When the diplomatic embassy from the United States of Europe was freed from the Tower of London during the Baltic War, most of its members returned to the continent. But some remained behind in Britain: Oliver Cromwell and a few companions, including the sharpshooter Julie Sims, her Scot husband Alex Mackay, and Cromwell’s Irish-American self-appointed watchdog Darryl McCarthy.
Soon, the hunt is on for the most notorious rebel in English history, with King Charles himself demanding Cromwell’s head. The new chief minister Richard Boyle, Earl of Cork, brings over from Ireland a notorious crew of cutthroats led by the man called Finnegan to track down and capture the escapees from the Tower.
The hunt passes through England and into Scotland, where the conflict between Cromwell and his companions and their would-be captors becomes embroiled in Scotland’s politics, which are every bit as savage and ruthless as Finnegan and his men. To make things still more conflicted and confused, the time Darryl McCarthy spends fighting alongside Cromwell forces him against his will to admire and respect—and even like—the man, despite Cromwell’s demonic reputation among all self-respecting Irish nationalist families like Darryl’s own.
It’s a Gordian knot anywhere you look—until Julie Sims brings out her rifle. Now it’s the turn of Scot partisans and English lords and Irish toughs to learn the lesson already learned on the continent:
A safe distance isn’t what you think it is. Not after the American angel of death spreads her wings.
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Could do withoutI applaud Eric Flint for opening his Ring of Fire universe to aspiring writers and mentoring them - truly a win for both readers and wannabe writers. As the more experienced partner, Mr. Flint *should* be guiding and editing the work into a well crafted, tight and engaging story. I say should because that's what we readers want and hope to happen... which in this case, didn't. I would hope that if my name was on the cover of a book, that it would be the best possible version of that book that could be made. Its possible that Mr. Flint was having a bad day (year?), or napping (the sleep of death?), or was possibly expecting the school of hard knocks to dissuade Mr. Dennis from any future writing endeavors.
I really WANTED this story to be good! I was looking forward to discovering how Julie Sims and Alex Mackay would turn Cromwell's life and reputation around for the good of the US of E. What I got was more a sophomore history essay based on a mashup of a travel-log and a sit-com. It was confusing, disjointed and frankly painful to read.
Mr. Flint - you are a great writer, please, PLEASE impart your experience and talent to your co-authors. At the very least, be bloody ruthless editing so that we who PAY $ for the stories don't attribute any further negative feedback to your well deserved positive reputation, which would result in a lot le$$ $.Posted on
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Worst so farNot a great book, turgid with little action that goes nowhere much. What a contrast to the best of the series. Let's hope the next in the series is much better. Adds little to the wider story so can be easily skipped
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After breaking out of the Tower of London, Julie and Alex McKay, Darryl McCarthy, Oliver Cromwell, and company head north to recover Cromwell's children and continue to Scotland. Civil war is in the air.
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Good Stuff!
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worst of seriesvery dull, killed off interesting CoC characters without reason, this and Barbie consortium may spell the end of the series reads like a dull travel log,first book I have bought here that I want my money back
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Product ReviewDidn't really do anything for me. Some guys and gals riding and hiding in various parts of the UK, and at the end, some of the bad guys die. The overall story wasn't moved much forward. Perhaps the story would have been more interesting if I had been British.
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Product ReviewAt last we find out what happened to Cornwell & company , with Darryl being the voice of reason!?! A really fun read.
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