Crime

In the past, I enjoyed the Joseph Sandilands series. The last novel of this series presents a sad disappointment. The novel features the daring and intrigue of the past novels, but the language does not evenly flow. The banter into the workings of Scotland Yard and M15 proved tedious and boring and the descent into the works of ancient writers lengthens the boredom. The erotic habits of the wealthy and the eventual effect of this debauchery continue the dribble. Veterinarians have just found a medical to euthanize animals and one of the characters uses this medicine. The big scare is the splitting of the atom and the consequences of this means of mass destruction. Hitler and his regime silently steal into the scene. Too much trivial explanation and not enough romance. ( )

Good story as the new characters in this series come to the fore. Communist plots, fascist spies, atoms split and secret weapons are in development; can it be 1933 Yes, it is. The investigation of two strange deaths in one night brings Joe to Cambridge. Scarce skeins of history are woven into a complex but interesting mystery. The culprits, including a surprising one , are apprehended and Joe connects with, yet, another fascinating woman. ( )