Showell Styles (1908–2005)

This is a fascinating series that features Abercrombie Lewker, a garrulous, somewhat pompous Shakespearean actor and avid mountain climber. In his travels and rock climbing adventures he inadvertently stumbles across violent deaths that invariably turn out to be nasty murders. This is the 3rd book in the series and his annoying, very artificial speech is considerably diluted from the first entry Death on Milehigh Buttress which I never finished because of the arch dialog. (Lewker has an show more irritable habit of quoting Shakespeare, Webster, Wilde, Shaw and other classic writers of the British stage.) But I muddled through the first three chapters of this one and the engrossing story overshadowed all the dialog eccentricities. Includes witchcraft, Welsh legends and lore, and hidden cache of paintings. I figured this one out very early on, but the rock climbing and the character contrast between the youthful suspects and the middle-aged Lewker made for a good read. His books are very hard to find in any edition and command high prices. But God bless Rue Morgue Press for reissuing most of these books in affordable paperback editions so that a new generation of detective fiction lovers can read of Lewker's exploits. show less

This is one of series of Welsh climbing mysteries featuring Shakespearean actor Abercrombie Lewker. Lewker is invited to a stay at an M.P.'s house near Snowdon but is soon involved in a murder investigation when is host, David Webhouse, is killed in an explosion. The plot holds together, and the solution is fair to the reader, but the story comes from the humdrum school of writing. The reprint is, of course, welcome but a little more attention could have been paid to proofing (and in show more particular air rifle). show less

The hero of this 'ripping yarn' is Michael Fitton, master's mate on the 12 gun cutter Curlew. England is about to be invaded by a force of about 14,00 men comprising frenchmen and some irishmen.(this is the 'Black Legion of the title) Some of these are regular forces and others are a motley crew which includes released prisoners. They are led by an American,Colonel,later General Tate.
As the book progresses, Fitton does his best to defeat the diabolical Tate and I leave it to the reader to show more discover who triumphs. Not a difficult task I would think.
It is an easy and undemanding read and one to fit into the odd idle moment. Quite an entertaining story for all that. show less

In effect this is a fictionalised biography of Adam Duncan. A good book, and an easy read; Styles put the character across well and certainly whets the apatite for a truly authoritative bio; Duncan certainly deserves one.