Recalled to Life

Sergeant Frank Hardy #2

by Wendy M. Wilson

An alternative cover edition for this ASIN can be found here

When Sergeant Frank Hardy is drugged and taken upriver to a secret prison he searches his memory for clues to his predicament. Has his past caught up with him again, or it something more sinister? He remembers in India during to siege of Lucknow, and his time fighting the land wars. What was it he did to bring him to this place?

The town of Palmerston North is growing as more settlers arrive, many of them Scandinavian. Mette Jensen is waiting for the right time to marry, but when Sergeant Hardy disappears she is brokenhearted, until she discovers a terrible truth.

Meanwhile, a body has washed downstream from the ranges and a stranger with a familiar face has come to town in search of his brother.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical, Fiction, Audiobook, Ebooks

258 pages, ebook

First published August 12, 2018

Reviews

[TXGAL1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently purchased, from Apple Books, the eBooks 1-3 in the Frank Hardy series for 99 cents. I had already read the first book, NOT THE FAINTEST TRACE, but that didn’t deter me from my purchase. A glossary of Maori words was included with the ebooks! It is great. I had been disappointed that the paperback did not include one.

Wendy F Wilson has captured the 19th century feeling of “a new world” New Zealand populated with the many new immigrants arriving to seek their fortunes. In turn, the indigenous people of New Zealand, the Maori, are displaced. Everyone is trying to find their “place” in their new country.

Frank Hardy is the main character in this series. A former sergeant in the military, he now has a partner solving problems for people in need.

This series is very unique and I would highly recommend to those who appreciate learning about places and people from the past.

[Ivonne Rovira · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Not the Faintest Trace, the first novel in this historical mystery series set in frontier New Zealand, but I liked the sequel even more. A few anachronistic attitudes intrude on occasion, but I learned a lot about the settling of New Zealand. The mystery was well plotted, and it was good to be reunited with characters I’ve come to appreciate. I read it in one sitting, and there’s no greater testimony than that.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book primarily for its look at New Zealand in the late 19th century. Interesting information about the place, its culture and how the Maoris were living at that time and how they were treated.

I mistakenly began with the second book in the series but I liked it enough to read the first book next. I liked the characters of Frank Hardy and his fiancee Mette. Their backgrounds were also interesting--she's Scandinavian and he is from England. The book deals with the influx of people from other countries who take over the land, forcibly removing the people who have lived there for hundreds of years, the Maori.

Aside from the historical interest, the book is mildly entertaining. The characters are likable enough and the plot suffices to propel the book to its ending. Nothing is terribly surprising but I enjoyed the amiable tone.

But I will continue to read the series for its historical information and touches.

[Heather Kidd · Rating 2 out of 5]

The beginning was good then it got steadily worse. There are some fascinating bits of history but I don’t like the relationship between Mette and Frank. Something just doesn’t jive. The mystery was rather so so for me.

[Dorothy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Frank Hardy series and it is as good as the first. Again we become familiar with what it was like to live in New Zealand when the land is being settled by Europeans and the indigenous Maori people and being displaced.

[James Grubb · Rating 3 out of 5]

I find the beginning of these stories odd and often the characters seem to lack substance.

[Jane Marchionna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the first in the series. I found the writing a little choppy and confusing. I really like the main characters Frank and Metta and I’m hoping the next book is a smoother story.

[Miss · Rating 2 out of 5]

Convoluted

I felt like the story was quite similar but the telling of it was convoluted. Also their actions seemed quite extreme.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

While these books are in a series, they would also be okay to read by themselves. That being said, I did read the first one and this is a continuation of the characters. Still there is quite a bit of other language throughout...Danish, German, Maori , etc... as the books are set in New Zealand, during the 19th century . The first book had glossary of Maori words at the end of the book. It was a little easier to follow along in the second book, maybe I'm just getting used to it.

I did like the story line...this book helps you see what happened with Sergeant Frank Hardy before he met Mette. Due to him being kidnapped and put in prison...he is trying to remember his past...wondering why anyone would think he deserved to be there. Will him and Matte make it back to each other? You'll have to read this to find out how their story is going to be...

[Mountainhombre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charmed, I'm sure . . .

For some strange reason, I have an aversion to some things that I frequently end up liking. Examples of this are animated movies and historical novels. For some reason, I decided to read this novel. I'm very glad that I did.

To me, it started out a bit slowly. That, and my aversion to historical novels almost caused me to stop reading. But, I continued and was well rewarded for my choice.

The characters were wonderful. I don't know that period of New Zealand history at all, but attitudes and actions seemed quite plausible. Combine that with some realistic action, a wonderful mystery, and some sweet love and you have "Recalled to Life". A novel that was almost 5 stars for me.

[Linda C · Rating 4 out of 5]

This volume opens with Frank in a pit prison and not knowing how or why. It alternates with chapters by Mette, his fiance, not knowing where he is and trying to locate him. Something from Frank's distant past has come to the surface, but it something he is completely unaware of. We get a lot of background on Frank in this book as well as more insight into life in 1880s New Zealand. Another good volume.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in 1880 New Zealand, the Sergeant Frank Hardy series covers his post military adventures. His love interest is a Swede Mitte Jensen. The series takes place as Britain is colonized New Zealand, having defeated and forced the Maori into selling them their land. In this episode, Frank is kidnapped and thrown into a prison for reasons he doesn't figure out until after he has escaped.

The writing interested me enough to look in on Frank and Mitte again from time to time.

[Susanne Wendt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading more about Frank and Mette and the other characters in the books, and especially learning more about New Zealand history around that time. I found some small errors in the grammar/writing which jarred a little as I was reading but not enough to put me off the next book and learn more regarding NZ history.

[Libbie Harr · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a second book in the Sergeant Frank Hardy series, the reader will not only continue to learn about the history of New Zealand during the early 1800's, but also enjoy an excellent mystery. Why was Frank sedated and thrown into one of the worst prisons? His lady friend and fiance, Meta, becomes more of a strong independent woman. This is a wonderful story on many different levels.

[mary arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frank Hardy is in New Zealand during the time the land is being settled. Because of something in his past, he is being followed by Mountjoy and his hot headed son. Frank’s fiancée, Mette is an independent and industrious Scandinavian woman. There seems to be plenty of things to overcome before they can marry. This is a wonderfully told tale of the times, the families, the hardships and joys.

[L Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 actually

Very exciting times for Sargent Frank Hardy and his fiancé Mette Jensen as they fight the wild people and wilderness around them in New Zealand. Wonderfully historical in every way possible, except for the main characters. Very enjoyable and thrilling.

[Linda Giles · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book even more than the first one. I'm not sure if it's because I got to know and like the characters more, if the author has improved, or both.

Interesting to hear about New Zealand during this period.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second in sergeant Hardy series almost surpasses the first!

The 19th century New Zealand setting , the rich character development, the harkening back to so much in the history of the British Empire -- all these make for a story one imply cannot put down

[Libby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the characters of Frank and Mette. She has a lot of spunk and he appears to be honorable and thoughtful. This story was interesting in that a part of his past came back to haunt him....a son he didn’t know he had but that was “the spitting image” of his father.

[Larry · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book. I would call it a cozy mystery. For me it was not to best of this genre. The writing was a bit sophomoric, there was nothing wrong with the vocabulary or prose but it did not stand out.

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story but for some reason had a little trouble following at times. Seemed to go along then suddenly it remembered it needed to find a problem so up showed these ladies, and well, that was the end.

[Cynthiaj · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great period mystery.

[Raymond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Better than the first in this series.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book about the trials & tribulations of the natives of NZ and the white colonizers. Enlightening.

[Dronerg · Rating 2 out of 5]

One word.... Convoluted.

I did not enjoy this book and won't read any more by this author. I couldn't wait to get it finished and start a better book.

[Rubia La Faye · Rating 4 out of 5]

More

Frank and Mette are happy but then he is abducted and ghost from the past resurface.
A nice follow up on book 1 in an interesting New Zealand setting.

[Wytzia Raspe · Rating 4 out of 5]

When someone wants you dead and you have no idea who.

[Ann Payton]

Cozy, not cute

Interesting story and setting, appealing characters. Sometimes it didn't make sense to me that the characters did what they did.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read based on historical events in New Zealand.

[Jennifer Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read. The characters are incredible.