation.