A Deadly Caper

Innocents At War #2

by Andrew Wareham

A Deadly Caper… The death toll rises as the War intensifies. In England, teenage pilot, Tommy Stark marries his childhood sweetheart. Then he’s tasked with assessing the capabilities of the planes being developed for the RFC, before re-joining his squadron. The young and mainly inexperienced pilots take part in a series of operations in which the use of new weaponry and tactics results in more deaths on both sides of the conflict. Tommy’s half-brother is implicated in a shocking food supply scandal. Best read in series order. About the Series The Royal Flying Corps grew from the amateur hobbyists flying the earliest and most dangerous machines. Mostly drawn from the Army and Navy, the pilots regarded themselves as gentlemen members of a new club. The Great War saw the death of amateurism - except in the higher ranks - and the unplanned, fortuitous creation of a professional force. Innocents at War follows the career of Anglo-American flier, Tommy Stark, an enthusiastic boy forced to grow up quickly as many around him die. His deep affection for squire’s daughter, Grace is his only certainty as the bitter conflict threatens to strip the world of its innocence... Published by The Electronic Book Company

Genres: Historical Fiction, Military Fiction

239 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 8, 2017

Reviews

[Christopher Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story continues: Tommy gets promoted, his wife is pregnant, his finances get better. The war that they were all so sure would be over soon is grinding to a standstill in trenches, the generals detached from the situation on the ground and in the air and the casualties are piling up.

There are a lot more details on trying new things and ideas in the air force, but the development of new planes is slow and almost stalled because of a lack of powerful engines and in some cases a stagnation in design.

The story feels a bit stalled, like an intermediary chapter because little happens but it is stretched out into a full book.

[Tony Hisgett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this is fiction and I don’t know how accurate were the descriptions of the early days of the RFC and the aviation industry, but it convinced me and I felt completely involved in the story. I also enjoyed the moments with ‘Monkey’.

[Marten Wennik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Because the first story ended with so much potential, I decided to read the second. (See my review of When Empires Collide) This book was more of what I had hoped, with far more action and description of flying for Tommy. While I enjoyed the development of the love and marriage of Tommy and 'Monkey', I was more interested in the development of flying technology and the action in the air. This book definitely delivered these for me.

Wareham takes us through the development of some of the early airplanes and the challenges faced by designers of the time. How, for instance, to mount a forward-facing gun that the pilot could aim and fire with the propeller in the way. This was a design element that fascinated me as a younger child and the need to develop this in 1917 was such a challenge that drove engineering developments. Similarly, the development of stronger engines to carry heavier loads, increase flight distance and speed, and improve reliability was significant. Wareham has Tommy fully engaged in these challenges and, much appreciated to my mind, that the answers do not just materialize. Wareham is able to keep the story going while not rushing to all the answers.

Similarly, Wareham balances the time flying with the background story of Tommy and Monkey's life, the Moncour family challenges, the historical background of England, and more. Tommy's half brother engages in some nefarious activities and pays the price (not entirely, as honor demands). Tommy becomes abler as a pilot and the English realize through trial and error that they need to develop their aircraft technology. This second installment moved along at a much quicker reading pace and certainly leaves me wanting more. I have already downloaded and started reading book 3.

[Thomas D · Rating 4 out of 5]

AN INTERESTING & IMPORTANT TALE OF THE STRUGLES OF TECHNOLOGY CHANGE IN THE LIVES OF AIRMEN & THE POLITICS OF ENGLAND AS WWI EXPLODES IN EUROPE AS AN AIRWAR IS ADDED TO TRADITIONAL GROUND WAR

The struggles to develop adequate Aircraft to provide meaningful capabilities to contribute to the battles, the politics & corruption in the processes, The Training provided vs. Needed for young pilots to be effective & survive in Air Combat, and the personal stories of many & especially of Tommy Stark, his family & Friends bring a reality & emotions to hold readers interest.
There are many lessons for living in times of rapid change as well.

[Todd Gutschow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good reading...just a bit too slow

This is a good book and, so far, a good series. The plot unfolds just a bit too slow...and the action needs a bit more enthusiasm. If those two things could be improved upon then this book would earn another star from me. If you want a super casual read from an interesting time and a unique perspective then you will enjoy this book. For me, I need to break away for a while to something with more adventure. Perhaps turning back to this series during the long winter nights in front of the fire.

[mitzi gurkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, as usual!

Rereading this entire series, waiting on the 2 new books in the ' Poor Man ' series, Mr. Wareham has promised 2 in 2026 and 2 in 2027. I speak with him occasionally thru email. Highly recommend this flying series , as it is one of his best! You can follow Tommy Stark thru world war 1, and thru world war 2! Great characters and his trade mark humor. The friendship that develops between Tommy and Noah Arkwright is well written!
- Randol Craver.....

[Phillip Mclaughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

and into 1915 the RFC flies

Andrew Wareham has taken on the beginning of the Royal Flying Corp, when airplanes were still new, had no armament and had to improvise. This second book ends 1914 and goes into 1915.
The Allies rule the skies for the moment and bombardment is crude.

[Paul Antes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

As a certified Anglophile and devotee of historical fiction as well as non fiction this is a good airline read

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun series