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Tom Swan and the Head of St George #3
Constantinople
A young Englishman, Tom Swan, is taken prisoner by the Turks in Constantinople and threatened with a life of slavery. But it's not really 'the Turks' but a single beautiful woman who seems to hold the strings, and Swan must plot his way to freedom. And riches. Or perhaps he'll just settle for getting out alive.
He's not a professional soldier. He's really a thief and a little bit of a scholar looking for remnants of Ancient Greece and Rome - temples, graves, pottery, fabulous animals, unicorn horns. But he also has a real talent for ending up in the midst of violence when he didn't mean to. Having used his wits to escape execution in part one, he begins a series of adventures that take him to the high seas, bedrooms in Constantinople and street duels in Italy, meetings with remarkable men - Cyriaco of Ancona and Sultan Mehmet II and the whole Sforza family - and from the intrigues of Rome to the Jewish Ghetto in Venice.
He's not a professional soldier. He's really a thief and a little bit of a scholar looking for remnants of Ancient Greece and Rome - temples, graves, pottery, fabulous animals, unicorn horns. But he also has a real talent for ending up in the midst of violence when he didn't mean to. Having used his wits to escape execution in part one, he begins a series of adventures that take him to the high seas, bedrooms in Constantinople and street duels in Italy, meetings with remarkable men - Cyriaco of Ancona and Sultan Mehmet II and the whole Sforza family - and from the intrigues of Rome to the Jewish Ghetto in Venice.
100 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2012
57 people are currently reading
183 people want to read
About the author
Christian Cameron
81 books1,107 followersAka Miles Cameron. Also publishes as Gordon Kent with his father Kenneth M. Cameron.
Christian Cameron was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1962. He grew up in Rockport, Massachusetts, Iowa City, Iowa,Christian Cameron and Rochester, New York, where he attended McQuaid Jesuit High School and later graduated from the University of Rochester with a degree in history.
After the longest undergraduate degree on record (1980-87), he joined the United States Navy, where he served as an intelligence officer and as a backseater in S-3 Vikings in the First Gulf War, in Somalia, and elsewhere. After a dozen years of service, he became a full time writer in 2000. He lives in Toronto (that’s Ontario, in Canada) with his wife Sarah and their daughter Beatrice, currently age four. And a half.
Christian Cameron was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1962. He grew up in Rockport, Massachusetts, Iowa City, Iowa,Christian Cameron and Rochester, New York, where he attended McQuaid Jesuit High School and later graduated from the University of Rochester with a degree in history.
After the longest undergraduate degree on record (1980-87), he joined the United States Navy, where he served as an intelligence officer and as a backseater in S-3 Vikings in the First Gulf War, in Somalia, and elsewhere. After a dozen years of service, he became a full time writer in 2000. He lives in Toronto (that’s Ontario, in Canada) with his wife Sarah and their daughter Beatrice, currently age four. And a half.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
May 7, 2020
Tom Swan is a lot of fun.
January 5, 2018
Very good! Rollercoasting action and reckless plans bring Tom Swan's adventures in Constantinople to a close - with a flourish!
If you ever want to understand the true meaning of fear, jump into a deep hole in total darkness and test your feelings as you fall.
Swan fell.
If you ever want to understand the true meaning of fear, jump into a deep hole in total darkness and test your feelings as you fall.
Swan fell.
October 21, 2012
Published last night, bought it and read it on the spot so I stayed a bit late for it; slightly shorter then the second installment, but with less set-up, all action so a faster read; starts with the cliffhanger and Tom waking up in a let's say interesting position with most of his body still not under his control, though one part conspicuously so...
And it goes action packed again with fights, romance and the famous subterranean canals of Constantinople...
If there is one niggle, another cliffhanger ending so volume 4 is another asap and I am not sure when it will come out as the author seems to be writing it now - the title is something with a Ring and the author notes that the series will go at least 6 with a reasonable ending for the 6th though with more if possible...
All in a superb adventure that I would read an installment a month for a long time and not get bored and I want next asap...
FBC Review
http://fantasybookcritic.blogspot.com...
And it goes action packed again with fights, romance and the famous subterranean canals of Constantinople...
If there is one niggle, another cliffhanger ending so volume 4 is another asap and I am not sure when it will come out as the author seems to be writing it now - the title is something with a Ring and the author notes that the series will go at least 6 with a reasonable ending for the 6th though with more if possible...
All in a superb adventure that I would read an installment a month for a long time and not get bored and I want next asap...
FBC Review
http://fantasybookcritic.blogspot.com...
April 17, 2020
And another one...
The best historical fiction writer I’ve ever read drops another 5 star book. This series is fantastic (buy all the parts and it’s the length of one of his normal books). I highly recommend this if you liked any of Cameron’s other series.
The best historical fiction writer I’ve ever read drops another 5 star book. This series is fantastic (buy all the parts and it’s the length of one of his normal books). I highly recommend this if you liked any of Cameron’s other series.
January 8, 2015
Tom Swan what a fun:-)
April 23, 2019
Actual rating: 4.00
April 13, 2021
The third part in this serialised novella series is definitely an improvement over the previous installment (Venice) with a more coherent plot resulting in a return to the form of the first book.
The problem with Book Two: Venice was the breakneck pace as the story flew from Rome, to Venice, and then on to Constantinople in 140 pages all the the while trying to introduce, explore, and have adventures in each of these places. It was too rushed but thankfully with Book Three: Constantinople a lesson seems to have been learned.
The whole book actually takes place in Constantinople allowing time to explore some of the city and its inhabitants, the plot is more straightforward with Swan tasked with a mission to covertly retrieve some items from a house within the City. There are some minor diversions here and there but the bulk of the plot bent to the task at hand it makes for a far more structured and coherent experience.
Swan is his usual cocksure yet still endearing enough self getting into scrapes and making powerful enemies but this time around just the one rather powerful enemy instead of a bunch in every city which stretched the limits a little last time around. The fight scenes are still great, Cameron really excels here with his knowledge of the period and weaponry lending credibility and intensity to the combat. There's also a less is more approach this book with just the one major skirmish as opposed to Swan starting a fight every few pages previously and this really worked far better.
It's a fun adventurous romp of a book like each so far in this series but it also feels far more focused which is much to its benefit. Hopefully the next few installments maintain that.
The problem with Book Two: Venice was the breakneck pace as the story flew from Rome, to Venice, and then on to Constantinople in 140 pages all the the while trying to introduce, explore, and have adventures in each of these places. It was too rushed but thankfully with Book Three: Constantinople a lesson seems to have been learned.
The whole book actually takes place in Constantinople allowing time to explore some of the city and its inhabitants, the plot is more straightforward with Swan tasked with a mission to covertly retrieve some items from a house within the City. There are some minor diversions here and there but the bulk of the plot bent to the task at hand it makes for a far more structured and coherent experience.
Swan is his usual cocksure yet still endearing enough self getting into scrapes and making powerful enemies but this time around just the one rather powerful enemy instead of a bunch in every city which stretched the limits a little last time around. The fight scenes are still great, Cameron really excels here with his knowledge of the period and weaponry lending credibility and intensity to the combat. There's also a less is more approach this book with just the one major skirmish as opposed to Swan starting a fight every few pages previously and this really worked far better.
It's a fun adventurous romp of a book like each so far in this series but it also feels far more focused which is much to its benefit. Hopefully the next few installments maintain that.
December 31, 2024
The third installment of this serialized story continues with Tom getting into more (larger) trouble and ends on another cliffhanger… After the last two installments I had begun to wonder if Tom would always land on his feet, but in this story some of Tom’s more questionable decisions come home to roost.
Really loving the serialization of this story- each episode feels like it wraps up most of the main action while clearly also feeling like part of a larger story.
Onward to #4!
Really loving the serialization of this story- each episode feels like it wraps up most of the main action while clearly also feeling like part of a larger story.
Onward to #4!
Read
February 7, 2021Lots of adventure
Action, adventure, and a tinge of romance. Great book. This book has it all. Cameron is, as always, a great storyteller with the written word.
Action, adventure, and a tinge of romance. Great book. This book has it all. Cameron is, as always, a great storyteller with the written word.
April 25, 2021
Intrigue, romance and battle. Bloody great fun.
9/10
9/10
July 18, 2021
Every book as good as the previous
Love Mr Cameron’s characters, descriptions and vocabulary. I always learn something along with the thrill of the story. On to book #4!
Love Mr Cameron’s characters, descriptions and vocabulary. I always learn something along with the thrill of the story. On to book #4!
April 2, 2025
4* Same as before.
September 1, 2012
For the sake of up front honesty i have to post that I'm a HUGE fan of Christian Cameron's books.
The reason for this is that he is the best writer in the historical fiction genre, probably the finest writer i have ever read.
There was a comment recently where it was said he writes for re-enactors, I disagree, i think he writes with the knowledge of a historian and the experience of a re-enactor.
This brings the story to life in a much more real fashion... don't take my word for it, ask all the historical fiction authors who also read his books and cast jealous glances at them.
I never thought anyone would match let alone beat the simple elegance of David Gemmell's writing, but ...well Christian Cameron's books have me totally immersed in another world after just a few paragraphs, by the end of the book I'm utterly lost in another time.
Tom Swan is no exception. A character so real and so complex you are riding along his journey, not at his shoulder, but in his skin. Christian Cameron's tireless search for knowledge and perfection of his understanding of every period he writes in, just makes the world as vivid fr me the reader as i suspect it is when the characters talk to him during the writing of the story.
I love the fact that these adventures will be coming out monthly
but i lament the fact that there will not be a full blown series. As once again the writing astounds me.
Very Very Highly recommended
(Parm)
The reason for this is that he is the best writer in the historical fiction genre, probably the finest writer i have ever read.
There was a comment recently where it was said he writes for re-enactors, I disagree, i think he writes with the knowledge of a historian and the experience of a re-enactor.
This brings the story to life in a much more real fashion... don't take my word for it, ask all the historical fiction authors who also read his books and cast jealous glances at them.
I never thought anyone would match let alone beat the simple elegance of David Gemmell's writing, but ...well Christian Cameron's books have me totally immersed in another world after just a few paragraphs, by the end of the book I'm utterly lost in another time.
Tom Swan is no exception. A character so real and so complex you are riding along his journey, not at his shoulder, but in his skin. Christian Cameron's tireless search for knowledge and perfection of his understanding of every period he writes in, just makes the world as vivid fr me the reader as i suspect it is when the characters talk to him during the writing of the story.
I love the fact that these adventures will be coming out monthly
but i lament the fact that there will not be a full blown series. As once again the writing astounds me.
Very Very Highly recommended
(Parm)
April 24, 2013
I was hit by the freshness and difference of the first Tom Swan installment after the general available array of somewhat serious, dark historical fiction. I had wondered whether a second installment might not live up to the first as it would lose something of that 'new' feeling. I was wrong.
After a brief mental dragging through my memory to do a quick 'Last week on Tom Swan..." I launched straight into it and started thoroughly enjoying it straight away. What the second part loses in novelty, it gains in immediacy. There is no need to introduce the characters or their world, so you are dropped straight into the story and the action.
In part two, at last, the relevance of the title is made clear and it has given me a strong indication of where the series is going. This short story is filled with duels and bribes, moneylenders and organised criminals, princes and liars, sea-battles and subterfuge. It has it all. Moreover, the settings really hit me as the book is set in Rome, Venice, Athens and Constantinople, all places I have been and love, and can picture the scene perfectly.
The new characters introduced in this are excellent, and the book ends on a traditional serialised cliffhanger. I cannot wait to read the next installment, hopefully this week. I hope that Cameron's experiment with this serial has proved successful for him, as I'd hate to think there will be no more Tom Swan books after part 3
After a brief mental dragging through my memory to do a quick 'Last week on Tom Swan..." I launched straight into it and started thoroughly enjoying it straight away. What the second part loses in novelty, it gains in immediacy. There is no need to introduce the characters or their world, so you are dropped straight into the story and the action.
In part two, at last, the relevance of the title is made clear and it has given me a strong indication of where the series is going. This short story is filled with duels and bribes, moneylenders and organised criminals, princes and liars, sea-battles and subterfuge. It has it all. Moreover, the settings really hit me as the book is set in Rome, Venice, Athens and Constantinople, all places I have been and love, and can picture the scene perfectly.
The new characters introduced in this are excellent, and the book ends on a traditional serialised cliffhanger. I cannot wait to read the next installment, hopefully this week. I hope that Cameron's experiment with this serial has proved successful for him, as I'd hate to think there will be no more Tom Swan books after part 3
October 21, 2012
Beginning to like the Tom Swan e-reader series by Christian Cameron of which I already reviewed part 1 and II here on goodreads even more and more. It is really getting addictive getting your montly dose of Tom Swan I must say.
Part III. This time: Dashing action in Constantinople. Brilliant!
Tom the adventurer in all his youthful enthousiasm gets himself into big trouble with the Turks, but the wily and ingenious fox and true survivalist he is, he wrongfoots the opposition, meets new friends, does some discoveries, runs a few secret agendas of his own on the side, and comes out of the whole turmoil pretty much unscathed. Adding in that process yet again a couple deadly enemies who are after his blood to the list. Great scenery which also involves the constantinople sewers. And again some brilliant fighting scenes.
Part III ends with Tom escaping Constantinople, but far from being out of danger, the Turks are hot on his tail again....
Can't wait for part 4.
Tom Swan- my hero!!
Part III. This time: Dashing action in Constantinople. Brilliant!
Tom the adventurer in all his youthful enthousiasm gets himself into big trouble with the Turks, but the wily and ingenious fox and true survivalist he is, he wrongfoots the opposition, meets new friends, does some discoveries, runs a few secret agendas of his own on the side, and comes out of the whole turmoil pretty much unscathed. Adding in that process yet again a couple deadly enemies who are after his blood to the list. Great scenery which also involves the constantinople sewers. And again some brilliant fighting scenes.
Part III ends with Tom escaping Constantinople, but far from being out of danger, the Turks are hot on his tail again....
Can't wait for part 4.
Tom Swan- my hero!!
June 1, 2015
Ya sin presentación de personajes ni de la época, la historia toma rumbo de crucero desde la primera página y no te deja respirar hasta la última. Todo tipo de aventuras (incluso sexuales) del protagonista en una Constantinopla recién conquistada por los turcos. e-serie imprescindible si te gusta la aventura historica. Y ahora con cráneo de San Jorge incluido. Gran, gran novella
June 4, 2016
Tom Swan conquers Constantinople. The cliffhanger from book 2 is resolved right away in the first section of book 3. The one is a shorter story, but action packed. Good for a longer domestic flight. And if you don't finish, you will later that night from your hotel room.
May 6, 2024
Tom Swan finds himself at the new capital and court of Mehmed the Great and within the intrigues of Omar Reis. The characterization of women in this series needs a lot of work. Still engaged overall but seeing the cracks more.
November 12, 2012
Couldn't wait to start it and now sadly I've finished it. Terrific stuff. Each part just gets stronger and better. Where oh where is the next installment?
July 18, 2013
Excellent little adventure. Carrying itself along nicely. Looking forward to part 4.
December 26, 2014
This is the part where the series becomes light-read action and adventure. Tom Swan becomes an almost immortal hero, creating enemies in Turkey, the fiercest the form of Sultan. Totally enjoyable.
October 8, 2015
Enjoyed part 3 more so than part 2. It had more action. James Bond-like.
January 17, 2016
That was my last try for this Serie.
It may be entertaining but there is nothing else in it.
It may be entertaining but there is nothing else in it.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews