Tim Vicary
Author of The Elephant Man [Oxford Bookworms]
About the Author
Image credit: via Goodreads
Series
Works by Tim Vicary
Oxford Bookworms Library: Justice: Level 3: 1000-Word Vocabulary (Oxford Bookworms 3) (2008) 27 copies, 6 reviews
The elephant man (Oxford Bookworms) 19 copies
Oxford Bookworms Playscripts: The Murder of Mary Jones: Level 1: 400-Word Vocabulary (Oxford Bookworms Library Playscripts) (1999) 13 copies, 1 review
Oxford Bookworms Library Factfiles: Dinosaurslevel 3 (Oxford Bookworms Library. Factfiles. Stage 3) (2012) 5 copies, 1 review
The Oxford Bookworms Library: Stage 1: 400 Headwords: Mutiny on the Bounty (Oxford Bookworms ELT) 2 copies
Oxford Primary History: Roman Invasion: From Different Points of View (Oxford Primary History) (1993) 1 copy
Oxford Primary History: Vikings: From Different Points of View (Oxford Primary History) (1993) 1 copy, 1 review
Guest Room 1 copy
Associated Works
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Other names
- Megan Stark
- Gender
- male
- Short biography
- Hi. My name's Tim Vicary and I'm an author and a university teacher at the Norwegian Study Centre at the University of York, England. I've written three crime/legal thrillers in 'The Trials of Sarah Newby' series, and I'm currently writing a fourth. I've also written four historical novels, two children's books, and about twenty graded readers for foreign learners of English in the Oxford Bookworms series, published by Oxford University Press, two of which, Titanic and The Everest Story, won awards from the Extensive Reading Foundation in 2010 and 2011 respectively.
My legal thriller, A Fatal Verdict, was awarded a B.R.A.G Medallion for an outstanding independently published book in 2012, and in 2013 Bold Counsel won the Awesome Indies Seal of Approval.
I live in the English countryside, near York. When I'm not writing I like horse-riding, cycling, and swimming.
[retrieved 9/7/2013 from Amazon.com] - Nationality
- UK
- Associated Place (for map)
- UK
Members
Reviews
Fascinating and Deeply Moving
Catherine O'Connell-Gort, the only surviving child of Sir Jonathan O'Connell-Gort had always been wild and reckless. When other girls of her age and class were 'coming out' as débutantes, she insisted on going to university to study medicine. And it was there that she met Sean Brennan – handsome, charming... and an active member of the nascent Irish Republican Army.
Catherine's father is desperately taking a stand for the old regime against the I R A murderers show more and rebels who are killing policemen in the street. And his task is made next to impossible because all the Irish institutions – the police force, the civil service, even the post office – have been infiltrated by Sinn Féin spies, and the Irish people look the other way. Nobody ever sees who carries out the murders and the British can do nothing without the I R A knowing their plans. The members of Sinn Féin, however, are not hampered by rules of gentlemanly behaviour. They are in no doubt that they are fighting a war, waged for the independence of their beloved Ireland, and if innocent people are killed in the process, that is the sacrifice that must be paid.
There are many reasons why you might want to read this book, not the least of which is that it describes more vividly and emotively the early days of the I R A than any text book could.
As always in these circumstances it is the little people who get hurt, the policemen with families to support and a pension to worry about, the idealistic young men like Sean Brennan who are recruited by Sinn Féin and turned into killers.
But there are other reasons. This is one of the most poignant love stories I have ever read. I was moved to tears more than once and kept hoping against hope that somehow Catherine and Sean's fragile, doomed love would survive the bloody battlefield that was Ireland in 1919.
And finally, you might choose to read it for the same reason I did. Because you have read Tim Vicary before and recognised him for the superb writer he is. Make no doubt about it, Tim Vicary is a master of his craft. His prose is fluent and beautiful, his characterisation superb, his plots perfectly structured and paced.
When I read the first book I became a fan. With this one I have become an addict. show less
Catherine O'Connell-Gort, the only surviving child of Sir Jonathan O'Connell-Gort had always been wild and reckless. When other girls of her age and class were 'coming out' as débutantes, she insisted on going to university to study medicine. And it was there that she met Sean Brennan – handsome, charming... and an active member of the nascent Irish Republican Army.
Catherine's father is desperately taking a stand for the old regime against the I R A murderers show more and rebels who are killing policemen in the street. And his task is made next to impossible because all the Irish institutions – the police force, the civil service, even the post office – have been infiltrated by Sinn Féin spies, and the Irish people look the other way. Nobody ever sees who carries out the murders and the British can do nothing without the I R A knowing their plans. The members of Sinn Féin, however, are not hampered by rules of gentlemanly behaviour. They are in no doubt that they are fighting a war, waged for the independence of their beloved Ireland, and if innocent people are killed in the process, that is the sacrifice that must be paid.
There are many reasons why you might want to read this book, not the least of which is that it describes more vividly and emotively the early days of the I R A than any text book could.
As always in these circumstances it is the little people who get hurt, the policemen with families to support and a pension to worry about, the idealistic young men like Sean Brennan who are recruited by Sinn Féin and turned into killers.
But there are other reasons. This is one of the most poignant love stories I have ever read. I was moved to tears more than once and kept hoping against hope that somehow Catherine and Sean's fragile, doomed love would survive the bloody battlefield that was Ireland in 1919.
And finally, you might choose to read it for the same reason I did. Because you have read Tim Vicary before and recognised him for the superb writer he is. Make no doubt about it, Tim Vicary is a master of his craft. His prose is fluent and beautiful, his characterisation superb, his plots perfectly structured and paced.
When I read the first book I became a fan. With this one I have become an addict. show less
When Charles II died and was succeeded by his Catholic brother, James, England was torn between loyalty to the Crown and fear of papists. The Protestants, who had flourished under Cromwell and Charles, now had to worship in secret. When the inevitable rebellion came, in support of Charles’ illegitimate son, James Duke of Monmouth, a great deal of the support came from these dissenting groups. This is the story of the people of the village of Colyton, ‘England’s most rebellious town’, show more and their struggle to defend their faith.
Caught in the middle of a war that is none of her making, Ann Carter knows she should support the Monmouth cause and the men of her village, including her betrothed, but she secretly hopes that the war will release her from her boring fiancé, leaving her free to follow her illicit love, the dashing Robert Pole, son of the local lord and an officer in the King’s army.
Tim Vicary has captured the era with deadly accuracy. In those days life was brutal and held cheap. Women were chattels and any life other than that of dutiful wife was considered improper. Amid the violence and horror of the rebellion, Ann struggles with her conscience and her secret desires.
This is a beautifully-written and well-researched work full of fascinating detail about life in 17th century England. In fact, if you want to learn history without trying, this is the way to do it.
But you should read it for other reasons too. Mr Vicary knows how to write a good tale. His characters are utterly believable and the plot is exciting, drawing the reader in to an alternative world. This is what I believe fiction should do, and if it teaches you something about a very interesting period of history, then that is a bonus.
I recommend this book without reservation. show less
Caught in the middle of a war that is none of her making, Ann Carter knows she should support the Monmouth cause and the men of her village, including her betrothed, but she secretly hopes that the war will release her from her boring fiancé, leaving her free to follow her illicit love, the dashing Robert Pole, son of the local lord and an officer in the King’s army.
Tim Vicary has captured the era with deadly accuracy. In those days life was brutal and held cheap. Women were chattels and any life other than that of dutiful wife was considered improper. Amid the violence and horror of the rebellion, Ann struggles with her conscience and her secret desires.
This is a beautifully-written and well-researched work full of fascinating detail about life in 17th century England. In fact, if you want to learn history without trying, this is the way to do it.
But you should read it for other reasons too. Mr Vicary knows how to write a good tale. His characters are utterly believable and the plot is exciting, drawing the reader in to an alternative world. This is what I believe fiction should do, and if it teaches you something about a very interesting period of history, then that is a bonus.
I recommend this book without reservation. show less
Sarah Newby is a barrister in a rather unique club. Her education began at 16 while rearing her first child. Divorced, remarried, a mother, and a student while still in her teens was hard enough. As time goes on she discovers her second marriage is not all it's cracked up to be either. Personal matters aside, she is tough, honest and fair however much any barrister (lawyer) can possess those traits.
If you are not a native of the UK you'll find slang words and phrases to be odd at first but show more you do get used to the language and it is certainly not any kind of barrier to reading the story. It sort of makes for interesting reading altogether.
In this tale, Sarah's first born child, a son, Simon, is charged with a vicious attack on his ex-girlfriend that includes rape and finally her murder. He insists she become his barrister and although ill advised, she acquiesced to his plea for her as no one else has his best interest truly at heart.
Fast paced; quick read; interesting all the way through. I enjoyed this story with it's many villains, police goofs, and detailed trial information.
Some things to know: there are syntax errors, obvious words left out in places where you can assume and provide the correct syntax; typos too. However, not enough so as to hamper your reading ability or to take away from the flow of the work.
I'm a rather tough grader so a "3 of 5" is really good! Enjoyed this book very much. Read it over a two day period, but am a very fast reader.
HIGHLY recommended to others who enjoy murder mysteries that follow accused through the trial process. :D show less
If you are not a native of the UK you'll find slang words and phrases to be odd at first but show more you do get used to the language and it is certainly not any kind of barrier to reading the story. It sort of makes for interesting reading altogether.
In this tale, Sarah's first born child, a son, Simon, is charged with a vicious attack on his ex-girlfriend that includes rape and finally her murder. He insists she become his barrister and although ill advised, she acquiesced to his plea for her as no one else has his best interest truly at heart.
Fast paced; quick read; interesting all the way through. I enjoyed this story with it's many villains, police goofs, and detailed trial information.
Some things to know: there are syntax errors, obvious words left out in places where you can assume and provide the correct syntax; typos too. However, not enough so as to hamper your reading ability or to take away from the flow of the work.
I'm a rather tough grader so a "3 of 5" is really good! Enjoyed this book very much. Read it over a two day period, but am a very fast reader.
HIGHLY recommended to others who enjoy murder mysteries that follow accused through the trial process. :D show less
Ellen hated her brother Al because always he came first, not she. When they are adults, Al becomes rich, but he gives nothing to Ellen. She hates him more and more, and she lays a scheme to get his fortune.
I think this is a very human story. All characters have a dark side. I feel sympathy toward Ellen. I wanted her to be happy in the end.
I think this is a very human story. All characters have a dark side. I feel sympathy toward Ellen. I wanted her to be happy in the end.
Awards
You May Also Like
Associated Authors
Statistics
- Works
- 59
- Also by
- 1
- Members
- 2,547
- Popularity
- #10,087
- Rating
- 3.4
- Reviews
- 767
- ISBNs
- 199
- Languages
- 3
