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34 of 36 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Lacks Originality But Still Great Fun, 3 Feb 2006
Ratcatcher is the first adventure to feature Hawkswood, Bow Street Runner, former soldier and enigmatic man of mystery. Set in London during the Napoleonic wars, in the book Hawkswood is assigned to investigate the death of a naval courier in what initially appears to be a case of simple highway robbery. Needless to say his investigation soon reveal links to a far larger conspiracy that goes all the way to highest levels of society and threatens the security of the entire nation. With assistance from old friends, current colleagues and an asortment of rogues its up to Hawkswood to save the day.In other words this is another historical thriller in the same vein as Cornwell's Sharpe novels or Lunn's Killigrew series, and sticks to the formula set by its precursors; lone hero with a past uncovers and then foils conspiracy. On the way romantic entanglements ensue, he gains a sidekick, thumbs his nose at authority, faces certain death, has numerous fights, yet eventually comes out on top. As such Ratcatcher is hardly the most original work ever published. Despite this lack of freshness in its approach however, it still deserves four stars for being jolly good fun, a must for books such as these. Hawkswood, the hero, is a good creation. He ticks all the requisite boxes, being simultaneously handsome, energetic, charming, mysterious, witty, serious, haunted, romantic, brave, self-sacrificing, wild, unpredictable and morally upstanding as and when the plot requires. His background is drawn in enough depth to make him interesting and the author has enough skill with dialogue and narrative to make him believable. The success of book like this depends heavily on the strength of the lead character, and in Hawkswood Ratcatcher has a winner. The same goes for the supporting cast, both on the side of good and bad. All the major players are well enough drawn and fill their roles adeptly, even if each one is merely a cliche given form; from the cheeky yet dependable sidekick to the stern authority figure to the villain of the piece. The plot trundles along at a rapid pace, faltering only once when a large chunk of exposition is required in order for the reader, through Hawkswood's eyes, to understand the plot. Its utterly predictable in every respect, with no twists prompting particular surprise, and the central hook lacks freshness (reader's familiar with recent Killigrew adventures in particular will have a strong feeling od deja vu reading Ratcatcher), but its well put together, easy to follow and flows nicely. Its a satisfying tale well told. All in all Ratcatcher will not win any awards for originality but gains points for being an entertaining period romp told with a pace and wit. Judged on those requirements alone it is worthy of four stars.
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by James McGee
by James McGee
by Andrew Pepper
by Andrew Pepper
by Andrew Pepper
