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Blackbirds: A London Blitz Novel
It's 1940 and the London Blitz is raging. Bryan Hale and Bluebird Squadron fight on into the autumn of 1940, chasing down the new threat of ‘Jabo’ hit-and-run raids by bomb-laden enemy fighters over the capital’s rooftops.
Bryan’s chance encounter in a London pub with Jenny, an acquaintance from his school-days, starts them both down the road to a relationship that neither wants or can afford. But the deadly perils of London’s Blitz ignite a passion that neither can resist.
Bluebird Squadron rotates out of the front-line to Scotland. Bryan transfers to night-fighters, partly to sate his desire for combat, but also to stay close to Jenny.
Struggling with fledgling radar technology, Bryan and his operator, Tommy Scott, eventually become calculating hunters of the night, stalking and slaying Nazi raiders in a chilling, deadly game of cat-and-mouse in England’s pitch-black winter skies.
The stresses of combat, the loss of friends and the daily grind of mortal danger weigh ever more heavily. As the new year dawns on the battered, bohemian streets of the blitzed capital, Bryan’s life begins to fray and unravel.
Bryan’s chance encounter in a London pub with Jenny, an acquaintance from his school-days, starts them both down the road to a relationship that neither wants or can afford. But the deadly perils of London’s Blitz ignite a passion that neither can resist.
Bluebird Squadron rotates out of the front-line to Scotland. Bryan transfers to night-fighters, partly to sate his desire for combat, but also to stay close to Jenny.
Struggling with fledgling radar technology, Bryan and his operator, Tommy Scott, eventually become calculating hunters of the night, stalking and slaying Nazi raiders in a chilling, deadly game of cat-and-mouse in England’s pitch-black winter skies.
The stresses of combat, the loss of friends and the daily grind of mortal danger weigh ever more heavily. As the new year dawns on the battered, bohemian streets of the blitzed capital, Bryan’s life begins to fray and unravel.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 26, 2018
176 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
About the author
Melvyn Fickling
7 books7 followersMy first novel, 'Bluebirds', was inspired by the life of a Battle of Britain pilot who grew up in my own hometown. Out of Bluebirds was born a purely fictional character named Bryan Hale.
My next novel, 'Blackbirds', follows Bryan Hale as he emerges from the end of the Battle of Britain and enters the new world of night-fighting in the dark winter skies of The Blitz.
'Falcons' follows Bryan to Malta where he struggles against the unrelenting Nazi siege that aims to grind the troublesome island into oblivion.
My fourth novel 'Farewell to the Glory Boys' goes further back in time to follow the RFC pilots of Jackdaw Squadron battling in the skies of France during the Battle of Arras in 1917.
Follow me to receive notifications of new works as they are released. Thank you for your continued support.
My next novel, 'Blackbirds', follows Bryan Hale as he emerges from the end of the Battle of Britain and enters the new world of night-fighting in the dark winter skies of The Blitz.
'Falcons' follows Bryan to Malta where he struggles against the unrelenting Nazi siege that aims to grind the troublesome island into oblivion.
My fourth novel 'Farewell to the Glory Boys' goes further back in time to follow the RFC pilots of Jackdaw Squadron battling in the skies of France during the Battle of Arras in 1917.
Follow me to receive notifications of new works as they are released. Thank you for your continued support.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 8, 2020
EXPERIENCE THE BLITZ AS THE NIGHT FIGHTERS & LONDONERS DID EVERY NIGHT, FEEL THE EMOTIONS & THE COURAGE
Well researched & told in fictional characters as if they really lived, so the reader can as well. Characters you can identify with & grow to know & like, if not live. Feel it in the air, on the ground & in their eyes ,& hearts.
Well researched & told in fictional characters as if they really lived, so the reader can as well. Characters you can identify with & grow to know & like, if not live. Feel it in the air, on the ground & in their eyes ,& hearts.
May 4, 2020
The Reality of War
Black Birds was an excellent read. It captured the personal stress of combat flying, the horror of the blitz and the sacrifice s made by flight crews and civilians. I'm looking forward to the next book.
Black Birds was an excellent read. It captured the personal stress of combat flying, the horror of the blitz and the sacrifice s made by flight crews and civilians. I'm looking forward to the next book.
May 10, 2020
Another great read
Well researched and written, tale of night fighters during the blitz. A real heart jerker in parts. Gives a real insight into the stress and bravery of the pilots and crews.
Well researched and written, tale of night fighters during the blitz. A real heart jerker in parts. Gives a real insight into the stress and bravery of the pilots and crews.
August 5, 2020
Captures some of the horror of the Blitz
Better than the first book in the series. The main characters are fictional, which gives the author more freedom in his character development.
Better than the first book in the series. The main characters are fictional, which gives the author more freedom in his character development.
May 3, 2020
Gripping and gritty
S realistic 'no holds bared' account of the horrors and true British grit and sacrifice in the Battle of Britain.
S realistic 'no holds bared' account of the horrors and true British grit and sacrifice in the Battle of Britain.
January 27, 2023
Good read
I liked the action a lot. If it wasn't for the Battle of Britain World history could have been different.
I liked the action a lot. If it wasn't for the Battle of Britain World history could have been different.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews