A Fantastic novel to start 2019 with
a definite Discovered Diamond!
Shortlisted for Book of the Month
(previously published as 'An Imperfect Enjoyment')
"I have been a fan of M. J. Logue’s excellent books about the English Civil War, featuring Colonel Hollie Babbitt and his motley collection of men who range from the very young and damaged to the rather scruffy and battle-hardened. It was therefore with a squeak of delight I came across An Abiding Fire which features Thankful Russell—but twenty years later. "
Available for pre-order - published 3rd January
AMAZON UK
AMAZON US
AMAZON CA
Mystery / Fictional Saga
1600s
England
Since several years back, I have been a fan of M. J. Logue’s excellent books about the English Civil War, featuring Colonel Hollie Babbitt and his motley collection of men who range from the very young and damaged to the rather scruffy and battle-hardened Babbitt.
One of these men is a certain Thankful Russell—not that this young man has much to be grateful for, what with his horrible sister and his permanently disfigured face. But under the protective, if somewhat brusque, shadow of Colonel Babbitt, Thankful grows into a man, a deliciously complicated character, shaped as much by his uncompromising faith as by the various events of the war.
It was therefore with a squeak of delight I came across An Abiding Fire which features Thankful Russell—but twenty years later. His life has not been easy, but over the years he has achieved some sort of grim contentment in doing his duty and doing it well, albeit that as a former Puritan soldier he has a tough time navigating the court of Charles II.
Fortunately, Thankful Russell no longer has to face life alone. Now he has a young wife who is as protective of him as his former Colonel was—not exactly surprising as Thomazine is the daughter of Hollie Babbitt. While she may not be scruffy, she is as scrappy and brave as her father, and God help anyone who somehow hurts her husband.
An Abiding Fire is essentially a who-dunnit set in the 1660s. Charles II is back on his throne, the Dutch and the English are at loggerheads, and someone is murdering people. What evidence there is, points at Thankful, and so begins quite the race as Thankful and Thomazine struggle to find the real perpetrator, while dealing with historical characters such as Prince Rupert and the Earl of Rochester. London is brought vividly to life, the historical setting is as impeccable as ever, the plot is well-constructed, but it is the characters that make this book. Both Thomazine and Thankful step out of the pages, so to say, to become real, believable, people with all their insecurities and hopes, their determination and dreams.
M. J. Logue has delivered an excellent read and I hope there will be many more books about Thomazine and Thankful—preferably sooner than later.
© Anna Belfrage
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Apart from your delightful short story, I have yet to be acquainted with Thankful, Thomazine and Hollie - this must be rectified!!
ReplyDeleteStart at book one - I think you'll like Captain Babbitt (Thankful doesn't appear until book two) I am enjoying this series because it looks at the ECW from the Parliamentarian side not the usual Royalist ... must admit the stories are changing my mind, never thought I might consider supporting old Olly Cromwell!
DeleteThanks for the tip, Helen! If it can make you consider Olly in a different light, it must be good!!!
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