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Grace and Disgrace
The “Invitation to the Chase” arrives in the post without warning. Inscribed in silver ink on black paper, the anonymous summons expresses a simple challenge: to find the priceless Templar Diamond.
Stolen in 1896 from St. Peter’s Cathedral in Belfast, the Templar Diamond has been missing for six years, with the suspects still at large. Now there is hope of its discovery in Boston, if the cryptic invitation can be believed. But is it a ruse?
Jack Tuohay, Belfast Inspector 2nd class, is an inheritor of one such invitation. Professionally discredited for allowing the diamond theft to occur on his watch, he is desperate for a chance at redemption. But the new circumstances are not without stakes, as demonstrated by the murder of a second recipient of the invitation, a Boston priest.
It seems the search for the missing diamond is a deadly one.
Tuohay, with ties to both the diamond and the dead priest, is grudgingly assigned the case by his superiors. Along with two former sleuthing companions, Eliza Wilding and John Eldredge, he pursues the priest’s killer and the lost diamond. It is not long before the companions find themselves entwined in a web of ciphers, puzzles and ruses where one step closer to the diamond is also one step closer to the fatal consequences surrounding it.
The chase is on.
Stolen in 1896 from St. Peter’s Cathedral in Belfast, the Templar Diamond has been missing for six years, with the suspects still at large. Now there is hope of its discovery in Boston, if the cryptic invitation can be believed. But is it a ruse?
Jack Tuohay, Belfast Inspector 2nd class, is an inheritor of one such invitation. Professionally discredited for allowing the diamond theft to occur on his watch, he is desperate for a chance at redemption. But the new circumstances are not without stakes, as demonstrated by the murder of a second recipient of the invitation, a Boston priest.
It seems the search for the missing diamond is a deadly one.
Tuohay, with ties to both the diamond and the dead priest, is grudgingly assigned the case by his superiors. Along with two former sleuthing companions, Eliza Wilding and John Eldredge, he pursues the priest’s killer and the lost diamond. It is not long before the companions find themselves entwined in a web of ciphers, puzzles and ruses where one step closer to the diamond is also one step closer to the fatal consequences surrounding it.
The chase is on.
274 pages, Paperback
First published May 20, 2015
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December 15, 2018
A peculiar change came over me while I was immersed in the fictional history "Grace and Disgrace". Forsaking my usual motley array of jeans, t-shirts, and sneakers, I took to attiring myself in a more gentlemanly fashion. Ruffled shirts, frock coats, and buckled boots became my daily raiment, the ensemble completed by top hat and cloak, all to the querulous consternation of those whom I once considered friends. Mutton-chop sideburns grew unbidden upon my cheeks, my chest tightened with imagined consumption, and my leg (which had always seemed hale and hearty before) ached so abominably that I began walking with a cane. Had I been able to locate a horse and buggy merchant, I would have traded-in my automobile on the spot. And my speech transformed itself into, well, what you see here; a broad Irish brogue rich in courteous formality, erudite vocabulary, and colourful idiom.
Enough of this outlandish prologue, I hear you rasp, what of the account I am intent upon appraising in this discourse? Hold your horses, good sir, and I shall get to it presently. And if good madam you be, take heed; there are scenes here, fictional though they may be, depicting unsavoury acts of theft, violence, deception, and murder, which may offend your feminine sensibility. And, as an aside, you really should have that throat looked at by a physician.
Now to the plot, if it pleases you. Its nature is immediately apparent from the opening paragraph, one of the best I have seen. In no more than a few words it is made clear that there is a mystery to be solved, the ethereal mood of the piece is set, and one is tantalised by a subtle undertone of dark humour. The latter continues throughout, mind you, and provides a welcome counterpoint to the uglier events of the affair.
At the turn of the nineteenth century, Inspector Jack Tuohay of the Royal Irish Constabulary, a man who spent his formative years in Boston, returns in search of the Templar Diamond, a priceless artefact of the Catholic Church. The diamond was stolen in Belfast six years earlier on Tuohay's watch, and he is in disgrace for having failed to prevent its disappearance. When he reaches Boston, he reconnects with John Eldredge and Eliza Wilding, old friends he has not seen for a decade, and I joined the sleuths as they began to piece together the clues and ciphers which suggest that the diamond was transported across the Atlantic in secret and hidden somewhere in New England. On more than one occasion I had cause to be thankful for my heavy cloak as protection from the icy North Atlantic weather as we travelled from bustling Boston to picturesque Plymouth, and on the lonely coastal road in between. Along the way, we crossed paths with an assortment of enigmatic characters; among them priests, lawyers, concubines, and lunatics, not to mention the menacing Inspector Frost, watchdog of the Boston authorities.
When the journey was through, the tale told, and the mystery finally solved, I was saddened to have to hang up my hat, shave my sideburns, and jump into my automobile. I am still looking for that horse and buggy merchant, however. Should anyone have any information for me in this regard, I can be reached through the Western Union Telegraph Company.
Enough of this outlandish prologue, I hear you rasp, what of the account I am intent upon appraising in this discourse? Hold your horses, good sir, and I shall get to it presently. And if good madam you be, take heed; there are scenes here, fictional though they may be, depicting unsavoury acts of theft, violence, deception, and murder, which may offend your feminine sensibility. And, as an aside, you really should have that throat looked at by a physician.
Now to the plot, if it pleases you. Its nature is immediately apparent from the opening paragraph, one of the best I have seen. In no more than a few words it is made clear that there is a mystery to be solved, the ethereal mood of the piece is set, and one is tantalised by a subtle undertone of dark humour. The latter continues throughout, mind you, and provides a welcome counterpoint to the uglier events of the affair.
At the turn of the nineteenth century, Inspector Jack Tuohay of the Royal Irish Constabulary, a man who spent his formative years in Boston, returns in search of the Templar Diamond, a priceless artefact of the Catholic Church. The diamond was stolen in Belfast six years earlier on Tuohay's watch, and he is in disgrace for having failed to prevent its disappearance. When he reaches Boston, he reconnects with John Eldredge and Eliza Wilding, old friends he has not seen for a decade, and I joined the sleuths as they began to piece together the clues and ciphers which suggest that the diamond was transported across the Atlantic in secret and hidden somewhere in New England. On more than one occasion I had cause to be thankful for my heavy cloak as protection from the icy North Atlantic weather as we travelled from bustling Boston to picturesque Plymouth, and on the lonely coastal road in between. Along the way, we crossed paths with an assortment of enigmatic characters; among them priests, lawyers, concubines, and lunatics, not to mention the menacing Inspector Frost, watchdog of the Boston authorities.
When the journey was through, the tale told, and the mystery finally solved, I was saddened to have to hang up my hat, shave my sideburns, and jump into my automobile. I am still looking for that horse and buggy merchant, however. Should anyone have any information for me in this regard, I can be reached through the Western Union Telegraph Company.
September 3, 2015
The Templar Diamond has gone missing. An invitation arrives by post challenging the recipients to begin a chase to find the Templar Diamond. A priest is murdered to demonstrate that participation in the chase can be fatal. However, Jack Tuohay, Eliza Wilding and John Elredge take on the challenge.
This book offers a wide range of experiences. The reader is transported to a different era and is intrigued by the mysteries that get more complicated with each chapter. Crypts and puzzles are integral parts of the chase that constitutes the central theme of the novel. As the characters try hard to get past the labyrinths and discover the lost diamond, the suspense heightens. The author is very descriptive and the narrative technique is brilliant. There isn’t any dull moment and my interest in the story didn’t flicker till I reached the end. In fact, I have even added some quotes from this book to my favorite quotes’ collection. I’m a great admirer of historical mysteries because besides impressing the reader with thrills and chills they also provide a look-back at some important events in history. While some books in this genre tend to lose their grip on the historical aspect and shift focus to the elements that thrill, “Grace and disgrace” strikes a perfect balance between both the aspects. I’d definitely recommend this to readers of mystery and historical mystery, but I’m sure people with interest in history in general will also like this book. It is a book that truly deserves all the five stars!
This book offers a wide range of experiences. The reader is transported to a different era and is intrigued by the mysteries that get more complicated with each chapter. Crypts and puzzles are integral parts of the chase that constitutes the central theme of the novel. As the characters try hard to get past the labyrinths and discover the lost diamond, the suspense heightens. The author is very descriptive and the narrative technique is brilliant. There isn’t any dull moment and my interest in the story didn’t flicker till I reached the end. In fact, I have even added some quotes from this book to my favorite quotes’ collection. I’m a great admirer of historical mysteries because besides impressing the reader with thrills and chills they also provide a look-back at some important events in history. While some books in this genre tend to lose their grip on the historical aspect and shift focus to the elements that thrill, “Grace and disgrace” strikes a perfect balance between both the aspects. I’d definitely recommend this to readers of mystery and historical mystery, but I’m sure people with interest in history in general will also like this book. It is a book that truly deserves all the five stars!
August 20, 2016
Grace and Disgrace by Kayne Milhomme
Inspector Jack Touhey worked for the Irish Constable in Belfast Ireland as well as consultant to Scotland Yard. He was on his way to Boston, MA due to a letter that the Templar Diamond can be found there. In 1896, the Templar Diamond was stolen on Inspector Touhey's watch and smuggled out of Ireland to the States.
He met up with two more acquaintances Mr. Eldrige and Eliza Wilding who were also to help him solve this case and they also have receive the cryptic letters. They met Ms. Sarah Conall at her lawyers office to speak about not only her Uncle's suspicious death that somewhat tied to the diamond. Father Kearney found evidence of Father Donnelly being corrupt. He even went up to the ArchBishop, but everything backfired on Father Kearney and his good name was dragged through the mud. Ms. Conall mentioned that the Diamond has everything to do with Father Donnelly.
This was an interesting mystery solved in the early part of the 1900's, setting in Boston. Back then when taking evidence MS. Eliza would carry around a sketch pad to sketch the areas of a room to poor over for further evidence. They relied on a book to figure out codes, and the good ole detective work of that time period to solve the crime.
Inspector Jack Touhey worked for the Irish Constable in Belfast Ireland as well as consultant to Scotland Yard. He was on his way to Boston, MA due to a letter that the Templar Diamond can be found there. In 1896, the Templar Diamond was stolen on Inspector Touhey's watch and smuggled out of Ireland to the States.
He met up with two more acquaintances Mr. Eldrige and Eliza Wilding who were also to help him solve this case and they also have receive the cryptic letters. They met Ms. Sarah Conall at her lawyers office to speak about not only her Uncle's suspicious death that somewhat tied to the diamond. Father Kearney found evidence of Father Donnelly being corrupt. He even went up to the ArchBishop, but everything backfired on Father Kearney and his good name was dragged through the mud. Ms. Conall mentioned that the Diamond has everything to do with Father Donnelly.
This was an interesting mystery solved in the early part of the 1900's, setting in Boston. Back then when taking evidence MS. Eliza would carry around a sketch pad to sketch the areas of a room to poor over for further evidence. They relied on a book to figure out codes, and the good ole detective work of that time period to solve the crime.
January 6, 2016
Grace and Disgrace is a classic detective story with the lead detective being Jack Tuohay, a member of the Royal Irish Constabulary who is under a shadow because of the theft of a diamond while it was under his care. He is sent to Boston when the possibility of its recovery becomes known. As in all classic detective stories, Jack has sidekicks, Eldredge who is the brainy one and Eliza who takes on the action.
