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in_and_out_of_the_stash's review against another edition
2.0
This is the second mystery book set in the second world war I have read this year and I have not thought much of either of them. This book was too simple int he writing and I really did not like the first person style.
Although maybe I'll read the next one to see what happens to the characters.
Although maybe I'll read the next one to see what happens to the characters.
thebeardedpoet's review against another edition
3.0
Johnny Hawke is one of those dogged detectives--certainly not a deductive investigator. He keeps hammering away at leads and follows his instincts until the bitter end. The case has to do with a sheltered young lady moving out into the big bad world and becoming a prostitute. She is murdered, and then some of her customers are being eliminated as well. The author used a giant-sized dose of coincodence in the first quarter of the book to get the ball rolling, but thankfully there was less of that sort of thing as the book went on. Also worth mentioning that the novel shifts between the typical first-person detective narrator, the occasional chapter from the point of view of a witness being interviewed, and several chapters in limited omniscient 3rd person for points of views of other characters. One storyline I particularly liked was Hawke looking out for Peter, a runaway in danger of being institutionalized in a wartime orphanage.
coliver2's review against another edition
3.0
If you are looking for a light distraction in the vein of Christie and the cozies, you could do a lot worse. It's very "just the facts" and could use some more descriptions and red herrings. This book is slight, but entertaining and I expect that other books in the series might be better.
krazyklownz's review against another edition
3.0
I'd like to talk about how Sandra was, ultimately, the biggest winner of this book. She got literally everything she ever wanted, good for her.
vesper1931's review
4.0
1940 and for Johnny Hawke for war is already over. The ex-policeman and invalid decides to become a private detective. Life is not going well until the Palfreys approach him to find their missing daughter.
But the case leads to murder. His life becomes complicated when he gets involved with the runaway Peter.
An enjoyable and interesting well-written read. A good solid start to this series.
But the case leads to murder. His life becomes complicated when he gets involved with the runaway Peter.
An enjoyable and interesting well-written read. A good solid start to this series.
fictionophile's review
4.0
His name is Johnny Hawke. Ironic because he lost one eye in a military training accident. That coupled with the blackouts of the WWII London Blitz and his eyesight is less than ‘hawk-like’. However you’ll find that what he lacks in visual ability he makes up for in intuition.
Before the war began Johnny was a policeman. Now, because of his disability the force wants him to do desk work. Still young and yearning for more excitement, this defeats his whole reasoning for being a policeman so he quits the force and sets up shop as a private investigator.
The parents of a young woman hire Johnny to investigate their missing daughter. He soon learns that their ‘sweet and innocent’ girl is actually a young prostitute that has recently been murdered. He is intrigued as the victim seems to have led a double life. He pursues the murder investigation even after the murdered girl’s parents call him off the case.
Peter, a young homeless boy crosses paths with Hawke. Peter reminds Johnny of himself as an orphaned child and he takes a keen interest in Peter’s plight. Peter, suspicious of anyone and everyone, resists Hawke’s interest in him and sets out on his own again. A series of events lead up to Peter witnessing vital evidence in Hawke’s murder case. Both Hawke and Peter end up hospitalized just when it seems the pieces of the puzzle are starting to come together..
With a brooding, noir feel, the author creates the Blitz atmosphere so keenly that you can almost hear the rustle of black-out curtains and the German planes overhead. Written by an expert on Sherlock Holmes, “Forests of the Night” is an excellent debut to a series that will appeal to lovers of period pieces as well as those who prefer a solid whodunit with a nice ending twist.
Before the war began Johnny was a policeman. Now, because of his disability the force wants him to do desk work. Still young and yearning for more excitement, this defeats his whole reasoning for being a policeman so he quits the force and sets up shop as a private investigator.
The parents of a young woman hire Johnny to investigate their missing daughter. He soon learns that their ‘sweet and innocent’ girl is actually a young prostitute that has recently been murdered. He is intrigued as the victim seems to have led a double life. He pursues the murder investigation even after the murdered girl’s parents call him off the case.
Peter, a young homeless boy crosses paths with Hawke. Peter reminds Johnny of himself as an orphaned child and he takes a keen interest in Peter’s plight. Peter, suspicious of anyone and everyone, resists Hawke’s interest in him and sets out on his own again. A series of events lead up to Peter witnessing vital evidence in Hawke’s murder case. Both Hawke and Peter end up hospitalized just when it seems the pieces of the puzzle are starting to come together..
With a brooding, noir feel, the author creates the Blitz atmosphere so keenly that you can almost hear the rustle of black-out curtains and the German planes overhead. Written by an expert on Sherlock Holmes, “Forests of the Night” is an excellent debut to a series that will appeal to lovers of period pieces as well as those who prefer a solid whodunit with a nice ending twist.
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