Edmund Bohan has many fans of his Inspector O’Rorke historical crime novels, so Turn On, Old Time will be eagerly picked up by those already familiar with the series. But what about readers like myself, who are new to these books?
In the prologue, we meet Patrick O’Rorke for the first time in 1888 in London, where he lives with the widowed Mrs Catherine Martin in an elegant Kensington home. His visitor, Colonel Jamieson, has an extraordinary story to share with O’Rorke that goes back thirty years, so the reader is soon thrust further into the past and the chaos of the Crimean War, and the activities of young revolutionaries who called themselves the Society of the White Rose.
What follows is a tale of love affairs and murder, treachery and revenge – and the survivor's lives are forever scarred by these dramatic events. But the Society of the White Rose didn’t disappear into the mists of time, and their most ruthless leaders are intent on the assassination of a prominent figure in 1888, and O’Rorke is soon in mortal danger, as is his entire household. O’Rorke’s return to New Zealand is now urgent.
Turn On, Old Time is a fascinating, lively read with a large cast of colourful characters and a storyline that doesn’t pause. While O’Rorke doesn’t appear for a section of the book, when he does, he’s a well-crafted, compelling character, and it is easy to see why these books have a legion of fans. Turn Old, Old Time is a historical mystery that is perfectly balanced in its detail and pace, and just the right blend of historical research and a compelling plot. And you don’t need to read any of the previous novels to enjoy the latest. Go grab a copy!
Reviewer: Karen McMillan
Quentin Wilson Publishing