REVIEW
P.F. Chisholm - A Surfeit of Guns
N.E.L. Pbk £5.99
Yes, the above nom-de-plume of the author Patricia Finney suits the style of this "Elizabethan mystery" very well. A tough, lusty, robust story of the exploits of the admirable Sir Robert Carey, Deputy Warden of the West March, its portrayal of life in Elizabethan times is realistic, convincing and a graphic reminder that sex and violence are nothing new to the 20th Century. The historical note at the beginning of the book refers us to sources for the true history of the Anglo-Scottish borders in the 16th Century and also the Memoirs of the real Sir Robert Carey , a tempting prospect after this exciting fictional portrayal of the man and his job of helping to keep the peace between England and Scotland at that time.
An old wound unhealed under armour, a hand horrendously damaged by the firing of a faulty gun, gangrene, broken fingers painfully set by a lady friend - laudanum and rough wine the only anaesthetics - corruption and gluttony at Court where Carey’s blond and blue - eyed stable boy is in danger from the dissolute courtiers - the details of life in this setting are skilfully and imaginatively set down as a background to the mystery of the disappearance from the armoury of one set of guns and the substitution of faulty and dangerous weapons. Sir Robert Carey must cross the border and carry out investigations into the matter in the dangerous lands over the borders of England and Scotland. He is an attractive and honourable hero who looks after his men well and does not neglect the ladies. But his true love is married to an odious and vindictive long standing enemy. There seems to be no way out for the lovers. This is the third in the series of Elizabethan mysteries featuring Sir Robert Carey and the author is presently working on a fourth. Shall we see then the demise of the nasty Sir Henry Widdrington and happiness for Sir Robert and Elizabeth ? Meanwhile, a trip to the library to search for the previously mentioned history books.
P.E.D.