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RAF Trilogy #2
The Challenging Heights
A new enemy, a savage battlefield, a devastating loss...Dicken Quinney proved himself as a brilliant and heroic pilot in World War One, saving the lives of his fellow RAF servicemen, and winning a slew of medals.
It is now the near aftermath of the Great War, and Dicken is engaged in an ongoing dogfight over the Baltic states with Bolshevik fighters, during the Russian Revolution.
He must use everything he has learned in his formative years in order to survive, and will be forced to overcome a terrible loss that threatens to destroy him.
An awe-inspiring, non-stop action military thriller, perfect for fans of David Black and Graham Parry.
It is now the near aftermath of the Great War, and Dicken is engaged in an ongoing dogfight over the Baltic states with Bolshevik fighters, during the Russian Revolution.
He must use everything he has learned in his formative years in order to survive, and will be forced to overcome a terrible loss that threatens to destroy him.
An awe-inspiring, non-stop action military thriller, perfect for fans of David Black and Graham Parry.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1983
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 19, 2024
The second in Max Hennessy’s RAF Series following our hero Dicken from the end of WW1 through the interwar years. Once again, this book is as much a chronicle as a novel following Dickin’s exploits through Russia, Iraq and finishing in India and its borderlands. Hennessy writes as well about men in the air as he does about men at sea - see my earlier reviews about the Kelly McGuire series which followed a similar timeline.
Overall a fascinating tale of an embryonic RAF, still seeking for acceptance amongst the more senior services, but proving its worth in numerous theatres of operation.
Overall a fascinating tale of an embryonic RAF, still seeking for acceptance amongst the more senior services, but proving its worth in numerous theatres of operation.
April 23, 2020
What happened to the Flying?
Unfortunately for me, this tale had Dicken mostly on the ground chasing Zoe, Nicola, and the chance to fly. The segments in Egypt, Russia, China, and India barely had Dicken in the Air at all. Rather confusing and disappointing.
Unfortunately for me, this tale had Dicken mostly on the ground chasing Zoe, Nicola, and the chance to fly. The segments in Egypt, Russia, China, and India barely had Dicken in the Air at all. Rather confusing and disappointing.
November 1, 2022
The second in the series, a little different from his other ones. Spoilers ahead. I'm reading all these in consecutively so some of what I write might be from the first book.
WWI is ended and Quinney is at loose ends. At some point he marries Zoe, the beautiful younger sister of Annys. She was just a little girl but she grew up during the war. I'm not so sure they are in deeply in love but they are definitely fond of each other. The marriage is never strong from the start because she is a liberated woman, not content to stay at home and he's often out of the country. But they see each other here and there as they fly all over the world and each time Zoe professes her love for him.
Quinney's first post is in Russia where he's helping the White Russians fight the Bolsheviks. This takes place near Riga. This part is a bit boring as not much happens, except everything is a mess and they eventually have to leave.
Quinney then works as a private pilot for a rich British aristocrat. He spends some time in Germany. Then he goes back to the RAF where he spends more time in Germany and some in the US on odd jobs. He meets Udet here and there several times where Udet gives him (and us the readers) the lowdown on German politics. The other person Quinney sees all the time is his arch nemesis Diplock who continues to rise in the ranks by a** kissing and other nefarious deeds.
Next stop I think is the Middle East and Iraq. We're basically given a short history of the interwar years seen through British eyes and it's quite interesting.
Next stop is Shanghai, China where he has an affair with someone he meets by chance. He also makes the acquaintance of a Catholic priest O'Buhilly who he will meet again. Once again we're given a short run down of the historical and political situation in interwar China. Perhaps the biggest event there is that he flies out to rescue O'Buhilly and is captured and then escapes.
Next he is sent to the North-West Frontier where a small westernized territory is about to collapse. He flies to the British legation with orders to rescue them by air but the minister refuses to leave until its too late, almost too late but they finally get everyone out in the nick of time.
While he is there he meets Marie-Gabriella, who we met in the first book. She was only 9 at the time (10 years ago) but she has never forgotten him. She still has feelings for him and this time, him for her (since he's not happy in his marriage). But he has to tell her that he's married.
When everyone is finally rescued and back in India he finds out that Zoe has died in a crash. He is distraught and looks for Zoe but she has vanished, heartbroken because he's married and the book ends here.
This book has become part romance and part history but it's become interesting to me as I'm now vested in the Quinney character. On to the next book.
WWI is ended and Quinney is at loose ends. At some point he marries Zoe, the beautiful younger sister of Annys. She was just a little girl but she grew up during the war. I'm not so sure they are in deeply in love but they are definitely fond of each other. The marriage is never strong from the start because she is a liberated woman, not content to stay at home and he's often out of the country. But they see each other here and there as they fly all over the world and each time Zoe professes her love for him.
Quinney's first post is in Russia where he's helping the White Russians fight the Bolsheviks. This takes place near Riga. This part is a bit boring as not much happens, except everything is a mess and they eventually have to leave.
Quinney then works as a private pilot for a rich British aristocrat. He spends some time in Germany. Then he goes back to the RAF where he spends more time in Germany and some in the US on odd jobs. He meets Udet here and there several times where Udet gives him (and us the readers) the lowdown on German politics. The other person Quinney sees all the time is his arch nemesis Diplock who continues to rise in the ranks by a** kissing and other nefarious deeds.
Next stop I think is the Middle East and Iraq. We're basically given a short history of the interwar years seen through British eyes and it's quite interesting.
Next stop is Shanghai, China where he has an affair with someone he meets by chance. He also makes the acquaintance of a Catholic priest O'Buhilly who he will meet again. Once again we're given a short run down of the historical and political situation in interwar China. Perhaps the biggest event there is that he flies out to rescue O'Buhilly and is captured and then escapes.
Next he is sent to the North-West Frontier where a small westernized territory is about to collapse. He flies to the British legation with orders to rescue them by air but the minister refuses to leave until its too late, almost too late but they finally get everyone out in the nick of time.
While he is there he meets Marie-Gabriella, who we met in the first book. She was only 9 at the time (10 years ago) but she has never forgotten him. She still has feelings for him and this time, him for her (since he's not happy in his marriage). But he has to tell her that he's married.
When everyone is finally rescued and back in India he finds out that Zoe has died in a crash. He is distraught and looks for Zoe but she has vanished, heartbroken because he's married and the book ends here.
This book has become part romance and part history but it's become interesting to me as I'm now vested in the Quinney character. On to the next book.
January 20, 2023
After reading " The Bright Blue Sky" -which is the first book in this trilogy - I found this book a little disjointed & confusing . Perhaps it was the fact that its principally focusing on the years between the two wars but at times I found it hard going, I'm not sure .
I would say it was okay but no more than that. As a one off book I would unfortunately only give it a one star; however as its part of a trilogy I give it two stars in the hope that book three "Once More The Hawks "- which I've just ordered - is more like book one & is a good & exciting conclusion to the trilogy.
I would say it was okay but no more than that. As a one off book I would unfortunately only give it a one star; however as its part of a trilogy I give it two stars in the hope that book three "Once More The Hawks "- which I've just ordered - is more like book one & is a good & exciting conclusion to the trilogy.
January 13, 2025
The best of the three books. Just as I learned from 'John Harris' about the Allied Invasion of Russia when I was a kid, here you can learn about the pretty abysmal behaviour of the British Government in the Middle East.
As always I am in awe of his ability to write about flying and engineering in such clear detail.
I wish he'd not used two names. I'd have gone out and read these as a kid had I realised he was John Harris,
As always I am in awe of his ability to write about flying and engineering in such clear detail.
I wish he'd not used two names. I'd have gone out and read these as a kid had I realised he was John Harris,
June 7, 2025
Less interesting than the first book of this series, but an inter-war letdown is not surprising. At least it choose some less common locations and scenarios in the plot. The descriptions of China and the Chinese are a bit startling in this day and age; hopefully it was written deliberately to reflect contemporary attitudes. Either way, it was a bit disconcerting. The story also telegraphed several plot points.
April 22, 2024
Firstly, I am enjoying the Dicken Quinney series and the characters that populate it, but I found this book frustrating - a bit too stop/start without a natural connection. Each section felt it could have been expanded: China, Middle East, Latvia seemed glossed over and hurried. Having said that, I am looking forward to the final book to see how all the loose ends get tied up.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 5, 2019
Outstanding continuing story of events of early 20th century adventurers
Very authentic and we'll written. Would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good adventure with captivating Characters. Read on!
Very authentic and we'll written. Would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good adventure with captivating Characters. Read on!
September 27, 2019
Great Read! Great Fun!
Max Hennessy writes with a flair for putting you right there, there in the story, involved with the characters and what is happening.
If you like historical military novels, this set of stories will definitely fit the bill.
Enjoy. I certainly did.
Max Hennessy writes with a flair for putting you right there, there in the story, involved with the characters and what is happening.
If you like historical military novels, this set of stories will definitely fit the bill.
Enjoy. I certainly did.
June 15, 2020
Covers approx 10 years post WW1
I read the book immediately after the first one in the series as I wanted to know what happened to the main character.
The book is set against a background of both the RAF activities in the 10 years and also aviation in general.
I read the book immediately after the first one in the series as I wanted to know what happened to the main character.
The book is set against a background of both the RAF activities in the 10 years and also aviation in general.
May 2, 2019
Fun read
Another enjoyable book about the progression of flying. I really enjoy the MC and the trials he has in life and the Royal Airforce.
Another enjoyable book about the progression of flying. I really enjoy the MC and the trials he has in life and the Royal Airforce.
March 15, 2020
The further adventures and loves of Dicken Quinney, WW1 pilot, after the war is over, and his involvement in other British colonies. From Iraq, to China, then on to India.
August 4, 2021
Great set pieces, generally entertaining. Harris isn't very good, unfortunately, at writing women, and it can be a bit distracting.
January 25, 2022
Following the tales and adventures of Dicken in the inrer-war years.
January 22, 2022
Well written, lots of research
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews