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Men of Our Times #1
By Any Means
"Was this really his future?"
In the Northern English town of Motbridge, men work until they die. John Williams is determined not to be one of those men. When Harry Heard gives him a fake sword to sell to aristocrat Sir Albert Blackwood, his life changes forever. He meets and deals with industrialists, daughters of dukes, and knights of the realm.
But all the while a mysterious serial killer, known only as the Breaker, is picking people off at will. When he makes Sir Albert Blackwood his target, John is forced to put the Breaker's brutal work to an end. Not only his future but his very life hinges on his success.
As class and murder collide, can John leave his humble beginnings behind him?
In the Northern English town of Motbridge, men work until they die. John Williams is determined not to be one of those men. When Harry Heard gives him a fake sword to sell to aristocrat Sir Albert Blackwood, his life changes forever. He meets and deals with industrialists, daughters of dukes, and knights of the realm.
But all the while a mysterious serial killer, known only as the Breaker, is picking people off at will. When he makes Sir Albert Blackwood his target, John is forced to put the Breaker's brutal work to an end. Not only his future but his very life hinges on his success.
As class and murder collide, can John leave his humble beginnings behind him?
177 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 30, 2018
337 people are currently reading
235 people want to read
About the author
James Farner
38 books824 followersJames Farner is a professional writer and draws upon his love of fiction and his love of stories that span generations. His signature series Made in Yorkshire was born out of a desire to find out ‘what happened next?’
At the end of every good film, book, or TV show the characters disappear and that’s the end of them. James isn’t alone in the desire to find out what happened to the characters afterwards.
This is how Made in Yorkshire appeared. Starting from 1953 and driving on to the modern day, James explores the different eras of Britain through his colourful cast of characters.
Prior to writing fiction, he enjoyed a career as a freelance writer. His writing has appeared online, in magazines, and in a variety of other publications.
When not writing, he can be found sketching, watching sports, and playing the tin whistle.
At the end of every good film, book, or TV show the characters disappear and that’s the end of them. James isn’t alone in the desire to find out what happened to the characters afterwards.
This is how Made in Yorkshire appeared. Starting from 1953 and driving on to the modern day, James explores the different eras of Britain through his colourful cast of characters.
Prior to writing fiction, he enjoyed a career as a freelance writer. His writing has appeared online, in magazines, and in a variety of other publications.
When not writing, he can be found sketching, watching sports, and playing the tin whistle.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 13, 2019
Excellent historical fiction
This story of a man making his way in 1902 England as a working man in a ship building company is enthralling as he sets about trying to find and capture a serial killer. He yearns to be more than he is and using his witt becomes employed by an aristocrat in this dangerous endeavor.
I was glued to the pages as John struggles with his conscience while trying to better himself. The characters are all interesting and the various situations John is confronted with as he attempts to maintain his values makes for a great plot.
I believe readers of historical fiction would enjoy this story and will definitely recommend this book. I plan to read the next in the series.
This story of a man making his way in 1902 England as a working man in a ship building company is enthralling as he sets about trying to find and capture a serial killer. He yearns to be more than he is and using his witt becomes employed by an aristocrat in this dangerous endeavor.
I was glued to the pages as John struggles with his conscience while trying to better himself. The characters are all interesting and the various situations John is confronted with as he attempts to maintain his values makes for a great plot.
I believe readers of historical fiction would enjoy this story and will definitely recommend this book. I plan to read the next in the series.
February 25, 2024
"By Any Means" by James Farner is a gripping tale set in the industrial town of Motbridge, where men are destined to work until they die. The protagonist, John Williams, is determined to break free from this fate and finds an opportunity when he is given a fake sword to sell to an aristocrat. As he navigates the world of the wealthy and powerful, he encounters a mysterious serial killer and must confront his own mortality. Farner's writing is vivid and engaging, painting a vivid picture of life in industrial England and the struggles of the working class. With its intriguing plot and well-developed characters, "By Any Means" is a captivating read that will leave readers eager to discover what happens next.
June 19, 2019
Please read this
I grew up in the socialist Yorkshire of the 1960s and 70s. Life was similar to that of the early part of the twentieth century when this story takes place. The class struggle is still running today but with many parallels with its previous incarnations. Read this story and remember the strikes of the sixties and seventies which, like the ones in this book from the earlier part of the century,deepened the divide between rich and poor while giving rise to a new class of gentry who took advantage and created vast personal wealth from the failures of the moneyed classes.
I grew up in the socialist Yorkshire of the 1960s and 70s. Life was similar to that of the early part of the twentieth century when this story takes place. The class struggle is still running today but with many parallels with its previous incarnations. Read this story and remember the strikes of the sixties and seventies which, like the ones in this book from the earlier part of the century,deepened the divide between rich and poor while giving rise to a new class of gentry who took advantage and created vast personal wealth from the failures of the moneyed classes.
June 6, 2019
BY ANY MEANS by James Farner is the first of series. Classified as historical fiction, it is long on fiction and short on historical, nevertheless an enjoyable read. It is the tale of John Williams, a British commoner, and his rise to power through his associations with laborers, management, those in authority, and the aristocracy. He is driven by ambition but threatened by a serial killer who perceives those in authority as exploiting the working class for their own great benefit. There is British class structure and tension, politics, intrigue. It's a quick, easy read. Three stars.
June 15, 2019
An interesting storyline
This is a story about the common men who work in the coal mines and shipyards in the north of England. And a man known only as the Breaker. Sometimes he breaks windows. Sometimes he breaks limbs. And sometimes he breaks heads, leaving dead men behind.
John Williams works at the shipyard. Some of his friends and neighbors work at the colliery. Both places suffer when workers go on strike. Who is controlling the unions? Who is the Breaker and what is he trying to accomplish? On what basis is he choosing his victims?
19
This is a story about the common men who work in the coal mines and shipyards in the north of England. And a man known only as the Breaker. Sometimes he breaks windows. Sometimes he breaks limbs. And sometimes he breaks heads, leaving dead men behind.
John Williams works at the shipyard. Some of his friends and neighbors work at the colliery. Both places suffer when workers go on strike. Who is controlling the unions? Who is the Breaker and what is he trying to accomplish? On what basis is he choosing his victims?
19
July 9, 2019
This was my first book by James Farner, and I am quite likely to read more. It was an entertaining yarn about the rise of a self confident young businessman-- rags to riches. At times I was reminded of Jeffrey Archer, who is as always good for a page turner. The characters were were were generally believable, if somewhat two dimensional. Some of the circumstances strained credulity, but in the end I was able to suspend disbelief and simply enjoy. The book no pretenses to great literature, but it was a great way to pass a hot Saturday. After a break, l'll undoubtedly try another.
September 28, 2021
Great book!!!!
This was a great book by James Farner. Mr. Farner's use of vivid descriptions made the plot-line stand out and the the book very hard to put down. Each of the characters were very life-like with the descriptions Mr. Farner had for each one of them. I look forward to the next book in this series and hope that the characters in this first book will be in the next one as well.
This was a great book by James Farner. Mr. Farner's use of vivid descriptions made the plot-line stand out and the the book very hard to put down. Each of the characters were very life-like with the descriptions Mr. Farner had for each one of them. I look forward to the next book in this series and hope that the characters in this first book will be in the next one as well.
June 2, 2019
Good historical fiction
This is a well done work of historical fiction. The characters, from John Williams to Sir Albert Blackwood, are interesting and about what I would expect from that place in history. It was fun to follow John on his rise above his station and I look forward to following his exploits in the rest of the series.
This is a well done work of historical fiction. The characters, from John Williams to Sir Albert Blackwood, are interesting and about what I would expect from that place in history. It was fun to follow John on his rise above his station and I look forward to following his exploits in the rest of the series.
December 7, 2020
Intriguing
Well written plot & developed characters. Definitely a page turner to find out if John gets The Breaker and the shipyards.
My only complaint is that there were too many characters (if that’s possible). I had a difficult time remembering who was who & what side they were on.
Well written plot & developed characters. Definitely a page turner to find out if John gets The Breaker and the shipyards.
My only complaint is that there were too many characters (if that’s possible). I had a difficult time remembering who was who & what side they were on.
July 30, 2019
This is the story of a group of men that work in the shipyards in England at the turn of the century. John is the main character and he has big asperations of being more than a laboror. He suceeds, but at a price.
November 1, 2019
A man of the people.
John isn't satisfied with his lot and works to improve it.
A union man and an ex soldier got in the way and were dealt with.
England in the very early 20th. Century.
John isn't satisfied with his lot and works to improve it.
A union man and an ex soldier got in the way and were dealt with.
England in the very early 20th. Century.
April 25, 2021
Any Means
The story, while engaging, is incomplete. Be prepared for the long haul, as there is no story within the story either. The Book is clean. I probably won't read any more, as I like some finality.
The story, while engaging, is incomplete. Be prepared for the long haul, as there is no story within the story either. The Book is clean. I probably won't read any more, as I like some finality.
June 22, 2019
Slow story
I have read several books by this author, but so far this was a very slowly moving book. Not truly sure how I feel about this book. It was hard for me to follow.
I have read several books by this author, but so far this was a very slowly moving book. Not truly sure how I feel about this book. It was hard for me to follow.
September 28, 2019
Another excellent tale by James Farner. This is book 1 of 'By any Means' and hopefully I can read the books that follow. I do recommend this author.
December 27, 2019
Ok read about a guy trying to improve his lot in life. 1st book of 6.
April 23, 2020
Slow
I found this story hard to follow. Kept reading hoping it would come together. It never did for me. Maybe someone else would find it to suit them better.
I found this story hard to follow. Kept reading hoping it would come together. It never did for me. Maybe someone else would find it to suit them better.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews