A GATHERING OF SAINTS

Rating:
Summary: Spellbinding!
Review: A stunning historical thriller filled with fascinating details, rich, vibrant characters, and a plot which defines "page-turner". As a professional writer, I can fully appreciate the tremendous amount of research Mr. Hyde undertook to bring the story to life. As a reader who is constantly disappointed by over-hyped novels this was a delightful discovery. Not once did the plotting disappoint (nor did I deduce certain elements ahead of time, one of my biggest frustrations with most thrillers these days), nor did I find the characters cliched. Scotland Yard Detective Morris Black is a great protagonist, as complex and dimensional as his disturbing antagonist, the sick, twisted "Queer Jack". As villains go, he's up there with Deaver's "The Bone Collector" and Hannibal Lecter. This is a terrific read which is unlikely to disappoint. However, as some of the other readers have mentioned, if you are disturbed by graphic depictions of the aftermath of violence or post mortem procedures there are passages in the book you may want to speed-read. But that warning aside, there's no reason to avoid this superb spellbinder. I couldn't have wished for a more entertaining Christmas present!

Rating:
Summary: Locations at their finest
Review: A stunning historical thriller filled with fascinating details, rich, vibrant characters, and a plot which defines "page-turner". As a professional writer, I can fully appreciate the tremendous amount of research Mr. Hyde undertook to bring the story to life. As a reader who is constantly disappointed by over-hyped novels this was a delightful discovery. Not once did the plotting disappoint (nor did I deduce certain elements ahead of time, one of my biggest frustrations with most thrillers these days), nor did I find the characters cliched. Scotland Yard Detective Morris Black is a great protagonist, as complex and dimensional as his disturbing antagonist, the sick, twisted "Queer Jack". As villains go, he's up there with Deaver's "The Bone Collector" and Hannibal Lecter. This is a terrific read which is unlikely to disappoint. However, as some of the other readers have mentioned, if you are disturbed by graphic depictions of the aftermath of violence or post mortem procedures there are passages in the book you may want to speed-read. But that warning aside, there's no reason to avoid this superb spellbinder. I couldn't have wished for a more entertaining Christmas present!

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic characterization against a background of the Blitz
Review: Christopher Hyde has drawn an amazing fictional plot against a background of real-life characters and actual events. This marriage provides a novel that holds the reader in thrall from beginning to end. It is fascinating to see the story unfold through the eyes of its unlikely hero - and to suddenly realize that you are meeting actual characters from the London of World War Two throughout the pages! The historical detail is accurate and a delight to read, giving added depth to this intricate tale. I would recommend it to anyone interested in WWII, or psychological thrillers, or spy stories ...... as it combines a little of each within its covers.

Rating:
Summary: A riveting, vivid tale of bombs and a serial killer
Review: Hyde's complex thriller is based on a true story of a serial killer during the early days of the Nazi blitz of London in 1940.

According to the author, his characters are real people. The protagonist, Inspector Morris Black, is a melancholy Jewish widower. The killer's first victims are young, homosexual military pilots but it's the killer's choice of locale that make the case sensitive.

The murderer kills at the site of Luftwaffe raids - hours before the raids happen. When it becomes clear that this is no accident, Black finds himself in the midst of frantic Intelligence services and privy to secrets that endanger his career.

Meanwhile, "The Doctor," a highly placed English Nazi spy, is also on the track of the killer, intrigued as to how advance notice of the raids is being obtained.

Hyde's detailed and atmospheric prose gives the reader a true sense of London at war. When Black, along with an attractive American spy trying to infiltrate his case, is caught in several devastating raids, Hyde vividly conveys the sense of panic, the devastating destruction and waste, the feel and smell and sound of exploding bombs, falling brick and timber, implacable fire - and the serendipity of who dies and who lives.

He also gives us portraits of London's powerful intelligence people - chosen for their schools and connections rather than their skills - and a sense of British ambivalence which emerged in open slights of Jews and covert plots for a separate peace with Hitler.

Hyde is a careful and powerful writer with an intriguing and shocking story.

Rating:
Summary: Can't put it down
Review: I love historical thrillers, especially those that take place during World War II. There's something about spy novels that take place during this time period, as well as books that have to do with Special Forces missions.

This book is about a serial killer who is doing his killings during the London Blitz of 1940. This has security as well as strategic implications when it's figured out that the killer is doing the killing in areas the night the murder location is bombed by the Germans. Because of this, both a German and an American spy get involved along with Morris Black, a Scotland Yard inspector who gets in over his head.

I really liked this book, and found it very hard to put down. The descriptions of London during the Blitz are really well done, so much so that even if you've never been to Britain, you can still picture where the action is happening. Hyde really makes you understand the horror of living under this intense bombing.

His descriptions of the more personal horrors sometimes go a little over the top, but it isn't that much of a problem. There were a couple of times that i skipped over a passage when he went on and on describing the condition of a dead body. That doesn't happen too often, however.

The characters are well-portrayed as well. You really get a sense of the conflicting loyalties that some of them face. Black is an Inspector who doesn't want anything to do with politics and international intrigue, but he's drawn in anyway. It's very interesting to see how he reacts to it all. Katherine's dilemma is also intriguing. None of the characters are typical: they all have their own motivations that are well-portrayed.

I did object a bit to the way one of the characters is written out rather arbitrarily. It seemed to me that the character was leading somewhere, and then *boom* the character is dead. Not quite what I was expecting, which can often be a good thing. However, in this case, it seemed to be a waste.

All in all, though, it's a great book. If you like this sort of book (historical suspense novel, spies, etc), you will love this one. (...)

Rating:
Summary: Serial Killers and Spies Make for a Five Star Thriller
Review: Inspector Morris Black of Scotland Yard is approached by MI5 to help track down a serial killer known as Queer Jack, because his brutal murders seem to coincide with Luftwaffe attacks, indicating he knows in advance when the raids will happen. Concerned that the Nazis not learn they have cracked their secret codes, the British are hot on Jack's heels. But the British are not the only ones after him, a high level German spy is chasing him too, because he wants to find out where Queer Jack gets his information. Black finds himself in the elite circles of the British establishment as he races against time to track down the man whose killing spree is threatening the nation's survival.

Set in London at the height of the Blitz, This five star thriller is a page turner that pits the violence of a serial killer against the background of the war-torn city. I highly recommend this book.

Reviewed by Vesta Irene

Rating:
Summary: LackedThe Luster Of 2nd Assassin, But Still Good
Review: Maybe it was the setting, maybe it was the disturbing plot, well not as disturbing of a plot as Second Assassin was. But anyway a serial killer, kills and leaves the his victoms lifeless bodies in areas selected for German bombing raids in London, during the Battle of Britain. So how does the killer know? Guess you'll have to read to find out. Also plays on why Germany quit bombing London. Good book, Hyde as usual, does a stupendous effort with the research, and development of the characters. Scotland Yard MI6, and a well placed German agent help to make this book one hell of a read.
If you liked this one try Black Cross, by Greg Iles, and Archangel, by Robert Harris.

Rating:
Summary: So-so story...
Review: The last third of the book is one of the most intense and powerful endings to a book I have ever read. Thrilling, full of suspense, I loved reading it. Emotionally sadistic and fun. I also recommend Fatherland and Five Past Midnight for more spy thrillers.

Rating:
Summary: Silence of the Lambs, pre 1942
Review: This might be the most readable Hyde I've read to date, and I really enjoyed Second Assassin and House of Special Purpose greatly. This captures your attention and keeps you spellbound over the last 250 pages. Thrilling conclusion that brings back memories of Hannibal Lecter. Interesting anecdotes regarding the Blitz and Ultra, and its breaking of the Enigma code. If you enjoyed this, you'll enjoy Enigma by Robert Harris. A fascinating read for WWII fiction buffs.