Billy is dispatched to the seat of the Norwegian government in exile. Operation Jupiter, the impending invasion of Norway, is being planned, but it is feared that there is a German spy amongst the Norwegians.
Good whodunit set in WWII, with interesting characters.
Mainly liked, and disliked, Billy because he is a rather flawed hero who is largely motivated by self-interest and does his best to stay out of the war, but winds up in it anyway. However, while there, he does try to keep being a good cop and see justice done.
Nice blend of fact and fiction (recommend Max Manus Man of war if are interested in Norway during their occupation).
I chose this mystery to read aloud with my guy, whose father served during WWII in the European theater. Although Billy, son of a cop, and former cop himself, is from Boston, I could tell my Brooklyn born guy was interested.
Sent to England by his uncle Ike, (this is fiction), to suss out a spy, Billy finds himself with a couple of murder victims in tow. Billy’s dialogue is snappy and filled with Americanisms which raise a few eyebrows and multiple questions, especially from the Polish aristocratic captain assigned to work with him. Because the idioms are explained, this book and the others in the series are a potentially fun learning tool for the advanced ESL student.
This is definitely a character driven mystery with a side focus on language.
A good start to a series that combines the setting of World War II with the classic murder mystery. The mystery itself is rather clichéd and easily figured out, but the wet-behind-the-ears investigator who really isn't sure he is doing I enjoyed reading about. Yes, he was recently promoted Boston to police detective before the war, but that was mainly due to his police family's efforts, not his. Now as the personal investigator of uncle by marriage, General "Ike" Eisenhower, he is placed in a sink-or-swim situation. Still with tenacity, a lot of advice from his police detective father (told in flashback), help from well-developed supporting characters, and his own impressive insight, Billy Boyle shows that he might actually be good at this job. I liked watching Billy grow from an untested and somewhat shallow youth into a man willing to get justice for the one. There is romance and humor in here as well, but both help to add to the story. A good read for fans of Masterpiece Theater’s Foyle’s War.
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Add a CommentGood whodunit set in WWII, with interesting characters.
Mainly liked, and disliked, Billy because he is a rather flawed hero who is largely motivated by self-interest and does his best to stay out of the war, but winds up in it anyway. However, while there, he does try to keep being a good cop and see justice done.
Nice blend of fact and fiction (recommend Max Manus Man of war if are interested in Norway during their occupation).
Recommended for readers who loved Foyle's war.
I chose this mystery to read aloud with my guy, whose father served during WWII in the European theater. Although Billy, son of a cop, and former cop himself, is from Boston, I could tell my Brooklyn born guy was interested.
Sent to England by his uncle Ike, (this is fiction), to suss out a spy, Billy finds himself with a couple of murder victims in tow. Billy’s dialogue is snappy and filled with Americanisms which raise a few eyebrows and multiple questions, especially from the Polish aristocratic captain assigned to work with him. Because the idioms are explained, this book and the others in the series are a potentially fun learning tool for the advanced ESL student.
This is definitely a character driven mystery with a side focus on language.
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10/9/2013:
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A good start to a series that combines the setting of World War II with the classic murder mystery. The mystery itself is rather clichéd and easily figured out, but the wet-behind-the-ears investigator who really isn't sure he is doing I enjoyed reading about. Yes, he was recently promoted Boston to police detective before the war, but that was mainly due to his police family's efforts, not his. Now as the personal investigator of uncle by marriage, General "Ike" Eisenhower, he is placed in a sink-or-swim situation. Still with tenacity, a lot of advice from his police detective father (told in flashback), help from well-developed supporting characters, and his own impressive insight, Billy Boyle shows that he might actually be good at this job. I liked watching Billy grow from an untested and somewhat shallow youth into a man willing to get justice for the one. There is romance and humor in here as well, but both help to add to the story. A good read for fans of Masterpiece Theater’s Foyle’s War.
I have really enjoyed the Billy Boyle mystery series. The period history, the detective and his friends have all the makings of exciting read for me!