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Detective Inspector Tom Tyler #2
Beware This Boy
This second book in Maureen Jennings' terrific new mystery series brings England during World War II vividly a must for fans of the author's own beloved Murdoch Mysteries and of Foyle's War .
The summer of 1940 had been a dark one for England, and even darker for DI Tom Tyler's personal life. When several young women doing dangerous war work are killed in an explosion in a Birmingham munitions factory, Tyler is quick to help out. But as he talks to the remaining employees, the owner, and others connected with the factory, divisions begin to appear, and Tyler fears that what first seemed a tragic accident may be the result of something much more sinister, organized, and far-reaching.
The rich sense of England during the era of the Blitz, pitch-perfect dialogue, and vivid characters -- not least the rough-around-the-edges charmer Tom Tyler -- make Beware This Boy another classic page-turner from master storyteller Maureen Jennings.
The summer of 1940 had been a dark one for England, and even darker for DI Tom Tyler's personal life. When several young women doing dangerous war work are killed in an explosion in a Birmingham munitions factory, Tyler is quick to help out. But as he talks to the remaining employees, the owner, and others connected with the factory, divisions begin to appear, and Tyler fears that what first seemed a tragic accident may be the result of something much more sinister, organized, and far-reaching.
The rich sense of England during the era of the Blitz, pitch-perfect dialogue, and vivid characters -- not least the rough-around-the-edges charmer Tom Tyler -- make Beware This Boy another classic page-turner from master storyteller Maureen Jennings.
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
41 people are currently reading
431 people want to read
About the author
Maureen Jennings
56 books385 followersMaureen Jennings, now a Canadian Citizen, was born on Eastfield Road in Birmingham, England and spent her formative years there until she emigrated to Canada at the age of seventeen with her mother.
This has meant that she still feels a deep connection with her homeland. It has also no doubt been a strong influence in her love for, and her writing about, the Victorian period. She attended the University of Windsor where she attained a BA in philosophy and psychology.
A couple of years trying to decide what she really wanted to do with her life resulted in her returning to university, the University of Toronto, this time where she earned an MA in English literature.For the next eight years, she taught English at Ryerson Polytechnical Institute at a time when the English department seemed to be chock full of writers. Eric Wright, went on to write the highly successful Charlie Salter mystery series, Graeme Gibson, Peter Such, and others were writing both novels and poetry. An exciting time in so many ways but after eight years, another change of direction and in 1972, Maureen left Ryerson to become a psychotherapist, which was a long time interest. She has continued in private practice since then, although nowadays she mostly conducts creative expression groups and writes. Always passionate about dogs, she is happy to own a border collie named Jeremy-Brett and a mixed breed named Varley.
Series:
* Detective Murdoch
* Christine Morris
* Detective Inspector Tom Tyler
This has meant that she still feels a deep connection with her homeland. It has also no doubt been a strong influence in her love for, and her writing about, the Victorian period. She attended the University of Windsor where she attained a BA in philosophy and psychology.
A couple of years trying to decide what she really wanted to do with her life resulted in her returning to university, the University of Toronto, this time where she earned an MA in English literature.For the next eight years, she taught English at Ryerson Polytechnical Institute at a time when the English department seemed to be chock full of writers. Eric Wright, went on to write the highly successful Charlie Salter mystery series, Graeme Gibson, Peter Such, and others were writing both novels and poetry. An exciting time in so many ways but after eight years, another change of direction and in 1972, Maureen left Ryerson to become a psychotherapist, which was a long time interest. She has continued in private practice since then, although nowadays she mostly conducts creative expression groups and writes. Always passionate about dogs, she is happy to own a border collie named Jeremy-Brett and a mixed breed named Varley.
Series:
* Detective Murdoch
* Christine Morris
* Detective Inspector Tom Tyler
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
February 10, 2015
Truly, just awful. I wanted to like it so bad. I read it in two days, there was so much potential in it. But the dialogue was off, completely unbelievable. Especially so for me because the single American character used more British slang than any other character, rookie mistake.
