Thursday 15 August 2019

The Official Guide to the Sam Plank Mysteries: A guide to the series by Susan Grossey


"
Ms Grossey so easily slips the slang terminology of the period into the narration and dialogue. In so many novels the language of the period can jolt the reader out of the story because it seems false or out of context, (or just plain incomprehensible!). Not so for Constable Plank!"

AMAZON UK
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AMAZON CA


"This free guide is the official introduction to the Sam Plank Mysteries by Susan Grossey. In the guide are short descriptions of each of the Sam Plank books, the first chapter of each book, and a glossary of Regency slang as used in the books. The books included are: "Fatal Forgery"; "The Man in the Canary Waistcoat"; "Worm in the Blossom"; "Portraits of Pretence"; and "Faith, Hope and Trickery". You will receive an update to this guide when a new Sam Plank book is published, as long as you have the Update function enabled on your device or app."

So explains the blurb on Amazon for this interesting little freebie e-book. 

The novels themselves are 'who-dun-it' mysteries set in the early 1800s, when the London police force was changing from the original Bow Street Runners into the Metropolitan Police (formed in 1829). The law was enforced by Magistrates and Constables - like Constable Sam Plank, and the delight of these novels goes much further than the excellently detailed research the author has undertaken for this interesting Regency period of London's history.

Her characters - goodies and baddies - are believably real. Sam himself has his faults and weaknesses, he makes errors but does his best to be a decent, fair-minded Constable. I also particularly like his wife, Martha, she is an absolute gem. 

One of the other 'likes' for these novels is the way that Ms Grossey so easily slips the slang terminology of the period into the narration and dialogue. In so many novels the language of the period can jolt the reader out of the story because it seems false or out of context, (or just plain incomprehensible)! Not so for Constable Plank - the occasional unfamiliar word makes perfect sense, and this particular little extra, The Official Guide to the Sam Plank Mysteries, is the icing on the cake as tit-bits of interesting terminology for reader or writer alike.

The idea itself, an easy to read little guide to a popular fiction series, is an excellent one and I can predict several indie authors of historical or alternative history series 'borrowing' the idea (myself among them)!

An ideal 'taster' for Ms Grossey's series, and an engrossing read, especially for lovers of Regency England and London, but suitable for any avid historical fiction fan. It's free, what have you got to lose?

© Helen Hollick


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1 comment:

  1. Having read all of Susan's Sam Plank novels, I can recommend them highly! Have downloaded this wonderful freebie - absolutely ideal for those not familiar with Sam!!!

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