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No Man's World #3
The Alleyman
Knights Of The Air!
Four months after the Pennine Fusiliers vanished from the Somme, they are still stranded on the alien world. As Lieutenant Everson tries to discover the true intentions of their alien prisoner, he finds he must quell the unrest within his own ranks while helping foment insurrection among the alien Khungarrii.
Beyond the trenches, Lance Corporal Atkins and his Black Hand Gang are reunited with the ironclad tank, Ivanhoe , and its crew. On the trail of Jeffries, the diabolist they hold responsible for their predicament, they are forced to face the obscene horrors that lie within the massive Croatoan Crater.
Above it all, Lieutenant Tulliver of the Royal Flying Corps soars free of the confines of alien gravity, where the true scale of the planet's mystery is revealed. However, to uncover the truth, he must join forces with an unexpected ally.
Four months after the Pennine Fusiliers vanished from the Somme, they are still stranded on the alien world. As Lieutenant Everson tries to discover the true intentions of their alien prisoner, he finds he must quell the unrest within his own ranks while helping foment insurrection among the alien Khungarrii.
Beyond the trenches, Lance Corporal Atkins and his Black Hand Gang are reunited with the ironclad tank, Ivanhoe , and its crew. On the trail of Jeffries, the diabolist they hold responsible for their predicament, they are forced to face the obscene horrors that lie within the massive Croatoan Crater.
Above it all, Lieutenant Tulliver of the Royal Flying Corps soars free of the confines of alien gravity, where the true scale of the planet's mystery is revealed. However, to uncover the truth, he must join forces with an unexpected ally.
- GenresScience FictionWar
352 pages, Paperback
First published August 14, 2012
1 person is currently reading
39 people want to read
About the author
Pat Kelleher
27 books14 followersPat Kelleher is a freelance writer. He has written for magazines, animation and radio. He served his time writing for a wide variety of TV licensed characters, translating them into audio books, novels and comics. Yes, he¹s written for that. And that. And even, you know, them. He has several non-fiction books to his credit and his educational strips and stories for the RSPB currently form the mainstays of their Youth publications. Somehow he has steadfastly managed to avoid all those careers and part-time jobs that look so good on a dust jacket.
(From publisher's website http://www.abaddonbooks.com)
(From publisher's website http://www.abaddonbooks.com)
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 24, 2012
As fantastic as the previous two!
Want more!
Want more!
April 15, 2019
You really do need to have read the first two books in this series (The Black Hand Gang and The Ironclad Prophecy) before embarking on this one because Kelleher jumps straight into the action. There's no recap and no explanation of anything that has been previously explained.
That said, the major characters have started to feel like old friends. I have already mentioned the characterisation and it is this, more than anything, that provides a sense of familiarity that makes it very easy to pick up the narrative, even after a couple of years.
With an ongoing narrative, it's hard to separate this novel from the series as a whole, and the whole series is well worth a look. If the idea of Edgar Rice Burroghs populating the worlds of HP Lovecrat appeals to you, then this series will be right up your street. Alternatively, if you want a fresh take on a straightforward adventure story, then this is right up your street as well.
The Alleyman is an unashamedly pulp adventure story. But by making it an ensemble story centred on a platoon of WWI, Pat Kelleher avoids the problem endemic in many of these types of story of a square-jawed hero single-handedly defeating a horde. This makes for a narrative that both holds together much more effectively and which is consistently gripping.
That said, the major characters have started to feel like old friends. I have already mentioned the characterisation and it is this, more than anything, that provides a sense of familiarity that makes it very easy to pick up the narrative, even after a couple of years.
With an ongoing narrative, it's hard to separate this novel from the series as a whole, and the whole series is well worth a look. If the idea of Edgar Rice Burroghs populating the worlds of HP Lovecrat appeals to you, then this series will be right up your street. Alternatively, if you want a fresh take on a straightforward adventure story, then this is right up your street as well.
The Alleyman is an unashamedly pulp adventure story. But by making it an ensemble story centred on a platoon of WWI, Pat Kelleher avoids the problem endemic in many of these types of story of a square-jawed hero single-handedly defeating a horde. This makes for a narrative that both holds together much more effectively and which is consistently gripping.
May 10, 2020
I am not sure this will be the last novel but it really did drag on. I am loosing touch with the characters and the story just doesn't seem to be going anywhere. If there is another installment I will probably read it as I am this far in but I can't say I am looking forward to it. This should have been the last one if you ask me.
February 28, 2018
Very good series
You are captured in the very first chapter. Excitement in abundance, late nights are in order. I feel this series would make an excellent film or TV series. Roll on book 4. Thank you for the enjoyment in reading this series.
You are captured in the very first chapter. Excitement in abundance, late nights are in order. I feel this series would make an excellent film or TV series. Roll on book 4. Thank you for the enjoyment in reading this series.
November 25, 2012
First off this is the third book in a series of novels, (and hopefully not the last,) but instead of feeling like there is a lot of information missing though in 'the alleyman' you feel like you are just thrown headlong into a furious paced one novel of it's own. Kehelleher is obviously a genuine enthusiast of military history and has a great knowledge of the effects the war had on life in the early 20th century. One of the finer points that really made this novel stand apart was how the humans were shown to have adapted to survive in their new environment and the sections where the character lieutenant Tulliver is forced by events unfolding to make decisions possibly alienating himself against his own for the bigger picture.
The tale being told is as gripping as it gets, sitting stylistically right in the middle of a 2000ad comic book description and and Bernard Cornwell's 'Sharpe' at his absolute British best. The twists are very well put in, the goings on plotted out to perfection, and this novel is in every sense an absolute winner. Abaddon continue releasing books that are must reads and are fast becoming a go to publicist as far as I'm concerned.
A quick hinter here, the glossary at the back is essential.
The tale being told is as gripping as it gets, sitting stylistically right in the middle of a 2000ad comic book description and and Bernard Cornwell's 'Sharpe' at his absolute British best. The twists are very well put in, the goings on plotted out to perfection, and this novel is in every sense an absolute winner. Abaddon continue releasing books that are must reads and are fast becoming a go to publicist as far as I'm concerned.
A quick hinter here, the glossary at the back is essential.
May 20, 2013
Took me a few days to get through this book. The story is still interesting (book 3 of the series), but it is getting predictable. (and was predictable from way back in book 1) I am really just pushing through this one to finish the book and move onto the new book I have waiting for me. But, I will read the next one (and probably all of the future ones) - just to know if the boys ever get back home. I still think this series would make a fantastic tv series - the creatures and story is one that would translate well.
August 6, 2020
EDIT: If you enjoy this series you should send the publisher a msg asking them to sign Kelleher for the Book 4, otherwise we may never see an end to the story
Cant recommend this series enough. Has that great classic scifi feel like Planet Adventure and the Barsoom Chronicles.
Cant recommend this series enough. Has that great classic scifi feel like Planet Adventure and the Barsoom Chronicles.
January 20, 2016
Thoroughly enjoyed the three books charting the adventures, trials and tribulations of the Pennine fusiliers transported from the mud, death and fire of the Somme to an utterly alien and deadly world! Edgar Rice Burroughs meets H P Lovecraft! Brilliant stuff, well done Mr Kelleher!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews