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The Dead Men: Includes bonus short story - PEACE AND LOVE
'A vivid, gripping story, beautifully handled, with a gem on every page' - Tracy Chevalier
'Once again J.C. Harvey has cleared the high bar in historical fiction by a mile.' - S. W. Perry
'Vibrant, twisting and compelling' - Minette Walters
'Excellent writing, intricate plotting and masterful senses of place and time make Harvey's books compulsive reads.' - Historia
Summer 1630. The Swedish army is fighting its way down through Germany, with Jack Fiskardo and his company of scouts, or 'discoverers', fighting the guerrilla war ahead of the main advance. There are new allies to be made, new perils to overcome, new enemies to outwit and new adventures to pursue; but there is also a fortune for the taking, a mystery to be solved, and a destiny to fulfil - one that will see Jack brought face-to-face at last with his sworn enemy, Carlo Fantom. And in the wintry forests of Bohemia, that destiny will present Jack with an almost impossible choice - does he pursue his final vengeance, or does he turn aside, to help a child as helpless as he once was himself?
'Once again J.C. Harvey has cleared the high bar in historical fiction by a mile.' - S. W. Perry
'Vibrant, twisting and compelling' - Minette Walters
'Excellent writing, intricate plotting and masterful senses of place and time make Harvey's books compulsive reads.' - Historia
Summer 1630. The Swedish army is fighting its way down through Germany, with Jack Fiskardo and his company of scouts, or 'discoverers', fighting the guerrilla war ahead of the main advance. There are new allies to be made, new perils to overcome, new enemies to outwit and new adventures to pursue; but there is also a fortune for the taking, a mystery to be solved, and a destiny to fulfil - one that will see Jack brought face-to-face at last with his sworn enemy, Carlo Fantom. And in the wintry forests of Bohemia, that destiny will present Jack with an almost impossible choice - does he pursue his final vengeance, or does he turn aside, to help a child as helpless as he once was himself?
613 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 2, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 2, 2023
Five Stars all the way
Spending time with Jack Fiskardo and his men as they continue navigating the 30 years war across Europe, is to spend time with the best and bravest, the wiliest, sometimes funniest group you could wish for. Having read The Silver Wolf, and followed Jack from childhood into adulthood, from France to Amsterdam and into the battlefields of Germany and the chaos of the Thirty Years war, I knew a little of what to expect - a delicious banquet of characters, storytelling, vivid descriptions and the quality of writing you wish for but so rarely get.
In this second book of the trilogy we rejoin Jack and his men in the Summer 1630. The Swedish army is fighting its way down through Germany, Jack Fiskardo and his varied and unique group of men, acting as scouts and fighting their own style of war. We meet villains and unsuspecting heroes, a writer from London seeking his fortune, a group of theatre players, the Roma, a laundress and many, many others. Jack negotiates his way through them all, still seeking to unravel the mystery of his father’s death and searching for answers, still playing a dangerous game of cat and mouse with his sworn enemy, Carlo Fantom, still righting wrongs wherever he sees them, sometimes at huge risks and personal loses.
Reading this book has been one of my absolute joys. I was lucky enough to get an advance copy and now I can’t bear it to be over, I have savoured every single page. It has been like spending time with old friends. I sobbed when I read the last page, having already wept, howled, laughed out loud, raged and gone through every emotion imaginable whilst reading. The descriptions are sublime, the voice is beguiling, the storytelling is everything you could wish for and I turned that last page I couldn’t help but wonder what this ending will mean next for Jack.
It is subtle, clever, intriguing story telling at its best.
Spending time with Jack Fiskardo and his men as they continue navigating the 30 years war across Europe, is to spend time with the best and bravest, the wiliest, sometimes funniest group you could wish for. Having read The Silver Wolf, and followed Jack from childhood into adulthood, from France to Amsterdam and into the battlefields of Germany and the chaos of the Thirty Years war, I knew a little of what to expect - a delicious banquet of characters, storytelling, vivid descriptions and the quality of writing you wish for but so rarely get.
In this second book of the trilogy we rejoin Jack and his men in the Summer 1630. The Swedish army is fighting its way down through Germany, Jack Fiskardo and his varied and unique group of men, acting as scouts and fighting their own style of war. We meet villains and unsuspecting heroes, a writer from London seeking his fortune, a group of theatre players, the Roma, a laundress and many, many others. Jack negotiates his way through them all, still seeking to unravel the mystery of his father’s death and searching for answers, still playing a dangerous game of cat and mouse with his sworn enemy, Carlo Fantom, still righting wrongs wherever he sees them, sometimes at huge risks and personal loses.
Reading this book has been one of my absolute joys. I was lucky enough to get an advance copy and now I can’t bear it to be over, I have savoured every single page. It has been like spending time with old friends. I sobbed when I read the last page, having already wept, howled, laughed out loud, raged and gone through every emotion imaginable whilst reading. The descriptions are sublime, the voice is beguiling, the storytelling is everything you could wish for and I turned that last page I couldn’t help but wonder what this ending will mean next for Jack.
It is subtle, clever, intriguing story telling at its best.
October 25, 2023
‘The Dead Men’ by JC Harvey is a rattling good tale set during the Thirty Years War. The best I’ve read for a long time.
Second in the 17th century series about adventurer Jack Fiskardo that started with ‘The Silver Wolf,’ in which we see the boy Jack become a man, the action in ‘The Dead Men’ takes place between July 1630 to November 1631 when fighting was at its most brutal. There’s a useful Author Note at the beginning with a historical background to the period, which was gratefully received, as was the cast of characters. The scope of this series is huge and so needs large personalities to populate it. Jack Fiskardo is that man. Scarred, fierce, loyal, thoughtful and yes, a little intimidating, he is a fantastic hero. Yes, a romantic hero too. Harvey takes him and his band of ‘discoverers’, advance scouts in today’s military terms, across Eastern Europe to some of the most deadly fighting in the war. They stay alive, some of them, by their skills, their instincts, bravery and camaraderie. Many characters are familiar from ‘The Silver Wolf’ – Zoltan, the Gemini, Ziggy, Kai as well as Mungo Sant and his ship the Guid Marie – plus new faces including Rafe Endicott, an English writer who sends reports back to London to be published in the coranto or newsletter ‘The Swedish Intelligencer.’ People at home are hungry for information about the war, the bloodshed, the victories, the murders and atrocities. And the heroes and legends.
Staying one step ahead of the front line, scrounging food, living wild in the woods from Northern Germany to Bohemia, the band of spies are on the trail of Jack’s sworn enemy Carlo Fantom. On the way, they meet friends and enemies, lovers and liars and even a pack of English actors, the Pilgrim Players who are rehearsing a much-redacted version of ‘Romeo and Juliet.’ Jack and his discoverers are present at the scenes of some of the worst fighting of this period, including the destruction of Magdeburg in 1631. Along the way, Fiskardo kills many men and makes many loyal friends.
Harvey has a light hand at putting her mostly fictional characters into the historical war setting. Many of the myths really existed, including Carlo Fantom, and a horde of gold really did disappear in the middle of war.
The cast of characters is long but each is a rounded personality, a real person, from pig boy Pyotri in the Giant Mountains, on the border between Bohemia and Poland, to Victor Lopov, the timid former archivist of the Prince-Bishop of Prague.
A real joy to read.
As with the first book I found it paid to stop trying to remember all the characters and towns and allow myself to be carried along on the emotion of Jack Fiskardo’s quest. I’m now awaiting the third instalment, ‘The Wanton Road.’
Read more of my book reviews at http://www.sandradanby.com/book-revie...
Second in the 17th century series about adventurer Jack Fiskardo that started with ‘The Silver Wolf,’ in which we see the boy Jack become a man, the action in ‘The Dead Men’ takes place between July 1630 to November 1631 when fighting was at its most brutal. There’s a useful Author Note at the beginning with a historical background to the period, which was gratefully received, as was the cast of characters. The scope of this series is huge and so needs large personalities to populate it. Jack Fiskardo is that man. Scarred, fierce, loyal, thoughtful and yes, a little intimidating, he is a fantastic hero. Yes, a romantic hero too. Harvey takes him and his band of ‘discoverers’, advance scouts in today’s military terms, across Eastern Europe to some of the most deadly fighting in the war. They stay alive, some of them, by their skills, their instincts, bravery and camaraderie. Many characters are familiar from ‘The Silver Wolf’ – Zoltan, the Gemini, Ziggy, Kai as well as Mungo Sant and his ship the Guid Marie – plus new faces including Rafe Endicott, an English writer who sends reports back to London to be published in the coranto or newsletter ‘The Swedish Intelligencer.’ People at home are hungry for information about the war, the bloodshed, the victories, the murders and atrocities. And the heroes and legends.
Staying one step ahead of the front line, scrounging food, living wild in the woods from Northern Germany to Bohemia, the band of spies are on the trail of Jack’s sworn enemy Carlo Fantom. On the way, they meet friends and enemies, lovers and liars and even a pack of English actors, the Pilgrim Players who are rehearsing a much-redacted version of ‘Romeo and Juliet.’ Jack and his discoverers are present at the scenes of some of the worst fighting of this period, including the destruction of Magdeburg in 1631. Along the way, Fiskardo kills many men and makes many loyal friends.
Harvey has a light hand at putting her mostly fictional characters into the historical war setting. Many of the myths really existed, including Carlo Fantom, and a horde of gold really did disappear in the middle of war.
The cast of characters is long but each is a rounded personality, a real person, from pig boy Pyotri in the Giant Mountains, on the border between Bohemia and Poland, to Victor Lopov, the timid former archivist of the Prince-Bishop of Prague.
A real joy to read.
As with the first book I found it paid to stop trying to remember all the characters and towns and allow myself to be carried along on the emotion of Jack Fiskardo’s quest. I’m now awaiting the third instalment, ‘The Wanton Road.’
Read more of my book reviews at http://www.sandradanby.com/book-revie...
February 21, 2023
My thanks to Atlantic Books for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘The Dead Men’ by J. C. Harvey.
This is Book 2 in Harvey’s Fiskardo's War trilogy set during the Thirty Years War in Europe. It follows her 2022 debut, ‘The Silver Wolf’. While accommodation is made for new readers, as this is a trilogy the books are best read in order.
Harvey again opens with an Authors’ Note that provides the historical context along with a map and a very much appreciated Cast of Characters, divided into the novel’s four parts, including locations. She also advises what aspects of her tale are based on historical fact and what is the product of her imagination.
While ‘The Silver Wolf’ covered a twenty year period charting Jack Fiskardo’s journey to manhood, ‘The Dead Men’ has a tighter timeline opening in July 1630 and concluding in the winter of 1631.
During the summer of 1630 Jack Fiskardo and his company of scouts are fighting a guerrilla war through Germany ahead of the main advance of the Swedish army. There have many adventures along the way along with finding new allies and encountering enemies, old and new. There is a great deal going within its pages and there’s plenty of characters, which is why that opening list is so useful.
One new character is Rafe Endicott, assistant to bookseller Nathaniel Butter, a historical figure involved in the evolution of the newspaper. He is sent from London as a correspondent for Butter’s new English publication, the Swedish Intelligencer. Rafe provides a new perspective on the ongoing war as well as of Fiskardo and his men.
‘The Dead Men’ is superb historical fiction. I found J. C. Harvey’s storytelling skills excellent and felt completely transported in time and place. As I noted in my review of ‘The Silver Wolf’, these first two books in the Fiskardo's War trilogy evokes for me the classic adventures of Alexandre Dumas.
I will be looking forward to the conclusion of the trilogy in due course.
Highly recommended.
This is Book 2 in Harvey’s Fiskardo's War trilogy set during the Thirty Years War in Europe. It follows her 2022 debut, ‘The Silver Wolf’. While accommodation is made for new readers, as this is a trilogy the books are best read in order.
Harvey again opens with an Authors’ Note that provides the historical context along with a map and a very much appreciated Cast of Characters, divided into the novel’s four parts, including locations. She also advises what aspects of her tale are based on historical fact and what is the product of her imagination.
While ‘The Silver Wolf’ covered a twenty year period charting Jack Fiskardo’s journey to manhood, ‘The Dead Men’ has a tighter timeline opening in July 1630 and concluding in the winter of 1631.
During the summer of 1630 Jack Fiskardo and his company of scouts are fighting a guerrilla war through Germany ahead of the main advance of the Swedish army. There have many adventures along the way along with finding new allies and encountering enemies, old and new. There is a great deal going within its pages and there’s plenty of characters, which is why that opening list is so useful.
One new character is Rafe Endicott, assistant to bookseller Nathaniel Butter, a historical figure involved in the evolution of the newspaper. He is sent from London as a correspondent for Butter’s new English publication, the Swedish Intelligencer. Rafe provides a new perspective on the ongoing war as well as of Fiskardo and his men.
‘The Dead Men’ is superb historical fiction. I found J. C. Harvey’s storytelling skills excellent and felt completely transported in time and place. As I noted in my review of ‘The Silver Wolf’, these first two books in the Fiskardo's War trilogy evokes for me the classic adventures of Alexandre Dumas.
I will be looking forward to the conclusion of the trilogy in due course.
Highly recommended.
June 12, 2023
Following on from The Silver Wolf and here we are back in the throes of the Thirty Years War again. And by God we are really there! You can smell the damp leather and the sweaty horses and the burning cities. The most brutal part of the war, the sack of Magdeburg, is handled with great skill as an adventurous rescue. This comes as part of a complex intrigue into which Jack Fiskardo is thrust. He is now the captain of a company in the Swedish service, but still on the trail of his nemesis, Carlo Fantom. Now we have English characters to enliven the mix, Ralph Endecott, a 'war correspondent' contributing to the (actual) newssheet, The Swedish Intelligencer. There are also travelling players, purveyors of Shakespeare in Germany and Bohemia, into whose company Jack skillfully infiltrates himself for his own purposes. Cardinal Richelieu pulls strings from the distance - but finds he gets his comeuppance from Jack in the end - and we finally realise exactly what the book's title means. The author has a very confident omniscient voice, hovering above the landscape (a typical first sentence in a chapter: 'She's a handsome river, the Elbe') and then moving in close to her characters, not afraid to introduce new people towards the end of the tale. There is a climax which blends 'The Last Valley' with 'The Magnificent Seven'. There is a lot of humour amid the action, a little more than in the first book. And there are fewer time jumps, which may make it an easier read for some. You could read this without The Silver Wolf but you would be missing a treat. This author has the knack of writing books you deliberately read slowly because you don't want them to end.
February 15, 2023
Jack Fiskardo is now a captain in the Swedish army, leading a group called the Discoverers. As the army presses into Germany, Jack is still bent on vengeance and suspects that colleague of his superior is not totally trustworthy. His team travel to a village seeking a letter that will prove treachery and witness the destruction of Magdeburg. Jack now seeks revenge on the Prince-Bishop of Prague as well as Carlos Fantom.
It is difficult to actually precise the plot in this novel as there are so many strands that interweave mirroring the complexities of politics in the 17th century. The story romps along at a pace and criss-crosses the continent, introducing new characters and the return of oold ones. The set pieces are visceral but there is a broad streak of humour running through the book which only enhances the sense of time and place. I loved the first book in this series and I streaked through this one because it is brilliant historical fiction!
It is difficult to actually precise the plot in this novel as there are so many strands that interweave mirroring the complexities of politics in the 17th century. The story romps along at a pace and criss-crosses the continent, introducing new characters and the return of oold ones. The set pieces are visceral but there is a broad streak of humour running through the book which only enhances the sense of time and place. I loved the first book in this series and I streaked through this one because it is brilliant historical fiction!
April 7, 2024
One review observed how this sequel had many layers. Yes - at times, the story travels narrative by-lanes. Some characters and storylines fade and disappear (no spoilers here) while the hero achieves almost every conceivable 'heroic'deed in a very short space of time. Some of the passages remind me of other good reads of a fantasty genre. I particularly enjoyed the short story at the end, which seemed to develop a more sophisticated tone.
I look forward to a further sequel - if only to know more of the events surrounding this tale. Here's hoping.
I look forward to a further sequel - if only to know more of the events surrounding this tale. Here's hoping.
February 15, 2023
The Silver Wolf was a very entertaining and gripping story, this one is even better and Jack is back, fighting in a war ravaged Europe.
The plot is tightly knitted and compelling, vivid historical background, interesting characters.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
The plot is tightly knitted and compelling, vivid historical background, interesting characters.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
November 12, 2023
Great story, again, continuing Jack Fiskardo’s adventures during the 30 years war. A rollicking read, that trundles along at pace, with brilliant story-telling. It took a bit to get going, but because I’d read the previous book The Silver Wolf, I knew the characters so kept me reading. Can’t wait for the next one…..
March 13, 2023
JC Harvey writes beautifully and this is another cracking story. I’m eagerly anticipating the final book in the trilogy. My reservations are that it was overly long and, for long passages, drifted - especially when the author chose to use a different voice.
February 8, 2023
I absolutely love this series. Fantastic grasp of the historical period, strong characterisations, wonderful storytelling.
January 12, 2025
After unearthing the absolute gem that is The Silver Wolf, I had placed my order for The Dead Men before I had even finished the first book. I could not wait to throw myself back into the adventures of Jack Fiskardo.
The first thing to notice is that this second book of the trilogy is set over a far tighter time period than the Silver Wolf. The first book spanned a period of 20 years, and charted Jack's growth from boy through to teenager and on into manhood. The second book starts in the summer of 1630 and finishes in the winter of 1631. This means that there's a different feel to the original book, it has a faster pace, and there's more urgency, action and danger contained in these pages.
With the first book, the real shining light for me was the quality of the characters, and Harvey's deft ability to bring about such a strong emotionally connection with the reader. This continues in The Dead Men with many favourite characters from the first book returning, along with a host of new ones to become attached to. When it comes to characterisation, the author's talents are right up there with the best in this genre.
The Dead Men had everything you want in a book. It has a strong, gritty plot; vivid, vibrant writing that is rich in quality; memorable characters that get you invested; absolutely superb storytelling.
Harvey deserves all the praise that I'm sure will be heaped upon her for this series, and I cannot wait until the release of the next book.
The first thing to notice is that this second book of the trilogy is set over a far tighter time period than the Silver Wolf. The first book spanned a period of 20 years, and charted Jack's growth from boy through to teenager and on into manhood. The second book starts in the summer of 1630 and finishes in the winter of 1631. This means that there's a different feel to the original book, it has a faster pace, and there's more urgency, action and danger contained in these pages.
With the first book, the real shining light for me was the quality of the characters, and Harvey's deft ability to bring about such a strong emotionally connection with the reader. This continues in The Dead Men with many favourite characters from the first book returning, along with a host of new ones to become attached to. When it comes to characterisation, the author's talents are right up there with the best in this genre.
The Dead Men had everything you want in a book. It has a strong, gritty plot; vivid, vibrant writing that is rich in quality; memorable characters that get you invested; absolutely superb storytelling.
Harvey deserves all the praise that I'm sure will be heaped upon her for this series, and I cannot wait until the release of the next book.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews