Book Review- Jeffrey Archer- A Prisoner of Birth

Jeffrey Archer- A Prisoner of Birth (St. Martin’s Press 2008) 3.5 Stars

Danny Cartwright just proposed to Beth Wilson, his pregnant girlfriend, and life seemed so perfect. Suddenly though he finds himself arrested and charged for a murder he did not commit. When four well-respected witnesses testify against him, one of whom is actually guilty, he is sentenced to twenty-two years in prison. The four think that they have gotten away with it, but they underestimated Danny and Beth’s determination and ability to get their revenge.

Not an Archer fan I was happy to find one of his books that I could enjoy. A Prisoner of Birth was a fairly good book. The plot was very interesting and intriguing. I did find that a couple of parts were a little bit farfetched, but still enjoyable. Danny was a deep and complex character, but was the only character I felt was developed for the reader. Some sections were slow, but I found that if you pushed past them you found out important details. I liked the European setting that was explored as it was not the parts of London books and movies often focus on.

I recommend A Prisoner of Birth to anyone looking for a good drama and any Archer fans.

For more of my book reviews check out my website, http://www.tonypeters.webs.com/

Tony Peters
Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping
www.eloquentbooks.com/kidsonacase.html

Book Review- Charles Dickens- Oliver Twist

Charles Dickens- Oliver Twist (Baronet Books) 4 Stars

Oliver Twist, a poor orphan boy mistreated everywhere he goes, decides to run away to London. There he meets Fagin and his gang of thieves and pickpockets. In an attempt to gain what he wants most, a family, he befriends a victim of Fagin’s robbery.

This is a great classic that I found more enjoyable as a version aimed at children. I cannot help myself but to fall in love with the wonderful young boy, Oliver Twist. Misfortune seems to follow him about. The ending is one that I love as it shows hope, truly a heart-warming tale of life as a poor orphan boy.

I recommend this classic to all readers of middle reader level to the elderly.

For more of my reviews check out my website, www.tonypeters.webs.com

Tony Peters
Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping
www.eloquenbooks.com/kidsonacase.html

Book Review- Andrew Pepper- The Last Days of Newgate

Andrew Pepper- The Last Days of Newgate (Weidenfeld & Nicolson 2006) 3.75 Stars

This is the first book in the Pyke mystery series and it is a great starter. Pyke is a Bow Street Runner, or basically a plainclothes policeman. He is not exactly the most honest individual, but when he stumbles upon the bodies of three brutally murdered people he is determined to find the guilty party. Quickly he discovers that it may not be just as it seems, there may be a political agenda involved that could end his life.

The Last Days of Newgate is not a book for the weak stomached reader, it has some gore that some may not wish to read about. I enjoyed all the different concepts involved in this book, intrigue, politics, murder, theft, conspiracy, and the fact that it was in the pre-Victorian London/England in general. It had some explosive action scenes, and it was believable in the fact that not everything Pyke tried succeeded, in fact some of it ended in disaster. The plot was very well-done and involved a lot of surprises. The end was kind of predictable though. Although I do not like Pyke’s character, he is not designed to be likable, and Pepper did a good job of creating Pyke.

I would recommend this book to strong-stomached mystery fans, thriller enthusiasts, or people who enjoy politics.

For more of my reviews check out my website, http://www.tonypeters.webs.com/

Tony Peters
Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping

www.eloquentbooks.com/KidsonaCase.html