Robert Ryan (1) (1963–)

I ended up finding this book excellent, though I wasn't all that sure at first, because I felt having John (Dr) Watson as a protagonist was a bit of a stretch, especially here when we encounter him as an old man who has decided to join the First World War effort to bring his skills as a doctor to good use, by introducing the new science of blood transfusion. This was my first Robert Ryan book, and I had seen he had written quite a few war books, and must say his descriptions of this show more particular war and what soldiers experience at the front and while behind the front lines seemed very realistic. He's also made Watson a very well-rounded character and had him interacting with an interesting cast of characters, not least of which Mrs Georgina Gregson, a VAD (part of the voluntary aid detachment), who denigrated by the nurses and sisters in charge as being a workhorse lacking skills, is chosen by Dr Watson as his assistant. It doesn't come as a great surprised that Mrs Gregson had been involved with the suffragette movement and her murky past comes to the surface as the story unfolds, adding another layer to this wartime murder mystery. The mystery Watson is attempting to solve involves the use of a horrible poison which leaves the victims looking like gargoyles in death, grinning horribly with expressions of dreadful fear and pain in their eyes. It seems someone is not content with the death toll this war of attrition is taking on the troops and has decided to hasten the death of some individuals, ensuring they experience as much suffering as possible. The mystery is solved without the aid of the great Sherlock Holmes, though he does make the occasional appearance in the course of things, as does Winston Churchill, and while all this might have seemed like a mere sideshow, it all ends up making for a convincing story and quite a page turner. It seems the next book might continue exploring what took place in this first instalment, since Watson is not satisfied that the murderer has explained his motives sufficiently. Looking forward to part two in this series. show less

Set in the years after WW II as the Cold War was just starting to be felt, Dying Day by Robert Ryan is an espionage novel that is atmospheric, clever and intricate. In 1944 SOE agent Diana McGill is flown into occupied France and disappears. Three years after the war, her sister, Laura, who also worked as an operative during the war, has decided to take matters into her own hands and find out what really happened to her sister. This was a very dangerous time as various countries were show more scrambling for power and control. On the brink of Cold War, Laura needs to act quickly or any information will be impossible to obtain. Her first stop is Berlin, where the man that sent Diana on her last mission is currently operating, and that city is full of the chaos and trickery that broke out at the close of World War II.

I had previously read The Last Sunrise by this author and some of the characters from that book also make an appearance here as the Berlin Airlift plays an important part. The author delivers a first class espionage story full of plot twists and turns. His characters are well drawn, and his research is first rate. The story is based on actual case files which gives it an added layer of authenticity. This is a detailed look at how the front lines of the shadow war were formed, and how both influence and control was being courted by both east and west.

Robert Ryan is an expert at detailing the world of spies. Dying Day captures the 1948 atmosphere of Berlin where clandestine activities mixed with geopolitical tension ran riot. Both entertaining and informative, I enjoyed this story of lies, deceit and the search for the truth. show less

The Great War is raging, and an aging Major John Watson has been recommissioned to train medical personnel on the front lines in the new technique of blood transfusion. After the death of a patient who had just received a blood transfusion, Watson sets out first to prove that the blood transfusion didn't cause the death, and then to identify the cause. Is it possible that someone has taken advantage of the chaos of war to commit a murder? Dr. Watson tries to imagine how his old friend and show more partner Sherlock Holmes might tackle the problem. Watson's pursuit of the truth brings him into great danger, and also endangers the lives of his two young VAD nursing assistants.

Dr. Watson and the Great War are an inspired pairing. Ryan hit the right tone both with the aging Dr. Watson and with the glimpses he gives of Watson's former partner and friend. I looked forward to picking up the book whenever I had a chance to read. One of the things I enjoy about mysteries is trying to piece together clues to solve the mystery before the fictional detective does. I'm always a little disappointed with books like this one where the characters acquire knowledge that isn't shared with the reader. I was also disappointed with some aspects of the ending. The setting and characters made it worthwhile, and I'm looking forward to seeing what this author will do with them next. show less

Dead Man’s Land by Robert Ryan was a very good thriller set among the muddy trenches of World War I. The author chose Dr. John Watson to anchor this story, and, I think, did a very good job with this iconic character. Ryan includes enough references to Sherlock Holmes and the relationship between the two men to remind the reader of their past detective efforts yet this would be just as easily read if one wasn’t familiar with this duo.

Although rather elderly to be serving at the front, show more Dr. Watson arrives with the intent to oversee and record the new medical technique of blood transfusions. He stumbles into a murder mystery and along with the intrepid VAD, Georgina Gregson is soon working to uncover a killer.

Along with the main story, the author includes a side story about a German sniper that I really enjoyed. The excursions out into No Man’s Land were vivid and terrifying. A well-known celebrity also appears as Winston Churchill makes an appearance in the story as well. Details about the conditions that the medical staff worked under, and indeed, the shortcomings of medical knowledge of that time period was appalling. Overall the realistic descriptions of the war, the actual murder mystery and the strong characterization of Dr. Watson made Dead Man’s Land a satisfying page turner. show less