Rating: 
Summary: Another great read for everyone!!
Review: Owen Parry's series continues to push a history lesson, intelligence, and entertainment into a single adventure with Abel Jones'detective work in England/Scotland. His characters in this book are as intensely interesting as the not-so-obvious civil war setting. Fascinating bit of history and great fun!!
Rating: 
Summary: Mystery or Catechism?
Review: Set during the Civil War, Honor's Kingdom finds Abel Jones called to London to investigate the murder of an American spy. Upon arrival, Jones quickly learnes of a plot by the Confederates to persuade the British government to aide them in building a navy; a navy capable of crushing the American blockade. Predicting the murder and the navel plot are linked, Jones must work to solve the murder of the American agent, and interrupt the Confederates dipolmatic efforts with London. The plot of this novel is appealing, but author Owen Parry does not deliver a satisfying book. Religious ideology bogs down this book page after page. Main characater Abel Jones is a Methodist, and often preaches to the reader about his religious beliefs. Readers of historical novels need to be aware of the time and place in which said novel takes place. However, in the case of Honor's Kingdom preaching does nothing to make the setting more authentic, realistic, or enjoyable. Take for example, the following passage: Saturday or not, the destiny of carriages upon the streets was such that we had to turn down through Haymarket, where the Theatre Royale advertised Our American Cousin. Now, I will tell you: At times I wish the theatre were not immoral, for I will admit to you, as finally I did to Mick Tyrone, that I would like to see the works of Mr. Shakespeare played upon the stage. But that is how our fall from Grace begins, see. With our succombing to desires that seem most innocent. And then it is like a rout in the wake of battle, where tragedy compunds with every step. We must be firm in the first instance, putting up a sound and constant defense against sin and evil. For once the barricade is pierced, late efforts go awry. So I content myself with reading Mr. Shakespeare, who is edifying upon the page, and true. Obviously there is nothing wrong with the beliefs of Abel Jones, but the way in which they are presented to the reader is offensive. Simmilar preachings about the evils of drinking, how playing cards is the `devil's hand', and how good Christians do not play billiards also grace the pages of this novel. It grew old, tiresome, and obtrusive to the plot very early in the book. Phrases such as `I'll let that bide' and `look you' crop-up just about every page. A tool used by the author to create a conversational tone to his prose. It does not work, and does not give Jones the appearance of a relaxed conversational type of guy. Instead, Jones comes across apostolic, arrogant, and pompous. There are a plethora of authors writing mysteries based in this time period that do not rely upon this brand of religious dogma to create a sence of time and place. If you don't mind your mystery novel reading more like a catechism, by all means try this novel. Otherwise, look to other authors who create a vivid picture of the same era without shameless, intrusive religious dogma. ...
Rating:
Summary: Mystery or Catechism?
Review: Set during the Civil War, Honor's Kingdom finds Abel Jones called to London to investigate the murder of an American spy. Upon arrival, Jones quickly learnes of a plot by the Confederates to persuade the British government to aide them in building a navy; a navy capable of crushing the American blockade. Predicting the murder and the navel plot are linked, Jones must work to solve the murder of the American agent, and interrupt the Confederates dipolmatic efforts with London. The plot of this novel is appealing, but author Owen Parry does not deliver a satisfying book. Religious ideology bogs down this book page after page. Main characater Abel Jones is a Methodist, and often preaches to the reader about his religious beliefs. Readers of historical novels need to be aware of the time and place in which said novel takes place. However, in the case of Honor's Kingdom preaching does nothing to make the setting more authentic, realistic, or enjoyable. Take for example, the following passage: Saturday or not, the destiny of carriages upon the streets was such that we had to turn down through Haymarket, where the Theatre Royale advertised Our American Cousin. Now, I will tell you: At times I wish the theatre were not immoral, for I will admit to you, as finally I did to Mick Tyrone, that I would like to see the works of Mr. Shakespeare played upon the stage. But that is how our fall from Grace begins, see. With our succombing to desires that seem most innocent. And then it is like a rout in the wake of battle, where tragedy compunds with every step. We must be firm in the first instance, putting up a sound and constant defense against sin and evil. For once the barricade is pierced, late efforts go awry. So I content myself with reading Mr. Shakespeare, who is edifying upon the page, and true. Obviously there is nothing wrong with the beliefs of Abel Jones, but the way in which they are presented to the reader is offensive. Simmilar preachings about the evils of drinking, how playing cards is the 'devil's hand', and how good Christians do not play billiards also grace the pages of this novel. It grew old, tiresome, and obtrusive to the plot very early in the book. Phrases such as 'I'll let that bide' and 'look you' crop-up just about every page. A tool used by the author to create a conversational tone to his prose. It does not work, and does not give Jones the appearance of a relaxed conversational type of guy. Instead, Jones comes across apostolic, arrogant, and pompous. There are a plethora of authors writing mysteries based in this time period that do not rely upon this brand of religious dogma to create a sence of time and place. If you don't mind your mystery novel reading more like a catechism, by all means try this novel. Otherwise, look to other authors who create a vivid picture of the same era without shameless, intrusive religious dogma. ...
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Series, Excellent Novel
Review: The fourth in Owen Parry's intelligent series of murder mysteries set during the U.S. Civil War. Protagonist Abel Jones, a prissy Welsh immigrant to the U.S. and veteran of Britain's campaigns in India, is a military detective for the U.S. Army. The ironically-named "Honor's Kingdom" finds him in Britain, unravelling a series of mysteries linked to the India wars, the Confederacy's quest to build warships, and the conniving politics of the British Parliament. It's a great read. And a complicated read made more fun by the fact that Abel Jones is just as befuddled as the reader, and sorts out his facts in his own prim, dogged way. This is an excellent series, and "Honor's Kingdom" is an excellent novel.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Series, Excellent Novel
Review: The fourth in Owen Parry's intelligent series of murder mysteries set during the U.S. Civil War. Protagonist Abel Jones, a prissy Welsh immigrant to the U.S. and veteran of Britain's campaigns in India, is a military detective for the U.S. Army. The ironically-named "Honor's Kingdom" finds him in Britain, unravelling a series of mysteries linked to the India wars, the Confederacy's quest to build warships, and the conniving politics of the British Parliament. It's a great read. And a complicated read made more fun by the fact that Abel Jones is just as befuddled as the reader, and sorts out his facts in his own prim, dogged way. This is an excellent series, and "Honor's Kingdom" is an excellent novel.
Rating:
Summary: a deeply rewarding reading experience
Review: There are no doubt many readers who pursue their interests by seeking the familiar and are most comfortable on well-trod ground. With HONOR'S KINGDOM, the fourth book in his series on the Civil War, Owen Parry offers readers the deeply rewarding experience that comes from delving into, if not the unknown, the less than familiar. This is a Civil War tale set in London and Glasgow where Abel Jones, Parry's flawed but perfectly realized and completely engaging central character, battles the enemies of the Union cause. These enemies -- the machinations of politicians, the gentry's lust for the imprimatur of title, the careless games of the privileged, and base evil disinterested in any cause -- are bound together in an intricate plot played out by characters who intrigue, be they alluring or repellent. And this latest opportunity to plumb the depths of Abel Jones's character is particularly satisfying for those who first met him in Parry's FADED COAT OF BLUE and have come to know and care for him more with each book in the series. In HONOR'S KINGDOM, Parry's writing matches the standard set in his previous work: It is, quite simply, beautiful. Highly recommended for anyone interested in a fine tale well told.
Rating: 
Summary: Someone Save This Series!
Review: This fourth in Parry's very uneven Civil War mystery series finds Major Abel Jones in England, attempting to suss out why two Union agents have turned up dead. I loved the first book in the series (Faded Coat of Blue), was rather disappointed with the second (Shadows of Glory), regained the faith with the third (Call Each River Jordan), and have almost completely lost faith with this entry. I'm no great Civil War buff, but it seems like there would be plenty of material for Parry's fictional spy there, instead of removing the hero from the maelstrom and plopping him down in Dickensian London and Glasgow. The brilliance of the first book was that it showed an unseen side of Washington, D.C., and the strength of the third book is that it provides an interesting look at the wartime south. Here, the setting is well-trodden materialóif one wanted to discover Dickensian London, one could read, well... Dickens. But even if the setting were more interesting, the story doesn't deliver the goods. Jones (and the reader) is wound into knots by an unnecessarily complicated plot that proves quite hard to follow at stretches. The basics are that the Union is terrified of an alliance between the South and Britain, or at least Britain's providing the South with formidable warships. As such, there are Union agents operating in England, and when one turns up dead in a basket of eels, Jones is sent for. About halfway through, one ceases to care who the mastermind isóalthough I should note that despite the convoluted plot, it's painfully obvious who the villain is! There are a few minor subplots, including one involving a waif, who's resolution is again, easily guessed the moment we meet her. Matters are hardly helped by Parry's insistence on cramming in as many cameos as possible. In the first book, it seemed somewhat plausible he would meet Lincoln, since he's established as a special agent there. In the second book Jones rather gratuitously runs into Frederick Douglas and Susan B. Anthony during his mission in upstate New York. In the third book he again more plausibly interacts with three famous Civil War generals. Here, all the stops get pulled out. His liaison in London is Charles Adams (John Adams' grandson), and he has to deal with Benjamin Disraeli in his business. Other random (and purposeless) cameos are made by the writer Trollope, the painter Whistler, the father of communism Karl Marx, and the fellow who founded the Salvation Army (which it turns out is directly the result of Jones' influence). One or two of these historical figures would have been fine, but six? At a certain point, they simply seem like cheap tricks inserted into the proceedings to liven things up. This is a shame, because there aren't any interesting supporting characters to create interest (such as Barnaby Barnaby from Call Each River Jordan), and all Jones' interesting allies from the earlier books (such as the Irish doctor and the rascally Malloy) are sitting across the ocean! Alas, even Jones' voice as narrator's isn't as sparkling as in the previous books. Readers of those earlier books will be entirely familiar with the Welsh idioms that are trotted out, and the phrases "Listen you" and "But let that bide" employed far far too frequently. Ultimately, there's really nothing compelling about this entry in the Abel Jones story, worse it's done quite a bit to disenchant me with the series as a whole.
Rating: 
Summary: A Less Than Outstanding Effort From A Gifted Writer
Review: This is the fourth in Parry's Civil War era suspense series featuring Major Abel Jones, and although entertaining and well crafted, is the least successful so far. Good historical fiction must balance the two elements, history and fiction, in a careful manner so that one element does not overwhelm the other, and Parry continues to do that well. It is the element of suspense, of mystery that is less present here than in the earlier works. Perhaps it is because the locus of this story is England, rather than the war torn US of the 1860s, but along the way, I began not to care about who was doing what to whom. Parry has done an excellent job in capturing the England of that time, but his main character, Jones, is taking an extremely long time to resolve his internal conflict between devout Methodism and his past and present role as a soldier in war. It is more of a distraction here than in the first three books, because I keep waiting for Jones, a very intelligent character, to bring closure to this conflict, rather than to agonize over it. I read this book because I enjoyed the first three, and I will buy number five, when it appears, for the same reason. But I may pass on Number 6 et seq., if Parry doesn't improve.
Rating:
Summary: Abel Jones in England
Review: This series gets better and better with every book. The latest adventure takes our intrepid hero to England, where several nasty murders appear to be hurting the Union cause with the British government. Along the way Abel Jones meets or runs into many actual historical figures, and that is part of the fun of this book, although the plot is very serious. The writing is, as usual, top-notch, although Jones' "Let it bide" becomes more than a tad wearisome with its almost constant repetition. If you haven't read any of these books,I suggest that you start at the beginning of the series and work your way through all of them. You won't be disappointed!
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