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Billy Boyle World War II #5
Rag and Bone
American Lieutenant Billy Boyle is assigned to London by his uncle, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, to investigate the murder of a Russian security officer in the buildup to D-Day. Billy recognizes that this is a politically charged case, pitting Allies against one another, and that he must proceed with caution. The Polish contingent is incensed over evidence that implicates the Russians in the murder of hundreds of Polish prisoners in the so-called Katyn Forest Massacre, and Scotland Yard thinks this murder of a Soviet officer may be a revenge killing—perhaps perpetrated by Billy’s friend Kaz, a Polish baron in exile. But Billy doesn’t buy it.
Can he find the real murderer, exonerate his friend, and prevent Allied relations from falling to pieces at this critical moment of the war?
Can he find the real murderer, exonerate his friend, and prevent Allied relations from falling to pieces at this critical moment of the war?
320 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2010
112 people are currently reading
457 people want to read
About the author
James R. Benn
34 books405 followersJames R. Benn is the author of Billy Boyle: A World War II Mystery, selected by Book Sense as one of the top five mysteries of 2006 and nominated for a Dilys Award. The First Wave was a Book Sense Notable title.
Benn is a librarian and lives in Hadlyme, Connecticut.
Benn is a librarian and lives in Hadlyme, Connecticut.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
September 8, 2013
After learning that I was going to receive a copy of the latest entry in this series, A Blind Goddess, through Goodreads First Reads program, I decided it was time to return and catch up with the series. I've enjoyed all my outings with Billy Boyle. This time he's in England, caught up with a complex web of Soviet emissaries who may be more than they seem, the politics of the Katyn Forest massacre massacre which was just becoming known, the English criminal element. and various levels of American and British military brass and British police. All of this due to the murder of one Russian man.
It's interesting how Benn works in the reality of life in 1944 Britain in terms of people and situations that we encounter in this novel. He also deals with the moral complexities of life in the time of war. I look forward to continuing with the series.
It's interesting how Benn works in the reality of life in 1944 Britain in terms of people and situations that we encounter in this novel. He also deals with the moral complexities of life in the time of war. I look forward to continuing with the series.
February 5, 2020
I thought this would be an entertaining whodunit set in World War Two. It is that, but it's also a penetrating look at wartime compromises, a fascinating history, and a richly atmospheric police procedural.
As if that weren't enough of an etouffe, Mr. Benn (who, in addition to being an author, is also a longtime librarian) has a knack for focusing on how geopolitical questions impact individual lives. The January, 1944 time frame of this novel was carefully chosen. Benn's gangsters, cops, spies, and soldiers all behave in believable ways. Even the poetry by W.B. Yeats (whom I'd heard of) and Siegfied Sassoon (previously unknown to me) fits the narrative arc perfectly.
Anyone who likes a good yarn or a novel that wrestles with big questions would enjoy this book, as would any friend of Poland.
As if that weren't enough of an etouffe, Mr. Benn (who, in addition to being an author, is also a longtime librarian) has a knack for focusing on how geopolitical questions impact individual lives. The January, 1944 time frame of this novel was carefully chosen. Benn's gangsters, cops, spies, and soldiers all behave in believable ways. Even the poetry by W.B. Yeats (whom I'd heard of) and Siegfied Sassoon (previously unknown to me) fits the narrative arc perfectly.
Anyone who likes a good yarn or a novel that wrestles with big questions would enjoy this book, as would any friend of Poland.
November 23, 2010
I'm about half-way through this book and am thoroughly enjoying it. Those who know me know I've a fetish for all things WWII and Benn's Billy Boyle series tickles that fetish quite nicely. This most recent installment has Billy, a young Boston cop in civilian life, serving as a (now) First Lieutenant in the American army assignd to his Uncle Ike's staff (he's a distant relative to the General through Maimie). Ike once again uses Billy's investigatory skills to solve a crime that could have an adverse impact on military operations.
This time around it involves the murder of a Soviet officer serving as a liason in England. The killing surfaces around the revelation of the Katyn forest masscre - which is an event that is both topical to today's society as it is delightfully esoteric enough to satisfy the WWIIophile.
Benn knows his subject, getting the history and slang of the period right as well as Bostonia (although I did notice one error referring to North Boston vs. the North End as it's been referred to by locals for at least the past 100 years).
I'll be happy when I'm done with this - only because it will no longer be tempting me to stay up past my bedtime to read 'just one more page'.
Finished it and it didn't dissapoint.
This time around it involves the murder of a Soviet officer serving as a liason in England. The killing surfaces around the revelation of the Katyn forest masscre - which is an event that is both topical to today's society as it is delightfully esoteric enough to satisfy the WWIIophile.
Benn knows his subject, getting the history and slang of the period right as well as Bostonia (although I did notice one error referring to North Boston vs. the North End as it's been referred to by locals for at least the past 100 years).
I'll be happy when I'm done with this - only because it will no longer be tempting me to stay up past my bedtime to read 'just one more page'.
Finished it and it didn't dissapoint.
February 6, 2023
Solving the murder of a Russian security officer killed on British soil would be difficult under normal circumstances. But in author James R. Benn's RAG AND BONE, trying to solve that murder in the midst of World War II comes complete with a host of special circumstances far beyond just a simple murder investigation.
Billy Boyle, the special detective for his Uncle Ike (aka General Eisenhower), is supposed to be enjoying some leave time. But when the body of a Russian officer is found murdered in a similar manner to the victims of a massacre where thousands of Poles died, the leave is called off and Billy finds himself back in London.
Tasked to track down the killer, Billy has to navigate any number of other considerations. The Americans and British are desperate to keep the Russians on the side of the allies at almost any cost, including believing their clear propaganda about their lack of involvement in that massacre. But the stakes are made more personal to Billy when his friend Kaz, one of the Polish Goverment in Exile officers is seen as the prime suspect.
Determined to clear his friend leads Billy (accompanied by Big Mike, the corporal who is a fellow cop in civilian life) to travel the English countryside following each clue that he uncovers. But his questions hit close to some uncomfortable truths which leaves him on the run at one point.
Dealing with his own higher ups, British spies and criminals and any number of Russian officers leaves Billy with little in the way of resources and even less of an idea of who can be trusted. But as more bodies begin to stack up, Billy has to figure out just whodunnit without upsetting the balance of power in the war. Can he bring justice to the victim while clearing his friend? And just how will the truth be used for the "greater good"?
With each successive book in the Billy Boyle World War II Mystery series, Jame R. Benn seems to up the ante for Billy Boyle to point readers are left really wondering how Boyle is going track down the truth of matters big and small. And this comes knowing that there are a number of books in the series still waiting to be read!
I like seeing how Billy grows with each new story and RAG AND BONE are no exceptions. He's getting craftier with how he investigates, both on his own and using suggestions from his allies to help bring about the desired results. The growing team up with Big Mike is fun to read as well.
The way Benn develops Kaz in this book is pretty damn enjoyable. While he's physically getting stronger, Kaz and his determination to see justice done for the massacre victims shows him on the breaking point. Leaving readers to wonder if Kaz just might've crossed a line, no matter how justified, made for very interesting reading on my part.
RAG AND BONE also features a number of new supporting cast characters and they help fuel the narrative in a multitude of ways. Benn creates one character in particular that is so beset by demons that you can't help but be touched by his plight.
And while you can understand that the murder investigation and the facts it reveals have to be seen through the prism of war time expectations, you can feel the outrage pouring off some characters...and in a way feel them yourselves.
The Billy Boyle World War II Mystery series has been one of the more enjoyable new-to-me discoveries in recent years. James R. Benn has done an incredible job of giving life to the title character and providing a host of thrilling stories to read. RAG AND BONE continues that streak quite nicely.
