Bold Sons of Erin

Abel Jones #5

by Owen Parry

Investigating the stabbing death of a Union general who was trying to recruit Irish immigrants, Union Army detective Abel Jones follows clues to the side of an insane Russian countess who may hold the key to one of the Civil War's most significant battles. 35,000 first printing.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Civil War, Fiction, American Civil War, Historical Mystery

352 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

A pseudonym used by Ralph Peters

Reviews

[S. A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first I commended the author on how well he mimicked the prejudices and small mindedness of the average 19th Century person. Then I found out who he is in real life and realized that those are his actual opinions today and it's no great stretch. Books are still entertaining, though. He's a talented writer.

I liked this interesting take on the immigrant Irish during this era.

But don't BUY them if you're a liberal. Get them from the library. You don't want your money going to this Fox News contributor who has vilified captured servicemen in uniform, called for the boundaries of the Middle East to be redrawn and for the political assassination of Julian Assange.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralph_Pe...

[Jacquelynn Fritz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book that occurred during the Civil War. Abel has been sent home by Lincoln to find who killed a General. When he opens the grave of the man who took responsibility for the murder he finds an old corpse of a young woman. This begins the search for two killers. This is also a look at immigration and the prejudices that occurred toward the Irish and the newly freed slaves. It reminds me of what is happening now in our country. Abel himself is an immigrant from Wales but does have a superior attitude at times, and he continually tries to be a good man but does have his flaws which come out when his wife's uncle dies. If you like historical mysteries then this is a good one to read.

[Arlis Groves · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did this book a terrible disservice by reading it in fits and starts, sometimes only a page and a half at a time. It wasn't the fault of the author, I was finishing school, traveling, and babysitting. Still, Parry's storytelling holds up. This historical fiction is precisely my style. Parry married real events and people with a mystery that, save for a few extraordinarily creepy details, could have happened. I'll look for more Abel Jones adventures by Owen Parry.

[Patrick Barry · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fifth in this series of Civil War stories featuring the somewhat quirky protagonist Abel Jones. Here Jones. Here he story focuses on Irish immigrants in the mining region of Pennsylvania. ERioting has occurred. The immigrants have escaped conscription for the British in India and have no desire to fight in a war not of their making. Jones is sennt to this area by Presidentt Lincohn to find out who has murdered General Stone. A nice fast moving tale.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Irish immigrants as political pawns even in America made this one in the series more relevant than the previous one I read. The plethora of distinctive characters and their abject poverty or grand wealth does make a reader think of Charles Dickens. And, the Fredericksburg battle was heartbreakingly depicted.

[Sarah Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being of Irish descent I was greatly disturbed by the views expressed about the Irish in this book. However, I also understand that this "disturbed" feeling is mild compared to that which my ancestors endured. Other than that I really did enjoy the book. The author almost kept me guessing with his mystery. Almost.

[Frank · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another well-done novel in this series. Owen Parry's skills as a mystery writer continue to improve; this one is his best in the series to date. Some pretty grim and gritty events throughout, however - Be ready for some uncomfortable moments. But a terrific read if you like historical fiction and/or historicial mysteries.

[Rosanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful surprise. It was suspenseful & profound, historical and amusing. Solved mysteries of the civil war with many intriguing thoughts on the myster of human nature.

[Stuart]

Another excellent book in the series. I really enjoy the writing style, and the protagonist’s character.

[Scott Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a hard time getting into this book. The first hundred pages or so didn't really move things along very well. I think that's due to the fact that the story starts halfway through the good part, and then has to spend a lot of time on discussions to backtrack and catch us up. Plenty of times that method can work for a book, but this time I wasn't quite as sucked in as is usually supposed to happen when one is thrust into the thick of it like that.

But, I stuck with it and I'm glad I did. The book wasn't anything particularly special, but the Civil War setting for a mystery is relatively unexplored so as I got farther in I started to get more in tune with the atmosphere and warmed up to the book. It was also interesting to hear a bit about first generation European immigrant perspectives in the civil war (although I guess I can't speak to how historically accurate the book is). So even though the book wasn't magical by any means, it had some good things going for it that made it an interesting enough read that, by the end of it, I was relatively absorbed in the story. It's a good book to read if you're in that type of mood where you want to read a book but you don't really know what kind of book.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Owen Parry civil war novel is placed in Pennsylvania among the Irish miners. I am learning so much about immigration during the 1850-60 period from Europe and Ireland/Wales/England. There were wars going on In Prussia and the Irish were starving in their homeland. The Irish brought superstitions with them and poverty was abound. Our hero, Abel Jones, is sent to this mining community to solve the murder of a Northern General who had been in the area to recruit Irish men to soldier. He in brought into a dark, strange place and not accepted because of his mission and himself being Welsh.

One more to go, then I am looking forward in anticipation to another book by this author.

[Jan C · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy the adventures of Abel Jones. They combine a mystery series with the Civil War. Abel is Welsh and formerly served His Majesty in India.

This gives us an early view of the Molly Maguires. It takes place during the Civil War and, more specifically, during the time of the Irish Draft Riots. Abel has been sent home to Pottsville in Schuylkill County. A general has been killed and he is supposed to find out what happened. He has a tendency to be singleminded in his pursuit of resolving his missions.

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

A long story about a short man. The writer digressed a lot and, about every 10 pages or so, he would remind you of how short the protagonist is. This was one of those books where I wanted to yell "get on with it" at the writer. The book is a murder mystery that takes place during the Civil War in a coal mining town populated by Irishmen. There are a lot of details about the war and politics of the time. If I were a Civil War buff I might have found that interesting, but I wished he'd stick to the mystery.

[Silagh White]

Stopping and re-starting this books a couple of times was only a challenge on re-entering the narrative style. It only took a page or two to get back into the Welsh cantor of Major Able Jones. Didn't realized I jumped onto the 5th of six books in a series. References to other stories only tangental; not required to enjoy this little yarn. Anyone who is interested in Civil War history, or references to Pennsylvania area around Schuylkill County. I enjoyed the writing in various accents as well.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abel Jones is a unique character drawn with characteristics not commonly found in "detectives" in any genre. As the story unfolds the reader is drawn into the events as Abel pursues "his duty" to fulfill his mission. Interesting side tale regarding his wife and her uncle. Several plot surprises. Well worth the time. Start with the Faded Coat of Blue (the first Abel Jones book) following Major Jones through the Civil War.

[Waverly Fitzgerald · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've been totally loving this series, particularly because of the voices that Parry does so well, but in this one the plot disappointed. It was quite a bit more grotesque than the other books, which were violent but in a way that made sense. Not here. It just seemed gratuitous.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

More from Able Jones. Always worth the read

[Robin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am not enough of a history buff to truly appreciate this book. Well written, but the history seems to overwhelm the mystery!

[Hapzydeco · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read for St. Patrick's Day. Lot about the Irish of the PA coal mines as well as Civil War setting.

[Rick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Abel jones story. Sad to say, there's only one left in the series for me to read. I've been loving these stories.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a book club selection that I did not get read before the meeting. Too bad as I did enjoy it and plan on reading more of this author. A different style of writing.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gets a little long winded towards the end but I enjoyed this book very much!

[Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it - lots of surprises. Just when you think you have it figured out - off we go in another direction.
And - what I liked about it best: it did flow. There were no forced conclusions.

[Bart Slawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

Great who funniest set in civil war coal field's. Dad funny, fast moving, twists and great characters. I loved it.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

More from Able Jones. Always worth the read