The Red Citadel by Michael Lynes - #bookreview #blogtour #IsaacAlvarezSeries

 

As the muezzin's cry announced another dawn, shafts of sunlight from behind the peaks of the Sierra Nevada crept across the face of the Alhambra - situated high on the Sabika hill - suffusing the citadel's red walls with a saffron glow. The variegated light glided down the brick ramparts of the fortress to find Granada at its base. It moved on to illuminate the city's terracotta tiled rooftops, pomegranate studded trees, and blue and white mosaic tiled fountains. It even insinuated itself into the shadowy alleyways of the labyrinthine Albaicin, creeping into the homes of the Mudejares finishing their prayers, most too afraid of their Catholic masters to complete their devotions in the few remaining mosques. The sun did not discriminate though - it lit the houses of poor and rich alike...

***

Isaac Alvarez is a heretic, a reluctant spy, and a murder suspect. Can he prove his innocence and quell a rebellion to reunite his family? Granada, Andalusia, 1499 Forced to convert to Catholicism Isaac remains a Jew at heart. Exiled from Seville by King Ferdinand for heresy he is suspected of murdering the Grand Inquisitor, Torquemada. Did he? Andreas, a priest, has been accused of the murder and imprisoned. Alonso, Torquemada's previous deputy and an old foe of Isaac's, has now returned from exile in the Indies determined to prove his childhood friend's innocence. Isaac now lives with Abdul Rahman - a wealthy Muslim spice merchant - his wife Fatima, and his brother Ali Sina, the last apothecary in the city. He works for Archbishop Talavera. Granada is in turmoil. The rulers coerce Muslims to embrace Catholicism. A rebellion is developing, led by Abdul Rahman. The King instructs Isaac to spy on the rebels. He is conflicted by his loyalty to the brothers and his love for Fatima, but reluctantly agrees.

***

This is the third book in the Isaac Alvarez series. If you would like to read my spoiler free reviews of the previous two books, Blood Libel and The Heretic's Daughter you can do so by clicking on the titles.

I have very much enjoyed reading this series. The book has much to say about religious intolerance, albeit in an historical setting, but there are still lessons that apply to the modern world in which we live.

Isaac is a strong character who we have met in the previous books, and this book continues to develop his personality. I feel as though I know him, and his headstrong daughter Isabel very well by now and I shall miss reading about them as this is the final book in the series. I am unaware whether the author is planning on continuing with his characters but I would be thrilled if he was.

This book continues on from the persecution and intolerance suffered by the Jews in Seville during the Spanish Inquisition. This develops the theme when we see the same attitude focused on those of the Islamic faith.

The book is atmospheric, and Mr. Lynes does an excellent job at bringing his historical environment to life with his vivid and vibrant descriptions. I could almost smell the fires and feel the heat whilst reading. The author has clearly researched his material thoroughly, and it really shows in these books. It was easy to understand the chaotic and bewildering environment in which these people lived.

I learnt more of this difficult period in history through these books, and it was an easy and accessible way in which to become more familiar with the times.

This has been an excellent series which I highly recommend to historical fiction fans.

ISBN: 978 1739185749

Publisher:  Romaunce Books

Formats:  e-book and paperback

No. of Pages:  358 (paperback)

About the Author:

Michael writes the Isaac Alvarez Mysteries, set in late 15th century Andalusia. He won a prize for his debut, Blood Libel, at the 2020 Emirates Literature Festival. Best-selling author Sophie Hannah called it, 'immensely gripping,' and the Historical Novel Society said, 'Lynes knows his history and tells the story with verve.' He published his second novel, The Heretic's Daughter, in 2022. Awais Khan, author of The Company of Strangers, said it had, 'everything a historical thriller should have, and more.' He is hard at work on the third book in the series, The Red Citadel, to be published in 2023. Michael is a member of the Crime Writers' Association - he is the founding convenor of the Gulf Chapter - the Historical Novel Society, and The Alliance of Independent Authors. He is an alumnus of the Faber Academy's Writing a Novel course. Originally from London, he lives in Dubai with his family.

(book and media courtesy of Love Books Tours)

(all opinions are my own)

The Associate: A Shanna Regan Murder Mystery by Victoria Goldman - #BookReview

Two fresh pig's ears, pink and plump, hang from a rusty wall light. Blood trickles down into a shiny red pool on the yellowing flagstones.

For years I explored the globe, tracking down news stories. But I don't need to travel far to see the worst of human nature, it seems. Sometimes it's right on my doorstep.

Rubberneckers jostle around me, peering through the black railings. A small crowd - ten, maybe fifteen. Some cheering, some jeering, some seeming as bewildered as I am.

A handful carry white placards...

***

THE BODY COUNT IS RISING ... AND GETTING FAR TOO CLOSE

A missing architect. An interfaith charity project. Vandalism and online threats. Can racist slogans lead to kidnap – or even murder?

When an architect vanishes in East London, her concerned fiancé asks journalist Shanna Regan to find her. The missing woman has been leading an interfaith Jewish-Muslim charity project that’s become the target of malicious damage and racist threats.

After Shanna witnesses a teenage girl fall to her death, she’s convinced the architect’s disappearance is also linked to a local youth outreach project. And then another woman is reported missing.

Amid rising local tensions, danger appears to be lurking around every corner. Even the safest sanctuaries seem to be hiding the darkest secrets. As Shanna uncovers a tangled web of lies, she puts her own life on the line. Will she find the missing architect before it’s too late?

The Associate is the compelling and thought-provoking sequel to The Redeemer.

***

This book is the second in the Shanna Regan series. It follows on from The Redeemer, which began Shanna's story. If you would like to read my review of The Redeemer you can find it by clicking here.

Whilst The Redeemer was an excellent debut, in The Associate, we find the author appearing more self-assured and mature in her writing. She has given us an accomplished novel which I thoroughly enjoyed reading.

It is an engaging and compelling story centred around a Jewish and Muslim community project, and which serves to highlight the commonalities surrounding the two religions rather than their differences. For some readers this will provide an illustrative and educational aspect to the story which the author accomplishes without being remotely preachy.

Rather, it is built around a believable story and setting with a plot with sufficient twists and turns to keep the reader enthralled. There is a tension, mystery and suspense throughout. With the theme of asylum seekers, gun crime and gang culture included this is a very relevant story.

Shanna is a fantastic character. She is a bold and determined woman who deals with her own flaws and insecurities. I enjoyed her backstory playing out alongside the plot of the book.  Any reader who has ever questioned where they come from will readily identify with Shanna.

The Associate is a well written and engaging book. I certainly hope that this is not the last of Shanna, and that the talented Ms. Goldman will be bringing us another book in the series.

I highly recommend this book.

ISBN: 978 1739695439

Publisher:  Three Crowns Publishing UK

Formats:  e-book and paperback

No. of Pages:  328 (paperback)

About the Author:

VICTORIA GOLDMAN is a freelance journalist, editor and proofreader. She was given an honourable mention for The Redeemer in the Capital Crime/DHH Literary Agency New Voices Award 2019 and was shortlisted for Best Debut Crime Novel of 2022 in the Crime Fiction Lover Awards.

Victoria lives in Hertfordshire with her husband and two sons. The Associate is her second novel in the Shanna Regan series.

Victoria also featured here on the blog with her top eight books she would take with her to a desert island. You can read this feature by clicking here.

(ARC courtesy of the author)

(all opinions are my own)

The Golden Bell by Robert L. Stone - #BookReview #BlogTour

 

As the serving boys came out of the house carrying jugs of wine, Moses ibn Ezra took a moment to admire the garden, which had almost reached perfection on this fine May evening. Roses bloomed between lilies and flowering grasses. The hornbeam hedges shimmered. Green catkins danced against darker leaves. Moses breathed deeply, savouring the honeyed scent of the mock orange bushes, and running his palm over the cool grass beside his divan.

A dozen poets lounged on divans and cushions around the lawn, dressed in the fine linen robes and turbans of courtiers and scholars, sober browns and maroons brightened by flashes of colour at the cuffs. The men were talking quietly, waiting for the poetry contest to begin...

***

Arriving in Córdoba as a young man in 1088 to learn medicine, Yehuda Halevi is enchanted by a world in which Muslim, Jewish and Christian courtiers share poetry and philosophy in their elegant gardens. Here he falls in love with Deborah, the spirited daughter of his host. In this turbulent world, however, Yehuda also encounters invasions and pirates, book burnings and bandits.Driven by conflict to move from city to city, Yehuda and Deborah are often parted – but always in the hope that they will one day return together to Córdoba. As Yehuda’s fame grows as a poet and as a philosopher, his writings become increasingly mystical but also increasingly restless, for he yearns to travel to the holy city of Jerusalem. In 1140, as an old man, he must finally decide whether to stay with his family or begin the perilous voyage towards Egypt and Crusader Jerusalem…In this beautifully evocative story, Robert L. Stone transports the reader to twelfth-century Andalucía as he traces the extraordinary life of a man determined to devote himself – and his exceptional talent – to a greater truth.

***

This excellent book spans parts of the eleventh and twelfth centuries. I have not read many books set during that period so this made for really interesting reading. It is ambitious in scope and relates the oft unstable religious and political environment in existence during this period of history. 

Although this is a work of fiction, the author has clearly completed extensive research which gives this novel a scholarly feel whilst also being easy to read.  Whilst the backdrop is complex, the characters enable this book to keep the reader engaged and although it is intellectual in feel, it carries the reader along with it very nicely.

The book follows the life of Yehuda Halevi. He was a well written and fully fleshed character who was easy to engage with. I enjoyed accompanying him on each step of his journey, and the author's descriptions made Yehuda's world feel very relevant. I equally enjoyed reading of his wife, Deborah, who Mr. Stone portrays as a strong female character within a very patriarchal society.

Well written, it's excellent narrative and dialogue propels the story forward, making it well worth reading.  I learned much about both the time period and the places that Yehudi travelled. There is much attention to detail which enables the reader to feel very close to the story and setting.

What this book demonstrates clearly is that during the time period in which it is set different faiths were able to co-exist harmoniously and indeed learn from one another. It is a book that is very relevant to todays society and is well worth reading.

ISBN: 978 1915036537

Publisher:  Stony Mere

Formats:  e-book and paperback

No. of Pages:  304 (paperback)

Amazon UK

About the Author:

Having gained a PhD in history and political anthropology from Cambridge University, Robert L. Stone has worked for many years advising governments on strategies to fight poverty, particularly in the wake of conflicts. He has a lifelong interest in how different cultures and ethnicities relate to each other - this, combined with his love of literature, is the inspiration for The Golden Bell.

(book, photos and all info. courtesy of Random Things Tours)

(all opinions are my own)