'My Top Ten Summer Reads: Shardlake, Genghis, Sharpe and more' blog discussion

Errata

Absolutely agree with buying books from charity shops. My local Hospice Warehouse acts as my local lending library - buy 'em, read 'em, donate 'em back.
I bought Dark Fire for 50p a couple of weeks ago, now returned so someone else can enjoy it and the Hospice makes some more cash.

Pembroke

Martin, Not really part of a series although the author has written other books but I'd recommend Shogun by James Clavell.

cemeterybird

Hi Martin

I am surprised that no one, as yet, has recommended the Roger Brook series by Dennis Wheatley (best known for The Devil Rides Out).

12 in total dating from the period in history 1783 to 1815, set in the time of William Pitt the younger for whom Roger Brook is a spy and reading like a latter day James Bond with adventures in France during the French Revolution, meeting Napoleon & Josephine and Russia with Catherine the Great among others.

They are enjoyable historical thrillers which offer readers 'history without tears' as the publicity at the time advertised them. Ideal for a light, escapism holiday read

Oh and for another excellent holiday read, I can heartily recommend in the Sci Fi Fantasy/Time Travel/Thriller genre - Lightning by Dean Koontz!

PM1

Written by Harry Sidebottom, an Oxford prof. Two written so far, and I am waiting for the third.

Doesn't cost anything to get it from your library, while you still have one.

1 - Fire in the East
2 - King of Kings.

chrislj_3

try the :captain alatriste" books by Perez-revert,sorry i can't remember the authors initials.His other books are very good also.:j

christosms

Bernard Cornwell : Sharpe of course and particularly liked the Alfred saga and the Harlequin/Vagabond series.

Conn Iggulden: Yes, Genghis Khan Series is brilliant. Just read on Amazon that there is a 4th Genghis Khan dynasty story ‘Empire of Silver’ out in September – can’t wait! His Emperor series was even better.

Simon Scarrow: Really enjoying Napoleon and Wellington but can’t say the same about Macro and Cato. This series seems a little light weight compared to Conn’s ‘Emperor’

BUT…. I have to put my hand up for David Gemmell as maybe the best of the lot. I first read his ‘Troy’ trilogy – fantastic. Sadly he died before it was completed so his wife finished it off, very well I thought.

I am currently reading more Gemmell including ‘Legend’, his most famous I guess. Most of his work is fantasy but excellent fantasy. He did a couple of books on Alexander that have good reviews also.

Thanks to everyone for the recommendations: A Song of Ice and Fire is on my reading list now!

Christos

m_curiousity

One of the most fantastic authors that I've ever read is Ken Follett (Pillars of the Earth + World Without End) - Two huuuuuge novels set in 12th century England that are completely unputdownable!

I also second the guys who said Wilbur Smith for historical novels, (brilliant writing and descriptions of African landscape) and Laurell K Hamilton for the Anita Blake series, (packed with vampires, necromancers and were-animals, and interweaved with rampaging monsters, detective work and bounty hunters) although her later books in the series aren't as great, the first 12 or so are fabulous.

So many amazing suggestions on this thread, loving it!!!

MSE_Martin

m_curiousity wrote: »

One of the most fantastic authors that I've ever read is Ken Follett (Pillars of the Earth + World Without End) - Two huuuuuge novels set in 12th century England that are completely unputdownable!

I Can't believe i forgot Ken Follet from my list - superb I've added an addendum to the blog.

murphydog999

Excellent taste Martin, exactly the same as mine

I've read all the Sharpe books twice, we even have the companion book, which goes a bit more in-depth into each book.

Bernard Cornwall is excellent, and he's still coming up trumps as I personally think the latest Utred/Arthur book is one of his best - although the whole series was really enjoyable.

I've got the next Shardlake on pre-order with Amazon and can't wait to read that. I think it would make an excellent TV series.

But I do agree with 'christoms' the Macro and Cato books were a bit of a let-down after reading the Genghis Khan series.

Def. check out David Gemmell next, thx

Be_Happy

Your list almost mirrors our own reading list.

Other suggestions are:

Susanna Gregory's Matthew Bartholomew series - a doctor, come detective, set in 14th Century Cambridge and her Thomas Chaloner series - a spy/detective set in 17th Century London.

There's also Bernard Knight's Crowner John series - an early coroner/forensic scientist set in 12th Century Exeter area.

We're waiting for next in series of all of these. Older issues are often available in The Works and similar bookshops, or very cheaply on Amazon.