Review: The Thieves of Threadneedle Street by Nicholas Booth

"Late in 1873, London was gripped by the astonishing story emerging from the highest court in the land, where four American conmen were on trial for attempting the greatest financial scam the world had ever seen. Their leader, Austin Bidwell, had hatched a plan of devilish ingenuity that, were it not for one tiny stroke of bad luck, would have ended with him walking out of the Bank of England with £1 million in cash a heist that would have plunged London into financial meltdown and put Bidwell's name alongside the legends of criminal history."

So far, so intriguing. But the story is not so straightforward...

1st March, 1873: Bank of England cashier, Frank May, notices that something is wrong with a bill of exchange which has been accepted and paid out. It is, in fact, counterfeit, and is not the only one of its kind. The main problem is that officials think they are looking for a man named Frederick Warren who, incredibly, has been able, despite having no address or references, to 'cash' this and many other such bills.

So begins one of the most bizarre stories I've ever read, and astonishingly, it's all true.

Newspaper report about George Macdonnell,
a member of the 'gang'

Nicholas Booth has traced the extraordinary tale of the Bidwell Brothers and their associates, all of whom used various aliases (hence the use of the name Frank Warren), their dealings with Pinkerton's Detective Agency, their various fraudulent schemes and their frequent ability to escape the law, even incarceration.

The narrative jumps back and forth, across time and across oceans, but the story absolutely has to be told that way. It comes together slowly, piece by piece, much as it did to 'Pink' Pinkerton and the others following the forgers' trails. 

The 'caper' even took those involved
to Cuba

As an author myself I can see what a difficult book this must have been to put together. Assembling all the evidence must have taken  huge amounts of research, and then it must have been a daunting task putting all the various strands together and deciding how best to tell the tale.

I'm happy to say that Nicholas Booth has pulled off an incredible trick, introducing each character and then going back in time to show how they arrived at their part in the overall tale, and what happened to them along the way.

Much of the story is lifted from the court transcripts so we read what was actually said, verbatim, as these thieves finally got their comeuppance. What is especially delicious is that we know almost from the outset who the forgers were, but I was captivated as I read, desperate to know how they were finally brought to justice.

For it transpires that this was not their first heist. From train crashes to prison breaks, this story romps along, using the criminals' own memoirs, whilst casting doubt on some of their more outlandish boasts.

I confess to not understanding some of the finer details of the scams, but what I did marvel at was how utterly simple some of them were. But for a forgotten signature, the thieves might even have got away with their most audacious plan, that of relieving the Bank of England of a substantial amount of money.

Newspaper reports, surviving photographs, court drawings - all are used to great effect. This is history, but not so far removed that these characters are necessarily 'distant'. One feature of the tale is that the women were, I think it's fair to say, sorely used. Austin Bidwell's wife was dominated by her redoubtable mother, and seemed willing to believe anything her husband told her. When the truth emerged, she was a fragile and broken witness. 'Nellie' Vernon was cut from different cloth, and it was delicious trying to work out how much she really knew about what her 'husband' George Bidwell was up to.

It is a fascinating tale and if one were to write this book as a novel, the plot would be fiendishly complicated and even less credible. I was astounded at how much this gang got away with. Even in their early days, they managed to persuade suppliers to give them stock on credit, with no intention of ever paying for the goods. It almost seems a shame that such audacious, clever people should have been caught out by such a simple mistake.

This is a compelling piece of history. But that doesn't mean that it was a gift for the author. It must, as I've said, have been a daunting task researching all the details of the elaborate scams and then presenting it all in such a readable way. Congratulations to Nicholas Booth for piecing it all together and telling a ripping yarn.

[Thanks to the author who supplied the above images. I must make it clear though that he did not supply the book, which I bought myself.]

Review: Blossom on the Thorn by Loretta Livingstone

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"I should have had nothing to do with those accursed Angevins. I should have run like hell in the opposite direction."

Giles de Soutenay can scarcely be blamed for his disappointment. Promised an heiress by Queen Eleanor, he is dismayed to discover that, although young and attractive, his bride has all the warmth of a stone effigy.

For the newly widowed Isabella, the reality of a new husband is no cause for celebration. She will do her duty but no more. She will give de Soutenay no reason to complain but he will not have her heart, for any belief in love and tenderness died during those brief years of her first marriage. However, she has reckoned without Giles' perseverance.

After the snows of winter, spring brings hope, until the arrival of a stranger threatens Giles and Isabella’s blossoming happiness. A stranger who might tear them apart before they have truly found each other. Only if Giles can learn patience and Isabella can learn trust can they hope to find lasting love.

So runs the blurb for this, the third in Loretta Livingstone's Out of Time series. The first two books are 'time-slip' novels but this third is not (apart from one brief mention of a 21st-century character in the abbey). I read this as a standalone, but it's as well to know that the other books are time-slips, otherwise that scene in the abbey might prove something of a shock!

But, that said, all the other characters are from the twelfth century and behave as such. By which I mean that Ms Livingstone has clearly done first class and painstaking research. I was never once jolted out of the medieval world and each scene was beautifully and accurately depicted. The hall of Giles and Isabella teems with medieval servants going about their medieval chores, and all are clothed according to the fashions of the day. Isabella is very much a woman of her time. She has guts, and fortitude, but nevertheless she is a medieval lady, not a modern woman, and her reaction to what happens to her never strays beyond the limits of the options available to a woman of her rank during that period. 

Giles is a bit of an anomaly. He's certainly a surprise to Isabella; I wondered at times whether his attitudes have been shaped by his coming into contact with modern-day characters in the other books? I guess I'll have to read them to find out! When he exacts revenge though, he is every inch the medieval soldier. So once again we have drama, but that which sits perfectly in its period setting.

There are plot twists and turns, despicable acts, and characters who left me itching to watch them get their comeuppance. At the heart of this story though is the romance between the two characters and it's a satisfying story arc which sees them struggle with initial wariness, disagreements, misunderstandings and the efforts of others to thwart them and drive a wedge between them. 

I enjoyed watching Isabella grow and develop, and appreciated the occasional reminders of just how young she is. This of course was not unusual, and it made me stop and think just how much this poor lass has endured by the time she's seventeen.

Ms Livingstone knows the world she's writing about, but uses her research sparingly; she tells us what we need to know but mainly uses her knowledge of the period to paint the scenery. The dialogue flows naturally, and nothing jars.

I especially loved the scene involving the window. Sometimes it's nice to be reminded that people from history were modern-day characters in their own world. I'll say no more, except that it made me smile that Giles and Isabella have a lovely moment of 'keeping up with the Joneses'.

Romantic fiction is perhaps not my usual read, but I have to say that this is a wonderful example of its genre.

Find it on Amazon UK and Amazon US
and find more about Loretta HERE

Review: Æthelflæd by Tim Clarkson

You might be aware that I've written a few times about Æthelflæd, in fiction and in nonfiction - and she'll feature again in my new book due out next year. So whilst I didn't read this book necessarily expecting to find anything new, it's always a joy to be introduced to new ideas or research and it's always interesting to know how other writers/historians perceive her. 

This book is simply wonderful. The author begins not, as might be expected, with Alfred's reign, but gives a more detailed and perhaps relevant background, covering the history of Mercia from the earliest Anglo-Saxon period. This is done with skill and precision and Clarkson makes this difficult history easy to understand. I had to stop and think about this, actually, because I do know and understand this complex period, but no, I am sure that anyone new to the history of Mercia will find this accessible. 

I especially like the way the book is laid out. It's chronological, but each episode is taken and dealt with separately. Every so often there are panels, too, which give additional information. The maps are frequent and informative.

Clarkson makes some intriguing suggestions, for example the idea that Edward the Elder's final marriage, to the daughter of a Kentish nobleman, was more linked to Kentish insubordination at the battle of the Holme than might usually be supposed.

He also offers interesting insights: when discussing Edward's motive for taking over control of London and Oxford he offers alternative theories which are entirely plausible.

There is good analysis of the more florid (usually later, Anglo-Norman) sources and the author takes the time to examine them thoroughly to see if there might be kernels of truth lurking there. He applies skilled and informed logic.

Whenever alternative theories or explanations are offered, the points are never laboured, rather the arguments and/or opposing viewpoints are presented with clarity, we are offered the possibilities, they are discussed intelligently, and then the narrative moves on. 

The book  provides a thorough overview of the period. It's accessible for those new to the subject but gives plenty for scholars to get their teeth into. I particularly enjoyed the discussion of the possible locations of the unidentified burhs.

Rather than examining the life and career of Æthelflæd merely by presenting her as the daughter of Alfred, Clarkson gives the Mercian context and even suggests that she might have been working more towards furthering Mercian interests than in the common cause of English v. Danes. As I've often remarked, Mercian nationalism never really died, and there is a wonderfully dry observation that the nationalist fervour so stoked up by the Lady's translation of St Oswald's bones to Gloucester rather glossed over the fact that it was their own resolutely pagan king who had dispatched the saintly Oswald in the first place!

The book doesn't end with Æthelflæd's death but discusses her daughter's brief career and what happened to Mercia after Edward the Elder's death. It then goes on to discuss Æthelflæd's legacy. I began this review by mentioning how often I've written about Æthelflæd myself and I was completely surprised and rather overwhelmed to find a paragraph about my own novel in that section. It's gratifying to know that someone as knowledgeable as this author has such nice things to say about my work.

I really can't recommend this book highly enough.* It's beautifully laid out, it's clear, it presents all the facts and arguments in an extremely readable fashion and won't 'bog' anyone down, even those who are completely new to Anglo-Saxon history. 

It's always good to know of historians who have the knack of being able to convey complex ideas and present history in a seemingly effortless and readable way. 

Follow Tim's excellent blog, Senchus and find him on Amazon


*(There's only one point on which I disagree, and that's the identity of Æthelflæd's maternal grandmother. Her name was Eadburh but I disagree that she was King Offa's daughter. Asser, Alfred's biographer, gave her name and said that she was a notable woman who remained a chaste widow. Of Offa's daughter by the same name, he was scathing, giving the story of how she accidentally poisoned her husband and was banished.)

Review: The Dancing Priest by Glynn Young

Well, as you might already be aware, I've been doing a lot - and I do mean a lot - of reading this year. Of course, I've been reading a lot of historical fiction but I've also been exploring other genres, too.

Lately I've found that I've been drawn towards books by American authors and have learned a lot about the history of the USA.

Glynn Young is the owner of an extraordinary blog Faith, Fiction, Friends, a wonderful mix of features, reviews, fiction, nonfiction and poetry and it was through this blog that I came across his book, Dancing Priest.

This is not like any other book I've read before. It falls firmly into the category of Christian Fiction, something I would normally avoid. However, this is a thoughtful, intelligent book which tells a fantastic story.

We first meet Mike, the priest of the title, when he is a university student in Edinburgh. This is where he meets Sarah, an American student. Their love story is simple, and affecting, and most importantly, believable. Unfortunately, events conspire to keep them apart, and one of those things is the issue of faith. But it's not just that; it's circumstances, and it's the very recognisable problem that faces all students when they finish university: Where next? Who with? How will I deal with being an adult?

Michael - as most people know him (only Sarah is allowed to call him Mike) - has his heart set on ministry in Africa but the Church has other ideas and sends him to a community church in San Francisco. His journey there is not straightforward and there is an ongoing, and at times dramatic, story of the other great passion in his life: cycling.

The threads of Michael's life seem quite disparate but are brought together plausibly and so our cycling priest finds himself in a challenging neighbourhood in the USA. 

The characterisation is strong, and Michael's personality not only shines through, but also makes him eminently suitable for the career - or rather, vocation - of priest. Just because Michael is suited to the job though, it doesn't mean he finds it easy. The plot twists and turns, and at times the story gets very dark indeed, but of course the point is that while Michael thought that a mission in Africa would provide the challenge, he finds instead that there are equal challenges in a so-called developed world. Finding one's feet in the first job as a priest is as tough as any new job. I suppose I'd always assumed that those who were called to the ministry found it easy and natural. Clearly not, and it was interesting to see how those involved dealt with the problems presented to them.

Sometimes the differences between the British and the US education system are a bit blurred (in the UK we don't have Grade School, for example) and I wasn't as comfortable with the sub-plot concerning Henry (no spoilers though). But overall I found this to be an intelligently written, thoughtful book.

Who Was Mrs. Jesse James?

Recently I read an intriguing novel: I am Mrs. Jesse James by Pat Wahler tells the story of the woman who loved the famous outlaw. I'd heard of Jesse James, of course, but had never really thought about his family life and that's a shame, because so much of his life as an outlaw was a direct consequence of what happened to him and his family during and immediately after the American Civil War. I absolutely loved this book, not only because it was beautifully written but because it gave me a real insight into the life and times of this infamous man. So I'm delighted that the author, Pat Wahler, is here today to tell us a little more, and to explain just exactly who Mrs. Jesse James really was.

Over to you Pat!

"There were two women who loved Jesse James, the most infamous outlaw of the Old West. By all accounts, he loved them fiercely in return.

Both women were named Zerelda.

Zerelda Cole James Simms Samuel gave birth to Jesse. A strong and outspoken woman, she outlived three husbands. Zerelda wasn’t one to shy away from attention, and boldly voiced support for her sons Frank and Jesse. She kept a shotgun handy, and few who knew her doubted for a moment that she’d use it if anyone trespassed on her property—particularly if they were in pursuit of her boys.

In sharp contrast, Zerelda (Zee) Mimms James was quiet and deeply religious. She and her cousin Jesse fell in love when Zee nursed him back to health after a near-fatal gunshot wound at the close of the Civil War. Following a lengthy engagement, and over the objections of her family, the couple wed. Unlike the aunt/mother-in-law for whom she was named, Zee had no desire to create a public scene or grant an interview.

Yet despite their differences, Zerelda and Zee appeared to be equally influential in the life of Jesse James. In my view, each one played an important role. Zerelda, his mother, molded Jesse’s character during his formative years. Zee, his wife, proved to act as his conscience.   

Writing I am Mrs. Jesse James gave me the opportunity to explore these family relationships and discover what drove them during a challenging era of American history. A time when neighbors were pitted against one another, brother fought brother, and a friend could easily prove to be an enemy in disguise."

BIO:

Pat Wahler is an award-winning writer with sixteen stories in the popular Chicken Soup for the Soul series. Her debut novel, I am Mrs. Jesse James earned a silver medal for regional historical fiction in the Independent Publisher Association Book Awards, was named Western Fictioneers Best First Novel, and won the Walter Williams Award for a major literary publication. Pat’s most recent release is the first novel of a contemporary romance series, On a City Street. Her other books include, Let Your Heart Be Light: A Celebration of Christmas and Midnight, the One-Eyed Cat.

Contact Info:
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Review: Bitter Leaves by Tabatha Stirling

Recently on Twitter I saw a competition: post a photo of a plant which refuses to die no matter who neglected. I uploaded a photo of my Peace Lily which clearly doesn't thrive under my 'care' but somehow clings to life. I won the competition - the prize being a copy of Bitter Leaves by Tabatha Stirling.

Bitter Leaves is set in Singapore, where I lived for a couple of years as a child. So I was very much aware of the ‘maid’ culture but to be honest, I didn’t realise it was still flourishing nowadays. This is a clever book; the concept is unusual, concentrating as it does on four women who all live on the same street in an affluent area. It took me a few chapters to work out who was whom, but these women’s voices soon came across loud and clear. All are written in first person and the characterisation is exceptional. I soon began to know who was talking, even without reading the chapter headings. The characters’ lives do coincide, but perhaps not as much as one might expect and actually, this adds to the sense that this is a neighbourhood, rather than a friendship group, so the odd time these characters do meet, it very much makes sense within the setting. 

I recognised some of the references and it’s clear that the author has undertaken a great deal of research. The cultural melting pot that is Singapore is laid open here for scrutiny (and doesn’t always come out shining) and it’s something that I remember from my time there. Ultimately this is a story of women, their helplessness, their inventiveness, their courage and their beauty. All of them are, for one reason or another, displaced, and all have their own strong views which shape and are shaped by their experiences. I found it deeply affecting. At times it’s not an easy read, but it shouldn’t be, given its subject matter. But it’s not joyless; far from it. I recommend it to anyone looking for something a bit out of the ordinary, and who wants to read a thoughtfully written, thought-provoking book.

My winning entry!

Now that I've read the book, I realise just how symbolic the original competition was. For it makes me think again about those delicate plants who manage to survive despite not receiving the correct care to make them thrive.

I should also add that this was a competition with absolutely no strings. I was not asked to review Bitter Leaves. My review appears here simply because I loved the book.

Find Tabatha on Twitter and at Stirling Publishing

Review & Feature: A Rose By Any Other Name - Joanne Van Leerdam

I've read a lot of Joanne's poetry and rate her very highly as a poet. The first poem of hers I ever read was one called Stained Glass. It spoke to me so vividly, reminding me of a young woman of my close acquaintance, and I bought the volume of poems by the same name. Each entry in the collection moved me, or gave me pause for thought. I remember thinking that this is what poetry is meant to do, to put into words what the reader didn't realise they were already thinking. Since then, I've always thought of Joanne as primarily a poet.

But just recently, she has published a story that almost defies description. Almost, but not quite. A Rose By Any Other Name is a clever re-imagining of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, but she has thrown in some fairy tales, too, mixing them all together to bring an inventive tale of crossed love, thwarted ambition, and dark magic.

It's a short read, but it's a great read. It doesn't hang about either, but throws the reader straight into the story without preamble. Open it up and whoosh - we're off. A short read, yes, but not a word is wasted.

I'm not quite sure how she did it with relatively few words, but I was able to picture every scene, every face, and hear every word.

The author's ability as a poet is part of the magic, here, I think. Words are always chosen for maximum impact, and to work hard. 

I simply loved the premise of this story. The fairy tales chosen as ingredients were not there by accident, either. All pulled together to make one seamless tale and the whole thing played out as if it has been always told this way.

If you're inclined to check out Joanne's work - and I recommend that you do - I should also mention that I've read, and again thoroughly enjoyed, her collection of poems Smoke and Mirrors. This is another great collection; poignant and again thought-provoking, especially when she writes about the bush fires which affected a part of Australia in 2018. 

Find Joanne on Amazon
and on her Website