Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner
Hoare and the Portsmouth Atrocities
Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
Wilder Perkins
Class/Genre: Mystery Historical Amateur Sleuth
Series: Bartholomew Hoare # 1
St. Martin's, Dec 1998, $21.95, 213 pp.
After taking a bullet to his throat while on active duty, Bartholomew Hoare is forced to retire from the navy of King George III because an officer must be able to command above a whisper. This ailment fails to deter Bartholomew, who by 1805, sails up and down the English coast, solving mysteries.
While investigating the disappearance of a ship, Bartholomew meets Eleanor Graves, who beats off two assailants before the ex-sailor can fully intervene. However, the following day one of the culprits is dead, the other is missing, and Bartholomew's boat has been looted. The investigator does not see the connection between the assault and the vanished ship, but he continues to investigate even as Eleanor has brought him into her and her husband's circle of friends.
HOARE AND THE PORTSMOUTH ATROCITIES is a fabulous blending of a historical mystery with that of naval history into a fresh novel that will elate fans of both sub-genres. The story line is excellent as the reader has an opportunity to observe 1805 England from a fresh perspective in spite of Jane Austen making her usual cameo appearance. The mystery and the naval history (see the glossary of terms) are both intriguing and well written. Hoare is nothing like the sound of his name as he is an ingenious lead character, who adds much to the tale. Wilder Perkins has treated readers with what is hopefully the first entry of a long running series.
Harriet Klausner
Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner
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