"Stellar...Benn excels at depicting the impact of war on London—the bricks from bombed out buildings piled neatly on the streets, families living in Tube stations, 'the odor of the Blitz.' Destruction aside, Billy never forgets that 'even in the midst of war, murder is unacceptable.'"—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review "...the novel's scenes of London under siege are stark and poignant."—The New York Times Book Review "James R. Benn seems to have taken up the mantle of Nevil Shute with his WWII stories featuring Boston cop Billy Boyle ... Graceful plotting, a strong supporting cast and a modern take on '40s dialogue all come together to make the Billy Boyle series one of the finest—perhaps the finest—of contemporary period mysteries. This is not James R. Benn's first Mystery of the Month; odds are good it won't be his last. As a plus, the series' cover designs, reminiscent of War Bonds posters, are suitable for framing!
"—BookPage, Mystery of the Month | "Billy Boyle is a corker."—Seattle Times "Rag and Bone combines a good puzzle with some philosophical questions about honor, loyalty and courage."—The Free Lance-Star "Mystery fans will enjoy Boyle's investigative adventures, and readers of World War II historical fiction will savor the gritty glimpse of life in battered wartime London."—Library Journal "Benn shrewdly combines the political cat-and-mouse game with the murder investigation, offering a fascinating glimpse of the wartime intelligence world (Allies spying on Allies) and how it laid the groundwork for the Cold War. In addition, his portrayals of the invdividual lives affected by the global machinations reflect an almost Graham Greene–like feel for nuance. Definitely one of the best in a steadily improving series."—Booklist |
