Rag and Bone : A Billy Boyle World War II Mystery - Hardcover

James R. Benn

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 156947849X ISBN 13: 9781569478493

Publisher: SOHO PRESS, 2011

Synopsis

Billy is sent to London in the midst of the Luftwaffe bombing offensive to investigate the murder of a Soviet official. There's reason to believe that the crime could be connected to the recent discovery of mass graves in the Katyn Forest, where thousands of Polish officers were executed. If the killer is out there, the diplomatic stakes are high as an uneasy relationship between the Soviets and allied powers hangs in the balance. Further still, Scotland Yard names Billy's friend Kaz as the prime suspect. He must track the killer through London's underworld.

About this title

Review:

From "Publishers Weekly" (Starred Review): "Uncle Ike" (aka General Eisenhower) personally pins silver first lieutenant bars on Billy Boyle in Benn's stellar fifth WWII mystery (after 2009's Evil for Evil). In December 1943, Billy's leave with his British girlfriend in Italy is cut short. Orders send him to London to look into a Soviet officer's shooting murder, which may be retaliation for the execution of thousands of Polish officers in the Katyn Forest that's been blamed on the Germans but probably was committed by Russians. Since the Soviets are allies, the investigation requires the utmost sensitivity. Billy's loyalties are tested because his friend who works for the Polish government in exile, Lieutenant Kazimierz, is a prime suspect. Benn excels at depicting the impact of war on London--the bricks from bombed buildings piled neatly on the streets, families living in Tube stations, "the odor of the Blitz." Destruction aside, Billy never forgets that "Even in the midst of war, mur

About the Author:

James R. Benn is the author of Billy Boyle: A World War II Mystery, Blood Alone, and The First Wave, selected by Book Sense as one of the top five mysteries of 2006 and nominated for a Dilys Award. He is a librarian and lives in Hadlyme, Connecticut.

James R. Benn is the author of ten books in the Billy Boyle series: Billy Boyle,The First Wave, Blood Alone, Evil for Evil, Rag and Bone,A Mortal Terror, Death’s Door, A Blind Goddess, The Rest Is Silence, andThe White Ghost. A librarian for many years, he lives in Hadlyme, Connecticut, with his wife, