liberrydude 's review for:

Billy Boyle by James R. Benn

4.0

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Publishers Weekly and Booklist gave this book so so reviews. I thought it was great. A very different and original look at WWII. Billy Boyle is a rough Boston cop who will take whatever nepotism dishes out to him: a job as a cop in Boston, a promotion to detective, and later a plum posting to Uncle Ike's staff in London so he can hide out the war in a safe place. Initially he reminded me of George McDonald Fraser's Flashman character, but he's not such a cad and shirker. Billy is a tough character who despite some deprecating views on his life so far proves he is a real officer and gentleman. He's not a lamb but a lion who quickly gets involved in a murder investigation that seems to also involve a spy in the Norwegian exile forces. Benn does a good job of describing: the countryside, the period,and the awkwardness of a newly commissioned lieutenant adjusting to constantly changing circumstances. I kept turning the pages and could not have forseen the ending. I'm looking forward to reading the next one in this series.