The period is carefully and lovingly recreated for us, but not in a way which gets in the way of a very good story. There are twists and turns aplenty and everyone, even Jack, has secrets they are holding to themselves.
I can heartily recommend this book to mystery lovers and especially those who like period mysteries.
The period is carefully and lovingly recreated for us, but not in a way which gets in the way of a very good story. There are twists and turns aplenty and everyone, even Jack, has secrets they are holding to themselves.
I can heartily recommend this book to mystery lovers and especially those who like period mysteries.
August 23, 2015
Three college friends (Eliza, Eldridge and Touhay) reunite to solve a mystery from Touhay's checkered past.
It's a good mystery/thriller with all the trimmings. Lots of twists and turns, dead bodies dropping all over the place and the finger of suspicion flies. The writing is atmospheric and rich.
Frost was my favorite character and I liked his ending. It was... emotionally satisfying. Keep in mind this no romance :)
Grace & Disgrace is generating lots of excitement and it's easy to see why. Check it out for yourself, you won't be disappointed.
June 1, 2016
Grace and Disgrace by Kayne Milhomme - A Review by HM Flath
I received a copy of Grace and Disgrace from the author through a Goodreads connection, in exchange for an objective review. Many thanks to both Kayne Milhomme and to Goodreads for enabling that to happen.
After 20 years the three trusted friends and partners from their college Sleuthound Club days, come together in Boston to untangle a mystery surrounding the disappearance of the Templar Diamond which occurred approximately six years ago. The invitation to partake in the search received by Jack Tuohay leads to untangling mysterious murders, lies and deceptions, secrets of the past and personal vendettas.
The primary character Jack Tuohay, super sleuth of the Royal Irish Constabulary and liaison with Scotland Yard, is the sole member of the trio who continued with ‘sleuthing’ work as a career. He is indeed the Sherlock Holmes or the Inspector Clouseau complete with his trench coat, an undetermined lung ailment, a limp and a silver tipped walking cane who provides leadership and the insights in solving the mystery. John Eldredge a true statistician and a master of numbers, moved into government work generating population and agriculture statistics, writing telegram and pocket codexes. His role became one of searching out information, studying and deciphering codes and helping Tuohay wherever and whenever he could. Eliza Wilding’s career became colorful, tied to the arts and stage. She brightened up the trio with her quick wit, her impeccable observation skills and her catching appearance along with her ability to take on any task required, including the tough physical ones. All three of the super sleuth characters are strong and likeable, carefully crafted and consistent throughout the story.
The reader is plunged immediately into the story in the very beginning chapter with the initial mysterious meeting. I was caught and from there was motivated to read on! I travelled with and walked beside the sleuths in the story. There are many mysterious secret meetings, interesting well-developed characters, unexpected twists and turns filled with intrigue and suspicions. Never any disappointments - only further questions. It is a master of mystery.
My one criticism aside from the few typos and word errors, is the interruptions created by the telegraphs which in my opinion really did not advance the story.
I highly recommend this story for the mystery readers. It is a great read!!
I received a copy of Grace and Disgrace from the author through a Goodreads connection, in exchange for an objective review. Many thanks to both Kayne Milhomme and to Goodreads for enabling that to happen.
After 20 years the three trusted friends and partners from their college Sleuthound Club days, come together in Boston to untangle a mystery surrounding the disappearance of the Templar Diamond which occurred approximately six years ago. The invitation to partake in the search received by Jack Tuohay leads to untangling mysterious murders, lies and deceptions, secrets of the past and personal vendettas.
The primary character Jack Tuohay, super sleuth of the Royal Irish Constabulary and liaison with Scotland Yard, is the sole member of the trio who continued with ‘sleuthing’ work as a career. He is indeed the Sherlock Holmes or the Inspector Clouseau complete with his trench coat, an undetermined lung ailment, a limp and a silver tipped walking cane who provides leadership and the insights in solving the mystery. John Eldredge a true statistician and a master of numbers, moved into government work generating population and agriculture statistics, writing telegram and pocket codexes. His role became one of searching out information, studying and deciphering codes and helping Tuohay wherever and whenever he could. Eliza Wilding’s career became colorful, tied to the arts and stage. She brightened up the trio with her quick wit, her impeccable observation skills and her catching appearance along with her ability to take on any task required, including the tough physical ones. All three of the super sleuth characters are strong and likeable, carefully crafted and consistent throughout the story.
The reader is plunged immediately into the story in the very beginning chapter with the initial mysterious meeting. I was caught and from there was motivated to read on! I travelled with and walked beside the sleuths in the story. There are many mysterious secret meetings, interesting well-developed characters, unexpected twists and turns filled with intrigue and suspicions. Never any disappointments - only further questions. It is a master of mystery.
My one criticism aside from the few typos and word errors, is the interruptions created by the telegraphs which in my opinion really did not advance the story.
I highly recommend this story for the mystery readers. It is a great read!!
November 4, 2015
Inspector Jack Tuohay arrives in Boston having received a mysterious invitation that relates to the theft of a diamond in Belfast. The disappearance of the Templar Diamond left Tuohay’s career in tatters but now he has the opportunity to redeem himself by recovering the missing diamond and catch the thief. Recruiting two former college friends with their own skills in sleuthing Tuohay attempts to unravel the tangle of clues left by the criminal mastermind as he is forced to work alongside the local police and comes into contact with various other interested parties, all of whom have their own parts to play, most of which clash with Tuohay’s, resulting in a web of intrigue and duplicity.
Set at the beginning of the 20th Century the scenes were extremely well-written, I found I was put into both time and place of a world where electric lighting and motor cars clashed with gas lamps and horse-drawn carriages.
Characters too were well drawn, even those with “bit-parts” came to life and this added to the overall feeling of the book. The mystery side of the novel was complex, with clues, cyphers and codes in abundance. I’m not averse to solving puzzles myself, but usually outside of the context of a novel so found the sections where codes were being laid out a little bit of a stumbling block to the flow of the novel. This is only a personal opinion and I know people who would enjoy working out the codes in real time with Tuohay and his friends.
