Reviews

The Dead of Mametz: The First Thomas Oscendale Novel by Jonathan Hicks

judenoseinabook's review against another edition

4.0

A very interesting and facinating historical detective story set in the WWI battle of the Somme.
It feels very accurate in it's description of battle; quite graphical in places, especially the effects of artillery on the soldiers!
There a several twists and turns in the story which make it a gripping thriller as well as a war story.
The cover says it is the first Thomas Oscendale book - I look forward to further stories in the series

rosseroo's review

4.0

The Somme battlefield forms the backdrop for this WWI-set thriller, the first in what might well turn into a series featuring Thomas Oscendale. He's a civilian police detective who's been made a Military Foot Police Captain in the British Army, and as such, is generally greeted with scorn and hostility by regular troops. The murder of a Frenchwoman and the suicide of a Welsh solider near the Western Front in July 1916 provide him with two unrelated cases to investigate, which naturally end up dovetailing as he digs deeper and deeper. The key to the crimes lies somewhere in the heavily-defended German-held Mametz Woods, which Welsh regiments are preparing to assault. The book does a good job of describing the trenches, horror of both battle and daily life on the front, as well as the dynamics of those in towns behind the lines and even back home. It's a fine mix of genre with WWI history, and the Welsh focus is likely to appeal to those of that background (Mametz was the bloodiest battle for Welsh units in the war). The mystery itself isn't that intriguing, but worth checking out by readers with an interest in mysteries set amidst warfare. I'll definitely keep an eye out for the next in the series if it comes.