Robert Ryan (1) (1963–)

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

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

Harry Cole is a chancer, whether he is fooling his military supervisor or running a con, Harry always is out for number one. Unfortunately sooner or later he always gets caught. His pictures of the Colonel in some very compromising positions ensures an honourable discharge, but still he manages to get himself in trouble with the wrong people, so back to the army he goes. This time he gets caught in Northern France just as World War II is breaking out. Harry manages to disappear from the show more fighting, turns up under another name as an orderly, and eventually finds himself running an escape route for downed allied pilots. Falling in love with French nurse, Odile is perhaps the making of Harry. He now choses to do the right thing.
Unfortunately clandestine operations can change in a heartbeat and Harry becomes surplus to needs and is silenced in a way that makes him appear to have turned traitor. Harry spends the rest of the war working for whichever side will take him, all the while planning his revenge and looking for his chance to reach Odile and tell her the truth.
Loosely based on actual events this is an exciting read and goes to show that truth can be stranger than fiction. The world of espionage is murky and today’s enemies often become tomorrow’s friends and vice versa. I found The Blue Noon to be a highly readable story. 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