I have not yet read the earlier books 1-4, so perhaps starting with this one where we have a fully formed main character of Sir Richard Blackstone battling all his French and English enemies in very detailed and often very gory battles may have been a mistake. However, the author in expectation of casual readers such as I, has provided full explanations of the background of the story and I was very impressed. I was introduced to the writing of David Gilman by reading his book “Night Flight To Paris which I found very absorbing but that was a historical mystery that dealt with the Second World War. This historical mystery deals with a much earlier period and starts in the Winter of 1361..

I have read many years ago the Bernard Cornwell stories which cover the same time periods but if anything the present authors books are as good as if not better and I have already bought the earlier books 1-4 and intend reading them soon.

This book was a very gripping read and absolutely fascinating. The research the author must have made into period documents in order to capture the authenticity of the 14th century is very impressive and the result is a highly atmospheric and often bloody but also a book filled with wry humour that I have no hesitation in recommending to future readers.

Best wishes,

Terry
(To be published on eurocrime.co.uk in due course)

Thankyou to NetGalley, Head Of Zeus and the author, David Gilman, for the opportunity to read an advanced readers copy of Scourge of Wolves in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.
I found this book to be an enjoyable read. The storyline was well thought out and written . I felt like I had been transported through time and was actually standing there watching the battles.
Definitely well worth a read for fans of the genre.

Gruesome war thriller!

Sir Thomas Blackstone and his men were tasked to track the rebels who defied the surrender treaty signed by King John of France, letting King Edward III of England rule France. Blackstone and his men had no help from England and were outnumbered and hunted by the French rebels.

The heir to the French throne, Charles, was enraged by his father’s imprisonment at the Savoy Palace in London. He wanted to free France. This led to chaos as the Dauphin tried to reclaim the towns and villages from the English resulting in the mass deaths. Some English and Welsh mercenaries betrayed Blackstone and helped de Tancarville and de Bourbon hunt down the English army.

The sieges of villages were gruesome, and this historical fiction was thrilling, particularly near the end of the novel.

Caesar 13

Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review