Billy Boyle, the special detective for his Uncle Ike (aka General Eisenhower), is supposed to be enjoying some leave time. But when the body of a Russian officer is found murdered in a similar manner to the victims of a massacre where thousands of Poles died, the leave is called off and Billy finds himself back in London.
Tasked to track down the killer, Billy has to navigate any number of other considerations. The Americans and British are desperate to keep the Russians on the side of the allies at almost any cost, including believing their clear propaganda about their lack of involvement in that massacre. But the stakes are made more personal to Billy when his friend Kaz, one of the Polish Goverment in Exile officers is seen as the prime suspect.
Determined to clear his friend leads Billy (accompanied by Big Mike, the corporal who is a fellow cop in civilian life) to travel the English countryside following each clue that he uncovers. But his questions hit close to some uncomfortable truths which leaves him on the run at one point.
Dealing with his own higher ups, British spies and criminals and any number of Russian officers leaves Billy with little in the way of resources and even less of an idea of who can be trusted. But as more bodies begin to stack up, Billy has to figure out just whodunnit without upsetting the balance of power in the war. Can he bring justice to the victim while clearing his friend? And just how will the truth be used for the "greater good"?
With each successive book in the Billy Boyle World War II Mystery series, Jame R. Benn seems to up the ante for Billy Boyle to point readers are left really wondering how Boyle is going track down the truth of matters big and small. And this comes knowing that there are a number of books in the series still waiting to be read!
I like seeing how Billy grows with each new story and RAG AND BONE are no exceptions. He's getting craftier with how he investigates, both on his own and using suggestions from his allies to help bring about the desired results. The growing team up with Big Mike is fun to read as well.
The way Benn develops Kaz in this book is pretty damn enjoyable. While he's physically getting stronger, Kaz and his determination to see justice done for the massacre victims shows him on the breaking point. Leaving readers to wonder if Kaz just might've crossed a line, no matter how justified, made for very interesting reading on my part.
RAG AND BONE also features a number of new supporting cast characters and they help fuel the narrative in a multitude of ways. Benn creates one character in particular that is so beset by demons that you can't help but be touched by his plight.
And while you can understand that the murder investigation and the facts it reveals have to be seen through the prism of war time expectations, you can feel the outrage pouring off some characters...and in a way feel them yourselves.
The Billy Boyle World War II Mystery series has been one of the more enjoyable new-to-me discoveries in recent years. James R. Benn has done an incredible job of giving life to the title character and providing a host of thrilling stories to read. RAG AND BONE continues that streak quite nicely.
November 29, 2021
A historical fiction police procedural that has been thoroughly researched and thus educates us as well as provides a good read. Not sure why but at the beginning of each book, I find I have to be pulled into the story, there's just a little stiffness in the writing or Billy's attitude that is just ever so slightly off-putting. But then the story takes over, and the moral dilemmas that Billy faces in each book help him grow and make me appreciate him anew. This book highlighted the Katyn massacre of thousands of Poles by the Russians, and I had not previously known much about that horrible event.
June 19, 2023
This was a great addition to the Billy Boyle series. If you are not familiar with these books, the premise is about a police detective from Boston who is now in the army during WWII. He is part of General Eisenhower's staff, as he is a relative, and his job is to investigate sensitive crimes so that they are solved without any publicity. There are several colorful characters and Billy is a fun personality and a little out of the box. This time he has to deal with some smugglers and Soviet secret police, a great combination. You can read this as a stand-alone, but I would start from the beginning of the series to get the full flavor of the story.
February 16, 2021
Another excellent addition to the series.
The author wove in grand politics with crime exposing some of the moral dilemmas of war: solve a crime or risk an alliance. Go after a murder or risk having thousands of lives because of it.
The MC found a creative and clever way of getting justice.
The tone and word choice are spot-on. The author researched WWII and appropriate literature. Each character immerses you in the setting.
Excellent all around.
The author wove in grand politics with crime exposing some of the moral dilemmas of war: solve a crime or risk an alliance. Go after a murder or risk having thousands of lives because of it.
The MC found a creative and clever way of getting justice.
