J.G. Harlond

1942 Bideford Due to the war DS Edgar (Bob) Robbins has been brought out of retirement to once again join the police force. While on holiday, walking a coastal path he hears shots and notices an incident, involving two men. The elder man looking injured but his help is not welcome. Then later while investigating at the Hentree Farm he hears a pistol shot and discovers the body of the young man. Soon due to local police shortages, Robbins is seconded to the area and is in charge of the investigations. He recruits his constable Laurie Oliver to help. While on the case he is staying at the Peony Villas, where he is sure that there is a mystery to be solved there.
An enjoyable historical well-written mystery with a couple of likeable main characters.
A NetGalley Book… (més)

In the Empress Emerald, we have a tale spanning the life of a man, and by extension the events that surround that life that affect him personally as well as those that are occurring about the globe that changed everyone's lives as well. With the device from the title, Ms. Harlond uses the Empress Emerald which is a necklace to weave itself about the main character like a cloak that will protect and shield our hero, Leo Kazan, as well as be the fire, albeit green since it is an emerald that burns within his breast as well.

Without providing spoilers beyond the most general, the story is that of the years of Leo from when he was born at the opening of the 20th century to Britain's entry into the war. It weaves the identity of India, Russia, Spain and England together in a gordian knot of plots, intrigues and tales so that little slivers of all are brought together to unite in a fine tale that shows that such a large thing as an empire, or two, will naturally result in certain individuals living lives that cross borders. And in such a turbulent time with one world war occurring, and another just beginning, the backdrop of history is food for the author to fuel our imaginations and for us to visit places and see sights that are seldom glimpsed.

It is not just solely Leo's story, for he has a rather large impact on others as well, and here we find a secondary tale that becomes the equal of our Heroes. Naturally we find that Leo has a love interest that is so well connected that it defies time, miles, and tragedies, to bind our two lovers. They are Bashert, soulmates, in every sense of the word. That Ms. Harlond is able to provide us a compelling tale that we can enjoy their affection for each other, leaves the reader with a need to turn the page to find how this part of the tale will play out.

With charm and dignity, out hero and heroine show that the world that was torn apart and tried to reknit itself, only to be ripped to shreds again, is a place where the hope of love, the gift of life can flourish. Did flourish.

A well written book with a clear narrative voice that gives it style. It is a true work of historical fiction. Where suspense or mystery might have fought to take over the stage, such was not the case, giving more to the development of our characters that made their lives of love all that more profound.

Were we to meet Leo again and see more of his unique life, and how things change with the War and after, knowing that more of the tale is there to be found would be a consummation of the man and his closest family that we have begun to know. Where Emerald has ended, at the brink of the war, we who live now after it has gone, know that there is much historically to relate and having met Leo here in this exceptional tale, also know that he is a character who would have a lot to do during the years of the war and after.… (més)