The Drumbeater

by Clive Allan

Something caught his eye, as if the sun was reflecting on something shiny. The source of this momentary distraction was the clouded glass face of an old wrist watch. He bent down to retrieve it, then recoiled abruptly, standing bolt upright. The watch, complete with decaying leather strap, was secured to the wrist of a skeletal hand.

Clive Allan has drawn upon thirty years experience as a police officer and a profound knowledge of the Scottish Highlands in his crime thriller, The Drumbeater

When skeletal remains are found buried on a beach near the remote Scottish village of Glendaig, the evidence points to murder, to a crime dating back seventy years to World War Two. The task of unravelling the mystery falls to history graduate Neil Strachan, now a career cop, fast tracked into a new role on Northern Scotlands Major Enquiry Unit. When Neil calls upon German naval historian, Matthias Fuchs, to help identify the remains, a name soon emerges, that of a dashing young U-boat ace who mysteriously disappeared in 1941: Korvettenkapitän Max Friedmann.

Neil seeks the assistance of Glendaig’s elderly residents, but encounters an impenetrable wall of silence, causing him to suspect that they know far more about the young submariner than they are willing to impart. With more questions than answers, and under mounting pressure from his cynical boss to wrap up the enquiry, Neil embarks on a race against time to discover the truth. He begins to unravel a tale of subterfuge, escape and astounding loyalty. A tale that will ultimately reveal a secret that could have changed the course of World War Two...

448 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 9, 2013

About the author

Born in 1959, Clive Allan is a native of West Sussex, living near Chichester with his Scottish born wife. In 2008, he retired after thirty years police service, ending his career as an Inspector at Gatwick Airport. He now divides his time between the Sussex coast and his cottage in the Scottish Highlands.

Reviews

[Christine Hayton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclosure: I purchased a paperback copy of “The Drumbeater” in September 2014. I do not know the author nor have I ever had any communication with him about this book or any other subject. The comments that follow are my own personal opinion. I received NO compensation of any kind, or from any one, to provide this review.

This novel was very impressive as it tracked the investigation into a murder that occurred almost seventy years prior. Neil, the investigator, led us through a maze of clues and evidence, all while under time restraints, to solve the mystery of the corpse buried on a Scottish Beach. The investigation went back to World War II. The prevalent silence of the elderly residents, he found in the nearby village, all added to the intrigue of spies and secrets that finally brought him to the startling conclusion.

The author told a unique and entertaining story and did it very well. His ability to use a very difficult timeline and walk the reader smoothly through it was very professional. His historical references were well researched and that accuracy gave the book a tight validity. I did find the story would occasionally veer off into a paragraph of excessive description. These had a tendency to bog down the pace of the book. They were quite beautiful and some were even poetic, but had little to do with the plot. As I read, I found them superfluous and unnecessary, and often skimmed over them to get back to the story.

The book provided the psychological details, and intelligent analysis of a good murder mystery. I really enjoyed this book and found it difficult to put down. I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good read. I am looking forward to the author’s next book.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I approached this book expecting it to be a run of the mill detective story. You know the kind of thing, detective who is full of neurosis but who outwits the system with determination and a slight bending of the rules. There are hundreds of books like that out there. However, the character of Detective Neil Strachan absolutely does not conform to the stereotype and is a breath of fresh air to the detective genre. He is a well adjusted individual who approaches his case with intelligence and sensitivity.

My full review can be found at: http://leftontheshelfbookblog.blogspo...

[Tom Lindsay · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reasonably interesting book, if a bit long-winded, but let down by very poor proofreading. There must have been a shortage of commas when the book was written - if not that, then most of the characters have huge lung capacities.

[Andy N · Rating 5 out of 5]

Complex, thrilling, brilliant novel! I’ve had a few issues with putting thoughts and opinions on paper in a way that makes sense, so much to say! First things first, I want to thank the author Clive Allan for reaching out and sending me the digital version of The Drumbeater.

Welcome to Glendaig, a little town in the Scottish Highlands. A peaceful place until the remains of a person wearing a German watch are discovered in a beach nearby. Young Neil Strachan, a career cop with a background in History is given the task to solve the mystery. When the young policeman gets in touch with a German navel historian specialist called Matthias Fuchs, they soon discover that, not only they have a murder case that dates back seventy years on their hands, but also the revelation of something that could have changed history.

It was a long and intense read, one that I will remember for a long time. Allan’s style of writing is absolutely incredible and along his great descriptions, the deep knowledge in historical events, police procedures and the way everything comes together is breathtaking. The clues are analysed in a great way and the psychological details make this novel unique and for me one of the best mysteries I’ve read so far. I actually had my heart on my throat from trepidation in wanting to know what came next. A real page-turner, filled with twists and turns, just how I like them.

The author organised the story in a hasty manner, connecting the present and the past in flashbacks of the life and activities inside a submarine in 1941, so it gives the perfect balance between the historical events with the present modern investigation and interpretation of what happened back then. The different sets of characters are very well thought and very well represented in my opinion and their depth made them more than just simple characters. I managed not to lose track of who is who in the novel, the idea of a genealogical tree in the beginning was a great idea, I definitely consulted it a few times. Neil is a great protagonist and the details of his personal life make him than a mere policeman.

I really enjoyed the setting of the story. Like I mentioned before, the descriptions in general are great, but those of Scotland are memorable and I definitely got the urge to visit.

A great read that I highly recommend to the fans of the mystery, thriller, suspense, historical genres.

[Sandie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My life long belief that 'life' gets in the way of reading was very true in this case! The Drumbeater is a page turner and I loved it. I reluctantly would put it on hold to get in with 'life'...going to work is so annoying when you have a great book in your hand.

The Drumbeater is well written and moves on at a great pace. I love a mystery and history and this book certainly met my expectations. It is well researched. The characters came to life in my mind as did the lovely descriptions of Scotland.

The booked flowed very nicely between the past and the present with an attention grabbing plot, ultimately drawing both together beautifully in its conclusion.

As a retired police officer I was delighted with Inspector Strachan. He is smart, dedicated, professional and caring. Not portrayed like some stereotype cop that we often see. Thank goodness!

I look forward to another book by Clive Allen in the future...with or without Inspector Strachan!

A Five Star Thumbs Up!

[Simon · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anyone looking for an intelligent and well research crime novel The Drumbeater takes some beating. I have a particular interest in the area in which the novel is set and more than a passing interest in Naval history and when it was suggested I didn't think twice. What I found was a well written and plausible story which quickly drew me in. The Drumbeater gets a big thumbs up from me and an easy 5 stars.

[Rose Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed The Drumbeater, couldn't put it down, once l started to read, there are many twists and turns and lots of unexpected surprises, all through the story, the Author has kept you guessing all the way, and has done a great job in his research of the places starting from Scotland to London, and the Land-Marks, History, Mysterious, and has been well written for the Authors first book, hope to hear more from him, Well done Clive R M Steiger

[Danni · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't read a great deal of detective novels but was drawn to The Drumbeater because of its setting and the historical elements. I read from the blurb that the author, Clive Allan, is a former detective himself and I think this is what makes it so good. I thought the historical elements came across really well and I found them very interesting and the book is really well written.

[Lexie Conyngham · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 really. I did have issues with this book: I wasn’t that keen on the writing style, which included lots of exclamation marks, italics and inverted commas, and there were a number of oddities and anachronisms, partly relating to Scottish clergy and partly relating to car use and restricted areas during the Second World War. Towards the beginning there were several instances of characters’ whole backgrounds being given in one go, which spoiled the flow of the narrative. However, all that aside, there is a very good plot here which kept me reading; the main character is pleasant to be with; the setting is well-described, and the pace, apart from the instances above, is smart. And the scenes relating to U-boat activity in the Second World War are the most convincing in the whole thing – I had the impression that the author there relaxed into something he really knew about, and his confidence showed. They were excellent, and very enjoyable.

[ELIZABETH SABINS · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating story about Scotland and German submarines during World War Two.

A murder mystery spanning eighty years, and a Scots detective inspector who cannot quit until he finds the truth. Fascinating exploration of a branch of the German Navy and a small town in the Scottish highlands which had me diving into my geography book to locate the areas in this book. Loved this complex mystery!

[Jeffery B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent first novel by a gifted storyteller. I really enjoyed the Drumbeater. I liked the author's unique blend of historical thriller and "who done it" crime novel. He blends the right amount of history, gets his facts and details straight, develops his characters well, and does it all within an easy to read and extremely enjoyable story. Thanks for sharing this with us and here is to hoping you've got more like this in you!

[David Vity · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intreguing.

Intreguing. Held my attention throughout. Both a historical novel and present day police mystery along with a.wonderful geographic description of loccation

[Pen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing story.

Very unfortunate overuse of exclamation marks and a number of misused words.

[Lucy Keezer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting Book

[Bk]

Excellent book!

[Sherrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

FTC Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the author free of any compensation.

***

As I read the synopsis for The Drumbeater and saw the book’s length, I questioned whether I wanted to read it. I enjoy historical fiction and mystery. But I’ve read several World War II stories recently. Did I want to read another, and a début novel at that?

I am so glad I decided to dive in and see what Clive Allan had brought to the table. Not once did I look back and regret it. If I weren’t working on my manuscript, The Drumbeater would have had me reading until I completed it.

Allan’s career in police service enhances his writing. His background results in detailed characters, scenes, places, police activity, and dialogue. All this moves the plot along quickly and with ease. The story flowed exquisitely from one chapter’s end to the beginning of the next. Nothing was lost in transition.

Although he claims his English origins, Allan confesses to a long love affair with Scotland. Thus his choice of setting for The Drumbeater. Combine Allan’s love of Scotland, his background in police work, and an interest in military history, and you have the origin of Detective Inspector Neil Strachan.

DI Strachan is not your run of the mill detective. He has a graduate degree in history and struggles to build a good reputation in police work. Strachan is tasked with unraveling a mysterious case dating back to 1941. His only clue is the skeleton found in a grave on a Scottish beach.

Quirky characters from a nearby village may or may not be witnesses. But DI Strachan works hard to decide who’s telling the truth. Allan strives to weave together each strand so the reader has a seamless tale of deceit and honor.

If you’re a fan of great historical mystery harking back to WWII, you’ll like Allen’s, The Drumbeater. If you like settings in Great Britain and environs, specifically Scotland, you’re going to want to read this book. I urge you to pick up a copy, sit back, and enjoy!

[John Eldridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Submarines, spies, murder on the beach, a great story. I really liked this book. It had all the elements of an intriguing mystery without having to rely on the usual crutches of high speed car chases, gruesome violence (Ok, there was some of that but only as needed to advance the story), or, worst of all,portrayal of the police investigator as a burnt out, broken down, individual.

Clive Allan presented the police investigator as a normal guy with a great curiosity, especially about history. He even had a normal girl friend and parents. I found that all very refreshing. The interest in history plays into the story line nicely as the mystery is about a body found on a beach in Scotland in the present day but apparently having been placed there as a result of foul play back in the days of World War 2.

The book moves back and forth between the time of the crime in the 1940's to the present day investigation. And it is gripping! Usually I don't like books that jump from one time frame to another but this one does it so well that I actually enjoyed the change each time it happened.

The Drumbeater is a great read.

[Caryl Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a thoroughly absorbing and interesting read this was. A cold case wartime mystery set in the present day Scottish Highlands, written by an ex-policeman turned author who has described the atmosphere and the landscape of the surroundings with such descriptive detail that I felt as if I was right there at times. Reminded me of holidays spent in the Highlands and made me feel like packing a bag to return there straight away, or at least once I'd read the book right through to the end.

Snippets of well researched military history, interspersed with historic family mysteries and steady and methodical police work and procedures.

There are several twists and turns that leave the reader wondering who exactly the culprit or culprits were, and an interesting new detective DI Neil Strachan, a no-nonsense straightforward and thorough copper who just gets on with the job, but trusts his instincts and intuitions along the way. A remarkable debut novel and I really hope there will be a whole series to read. A TV series would be excellent with all that scenery to admire as well. What's not to like.

[Lesley Lodge · Rating 5 out of 5]

A novel with a substantial cast of characters, all fleshed out and differentiated – there’s a family tree at the beginning to help you keep track of people. The shock opening with the finding of a skeleton still wearing a German watch leads to a detailed – and very knowledgeably written – police procedural during which clues aplenty are discovered but the mystery deepens considerably. It's not a spoiler to let you know that more bodies are involved.....

The book’s pace is kept lively with the interspersing of dramatic and exciting action told in flashbacks to 1941 and wartime submarine action off the Scottish coastline. I was impressed both by the author’s depth of knowledge of the police and of the Scottish Highlands but also by the convincing detail around weaponry and wartime submarines. At the same time, the elderly characters being interviewed in the 2009 sections ring true. There are a number of pleasing twists too and an epilogue to tie up remaining loose ends. This is a novel that will stay with you long after you have read it.

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't read for long each day, 20 minutes or so. So a lengthy book like this takes quite some time to finish. During the process of reading, something that I read several weeks back wends its way back into the storyline and at times its a mystery to me, So, many names and dates and relationships etc can get a little vague. That's what happened to me in this book. I did like it, I wouldn't have bothered finishing it if I didn't. But it was just too long and really could have been written a hundred pages shorter and lost none of its impact. But recommended if you are a detective fan and like a rambling slow moving mystery rather than a rip-snort and bust one.

[Pat Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a brilliant first novel. Didn't want to put it down. There were times when then tension was such in the story that I HAD to put it down. Towards the end I had worked out what I thought might have happened & I had got some of it correct-this did not detract from the story. I liked the characters, particularly liked the main character DI Strachan. Could see this made into film. Looking forward to reading more by Clive Allan.

[Trina Hollis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very good crime story about a murder told in two timelines it kept me turning pages right to the end it is very well researched and I liked all the characters.The descriptions of the Scottish countryside are excellent and really made me feel I was there. I look forwrd to reading the next one