Mark Hebden (1916–1991)

John Harris first came to the attention of American readers with “The Undaunted”, the deliberately understated story of an Air-Sea rescue operation in World War II. Published in (the USA) in 1953, it received the same warm praise that greeted its publication in Englan under the title The Sea Shall Not Have Them.

This is John Harris' classic war novel of espionage in the most extreme of situations. An essential flight from France leaves the crew of RAF Hudson missing, and somewhere in the North Sea four men cling to a dinghy, praying for rescue before exposure kills them or the enemy finds them. One man is critically injured; another (a rocket expert) is carrying a briefcase stuffed with vital secrets. As time begins to run out each man yearns to evade capture. This story charts the daring and courage of these men, their rescuers and a breathtaking mission with the most awesome of consequences.… (more)

Set in Norway during the German invasion in WW II, the plot focuses on the last of the large sailing ships left in the world and their use in WW II by both sides. The British send the Oulu to Norway to spy on German activities and to warn the Royal Navy when the prisoners from the German Raider Altmark arrive in the area so the RN can attempt a rescue.

Soon the Germans invade Norway and Magnusson, the British hero, is on the run with ship and crew. The many harrowing escapes he and his crew have makes for a fast moving story with lots of sailing information and Norwegian culture thrown in. The crew originally is made up of Finns trying to get home to Finland and unaware of the true nature of the voyage but when they flee for home, Norwegians and a Pole join the crew and take their anger and hate out on any German soldier they come across.

The non stop action will keep you turning the pages.… (more)

The body of Edouard-Charles Duche is found dead in an alley. Duche is notorious for bullying, fraud, threats and theft —among law enforcement and the gang world. Was it murder by gang or by one of his victims?

Francois Rensselaer, wealthy business man, has gone missing but his family doesn’t seem to care. Some of his business associates and employees don’t seem to care either. The only one is Archer, Rensselaer’s favourite Staghound.

In both cases there are plenty of suspects and shady characters that could have something to do in the cases. Family? Friends? Associates? Enemies?

To solve thes cases, Inspector Evariste Clovis Désiré Pel is called in. One of the most successful detectives on the force, but no so much at home with Madam Routy, his housekeeper. She, who is a lousy cook and listens to the TV at top volume while sitting in the best chair. Why couldn’t he be as assertive with her as he is at work and fire her? The call to take the cases was extremely welcomed by Pel and his associates. At least here he was respected and the boss.

Pel is thorough in his investigations and expects and gets the same with his men. Observing, analyzing, thinking over details more than once, Pel slowly puts the pieces together to find the solution.

Pel can be moody, worrisome, brusque, outspoken and thorough, but there is also wittiness to be found in Pel and the other characters. It may be on the dark side, but it adds to the mood of the story.… (more)