The novel builds to a thrilling and satisfying climax, with all loose ends tied up, and I would expect to see Tuohay, Eliza and John team up again in another mystery story.
I was given a free copy for an honest, non-reciprocal review.
Set at the beginning of the 20th Century the scenes were extremely well-written, I found I was put into both time and place of a world where electric lighting and motor cars clashed with gas lamps and horse-drawn carriages.
Characters too were well drawn, even those with “bit-parts” came to life and this added to the overall feeling of the book. The mystery side of the novel was complex, with clues, cyphers and codes in abundance. I’m not averse to solving puzzles myself, but usually outside of the context of a novel so found the sections where codes were being laid out a little bit of a stumbling block to the flow of the novel. This is only a personal opinion and I know people who would enjoy working out the codes in real time with Tuohay and his friends.
The novel builds to a thrilling and satisfying climax, with all loose ends tied up, and I would expect to see Tuohay, Eliza and John team up again in another mystery story.
I was given a free copy for an honest, non-reciprocal review.
May 12, 2016
Other than the occasional foray into Sherlock Holmes territory, I very rarely stray into historical fiction, especially period mysteries. I very often find them quaint in a non-threatening way, and so I generally pass on them. They usually care too much about the time period and too little about the plot.
However, ‘Grace and Disgrace’ by Kayne Milhomme is not your average historical mystery. Sure, it contains a few of the tropes you’d expect -- highly intelligent but afflicted detective, etc. -- but it so exceeds expectations as to render any resemblance acceptable.
First of all, the Irish Constable, Tuohay -- bizarre, I know -- makes for an interesting protagonist for this Boston-based story. He’s wry and perceptive, a great central figure to help unwind the plot about a chase for the Templar Diamond, which carries with it the sort of cultish connotations you’d expect, based on the name.
Wonderfully written and properly paced, ‘Grace and Disgrace’ moves along at fine but casual clip, not overly punchy but not too droll and dry, either. There’s quite a bit of description, especially of physical features, but they work within the context of the novel. I can’t say enough about how slick the prose is. Milhomme’s command of the period’s patois feels authentic and unforced.
There’s quite a bit of intrigue to be had here, and Milhomme handles it deftly. The details, plotwise, are handed out at the right moments, and the descriptions give Boston a life that would, in other novels, feel like a cardboard cut-out, instead of the real thing. Feel free to give ‘Grace and Disgrace’ a shot, if you’re in the mood for a well-composed period historical novel.
However, ‘Grace and Disgrace’ by Kayne Milhomme is not your average historical mystery. Sure, it contains a few of the tropes you’d expect -- highly intelligent but afflicted detective, etc. -- but it so exceeds expectations as to render any resemblance acceptable.
First of all, the Irish Constable, Tuohay -- bizarre, I know -- makes for an interesting protagonist for this Boston-based story. He’s wry and perceptive, a great central figure to help unwind the plot about a chase for the Templar Diamond, which carries with it the sort of cultish connotations you’d expect, based on the name.
Wonderfully written and properly paced, ‘Grace and Disgrace’ moves along at fine but casual clip, not overly punchy but not too droll and dry, either. There’s quite a bit of description, especially of physical features, but they work within the context of the novel. I can’t say enough about how slick the prose is. Milhomme’s command of the period’s patois feels authentic and unforced.
There’s quite a bit of intrigue to be had here, and Milhomme handles it deftly. The details, plotwise, are handed out at the right moments, and the descriptions give Boston a life that would, in other novels, feel like a cardboard cut-out, instead of the real thing. Feel free to give ‘Grace and Disgrace’ a shot, if you’re in the mood for a well-composed period historical novel.
February 8, 2016
Grace and Disgrace was a thrill a minute puzzle. It kept me searching for clues along with Jack Tuohay, his friends Eliza and John Eldredge as they move about Boston and other locations trying to find the stolen Templar Diamond. There are mysteries piled upon mysteries and Jack and his friends are determined to weed through all the convoluted puzzles and codes to find who is behind the jewel theft as well as hopefully solve the murders that have been occurring over the past few years.
The characters are fun and unique. Jack has secrets in his past that keep slipping out and causing more confusion. The story is very interesting and thrilling. I did not see all the different directions this search would take. It is a really good book to read. there are several side issues going on at the same time that makes Jack, Eliza and Eldredge work together as well as apart. They work wonderfully as a team and are willing to get their hands dirty in order to find the solutions.
If you love a good mystery that takes place back when automobiles were rare and horses and buggies still roamed the streets this is a good one to sink your teeth into. Kayne Milhomme has really set a high bar for his first work. The scenes were set perfectly so that I was able to visualize the state of the rooms they entered. I could almost smell the clove in the air. A very descriptive book that keeps you guessing until the end. I was happy to give it five stars because it kept me interested and engaged.
The characters are fun and unique. Jack has secrets in his past that keep slipping out and causing more confusion. The story is very interesting and thrilling. I did not see all the different directions this search would take. It is a really good book to read. there are several side issues going on at the same time that makes Jack, Eliza and Eldredge work together as well as apart. They work wonderfully as a team and are willing to get their hands dirty in order to find the solutions.
If you love a good mystery that takes place back when automobiles were rare and horses and buggies still roamed the streets this is a good one to sink your teeth into. Kayne Milhomme has really set a high bar for his first work. The scenes were set perfectly so that I was able to visualize the state of the rooms they entered. I could almost smell the clove in the air. A very descriptive book that keeps you guessing until the end. I was happy to give it five stars because it kept me interested and engaged.
July 27, 2015
Cracking first sentence, and a good enough premise - suspended RIC (Royal Irish Constabulary) officer is sent to Boston to investigate the Catholic Church's involvement in the theft of a famous diamond in Belfast in 1902. He's lived in Boston and immediately links up with old university friends who help him in the case. The plot is fast-moving and the mystery is bound up by the main character not knowing who, even amongst the Boston police, he can trust.
However, I found the main character partly unconvincing - he seems to be at the edge of death half the time and claims to have been ill all his life, so I can't see how they let him into the RIC in the first place. He and his friends are all a little overcontrived, but I think they might well settle down in future books. As regards the plot, though it spun along well the end was unsatisfying - I couldn't work out in the end why the perpetrator had done what was done and there was no attempt to explain. The worst thing, though, was the flowery language. Sometimes the florid description worked, but mostly it was a distraction (an 'affectionately pale sky', for example). Sometimes the effort to find a tetrasyllabic word when a shorter one would do led to actual mistakes.
There's some promise here and some good historical detail, but in my opinion it needs serious paring back.
However, I found the main character partly unconvincing - he seems to be at the edge of death half the time and claims to have been ill all his life, so I can't see how they let him into the RIC in the first place. He and his friends are all a little overcontrived, but I think they might well settle down in future books. As regards the plot, though it spun along well the end was unsatisfying - I couldn't work out in the end why the perpetrator had done what was done and there was no attempt to explain. The worst thing, though, was the flowery language. Sometimes the florid description worked, but mostly it was a distraction (an 'affectionately pale sky', for example). Sometimes the effort to find a tetrasyllabic word when a shorter one would do led to actual mistakes.
There's some promise here and some good historical detail, but in my opinion it needs serious paring back.
July 28, 2015
If you like period-piece mysteries, this one should be right up your alley.
In their college days, three friends created a Sleuthhound club to solve local mysteries and crimes. Only one turned that early hobby into a career. Inspector Touhay, of the Royal Irish Constabulary (and a consultant for Scotland Yard) has seen a lot of action in his career, including a famous crime that ruined his reputation--the amazing theft of the Templar Diamond. An artifact that he was greatly involved in protecting.
Now six years after the theft, new evidence comes to light as key players (Touhay included) receive invitations to "The Chase" for the Diamond. And who better to help than the remaining members of his old club?
The story is set in the very early 1900's, in the Boston and Plymouth areas. It is fast paced and exciting, and I really enjoyed the way the three friends--now each leading very different lives--come together to solve the crime. Danger, betrayal, and codes abound in this novel.
I will admit to a little confusion on my part regarding a couple of the background characters. And yes, there were a few typos and word errors. But nothing major that detracted from the main story. Generally, I guess the "bad guy" way ahead in mysteries, but this one had me guessing right up to the end.
Very well written and enjoyable. Highly recommended.
In their college days, three friends created a Sleuthhound club to solve local mysteries and crimes. Only one turned that early hobby into a career. Inspector Touhay, of the Royal Irish Constabulary (and a consultant for Scotland Yard) has seen a lot of action in his career, including a famous crime that ruined his reputation--the amazing theft of the Templar Diamond. An artifact that he was greatly involved in protecting.
Now six years after the theft, new evidence comes to light as key players (Touhay included) receive invitations to "The Chase" for the Diamond. And who better to help than the remaining members of his old club?
The story is set in the very early 1900's, in the Boston and Plymouth areas. It is fast paced and exciting, and I really enjoyed the way the three friends--now each leading very different lives--come together to solve the crime. Danger, betrayal, and codes abound in this novel.
I will admit to a little confusion on my part regarding a couple of the background characters. And yes, there were a few typos and word errors. But nothing major that detracted from the main story. Generally, I guess the "bad guy" way ahead in mysteries, but this one had me guessing right up to the end.
Very well written and enjoyable. Highly recommended.
August 13, 2015
Inspector Jack Tuohay is searching for the Templar Diamond that has been missing from St. Peter’s Cathedral for six years.
The plot begins with mysterious invitations that bring the main characters together – an officer and a deputy, and Sara, a nurse for loonies at an institute, whose priest uncle, Father Kearney, was murdered after his failed attempts to expose infamous vices in the clergy.
A few chapters in and I so disliked Tuohay. What he did to his brother was unforgivable. I get that he was a boy and upset, it was just a grievous calamity that happened in the heat of the moment. I think he meant to save his little bro after the fact, but that was just plain cruel.
Indebted to Father Kearney for his care of the orphanage where he grew up, Tuohay is determined to bring those responsible for his death to justice. His questions lead to a series of mystery murders/suicides of a priest and a master jewel thief, followed by a string of cryptic messages all linking to the whereabouts of the missing diamond. There is also a cycle of deception. One priest kept the diamond’s existence to himself, faked his death and hid the diamond’s pieces in a stained glass window of a church during its restoration.
The book has a very Dan Brown feel to it. It’s filled with mystery and suspense, it’s also very well researched. I really liked it. My Goddess though, Tuohay.
The plot begins with mysterious invitations that bring the main characters together – an officer and a deputy, and Sara, a nurse for loonies at an institute, whose priest uncle, Father Kearney, was murdered after his failed attempts to expose infamous vices in the clergy.
A few chapters in and I so disliked Tuohay. What he did to his brother was unforgivable. I get that he was a boy and upset, it was just a grievous calamity that happened in the heat of the moment. I think he meant to save his little bro after the fact, but that was just plain cruel.
Indebted to Father Kearney for his care of the orphanage where he grew up, Tuohay is determined to bring those responsible for his death to justice. His questions lead to a series of mystery murders/suicides of a priest and a master jewel thief, followed by a string of cryptic messages all linking to the whereabouts of the missing diamond. There is also a cycle of deception. One priest kept the diamond’s existence to himself, faked his death and hid the diamond’s pieces in a stained glass window of a church during its restoration.
The book has a very Dan Brown feel to it. It’s filled with mystery and suspense, it’s also very well researched. I really liked it. My Goddess though, Tuohay.
September 30, 2015
Grace and Disgrace.
I won't say book starts off with a bang, but the prologue is intriguing and makes you want to read more, but the pace slows as plenty of details are added to serve as framework to the tale. It's a classic whodunit involving an Irish detective from the Royal Ulster Constabulary investigating two strange deaths and a stolen diamond. The plot is somewhat similar in fashion to Sherlock Holmes in that there is a buddy team of detectives engaged in pursuit of the thief. The prose is well developed, descriptive and lyrical, but does such detail add or detract from the pacing of the book? It's a historical fiction that takes place in Boston at the turn of last century. The minutiae details the author provides about the markup of Boston during the period seems well researched and add to the verisimilitude of the book. Technically, the book appears well written, few typos, or obvious grammatical flaws, however, I question the author's choice of telegrams introduced in the narrative as worthy of doing as interrupts the flow and doesn't add a significant amount of value. If you're interested in a whodunit historical fiction, give it a read.
I won't say book starts off with a bang, but the prologue is intriguing and makes you want to read more, but the pace slows as plenty of details are added to serve as framework to the tale. It's a classic whodunit involving an Irish detective from the Royal Ulster Constabulary investigating two strange deaths and a stolen diamond. The plot is somewhat similar in fashion to Sherlock Holmes in that there is a buddy team of detectives engaged in pursuit of the thief. The prose is well developed, descriptive and lyrical, but does such detail add or detract from the pacing of the book? It's a historical fiction that takes place in Boston at the turn of last century. The minutiae details the author provides about the markup of Boston during the period seems well researched and add to the verisimilitude of the book. Technically, the book appears well written, few typos, or obvious grammatical flaws, however, I question the author's choice of telegrams introduced in the narrative as worthy of doing as interrupts the flow and doesn't add a significant amount of value. If you're interested in a whodunit historical fiction, give it a read.
June 29, 2015
Best book I’ve read in the self-pub community so far. Right from the first page a mystery beckons, a dying old man and a con.
A diamond - ‘The Templar Diamond’ disappeared from a church - St. Peter’s Cathedral - in Belfast in 1896. Six years later, Inspector Jack Touhay of Royal Irish Constabulary receives a strange letter, allegedly from one of the three criminals who stole it. The letter sets afoot a game of chance and murder in Boston where police are trying to just nab a thief while a murderer is trying to finish off all loose ends!
I have not read of so many priests dying in a single book - and most of them turn out to be crooked! The women are all intelligent and part of the action - and solution.
The writing is incredibly sharp. It’s a fun ride.
I received a free copy of the book in exchange for a fair, unbiased and non-reciprocal review.
A diamond - ‘The Templar Diamond’ disappeared from a church - St. Peter’s Cathedral - in Belfast in 1896. Six years later, Inspector Jack Touhay of Royal Irish Constabulary receives a strange letter, allegedly from one of the three criminals who stole it. The letter sets afoot a game of chance and murder in Boston where police are trying to just nab a thief while a murderer is trying to finish off all loose ends!
I have not read of so many priests dying in a single book - and most of them turn out to be crooked! The women are all intelligent and part of the action - and solution.
The writing is incredibly sharp. It’s a fun ride.
I received a free copy of the book in exchange for a fair, unbiased and non-reciprocal review.
November 28, 2015
I received a copy of this book from Goodreads and I really enjoyed reading it. This mystery was well written and kept my interest the entire time. The story takes place in the early 1900s. The three friends that came together to find the Templar Diamond were very interesting characters and used a variety of techniques to bring this story to a satisfying conclusion. While trying to find the diamond they become involved in a series of murders. I hope there will be other stories of Tuohay and his friends in the future.
May 3, 2016
The author sent me a copy of this book for review. A detective from Belfast is sent to Boston to investigate the theft of a diamond. While there he gets wrapped up in the deaths of a priest and the priest's brother. It is never clear what exactly is going on until the end. This I think is by design and not shoddy writing as it was a well written book with only a few minor mistakes that I caught. The relations between the various characters is complex, so it might be helpful to keep a cheat-sheet. I enjoyed it and am happy to have it on my shelves.
June 10, 2015
Fast paced treasure hunt and mystery
This is one part murder mystery and one part treasure hunt. An eclectic cast of characters populate the world, which is rich and atmospheric. A great example of high stakes adventure and gripping whodunit.
This is one part murder mystery and one part treasure hunt. An eclectic cast of characters populate the world, which is rich and atmospheric. A great example of high stakes adventure and gripping whodunit.
November 19, 2015
I received this book Ina Goodreads giveaway. I enjoyed it. This book was interesting and intriguing. It keeps you guessing.
April 6, 2016
I have two problems reviewing this novel. One is, as always with a mystery, to avoid spoilers.
The opening scene is lyrical, intriguing and spooky. I didn’t find out what it meant, or who the dead man was, for another 260 pages. I had hints, notions and surmises, but I never identified the villain nor deduced the solution, which does bring all the different strands of the plot together at the end.
There is a lot of story here: ecclesiastical misdeeds and arcane practices, a stolen jewel, guns, potions, and cyphers, fraud, corruption and murders (I won’t tell you how many), masquerade and madness, grave-robbery, deceit and even what may be the first car chase in unrecorded history. This convoluted plot moves along at a steady pace. Detective work involves a great deal of dialogue to gather, exchange and evaluate information, but the talking – perhaps more reiterations than absolutely necessary - and thinking are interspersed with action and suspense in a fine balance. The novel is divided into short chapters with titles, which makes it convenient to navigate.
The three sleuths are interesting characters, each of whose special talents contribute to solving the case. The central figure, an Irish policeman, has unexplained physical afflictions that don’t slow him down too much. His assistants are a vivacious female playwright and a reticent male academic. I would have liked to see them, particularly the latter, better developed. The supporting cast – cops, suspects, witnesses and victims – doesn’t really participate: the youthful diver who appears in two scenes has more substance than the detective inspector of questionable integrity who figures largely throughout. That ubiquitous man in the olive coat fares even worse.
The setting is Boston and environs, 1902. The references to contemporary technological advancement and changes to the cityscape at the dawn of the 20th century, I judge from my limited research to be accurate and well observed. These are by way of atmosphere and do not obtrude on the story. The period is significant as regards the state of the Catholic Church, law enforcement and health care in America, though the author does not dwell on these issues. The narrative focus never strays very far from the missing diamond.
A few secondary plot points remain unclear to me. How does a priest bring an archbishop to trial in a secular court? I’m not big on cryptography, so I’ll take an author’s word for any code-breaking, but I’m sure some readers would like that aspect better illuminated, particularly the cable codex. How did Colin happen upon the subject of his essay and why did anyone consider it significant? What was the role of the third Kearney brother?
My greatest obstacle in this novel was the language. It’s uneven and peculiar. In setting each scene, the description occasionally soars to poetic flights, while at other times, the vocabulary is overwhelming, incongruous or simply incorrect. Once the action resumes and the author relaxes into familiar vernacular, the story is much more readable. A good editor would have caught the malapropisms, as well as the odd verbal anachronism and little improbabilities like the absence of women’s coats, unlikely newspaper headlines and the unsuitable living quarters for a prominent physician.
Here is my second problem: Having finished it, I still can’t decide whether I liked this novel. It should have been more enjoyable. I believe a good editor could have lifted it to four stars.
I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.
The opening scene is lyrical, intriguing and spooky. I didn’t find out what it meant, or who the dead man was, for another 260 pages. I had hints, notions and surmises, but I never identified the villain nor deduced the solution, which does bring all the different strands of the plot together at the end.
There is a lot of story here: ecclesiastical misdeeds and arcane practices, a stolen jewel, guns, potions, and cyphers, fraud, corruption and murders (I won’t tell you how many), masquerade and madness, grave-robbery, deceit and even what may be the first car chase in unrecorded history. This convoluted plot moves along at a steady pace. Detective work involves a great deal of dialogue to gather, exchange and evaluate information, but the talking – perhaps more reiterations than absolutely necessary - and thinking are interspersed with action and suspense in a fine balance. The novel is divided into short chapters with titles, which makes it convenient to navigate.
The three sleuths are interesting characters, each of whose special talents contribute to solving the case. The central figure, an Irish policeman, has unexplained physical afflictions that don’t slow him down too much. His assistants are a vivacious female playwright and a reticent male academic. I would have liked to see them, particularly the latter, better developed. The supporting cast – cops, suspects, witnesses and victims – doesn’t really participate: the youthful diver who appears in two scenes has more substance than the detective inspector of questionable integrity who figures largely throughout. That ubiquitous man in the olive coat fares even worse.
The setting is Boston and environs, 1902. The references to contemporary technological advancement and changes to the cityscape at the dawn of the 20th century, I judge from my limited research to be accurate and well observed. These are by way of atmosphere and do not obtrude on the story. The period is significant as regards the state of the Catholic Church, law enforcement and health care in America, though the author does not dwell on these issues. The narrative focus never strays very far from the missing diamond.
A few secondary plot points remain unclear to me. How does a priest bring an archbishop to trial in a secular court? I’m not big on cryptography, so I’ll take an author’s word for any code-breaking, but I’m sure some readers would like that aspect better illuminated, particularly the cable codex. How did Colin happen upon the subject of his essay and why did anyone consider it significant? What was the role of the third Kearney brother?
My greatest obstacle in this novel was the language. It’s uneven and peculiar. In setting each scene, the description occasionally soars to poetic flights, while at other times, the vocabulary is overwhelming, incongruous or simply incorrect. Once the action resumes and the author relaxes into familiar vernacular, the story is much more readable. A good editor would have caught the malapropisms, as well as the odd verbal anachronism and little improbabilities like the absence of women’s coats, unlikely newspaper headlines and the unsuitable living quarters for a prominent physician.
Here is my second problem: Having finished it, I still can’t decide whether I liked this novel. It should have been more enjoyable. I believe a good editor could have lifted it to four stars.
I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.
April 15, 2016
A mysterious prologue, studded with questions for the reader, opens an interesting multilayered story. Irish detective, Jack Tuohay, travels to 1902 Boston in pursuit of a man and a stolen treasure, the Templar Diamond. Just off the ship, Tuohay reunites with two old friends, recruited to assist with his investigations. From there, the webs of deception, duplicity, and betrayal spread, eventually entangling every character in one way or another.
Tuohay is crippled by a stiff leg and an undefined chronic lung ailment, but grits his teeth and pushes through to the end. His sidekicks, Eliza and Eldridge, scamper along for the ride. Eliza’s personality and manners feel contrived. She is a 21st century character dressed for and placed in a 19th century story. She is immune to societal and class conventions of the era, and strangely everyone accepts her as such. At times, she acts more masculine than any two male characters combined; so much so that her I-can-do-anything-you-can-do persona feels overplayed and out of place, given the time period. By contrast, Eldridge is neurotic, fussy, and sheepish—more than once I pegged him as an outright coward.
Together this trio sifts through the clues uncovering seemingly unrelated grains of truth here and there, finally piecing together the who, what, where, and when. The why is left out; the primary villain’s motive is neither explained nor even hinted at, rather unconventional for a mystery novel.
For the most part, I like the story, the style and mechanics not so much. Mr. Milhomme switches back and forth between lines of highbrow prose and more common verbiage. To me, the elegant flowery writing is out of place in a story with a man-of-the-streets male lead; the narrative language and main character clash. Two or three times, the story is sidelined by lengthy detailed descriptions of Eldridge’s codebreaking expertise. These multi-page passages are unnecessary interruptions. A paragraph or two letting the reader know he has worked through a complex puzzle would be sufficient.
Mechanically, the ebook formatting, or lack thereof, is a nonstop tedious distraction. I read a Kindle copy that is completely butchered: double-spacing between paragraphs, sentences broken mid-line and continued in a new paragraph, page numbers appended to the ends of sentences mid-page, and single sentences or brief phrases set off as individual paragraphs. This hodgepodge of words thrown on a page is difficult to follow, especially during long passages of round robin dialogue.
Overall, this is an intriguing story that is unfortunately executed in mediocre fashion.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an objective review.
Tuohay is crippled by a stiff leg and an undefined chronic lung ailment, but grits his teeth and pushes through to the end. His sidekicks, Eliza and Eldridge, scamper along for the ride. Eliza’s personality and manners feel contrived. She is a 21st century character dressed for and placed in a 19th century story. She is immune to societal and class conventions of the era, and strangely everyone accepts her as such. At times, she acts more masculine than any two male characters combined; so much so that her I-can-do-anything-you-can-do persona feels overplayed and out of place, given the time period. By contrast, Eldridge is neurotic, fussy, and sheepish—more than once I pegged him as an outright coward.
Together this trio sifts through the clues uncovering seemingly unrelated grains of truth here and there, finally piecing together the who, what, where, and when. The why is left out; the primary villain’s motive is neither explained nor even hinted at, rather unconventional for a mystery novel.
For the most part, I like the story, the style and mechanics not so much. Mr. Milhomme switches back and forth between lines of highbrow prose and more common verbiage. To me, the elegant flowery writing is out of place in a story with a man-of-the-streets male lead; the narrative language and main character clash. Two or three times, the story is sidelined by lengthy detailed descriptions of Eldridge’s codebreaking expertise. These multi-page passages are unnecessary interruptions. A paragraph or two letting the reader know he has worked through a complex puzzle would be sufficient.
Mechanically, the ebook formatting, or lack thereof, is a nonstop tedious distraction. I read a Kindle copy that is completely butchered: double-spacing between paragraphs, sentences broken mid-line and continued in a new paragraph, page numbers appended to the ends of sentences mid-page, and single sentences or brief phrases set off as individual paragraphs. This hodgepodge of words thrown on a page is difficult to follow, especially during long passages of round robin dialogue.
Overall, this is an intriguing story that is unfortunately executed in mediocre fashion.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an objective review.
June 29, 2015
Grace and Disgrace is the story of Jack Tuohay, an Inspector with the Royal Irish Constabulary around the turn of the century (early 1900s). Tuohay comes to Boston following the trail of a missing diamond and proceeds to follow a path of murder and mayhem. Tuohay's friends Eliza and John help him, as does a shadowy Inspector in the Boston Police named Frost. The web of intrigue involves some higher ups in the Boston Catholic church as well as potential police wrongdoings. Along the way, Tuohay and friends unravel some diabolical codes and try to piece together clues before the murderer gets them too.
Aside from the odd spate of overly purple prose, Milhomme's writing is smooth, easy to read, and impeccably edited. What is really compelling about the book, though, is the plot and characters. Once I got about a third of the way through I found I couldn't put Grace and Disgrace down. Milhomme's historical Boston is rich and inviting, and the main characters are well-rounded and unique, yet familiar, like old friends. The mystery is enriched by the codes that need to be unraveled, an area that Milhomme has obviously studied well. Although in retrospect I feel I could have solved the mystery, the answer came as a surprise to me, which happens in a well-written yarn. Great book, definitely recommended reading.
Aside from the odd spate of overly purple prose, Milhomme's writing is smooth, easy to read, and impeccably edited. What is really compelling about the book, though, is the plot and characters. Once I got about a third of the way through I found I couldn't put Grace and Disgrace down. Milhomme's historical Boston is rich and inviting, and the main characters are well-rounded and unique, yet familiar, like old friends. The mystery is enriched by the codes that need to be unraveled, an area that Milhomme has obviously studied well. Although in retrospect I feel I could have solved the mystery, the answer came as a surprise to me, which happens in a well-written yarn. Great book, definitely recommended reading.
April 14, 2016
First I must explain why it took me almost 5 months to read this 265 page novel. No, I'm not a slow reader! I started reading it a few days before my family and I moved, and was just not able to fully concentrate on the plot, so was forced to put it down. Now that we are settled, I was able to give this worthy work my full attention, and I must say I enjoyed it thoroughly! Kayne has done a masterful job of creating suspense and intrigue, while creating endearing and quite believable characters. His has used elaborate and thoroughly descriptive means to draw the reader into the era of the early 20th century. It's evident that he put a great deal of research and plot preparation into this work, and I, for one, think he did an excellent job. I was quite sorry to come to the end of the novel (although I was happy to finally find out who really 'done it!') If a sequel is in the works, I will definitely want to read it and find out what Kayne's interesting characters are up to next. A great self-pub story, and highly recommended. I won my copy through the Goodread's Giveaway.
April 18, 2016
This book was PERFECT!!
As I continued to read the more I felt that I was in this book! Milhomme was able to create dynamic characters while keeping the story going at a steady pace. with each chapter becoming for intense and giving the reader more to think about. I absolutely love this book and cannot wait to read it again!
As I continued to read the more I felt that I was in this book! Milhomme was able to create dynamic characters while keeping the story going at a steady pace. with each chapter becoming for intense and giving the reader more to think about. I absolutely love this book and cannot wait to read it again!
February 10, 2016
I am a sucker for any thing Templar even if it is only a starting point to an exciting adventure. This book does not disappoint. I received this book free from Goodreads Firstreads.
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