It is December 1913 and Detective Constable Frank Bolam has a murder to solve. The victim is found drowned in the River Wear with a vicious knife wound to his lower back. There are no witnesses and no clues.A few months later another body is found with the same vicious knife wound, followed closely by a further two murders with the victims stabbed in a similar manner. This is a clever killer. No clues are found and Bolam cannot find a way to break the deadlock in his most perplexing case.Having risen from a lowly mining family, Bolam has strong moral values and becomes totally obsessed with the killer and the devastating sadness brought to the victims’ relatives. He vows to bring the murderer to justice, whatever the cost.These are turbulent times, with the country in the middle of an attritional war. In his quest to find the murderer, Bolam follows his hunch and enlists in the army, heading for the trenches to track down a cold-blooded killer in the middle of the most mechanised slaughter the world has known.
Gary taught for over 33 years in 6 schools, leading three as head teacher. His passion for WW1 began when, with colleagues, he developed educational visits to Ypres. Now a key note speaker and educational trainer, he is co author of four successful books for teachers. He is married with two grown up children.
My personal interests??? Sport, mountaineering, football, cycling???
Passions...brilliant education for all.
Customer
Reviews
26 reviews
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My favourite part of the novel was when Bolam survived because it was a good ending. I’ve learnt a lot about WW1 from this novel. I have learnt that Churchill isn’t a dog who sells insurance. I think that the murderer could’ve died better or differently .
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I found the novel really interesting and I loved all the twists and turns they are really good. I love all the characters and the way the story is described and where the murders are set and then the war which is really good because I loved learning about the things they used and the countries that fought. My favorite aspects of the novels were learning about Bolam’s life and the ending because it created a suspicious atmosphere and it makes the reader want to read more. I have learned all about the war and who John Mcrae is and I have learned all about the weapons used. I would recommend this book to all students or adults/teachers. I think everyone would enjoy it because it has a mix of genres and people would enjoy it and learn about the war would be very interesting.
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I thought Frank Bolam was a cool character because I thought his seriousness suits his role in the book and I thought he was good to be the main character. I also thought it was good to see that it was a surprise that Edward wasn’t the killer and it was in fact Arnold Wilson and when you found out it was him it kind of made sense.
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1) My favourite aspects of the novel were main character, Bolam.
2) I have learnt more about what it was like in WW1 and I also got a lot of knowledge from ‘The Magpie’.
3) I know more about the characters in the book like Winston Churchill and knowledge of WW1.
4) I would recommend this novel to a historian because they would find it interesting and might even like it because it’s interesting.
5) I think this book had a great twist at the ending, making us think that Bolam had been executed, but he hadn’t.
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I really enjoyed the genre of the novel and I learned a lot about WW1 that I didn’t already know, for example, I learned about the front line and the journey to the war. I also found out that if you didn’t go to war and you were a male, 19 or over, you would be given a white feather which is the symbol of being a coward. My favorite part of the novel was when we found out who the murderer was because it was building up a lot of tension to find out it was someone we didn’t expect at all.
If I would recommend it to anyone I would certainly recommend it to my grandad because he loves reading and watching murderer or war genres and I feel like he would love this book.
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My favorite aspects of the novel were Frank Bolam as he showed a lot of courage and determination. Also when Arnold and Frank fight as it was detailed and put me on the edge of my seat. I got a sense that war was horrible and lots of men were stuck fighting in muddy, diseased trenches and saw horrific sights. I’ve learned that Winston Churchill also helped and fought in WW1 as well as WW2. I would recommend the book to others, especially my Uncle as he likes crime and murder mystery novels and I feel like he would enjoy it too.
I thought that it was a good, detailed book and I loved every bit of it.
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John Henry Newman Catholic College
The staff and students who were able to see your presentation were thoroughly engaged by you and entertained by your real-life story.
All loved your journey and the factual historical events, you had them mesmerized.
There was a real buzz around the college after your visit and all of your books have been borrowed. Everyone was very impressed with your presentation and loved the artefacts.
I have had some photographs sent to me however I know the best one was forwarded to you. Lighting was not the best.
It was a pleasure meeting you Gary and hopefully next year you will return?
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Mary Johnson, Asst Principal, Walkwood School
Thank you for attending Walkwood last week and for your day spent with us. I attended part of your presentation and found it fascinating, as did many of my colleagues. Tomorrow we are giving pupils from the workshop the opportunity to complete/continue their poetry, which they are delighted about. Feedback from pupils and parents alike was very positive indeed.
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