The tone and word choice are spot-on. The author researched WWII and appropriate literature. Each character immerses you in the setting.
Excellent all around.
January 17, 2026
What is most interesting in this series is the concentration on lesser known parts of WWII. Book 5 we are back in London, the Russians are our Allies (but not trusted) and the Poles are getting the short end of the stick because the Allied Forces desperately need Stalin to keep the Germans busy on the Eastern Front. All of that is complicated by the fact that the Russians murdered 22,000 Polish military officers in the Katyn Forest Massacre, then blamed it on the Germans and were never held to account because we “needed them.” Benn does a great job of shining a light on these dark corners of the war without taking a position on them. The events still speak out on their own.
The bodies are asleep; the souls are awake.
The bodies are asleep; the souls are awake.
January 5, 2021
Superb series
May 7, 2014
I really like this series. It's a good combination of WW II history and a detective story. Somebody else commented on James R. Benn not being very good at writing about the relationship between Billy Boyle and his girlfriend Diana and in my opinion he's right. In this book they're only together for a few moments though and the rest is a story of murder and mystery. James R. Benn is good at describing wartime England. The events mentioned in the book are historically accurate which makes it more interesting to read. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
March 28, 2015
Yes, the Russians were one of our very strong allies--it was during World War II and when one of their high commands is murdered very viciously, the suspects are Polish expats, who remember too vividly the atrocities of the Russians against Polish army officers. So this is where Billy steps in-to find the murderer. It is complicated as one of his closest friends is a very patriotic Polish officer, now working in England.
June 20, 2015
I am enjoying this mystery series. Billy Boyle comes from a family of cops in Boston, and is a distant relative of General Eisenhower. He works as Eisenhower's private investigator, solving thefts or murders that they want kept quiet so as not to jeopardize the war effort and the Allies alliance. The atmosphere of World War II Europe is very well done, and Billy is capable but not cocky.
April 4, 2015
One of my favorites of this series, partly because it takes place almost exclusively in London (except for a brief excursion to Dover Castle). Since I'm going to be in London next week and am planning a day trip to Dover Castle, it seemed appropriate.
July 3, 2015
Great historical mystery in the Billy Boyle World War II series. "Uncle Ike" Eisenhower sends Billy to London to investigate the murder of a Russian, possibly by his Polish friend, Kaz. Another fine effort by Mr. Benn.
September 17, 2016
Ripping yarn that returns to the standard of earlier books
Enjoyed this much like I enjoyed the first couple of novels. The writing brings back a historical context but also a great mystery.
Enjoyed this much like I enjoyed the first couple of novels. The writing brings back a historical context but also a great mystery.
July 15, 2014
Nice mix of fiction and history with a look at the uneasy alliance with Russia. It helped that I had recently watched a number of documentaries about WWII that touched on the Katyn massacre.
May 31, 2015
I always enjoy the Billy Boyle series. Mysteries wrapped within the reality of the Second World War makes for great drama. This series would be great on screen.
December 14, 2016
A great series. See my earkiewr comments in "Billy Boyle", the first book in this fine series.
June 18, 2017
The series and the war continue
Back in London, Billy Boyle has to find out who is killing Russian officers - and make sure his friend Kaz doesn't take the fall. Good as always....
Back in London, Billy Boyle has to find out who is killing Russian officers - and make sure his friend Kaz doesn't take the fall. Good as always....
March 2, 2017
Very good historical fiction....once again, I learned a lot about things that happened during the WWII time period. Excellent series!
April 14, 2017
Good story well told with plenty of twists and turns. The WW II setting set some interesting ethical questions with no black and white resolutions. Plenty of moral dilemmas. Historically accurate.
January 13, 2024
*
*
*
Audiobook
Story: A-/B+, Narration: A
Not a review, just some thoughts for personal reference.
Lots of twists and turns, big cast of characters.
Really enjoyed the descriptions of wartime London--after the blitz, but still under threat of bombings.
A lot of the story revolved around Katyn,the forest where a massive number of Polish military officers were found buried in mass graves. It was widely presumed that the Germans were responsible but, in fact, the Russians were behind the butchery, destroying the officer corps in order to clear the way for a postwar takeover of Poland. The western allies knew this and participated in the cover up in order to placate the Russians in return for their continued efforts on the eastern front. Piss off the Russians and they'd slow walk their war effort. So, the allies threw Poland to the wolves (or the bear) and condemned them to decades of communist rule. (I first heard of Katyn probably in the 90s when it was a big news story that there was definitive evidence that the Germans had been set up and the western governments kept silent about it. This was probably after the fall of the iron curtain. I don't think the event was ever mentioned in any of my history books/classes.) Anyway, lots of Russians being Russians in this story. I'm a little tired of Russians being Russians right now or I might have enjoyed this more.
But...interesting twist at the end. A little surprised at Billy over that one.
There were also dealings with very unsavory underworld figures who were both repellent and oddly fascinating. Billy learned some things the hard way, but he was a fast learner.
Billy has a couple of meetings with Kim Philby. I really wanted to be able to say to the characters, "It's him! Can't you see it's him?!" The narrator did a particularly good job with his voice, too. Not over the top, but a hint of that "I'm the smartest guy in the room" superiority.
There was also a meeting with Winston Churchill. At the beginning of the series, my eyes would still he rolled back in their sockets, but I guess I'm becoming immune to these ridiculous encounters after all the Uncle Ike stuff.
What I'm not over is all the Diana drama. Enough.
Enjoying Billy's group and how they're a really good team. Worried about Kaz.
*
*
Audiobook
Story: A-/B+, Narration: A
Not a review, just some thoughts for personal reference.
Lots of twists and turns, big cast of characters.
Really enjoyed the descriptions of wartime London--after the blitz, but still under threat of bombings.
A lot of the story revolved around Katyn,the forest where a massive number of Polish military officers were found buried in mass graves. It was widely presumed that the Germans were responsible but, in fact, the Russians were behind the butchery, destroying the officer corps in order to clear the way for a postwar takeover of Poland. The western allies knew this and participated in the cover up in order to placate the Russians in return for their continued efforts on the eastern front. Piss off the Russians and they'd slow walk their war effort. So, the allies threw Poland to the wolves (or the bear) and condemned them to decades of communist rule. (I first heard of Katyn probably in the 90s when it was a big news story that there was definitive evidence that the Germans had been set up and the western governments kept silent about it. This was probably after the fall of the iron curtain. I don't think the event was ever mentioned in any of my history books/classes.) Anyway, lots of Russians being Russians in this story. I'm a little tired of Russians being Russians right now or I might have enjoyed this more.
But...interesting twist at the end. A little surprised at Billy over that one.
There were also dealings with very unsavory underworld figures who were both repellent and oddly fascinating. Billy learned some things the hard way, but he was a fast learner.
Billy has a couple of meetings with Kim Philby. I really wanted to be able to say to the characters, "It's him! Can't you see it's him?!" The narrator did a particularly good job with his voice, too. Not over the top, but a hint of that "I'm the smartest guy in the room" superiority.
There was also a meeting with Winston Churchill. At the beginning of the series, my eyes would still he rolled back in their sockets, but I guess I'm becoming immune to these ridiculous encounters after all the Uncle Ike stuff.
What I'm not over is all the Diana drama. Enough.
Enjoying Billy's group and how they're a really good team. Worried about Kaz.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 5, 2019
I'm a fan of the Billy Boyle stories. This is a series of a Boston cop who is now an investigator for the US Army in WWII. I started off with a book somewhere late in the series and have been reading them out of order as I get them. Every book has a different setting and is not just a mystery, it also deals with a particular subject or geographic theater of the war.
This one is based in England. The front plot is the murder of a Soviet officer who is in England to discuss Soviet-Allied co-operation (Operation Frantic). The back story is the Katyn massacre, which is where the Soviets murdered more than 20,000 Polish POW's (including officers, intelligentsia, priests, etc.) in order to deprive Poland of leadership so she could be more easily controlled after the war. The Allies (Brits and Yanks) decided to downplay the issue in order not to disrupt Soviet-Allied relations at a time when the Soviets were desperately needed as an ally to occupy the attention of the Germans and thereby save Allied lives on the other fronts.
So it's basically two stories in one: the murders and high politics. This is probably the best Billy Boyle book I've read so far. The mystery part is better than usual but the part that really stands out is the character study. The author does a great job of infusing the characters with life. The most profound part of the writing is where the Soviet officer describes his part in the massacre, his thoughts, his justification and his closure. All the characters are actually quite well done.
Overall, I've found the mystery part of the books ho-hum. I've also felt that most of the time he makes the plot overly complex and difficult to follow with extra side plots some of which do not add to the enjoyment of the book but in this book all the plots segued nicely with each other to a satisfying conclusion. The author usually does better in the historical part and the character studies. In this book he really shines in the latter two. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in mysteries and WWII.
If you are new to the Billy Boyle series, I would recommend you start with book #1 as there is some sort of continuity with each other.
This one is based in England. The front plot is the murder of a Soviet officer who is in England to discuss Soviet-Allied co-operation (Operation Frantic). The back story is the Katyn massacre, which is where the Soviets murdered more than 20,000 Polish POW's (including officers, intelligentsia, priests, etc.) in order to deprive Poland of leadership so she could be more easily controlled after the war. The Allies (Brits and Yanks) decided to downplay the issue in order not to disrupt Soviet-Allied relations at a time when the Soviets were desperately needed as an ally to occupy the attention of the Germans and thereby save Allied lives on the other fronts.
So it's basically two stories in one: the murders and high politics. This is probably the best Billy Boyle book I've read so far. The mystery part is better than usual but the part that really stands out is the character study. The author does a great job of infusing the characters with life. The most profound part of the writing is where the Soviet officer describes his part in the massacre, his thoughts, his justification and his closure. All the characters are actually quite well done.
Overall, I've found the mystery part of the books ho-hum. I've also felt that most of the time he makes the plot overly complex and difficult to follow with extra side plots some of which do not add to the enjoyment of the book but in this book all the plots segued nicely with each other to a satisfying conclusion. The author usually does better in the historical part and the character studies. In this book he really shines in the latter two. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in mysteries and WWII.
If you are new to the Billy Boyle series, I would recommend you start with book #1 as there is some sort of continuity with each other.
February 24, 2022
If you're looking for an actual review, I like those already here. You may too. What follows is as usual my additional commentary.
This entry insists on introducing Billy, and thus the reader, to the poetry of William Butler Yeats and Siegfried Sassoon.
As to Yeats, I went off and read Shmoop's treatment of The Circus Animals' Desertion from which the novel's title comes, at https://www.shmoop.com/study-guides/p.... I found it their usual excellent quality. Yes, they assume you're a high school kid, so the form occasionally reflects that, but the content is as always everything I'd want in a college lecture for a work I hadn't yet read. (And yes, I'd met Yeats before.)
As for Sassoon. Back when I was taking standardized tests before college, the testers threw me an untitled copy of his "Memorial Tablet" and asked me what the best of a few titles was for it. (I'm pretty sure I chose "Memorial Tablet".) I copied it down on my scratch paper--strictly forbidden, but I wasn't going to use it for cheating, so conscience clear--and have been following his work off and on ever since.
I suppose it may be that early imprinting--'Nam was still in session then, for one thing--but I still consider that poem his best of all I've so far encountered, tho it's not among those quoted in the novel. You can see it in https://www.gutenberg.org/files/59800... if you like, and I do urge you to find it there. All 14 not-a-sonnet lines of it.
Incidentally, I was surprised to be told by the novel, confirmed by dear ol' Wikipedia, that Sassoon was gay. Going "Hooray for our team!" is shallow, but I'm feeling it naytheless.
This entry insists on introducing Billy, and thus the reader, to the poetry of William Butler Yeats and Siegfried Sassoon.
As to Yeats, I went off and read Shmoop's treatment of The Circus Animals' Desertion from which the novel's title comes, at https://www.shmoop.com/study-guides/p.... I found it their usual excellent quality. Yes, they assume you're a high school kid, so the form occasionally reflects that, but the content is as always everything I'd want in a college lecture for a work I hadn't yet read. (And yes, I'd met Yeats before.)
As for Sassoon. Back when I was taking standardized tests before college, the testers threw me an untitled copy of his "Memorial Tablet" and asked me what the best of a few titles was for it. (I'm pretty sure I chose "Memorial Tablet".) I copied it down on my scratch paper--strictly forbidden, but I wasn't going to use it for cheating, so conscience clear--and have been following his work off and on ever since.
I suppose it may be that early imprinting--'Nam was still in session then, for one thing--but I still consider that poem his best of all I've so far encountered, tho it's not among those quoted in the novel. You can see it in https://www.gutenberg.org/files/59800... if you like, and I do urge you to find it there. All 14 not-a-sonnet lines of it.
Incidentally, I was surprised to be told by the novel, confirmed by dear ol' Wikipedia, that Sassoon was gay. Going "Hooray for our team!" is shallow, but I'm feeling it naytheless.
October 5, 2024
#5 in the former Boston cop Billy Boyle WW II mystery series opening in late December,1943 with Billy in Naples, Italy recovering from the Irish mission when he is ordered to London by Eisenhower to investigate the murder of a Soviet Air Force officer, also secret police officer, in London. Relations are strained between Russians and the Polish government in exile in London and Billy's friend and partner is a Polish officer. The case is complicated because Billy finds himself dealing with various British intelligence agencies, Scotland Yard, very uncooperative Russians and a vicious poetry spouting London gang leader.
Billy is in very early 20's, Boston Irish with a cocky attitude and had just made detective when the war started. His parents used their connections to keep him out of combat by getting him a staff job on cousin's Dwight Eisenhower's staff who at the war's start was based in Washington, D.C. Ike is quickly transferred to London when Billy joins his staff. Billy's goal: stay out of any combat situation and get back to Boston. His investigative style is to poke a stick into things to see what happens. He is impertinent, has a Boston America Irish anti British huge chip on his shoulder, doesn't like superior officers, tends to disobeys orders, takes himself off on his own personal tasks without considering ramifications putting himself in serious situations, and, since he is hero, these personal tasks work out for the best.
Billy is in very early 20's, Boston Irish with a cocky attitude and had just made detective when the war started. His parents used their connections to keep him out of combat by getting him a staff job on cousin's Dwight Eisenhower's staff who at the war's start was based in Washington, D.C. Ike is quickly transferred to London when Billy joins his staff. Billy's goal: stay out of any combat situation and get back to Boston. His investigative style is to poke a stick into things to see what happens. He is impertinent, has a Boston America Irish anti British huge chip on his shoulder, doesn't like superior officers, tends to disobeys orders, takes himself off on his own personal tasks without considering ramifications putting himself in serious situations, and, since he is hero, these personal tasks work out for the best.
January 22, 2020
"Uncle Ike" (aka General Eisenhower) personally pins silver first lieutenant bars on Billy Boyle in Benn's stellar fifth WWII mystery (after 2009's Evil for Evil). In December 1943, Billy's leave with his British girlfriend in Italy is cut short. Orders send him to London to look into a Soviet officer's shooting murder, which may be retaliation for the execution of thousands of Polish officers in the Katyn Forest that's been blamed on the Germans but probably was committed by Russians. Since the Soviets are allies, the investigation requires the utmost sensitivity. Billy's loyalties are tested because his friend who works for the Polish government in exile, Lieutenant Kazimierz, is a prime suspect. Benn excels at depicting the impact of war on London—the bricks from bombed buildings piled neatly on the streets, families living in Tube stations, "the odor of the Blitz." Destruction aside, Billy never forgets that "Even in the midst of war, murder is unacceptable." A great read that turns into a page-turner as Billy gets closer to solving the murders. Highly recommend this book!
August 8, 2019
This is the fifth in a series that just keeps getting better, as it continues to introduce readers to little-known aspects of the war. Billy is charged by his “Uncle Ike” to investigate the death of a Soviet security officer in London. The prime suspect is Billy’s Polish friend, Kaz, possibly in retaliation for the Russian-suspected massacre of 22,000 Polish officers at Katyn Forest, which is being blamed on the Nazis. However, since the Russians were our allies, the situation requires the utmost sensitivity. In the process of his investigation, Billy gets an education in diplomacy, and deals with London mobsters, the black market, and spies on each side of the political spectrum, including the noted double-agent Kim Philby, whose duplicitous dealings were not uncovered until years later. The book can stand on its own—but I highly recommend starting at the beginning, so you don’t miss any of Billy’s story.
March 2, 2021
Another episode in the life of Billy Boyle, American problem-solver for his "Uncle Ike" during WWII. This time out he is told to find out who killed a Russian official who is part of the Russian contingency in London working with the Allies during WWII. As usual, the case quickly becomes complicated - bogged down with political baggage, interagency squabbles and confusion. This time he is immersed in the animosity that is intensifying between the Poles and the Russians, particularly stirred up by the unveiling of the murky details of the Katyn Forest incident where thousands of Polish officers and intelligentsia were murdered in the early days of the war. That animosity has only intensified, and the murder Billy was sent to investigate seems to have been a part of it. Billy, with his friends and New Scotland Yard and MI-5 and MI-6, while as usual working at cross purposes finally solve the now-complex case.
October 21, 2019
First sentence: Everyone was happy.
Premise/plot: Billy Boyle returns to England in the fifth historical mystery series set during the Second World War. In this one he is investigating several Russian murders. Because of the political tensions between Poland and Russia, Kaz, one of the series regulars, becomes a prime suspect. In some instances, just a matter of being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Plus it looks like he is being set up—framed. Can Billy prove his friend’s innocence and find the actual murderer?!
My thoughts: I really love this series. I do. This is a strong title in the series though probably not my absolute favorite.
Premise/plot: Billy Boyle returns to England in the fifth historical mystery series set during the Second World War. In this one he is investigating several Russian murders. Because of the political tensions between Poland and Russia, Kaz, one of the series regulars, becomes a prime suspect. In some instances, just a matter of being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Plus it looks like he is being set up—framed. Can Billy prove his friend’s innocence and find the actual murderer?!
My thoughts: I really love this series. I do. This is a strong title in the series though probably not my absolute favorite.
Never underestimate the power of peaches in syrup when an island has been at war for four years. (120)
Every actor has his choice. To speak the lines or have no lines to speak. (248)
December 21, 2023
Definitely the best in the series so far! Benn has some great insights (through the characters) of what life in war time might be like... the actors in the story have very logical, real motivations... all with the backdrop of the actual events that occurred.
Kaz's development through these first few stories has been especially interesting... with the real life events depicted in this volume, it will be very interesting to see where he goes and does next.
I also really like Major Cosgrove in this book. Spy-types in a non-spy novel very often are always just 1st order ends justify the means types, and that was not the case here. In fact, the guy that was like that was sacked... very refreshing. I'm really glad I stumbled upon this series, its not something I would have been likely to pick up with the cool covers catching my eye!
Kaz's development through these first few stories has been especially interesting... with the real life events depicted in this volume, it will be very interesting to see where he goes and does next.
I also really like Major Cosgrove in this book. Spy-types in a non-spy novel very often are always just 1st order ends justify the means types, and that was not the case here. In fact, the guy that was like that was sacked... very refreshing. I'm really glad I stumbled upon this series, its not something I would have been likely to pick up with the cool covers catching my eye!
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