The plot wandered and the scenes were poorly drawn. There were several times I tried to flip back, thinking I'd missed something, but no. It wasn't there, or it was there, I'd read it, and then apparently the characters changed their minds in private, because here they were doing the opposite. So hard to follow. Even within single scenes, I'd struggle to understand precisely what was happening. Especially in the detailed and technical scenes, I think. The description of the construction of the bombs in the factory lost me, for example.
I really liked Eileen Abbott and her father Joe. Good characters, doing their best in difficult times, but they just weren't enough.
My favorite part of the book was the shortest part - those first 8 1/2 pages in the beginning about the bomb girls. Well drawn, fun, interesting. But then the actual story starts and the whole book - the mood, the clothes, the weather - takes a serious downward turn.
The book is, at turns, painfully cheesy and painfully crass. The grittiness feels so fake, so forced, just painful and gross. The pain the characters are feeling, the drama, feels a lot more like angsty teenagers than British cops and soldiers in the 40s.
And I can't think of another book that wrapped up as quickly. It would have been better off to end with Tyler in the midst of an air raid or some brave fire fighting jaunt and use an epilogue to sum up the fate of our characters. So rushed, so ludicrously tied neatly into a neat little bow. No loose ends, save the continuing thread of Tyler's regret and absent loved ones. The multitude of unanswered questions and unexplained horrors conveniently overlooked and forgotten in the blitz (if the characters don't notice, its a bit rude for the readers to ask, isn't it?).
I can't think of another literary detective that was as oblivious to the abundance of crime happening around him, so focused on the task at hand. I can't really figure out what the point was to have the characters off doing awful things, other than to show that they were bad guys. Bizarrely the story moves forward without any real notice of them.
I imagine Maureen Jennings other books must be better. Once the bad taste this left has subsided, I might try to read something else of hers. Based on the success she's had, I must have just picked the wrong book to start with.
The plot wandered and the scenes were poorly drawn. There were several times I tried to flip back, thinking I'd missed something, but no. It wasn't there, or it was there, I'd read it, and then apparently the characters changed their minds in private, because here they were doing the opposite. So hard to follow. Even within single scenes, I'd struggle to understand precisely what was happening. Especially in the detailed and technical scenes, I think. The description of the construction of the bombs in the factory lost me, for example.
I really liked Eileen Abbott and her father Joe. Good characters, doing their best in difficult times, but they just weren't enough.
My favorite part of the book was the shortest part - those first 8 1/2 pages in the beginning about the bomb girls. Well drawn, fun, interesting. But then the actual story starts and the whole book - the mood, the clothes, the weather - takes a serious downward turn.
The book is, at turns, painfully cheesy and painfully crass. The grittiness feels so fake, so forced, just painful and gross. The pain the characters are feeling, the drama, feels a lot more like angsty teenagers than British cops and soldiers in the 40s.
And I can't think of another book that wrapped up as quickly. It would have been better off to end with Tyler in the midst of an air raid or some brave fire fighting jaunt and use an epilogue to sum up the fate of our characters. So rushed, so ludicrously tied neatly into a neat little bow. No loose ends, save the continuing thread of Tyler's regret and absent loved ones. The multitude of unanswered questions and unexplained horrors conveniently overlooked and forgotten in the blitz (if the characters don't notice, its a bit rude for the readers to ask, isn't it?).
I can't think of another literary detective that was as oblivious to the abundance of crime happening around him, so focused on the task at hand. I can't really figure out what the point was to have the characters off doing awful things, other than to show that they were bad guys. Bizarrely the story moves forward without any real notice of them.
I imagine Maureen Jennings other books must be better. Once the bad taste this left has subsided, I might try to read something else of hers. Based on the success she's had, I must have just picked the wrong book to start with.
