What do you think?
Rate this book
Black Winter
Revised Edition, 31st May 2016.
February 1917. The Germans may not be the only enemy on the Western Front.
A young officer is haunted by nightmare recollections of the Battle of the Somme and shackled to a desk at the War Office as he attempts to come to terms with his experiences in France. But trouble has a knack of finding Captain Will Stanley.
The last time he was on the Western Front, he was dying. But now one man has been murdered in gruesome fashion, another has vanished into thin air and the actions of Captain Stanley's own former battalion may have grave connotations for the Allied war effort.
In the midst of the coldest winter that Europe can remember, Captain Stanley is about to be called back into action. Battling against events he cannot control and against his own mental debilitation, he must attempt to unravel the case, ascertain the extent of the damage to Allied plans and discover the fate of the man who returned to save his life; when all others had left him for dead.
February 1917. The Germans may not be the only enemy on the Western Front.
A young officer is haunted by nightmare recollections of the Battle of the Somme and shackled to a desk at the War Office as he attempts to come to terms with his experiences in France. But trouble has a knack of finding Captain Will Stanley.
The last time he was on the Western Front, he was dying. But now one man has been murdered in gruesome fashion, another has vanished into thin air and the actions of Captain Stanley's own former battalion may have grave connotations for the Allied war effort.
In the midst of the coldest winter that Europe can remember, Captain Stanley is about to be called back into action. Battling against events he cannot control and against his own mental debilitation, he must attempt to unravel the case, ascertain the extent of the damage to Allied plans and discover the fate of the man who returned to save his life; when all others had left him for dead.
- GenresFictionWorld War I
275 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 8, 2016
12 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
Alexandra Churchill
18 books43 followersBritish historian Alexandra Churchill has been researching the air war for a number of years in addition to compiling a detailed roll of honor for Eton College. She has a book due out next year, telling the story of the war through the eyes of the school’s old boys and will feature the Harvey brothers who appear in episode one of The Big Dig in more detail. Other projects in the pipeline include a biography of a pilot and something that will incorporate a personal passion of hers and tell the story of football in the Great War.
Alex has previously worked with John Hayes-Fisher on an episode of Timewatch about the air war in 1918, and on "Fighting the Red Baron" and "Titanic with Len Goodman" as a researcher / contributor.
Alex has previously worked with John Hayes-Fisher on an episode of Timewatch about the air war in 1918, and on "Fighting the Red Baron" and "Titanic with Len Goodman" as a researcher / contributor.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 2, 2020
Enjoyable crime fiction that plays out midst the horrors of the Great War. The attention to Great War detail was particularly strong, and the sense of confusion and loss that resulted from the German retreat in 1917 was compelling.
I enjoyed the relationship between the two main characters, and was concerned for their welfare throughout, and that of sergeant King. I would have liked to know more about the antagonists, and get a better feel for their motivations. The story really invoked a sense of sadness around some of the characters, including those who died, survived and were left damaged by the war.
The light hearted ribbing of the Holmes style was fun, alongside the irony of a suggested 'nemesis' for Will. This is almost "le Quex-esque" so will be interesting to see how it plays out in future novels in terms of credibility of character if they are fleshed out.
Not sure it being written in the first person is entirely to my style, but it does help put the reader right in the mind of the protagonist, and this is probably a personal preference.
The ending was both tragic and intriguing, and would be great to see closure on this in a future book, which I will definitely be looking out for. The book is written in the middle of the timeline of the war, and the characters relationships with one another, with the links back to Will's earlier war record and their earlier relationships tantalising the reader by shedding light on future stories that have not yet been shared.
I enjoyed the relationship between the two main characters, and was concerned for their welfare throughout, and that of sergeant King. I would have liked to know more about the antagonists, and get a better feel for their motivations. The story really invoked a sense of sadness around some of the characters, including those who died, survived and were left damaged by the war.
The light hearted ribbing of the Holmes style was fun, alongside the irony of a suggested 'nemesis' for Will. This is almost "le Quex-esque" so will be interesting to see how it plays out in future novels in terms of credibility of character if they are fleshed out.
Not sure it being written in the first person is entirely to my style, but it does help put the reader right in the mind of the protagonist, and this is probably a personal preference.
The ending was both tragic and intriguing, and would be great to see closure on this in a future book, which I will definitely be looking out for. The book is written in the middle of the timeline of the war, and the characters relationships with one another, with the links back to Will's earlier war record and their earlier relationships tantalising the reader by shedding light on future stories that have not yet been shared.
August 13, 2019
Tough Stuff, Well Articulated
While I agree with other reviews that the editing of this work is unfortunate, I was quickly able to dismiss this as the story pulled me in completely. The character development was excellent. I'm not certain that the "Holmes/Watson" angle was absolutely necessary but it was managed with humor and a light touch. The most compelling reason for my five-star review is the unflinching historical accuracy of the descriptions of the atmosphere, landscape, and horror of the Western Front during World War I. The pain and fear of the families at home awaiting word of the fate of their sons is presented in an unsentimental but touching fashion. Last but not least, the up close and personal view of post-traumatic stress disorder was honest and brilliant.
While I agree with other reviews that the editing of this work is unfortunate, I was quickly able to dismiss this as the story pulled me in completely. The character development was excellent. I'm not certain that the "Holmes/Watson" angle was absolutely necessary but it was managed with humor and a light touch. The most compelling reason for my five-star review is the unflinching historical accuracy of the descriptions of the atmosphere, landscape, and horror of the Western Front during World War I. The pain and fear of the families at home awaiting word of the fate of their sons is presented in an unsentimental but touching fashion. Last but not least, the up close and personal view of post-traumatic stress disorder was honest and brilliant.
May 20, 2023
Absolutely riveting, from start to finish.
A convoluted whodunit (and who they dun it to) of murder in the aftermath of The Somme, Alexandra Churchill uses her knowledge of that conflict to great effect. The setting moves from the trenches of France to Whitehall, via a number of locations throughout South London. Can't wait to find out what lays in wait for Will Stanley, apart from the ever present hound.
Being a South London boy I was fascinated by this glimpse of days gone by, who knew that Sutton was not the grim & faceless place it is today.
A convoluted whodunit (and who they dun it to) of murder in the aftermath of The Somme, Alexandra Churchill uses her knowledge of that conflict to great effect. The setting moves from the trenches of France to Whitehall, via a number of locations throughout South London. Can't wait to find out what lays in wait for Will Stanley, apart from the ever present hound.
Being a South London boy I was fascinated by this glimpse of days gone by, who knew that Sutton was not the grim & faceless place it is today.
June 8, 2023
Visceral, the best novel I've read about the first world war
I don't normally leave reviews, and really wasn't expecting much from this book, but....what a read.
The author knows her stuff. The way she has written of the truly dreadful devastation and horror of the front line, and the effects it had on many of the soldiers is truly astounding.
It really needs to be read by as many people as possible.
I don't normally leave reviews, and really wasn't expecting much from this book, but....what a read.
The author knows her stuff. The way she has written of the truly dreadful devastation and horror of the front line, and the effects it had on many of the soldiers is truly astounding.
It really needs to be read by as many people as possible.
June 3, 2021
Wonderful
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The detail of the horror described felt so real and you could understand how this would affect the mind of a young man , but also his whole family during the first world war.
Highly recommended and I cant wait to read other books by the author.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The detail of the horror described felt so real and you could understand how this would affect the mind of a young man , but also his whole family during the first world war.
Highly recommended and I cant wait to read other books by the author.
Read
January 2, 2020Review
Brilliant story with a great twist at the end a b c d e f th I I k l
Brilliant story with a great twist at the end a b c d e f th I I k l
January 7, 2020
Historically interesting and reasonably good read but not sure the Holmes angle worked and the black dog element became tedious.
February 27, 2023
She is absolutely perfect! Book is awesome too!
June 3, 2023
Gripped
Hooked from the start.
Strong characters, good story, a few plot twists and extensive description of the horror of war.
Can't wait to read Red Dawn
Hooked from the start.
Strong characters, good story, a few plot twists and extensive description of the horror of war.
Can't wait to read Red Dawn
June 12, 2023
Clearly written by a true historian and author that knows her subject. I am just about to start book 2 - Red Dawn and I hope it is as good as the one was.
June 26, 2023
Other revriwers will go into finer detail but I was impressed by the detail around the whole scenario of the trench warfare of Northern France in the winter of 1916/17 as was the details of London around the same period of which I was not so familiar.
The detective story layed over that was interesting, there was a couple of wee niggles but nothing that detracted from the pace of the narrative. In gereral an excellant read.
The detective story layed over that was interesting, there was a couple of wee niggles but nothing that detracted from the pace of the narrative. In gereral an excellant read.
February 18, 2017
I found this book hard to get into at first but I enjoyed it. One thing I found rather odd was this is written by a British author with the subject being England and France during World War I but when the author notes distances, she uses feet, yards, and miles rather than giving metric distances....just seemed wrong. She developed enough interest in the two main characters that I'll probably read the next in the series.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews