SHARPE'S STORM

 

SHARPE’S STORM

By Bernard Cornwell

Harper

346 pgs

 

This being the 24^th novel in the Richard Sharpe series of historical fiction by Bernard Cornwell featuring the exploits of an English soldier during the Napoleonic Wars. Though often written out of sequence, Sharpe first appeared as a private of the 33^rd Regiment of Foot in “Sharpe’s Tiger.” Through his courage and fighting prowess, he constantly gets promoted up the ranks as well as becoming a personal favorite of Lord Wellington. In the end he’s a lieutenant in “Sharpe’s Waterloo.” 

Most readers will know of the character via the popular British ITV televisions series starring Sean Bean in the role. 

In “Sharpe’s War” we encounter a Major Sharpe caught up in the 1813 Invasion of Southern France by British forces at the same time the French army was being devastated in their Russian winter campaign. Sharpe is as ever doing his best to keep himself, and his men alive, as the troops fight across a terrain of twisted riverways. And if that wasn’t enough responsibility for him, he’s ordered by Lord Wellington to both escort and guard, a navy admirable wishing to witness the fighting up close. 

As ever, Cornwell’s prose is lean and authentic. His knowledge of military ploys and maneuvers during actual combat mesmerizing. He puts his reader in the thick of things dodging musket balls and slashing razor honed bayonets. All making “Sharpe’s Storm” a welcomed new entry into this superb series.

PROJECT HAIL MARY

 

PROJECT HAIL MARY

By Andy Weir

Ballantine Books

478 pgs

 

While still in high school, we learned the various sub-genres of science fiction. Most fell under one of two umbrellas: hard science or science fantasy. In the latter camp you had the space sagas of Edgar Rice Burroughs, Leigh Brackett and Edmond Hamiling. What fans often labeled space operas. In the other camp, writers with authentic science backgrounds were Robert Heinlein, Isaac Asimov and many others. As a teenager we had no problems enjoying both. As we matured, we began to favor the fantasy stuff. Why? Because most of the current hard science novels we read were poorly written. The writers knew their science but fell short of using it in compelling tales with characters and plots that we could warm to. 

Along comes Andy Weir, a software engineer who knows both real science and how to tell a damn good story. “Project Hail Mary” concerns a discovered threat to our sun. Something is weakening its power and if it continues, all life on earth is in danger of complete extinction within a few short decades. As the world’s leading scientists and astronomer wrestle with the problem, they learn other stars in our universe are suffering the same malady. All but one, the sun of the Tau Ceti system. 

All this comes about because of a brilliant young scientist turned high school teacher named Rayland Grace. It is Grace who ultimately learns of the cosmic infestation that is negatively impacting stars. But why isn’t this happening to Tau Ceti? Is there something about that particular star making it immune to the cosmic infestation? Quickly the governing bodies of Earth realize mankind’s only hope of survival is to send a team of astronauts on a suicide mission to Tau Ceti to learn the secret of its immunity and get that information back to Earth. The plot is suspenseful, our hero believable and then comes Weir’s biggest surprise, the alien Grace encounters when arriving at Tau Ceti.  

How two different intelligent lifeforms meet, learn to communicate and then being to work together to save their respective home worlds is fantastic. “Project Hail Mary” is one of the best science fiction adventures we’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. Page after page, Weir took us on a journey of wonder set against the backdrop of an endless space we’ve only just begun to explore. This book is an inspiration to all those young men and women who’ll one day look to the stars and dream. We loved it.

THE WHITE MOUNTAIN

 

THE WHITE MOUNTAIN

A Nero Wolfe Mystery

By Robert Goldsborough

Mysterious Press.Com

171 pgs

 

At the offset let us confess that we have been a staunch fan of this series ever since writer Goldsborough gifted the mystery loving world with resurrecting one of its most endearing characters, Nero Wolfe. “The White Mountain” is his eighteen entry into the world created by the late Rex Stout and perhaps one of the most charming. Any devoted Wolfe buff knows half the joy of his mysteries, aside from his brilliantly solving convoluted puzzles, are the colorful supporting cast inhabiting that Manhattan brownstone with him. One of these is Master Chef Fritz Brenner. We’d argue, primarily due to his girth, Nero Wolfe could easily be considered a “foody.” 

Therein lies the heart of this tale. Fritz informs Wolfe that his cousin back in Switzerland has disappeared and he is worried about his fate. After inquiries are made, including hiring a British private investigator to go to Geneva and look into the matter, these efforts prove fruitless. Fritz then declares he wishes to go and personally look for his lost relative. Wolfe acquiesces provided Fritz maintain regular telephone contact once there. Brenner agrees and off he goes. After a few such check-ins, the talented chef, like his kin, then mysteriously vanishes. 

In the entire Stout canon, the fat detective had only ever left the country once and that was to solve the murder of a friend in “The Black Mountain.” Now, once again faced with a problem he cannot remedy from behind his desk, Nero Wolfe accepts the reality that he must venture out into the world. The entire adventure from this point on is a testament to Wolfe’s inherent loyalty to that small circle of friends he cherishes as family. Watching how poor Archie must deal with his boss’ phobias and foibles to navigate a foreign setting and take on another convoluted mystery was a joy to this reader. 

Goldsborough’s affection for Wolfe is obvious on every page of this book. He deftly explores that depth of character allowing us to see a side of Wolfe generally kept hidden. He’s never been more human than in “The White Mountain.”