July 11, 2019
This was my eighth Maureen Jennings story in as many week, and also the second in the Tom Tyler series that I have read. I am enjoying read books from all the series by Jennings, but to be honest this one is not quite as much as the other three series. I do enjoy Tom Tyler as a character, and England during World War II is an interesting setting. But there is just something that is not quite there for me.
This story is set several months after the events of Season of Darkness, it is November, 1940 and Tom Tyler a Detective Inspector in the small Shropshire town of Whitchurch, is called up to the nearby city of Birmingham to investigate an explosion at a munitions factory. But in this story there is much more to each character and the events then first appears on the surface. And what initially looked like an accident might well be sabotage by either fifth columnists or socialist. In this story we have a family trying to protect a young man who is AWOL. We have a nurse doing he best to help in all kinds of situations. An American filmmaker who is genial, and charming to all he meets. And there is risk and danger everywhere you look. From bombs overhead, from a young ruffian who fancies himself a veritable street thug. And in the middle of it all Tom pine for his lost love and enjoying the time away from his wife. But Tom also piecing together are the clues and details to figure out what really happened, and if possible, to prevent worse from happening.
The story is well paced. The crossover characters from the first novel add some interesting bits to the story. We can’t help but root for Tom, but I must say I expect a little more from him. The setting of the bomb factory, when women were moving in large numbers into the workforce because the men were away fighting is an intriguing element. And the questions around a labour union, and why women were paid less for the same jobs as men raises some good points. I was surprised by how quickly the story turned and ended up being wrapped up. And a suicide took me completely by surprise.
Overall a good story by a writer I greatly appreciate. I do look forward to the other books in this series, and to be honest anything I have yet to read by Jennings. This is a historical fiction mystery that you can really wrap your mind around.
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by Maureen Jennings.
This story is set several months after the events of Season of Darkness, it is November, 1940 and Tom Tyler a Detective Inspector in the small Shropshire town of Whitchurch, is called up to the nearby city of Birmingham to investigate an explosion at a munitions factory. But in this story there is much more to each character and the events then first appears on the surface. And what initially looked like an accident might well be sabotage by either fifth columnists or socialist. In this story we have a family trying to protect a young man who is AWOL. We have a nurse doing he best to help in all kinds of situations. An American filmmaker who is genial, and charming to all he meets. And there is risk and danger everywhere you look. From bombs overhead, from a young ruffian who fancies himself a veritable street thug. And in the middle of it all Tom pine for his lost love and enjoying the time away from his wife. But Tom also piecing together are the clues and details to figure out what really happened, and if possible, to prevent worse from happening.
The story is well paced. The crossover characters from the first novel add some interesting bits to the story. We can’t help but root for Tom, but I must say I expect a little more from him. The setting of the bomb factory, when women were moving in large numbers into the workforce because the men were away fighting is an intriguing element. And the questions around a labour union, and why women were paid less for the same jobs as men raises some good points. I was surprised by how quickly the story turned and ended up being wrapped up. And a suicide took me completely by surprise.
Overall a good story by a writer I greatly appreciate. I do look forward to the other books in this series, and to be honest anything I have yet to read by Jennings. This is a historical fiction mystery that you can really wrap your mind around.
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by Maureen Jennings.
January 19, 2013
"Beware This Boy" is the second installment of Canadian author Maureen Jennings' "The Season of War" trilogy. I read it immediately after finishing "The Dark Season", the initial offering of the series. See my review of "The Dark Season" on Goodreads. This time, Detective Inspector Tom Tyler is required to solve a mystery beyond the confines of his country village of Whitchurch. A serious explosion has taken place at a munitions factory in Birmingham, and he's called in to investigate. This story is framed against the backdrop of overnight bombing raids by the German Luftwaffe,the use of ration books and food shortages, and the fear of sabatoeurs, or "fifth columnists". Maureen provides a heartwrenching and frightening glimpse of life in an urban setting, while England was hanging on by a thread against the Nazi war machine. America has not yet entered the war. Particularly moving are descriptions of what it must have been like to endure the shreik of air raid sirens, and subsequently, terrifying hours spent in small air raid shelters; waiting to see if one would survive the incredibly random life or death results of such raids. One of her scenes brought to mind one of my favourite scenes in the movie classic, "Mrs. Miniver", with Greer Garson and Walter Pigeon, as they wait for an air raid to end, with their two young children. (The oldest son has gone to become a RAF pilot.) So many of us are familiar with the terribloe costs of the Blitz, particulary the raids on London and the horrific destruction, fires and loss of life. Jennings wants us to know that this experience was playing itself out in many urban areas of England, and that survival often had to do with being in the right or wrong place at a particular time. Addionally, countless acts of bravery by ordinary citizens occurred. I am eagerly waiting for the next book in this series, and have come to have considerable fondness for DI Tyler, similar to the feelings I have for her other famous detective, William Murdoch,from the books and tv series, "Murdoch Mysteries".
June 19, 2017
I was interested to read this as it is set in Birmingham during WW2. My mother often talked about the conditions and her experiences of life in the city at that time. Historically I think the novel has been well researched and certainly enjoyed many of the details.
I continue to be irritated by the inspector's live life. I do think that if an author creates life changing incidents (I'm trying to avoid spoilers here) then they should be dealt with.
I was interested in Eileen and her dilemma. There were holes in the plot but certainly a pleasant read. I shall read the last novel in the trilogy, but shall have a break first.
I continue to be irritated by the inspector's live life. I do think that if an author creates life changing incidents (I'm trying to avoid spoilers here) then they should be dealt with.
I was interested in Eileen and her dilemma. There were holes in the plot but certainly a pleasant read. I shall read the last novel in the trilogy, but shall have a break first.
June 4, 2023
A superb, underrated series.
September 30, 2019
Very good mystery series. Highly recommend.
September 17, 2013
I will definitely read more books by Maureen Jennings. Her main character Detective Inspector Tom Tyler is believable and likable and I wish I had made his acquaintance sooner.
"Beware this Boy" is set in London in 1940 during the Blitz. The atmosphere is relentlessly dark and gloomy. Either it's raining or foggy. All the characters are doing their best to survive the war with their sanity intact. In certain cases the difficulties is compounded by poverty and miserable childhood. Yet in all this gloom certain character's such as the Elliot and particularly Eileen shine with there uprightness and good cheers. Not happy to make due, they do their best. The real heroes in this book are the people upholding civilization while the world is going up in flames.
That said this book is a mystery and yes people are murdered but amongst the carnage of the time, their lost appears almost incidental. Yes there is an inquiry and the guilty parties are discovered but it doesn't seem like much of an ending, probably because the war, which is the main evil in this book, is just winding up.
"Beware this Boy" is set in London in 1940 during the Blitz. The atmosphere is relentlessly dark and gloomy. Either it's raining or foggy. All the characters are doing their best to survive the war with their sanity intact. In certain cases the difficulties is compounded by poverty and miserable childhood. Yet in all this gloom certain character's such as the Elliot and particularly Eileen shine with there uprightness and good cheers. Not happy to make due, they do their best. The real heroes in this book are the people upholding civilization while the world is going up in flames.
That said this book is a mystery and yes people are murdered but amongst the carnage of the time, their lost appears almost incidental. Yes there is an inquiry and the guilty parties are discovered but it doesn't seem like much of an ending, probably because the war, which is the main evil in this book, is just winding up.
January 2, 2013
Second in the series of Tom Tyler, detective in England during the second world war and the blitz in 1940, this time Tyler deals with sabotage at an armaments factory, a cell of Communists and Communist patsies and a deserter. Woven within all these stories is Tom's unhappy marriage, his long lost love in Switzerland, feminist awakenings and union struggles. Enjoyable, entertaining and educating.
August 22, 2014
I really fell in love with this book. It was well written and engaging from the start. I can't wait for the next book in the series!
September 19, 2022
The author is clear that this story is about the women who helped out in Birmingham during the Second World War. This explains why it isn't much of a mystery. Inspector Tyler wanders around Birmingham seeing the horrors of bombing, and instances of British pluck and courage, but he doesn't get very far into inspecting the cause of an explosion at a munitions factory. Indeed, the explanation of the explosion, when it comes, comes as a deathbed confession!
The author of the The Complete Murdoch Mysteries Collection: Except the Dying / Under the Dragon's Tail / Poor Tom Is Cold / Let Loose the Dogs / Night's Child / Vices of My Blood / Journeyman to Grief can certainly do better, and this book is rich in peruiod detail lihose books—but it's not a satisfying mystery.
I'll see if No Known Grave is better.
The author of the The Complete Murdoch Mysteries Collection: Except the Dying / Under the Dragon's Tail / Poor Tom Is Cold / Let Loose the Dogs / Night's Child / Vices of My Blood / Journeyman to Grief can certainly do better, and this book is rich in peruiod detail lihose books—but it's not a satisfying mystery.
I'll see if No Known Grave is better.
July 10, 2019
While this was a well-written book in most respects, the ending was rushed. Several threads are left hanging and looking at the blurb for the next book in the series, it seems as if these threads will never be picked back up. Also I'm not big on the main investigator solving a mystery through pure luck, sometimes extreme luck (as in this case). The odds of events unfolding the way they did are astronomical.
The reason I give it three stars rather than less is that the main characters are generally likable, the writing is good, the research is significant, and it's just plain interesting (for me) to read about books set in England during the early stages of the second world war. I do plan to read the next book in the series but I greatly prefer the first book in the series to this one.
The reason I give it three stars rather than less is that the main characters are generally likable, the writing is good, the research is significant, and it's just plain interesting (for me) to read about books set in England during the early stages of the second world war. I do plan to read the next book in the series but I greatly prefer the first book in the series to this one.
February 3, 2021
The second book in the Detective Inspector Tom Tyler series.
It's November 1940 in Britain. A dark time for the country.
Tyler is sent to Birmingham, to investigate an explosion at a munitions factory. Women have taken over the work to support the war effort and some were injured in the explosion. Tyler has to figure out if it was an accident, or sabotage....
I like the character of Tom Tyler. But he's off page a lot on this novel, and other characters take a lot of the story. They all tie in together and the story is a good one. I just wish Tom was in it more.
A fascinating look at World War II England.....
It's November 1940 in Britain. A dark time for the country.
Tyler is sent to Birmingham, to investigate an explosion at a munitions factory. Women have taken over the work to support the war effort and some were injured in the explosion. Tyler has to figure out if it was an accident, or sabotage....
I like the character of Tom Tyler. But he's off page a lot on this novel, and other characters take a lot of the story. They all tie in together and the story is a good one. I just wish Tom was in it more.
A fascinating look at World War II England.....
February 20, 2024
Multiple storylines that converge at the end. Well written but one storyline was cut short leaving the reader to imagine what happened.
I'd marked book 1 as read but it must have been a very long time ago. There were several references to things that had happened in that book (without any explanations) and I had only very vague memories of what they alluded to.
This book can be read as a stand alone as the previously mentioned references don't spoil the plot here, but only leave the reader wondering what they mean.
I'd marked book 1 as read but it must have been a very long time ago. There were several references to things that had happened in that book (without any explanations) and I had only very vague memories of what they alluded to.
This book can be read as a stand alone as the previously mentioned references don't spoil the plot here, but only leave the reader wondering what they mean.
September 18, 2020
I've now read all three books in this series, and I'm happy to report that the author has written a 4th book in the series. Yes, I know this is #2 but I accidentally read #3 already, so am ready for more. These are well plotted police procedurals with the added twist that they all take place in England during WW2. The author does a wonderful job describing daily life during the war. I recommend Tom Tyler.
August 6, 2018
The setting for this book is familiar to anyone who watched Jenning's Bomb Girls, although that series is set in Toronto, and this one in England. In this case, Tyler is investigating an explosion at a bomb factory. Jennings is not afraid to kill or injure sympathetic characters or have people you feel sympathy for (or at least want to have sympathy for) do horrible things.
February 18, 2018
I liked her characterizations of people and found the story fast moving, though the ending felt abrupt and there were still some elements of the plot that remained unclear/confusing. Still, I would gladly read more of her books.
September 26, 2021
An interesting and rather unique historical setting and perspective. The story offers quite a bit of cloak & dagger material. The tale's setting provides a rather interesting look at (examination of) early WW2 era communists operating in the UK.
December 7, 2024
I thought the first book in this series was complicated. Little did I know!
Not only are there too many characters, and too many plot lines (sabotage and murder during WWII), but there are LOOSE ENDS, and CLIFFHANGERS!
Now I HAVE TO finish reading the remaining books!
Not only are there too many characters, and too many plot lines (sabotage and murder during WWII), but there are LOOSE ENDS, and CLIFFHANGERS!
Now I HAVE TO finish reading the remaining books!
October 2, 2017
Tom Tyler, a police inspector in WWII England, is assigned to investigate an explosion at a munitions factory in Birmingham. Was it an accident or sabotage? An interesting cast of characters.
July 23, 2019
This book failed to capture my interest - to the extent that, when at last the bad guys name was revealed, my reaction was "who the heck is that."
August 10, 2019
I like the series.
November 19, 2021
I so wanted to like this book , but really struggled to . Very dull really
July 6, 2022
Audible: I enjoyed this story but I liked the first more. They also changed the narrator which made a difference as well. Still a good story and I will listen to the next one 😊
October 4, 2022
Would have given it 4 stars but for the abrupt ending and obvious follow on book you need to read...
August 21, 2023
Dark and twisty.
December 28, 2023
Good mystery
June 12, 2025
Too many questions left unanswered at the end. I assume it's so you read the next book in the series, but it's still annoying
October 30, 2023
Purtroppo molto deludente il secondo episodio sull'ispettore Tom Tyler.
Ottime ed evocative descrizioni dell'Inghilterra della Seconda Guerra Mondiale, ma trama noiosissima. Bocciato.
Ottime ed evocative descrizioni dell'Inghilterra della Seconda Guerra Mondiale, ma trama noiosissima. Bocciato.
January 15, 2017
Book 2 of this series, and I'm completely hooked. Tom Tyler is not quite the central character of this book. The Abbott family is front and centre. The plot starts a bit slowly, but progresses quickly and the story is compelling. The author is very skilled at describing place and time in wartime Birmingham. It's a really good series.
July 24, 2016
I love all of Maureen Jenning's books! The Inspector Murdoch books are great, and so are the Inspector Tom Tyler books! This is the 2nd book about Tyler. This one is also set in WWII and takes place in a munitions factory where the women have taken the jobs offered since the men have gone to war. Inspector Tyler is sent to Endicott's factory in Brum to investigate an explosion. As Tyler investigates, there is a soldier who went AWOL that has returned to his grandparents' home in Brum to hide from the MPs. The nurse at the munitions plant is his aunt. The two stories intertwine as this soldier is blackmailed into making the triggers for the next set of bombs to go off in the factory. The whole story comes to a conclusion as an air raid hits the town, causing much damage and the death of the soldier as he is murdered by the blackmailer, who happens to be a lackey for the communist party planting the bombs in the shelter. But it just so happens that the ring-leader of the group has plans for all the member in the group so that he can abscond with the payroll of the munitions factory. The undercover Security Service, Lev Kaplan, was a great American asset to this story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews