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Golgotha: A WWI trench murder mystery
1916, the Western Front.
There are some crimes that transcend the horrors of war, and the rumour of a soldier being found in no man’s land crucified to a church door threatens to cause a mutiny in the trenches. To placate the troops, allied HQ orders four soldiers pulled from the ranks of each army to investigate the crime and bring the perpetrator swiftly to justice. What a Canadian ex-Mountie, an Australian beat cop, a constable from Scotland Yard, and their military intelligence commander discover will not only save the lives of the comrades, but may well save the entire war.
Full of factual events and historic occurrences, Golgotha looks into one of the darkest events to occur during the First World War.
There are some crimes that transcend the horrors of war, and the rumour of a soldier being found in no man’s land crucified to a church door threatens to cause a mutiny in the trenches. To placate the troops, allied HQ orders four soldiers pulled from the ranks of each army to investigate the crime and bring the perpetrator swiftly to justice. What a Canadian ex-Mountie, an Australian beat cop, a constable from Scotland Yard, and their military intelligence commander discover will not only save the lives of the comrades, but may well save the entire war.
Full of factual events and historic occurrences, Golgotha looks into one of the darkest events to occur during the First World War.
306 pages, Paperback
Published May 30, 2021
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6 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 30, 2021
I was sent this book for free, in exchange for an honest review.
Set during WWI, a group of soldiers are assigned to solve the mystery of some rumours travelling around the trenches of the death of a soldier by crucifixion.
I don't normally read books in this genre. However there were some elements that I did like. I enjoyed following the main band of characters and their encounters while trying to solve the mystery. I even enjoyed following them around the trenches.
Though when secondary characters were introduced, I forgot them quite easily and became a little confused when they were brought up in the story again.
I feel that most of the book would do well as a film. Though unfortunately I didn't enjoy the book as much as I'd like, I feel that it's more to personal taste. If you are into WWI trench fight settings, then this is definitely for you.
Set during WWI, a group of soldiers are assigned to solve the mystery of some rumours travelling around the trenches of the death of a soldier by crucifixion.
I don't normally read books in this genre. However there were some elements that I did like. I enjoyed following the main band of characters and their encounters while trying to solve the mystery. I even enjoyed following them around the trenches.
Though when secondary characters were introduced, I forgot them quite easily and became a little confused when they were brought up in the story again.
I feel that most of the book would do well as a film. Though unfortunately I didn't enjoy the book as much as I'd like, I feel that it's more to personal taste. If you are into WWI trench fight settings, then this is definitely for you.
May 30, 2021
Magnificently written!
Hore pens an intense, and raw story in Golgotha. It's WWI and not only are soldiers fighting on all sides, but there are also horrendous crimes. I haven't read work from this author before, and I really enjoyed it. The title Golgotha means "the site of the crucifixion of Jesus; Calvary" (and yes, I had to look it up). It's not an easy read because it tells truths that some may not know. It's a mystery for soldiers of different allied armies to investigate a terrifying crime, a crucifixion of a soldier. It digs deep beyond the trenches of the war, and adds the chilling tale of not just war, but murder. This story captures the reader's attention at chapter 1. The author's technique of raw, magnetic characters and great plotlines is a gift. A definite attention grabber, so much I couldn't put it down. The thrills and intrigue is written clearly and the characterizations are engrossing. This read is more than just words on a page. Golgotha is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I look forward to reading many more stories by this author.
Hore pens an intense, and raw story in Golgotha. It's WWI and not only are soldiers fighting on all sides, but there are also horrendous crimes. I haven't read work from this author before, and I really enjoyed it. The title Golgotha means "the site of the crucifixion of Jesus; Calvary" (and yes, I had to look it up). It's not an easy read because it tells truths that some may not know. It's a mystery for soldiers of different allied armies to investigate a terrifying crime, a crucifixion of a soldier. It digs deep beyond the trenches of the war, and adds the chilling tale of not just war, but murder. This story captures the reader's attention at chapter 1. The author's technique of raw, magnetic characters and great plotlines is a gift. A definite attention grabber, so much I couldn't put it down. The thrills and intrigue is written clearly and the characterizations are engrossing. This read is more than just words on a page. Golgotha is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I look forward to reading many more stories by this author.
August 3, 2021
Actual rating: 3.5/5
CW: this book contains mentions of war and graphic violence.
Being stuck on the frontline in France fighting in the trenches during WWI, it seems as though things can't really get much worse. Except they can. Rumours start to spread about a soldier being found crucified to a church door in no man's land - and this could just be the final straw for the tired soldiers, enough to start a full-blown mutiny.
An unlikely team is pulled together to investigate under the supervision of a military intelligence officer. They will have to learn to trust each other while navigating the rumour mill to work out who committed this despicable crime, and just how far this conspiracy extends. All, of course, without being killed in the war in the meantime.
Golgotha is a high-stakes, gripping read. I hadn't read anything like this before, so it came a bit as a surprise that I enjoyed this as much as I did. The story is based on certain real events, which I was fascinated to learn more about at the end of the book - I had no idea about any of it!
I loved how Golgotha kept me completely glued, turning pages late into the night to see where our investigators would win their race against time and solve the mystery before it was too late. I really enjoyed their cleverness in dialogues as well, and I definitely appreciated how the wit, humour, and sarcasm helped keep the book from becoming too heavy.
There were some parts I struggled with, though, especially most of the actual war scenes. Now, that is entirely personal preference and by no means the book's fault, but I did have a hard time going through those and ended up skim reading most of them anyway. There are also some quite violent scenes, so maybe avoid this if that's not something you're comfortable reading about.
I also would have liked for some of the characters to be fleshed out a bit more, as some of them came across as slightly flat, and some of the secondary characters in particular felt a bit rushed. That being said, I did love to see how the author drew attention to all the various nationalities in the trenches and how those groups interacted, which really made this book stand out for me. I'd certainly be up for more investigations by this great team!
For more reviews, visit Book for Thought.
I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book in any way.
CW: this book contains mentions of war and graphic violence.
Being stuck on the frontline in France fighting in the trenches during WWI, it seems as though things can't really get much worse. Except they can. Rumours start to spread about a soldier being found crucified to a church door in no man's land - and this could just be the final straw for the tired soldiers, enough to start a full-blown mutiny.
An unlikely team is pulled together to investigate under the supervision of a military intelligence officer. They will have to learn to trust each other while navigating the rumour mill to work out who committed this despicable crime, and just how far this conspiracy extends. All, of course, without being killed in the war in the meantime.
Golgotha is a high-stakes, gripping read. I hadn't read anything like this before, so it came a bit as a surprise that I enjoyed this as much as I did. The story is based on certain real events, which I was fascinated to learn more about at the end of the book - I had no idea about any of it!
I loved how Golgotha kept me completely glued, turning pages late into the night to see where our investigators would win their race against time and solve the mystery before it was too late. I really enjoyed their cleverness in dialogues as well, and I definitely appreciated how the wit, humour, and sarcasm helped keep the book from becoming too heavy.
There were some parts I struggled with, though, especially most of the actual war scenes. Now, that is entirely personal preference and by no means the book's fault, but I did have a hard time going through those and ended up skim reading most of them anyway. There are also some quite violent scenes, so maybe avoid this if that's not something you're comfortable reading about.
I also would have liked for some of the characters to be fleshed out a bit more, as some of them came across as slightly flat, and some of the secondary characters in particular felt a bit rushed. That being said, I did love to see how the author drew attention to all the various nationalities in the trenches and how those groups interacted, which really made this book stand out for me. I'd certainly be up for more investigations by this great team!
For more reviews, visit Book for Thought.
I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book in any way.
Read
October 9, 2021Having grown up on stories about the so-called Great War, including some of the tales and legends that swept through the lines, such as divine interventions, the “Leaning Virgin of Albert,” and phantom angels, I was intrigued by this book about the mystery of the crucified soldier. Now, having finished it, I would like to emphasize that this book is compelling regardless of any previous interest you might have. It tells the story of a motley crew of soldiers, an Australian, a Canadian, a Brit, and a Frenchman, along with others drawn into their quest such as the vividly depicted Great King Rat, a human scavenger who exists in the shadows of the war. Now, make no mistake; this is not a book that aims to highlight the horrors of this war per se, even though many of the absurdities and horrors are skillfully conveyed as the backdrop to this riveting tale. It gives the reader insight into the perverse coincidences that have an impact on the course of event and the stunning speed with which rumors spread and legends arise. It illuminates some of the bitter ironies when politics, the motivations of high command, and the commitment of soldiers on the ground collide as well as the odd alliances that arise in the trenches. The writing conveys the laconic tone I recognized from my parents and their peers when talking about that other horrific war, WWII. The writing is excellent, the individual characters are well drawn, and the tale is unforgettable. Highly recommended.
June 21, 2021
This is a thoroughly immersive and enjoyable WWI trench murder mystery. After a panoramic start that brings us close to the action, and establishes who the British Allies are and how they differ from each other (yep, Aussies are not the same as Kiwis or Canucks!), we are faced with a dilemma - a rumour, which may not be a rumour, about a Canadian soldier crucified by the Germans. Phil Hore gathers together a team of diverse investigators to take us close to the action, uncovering the underbelly of the war. This book shirks nothing about the war, and cleverly connects historical dots in a well-rounded plot. The characters are warm and distinct, and their motivations clear. I enjoyed this book for its well-written, well-constructed take on one of the many legends to grow out of the First War. If you loved The First Casualty by Ben Elton, you will very much enjoy this book. It's five stars from me!
August 10, 2021
𝘐𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘪𝘷𝘦, 𝘣𝘳𝘶𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘦!
I love historical fiction and books set during war time and this was not an easy read at all, it tells the horrors and horrible crimes committed during WWI. It was full of action and fast-paced. Overall a well written and engaging story.
Thank you Odyssey Books for this gifted copy.
𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦: 𝘏𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘍𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘞𝘞𝘐 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴, 𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴.
https://www.instagram.com/booksandcof...
I love historical fiction and books set during war time and this was not an easy read at all, it tells the horrors and horrible crimes committed during WWI. It was full of action and fast-paced. Overall a well written and engaging story.
Thank you Odyssey Books for this gifted copy.
𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦: 𝘏𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘍𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘞𝘞𝘐 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴, 𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴.
https://www.instagram.com/booksandcof...
August 3, 2022
I finished this book a long while ago and was finally able to update my status here. Thoroughly enjoyed this well researched and exciting tale. The terror gets you at times which speaks volumes of the authors attention to detail and not to mention, the brilliantly written action sequences. No spoilers in the this review, so take the journey and enjoy and great group of characters.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews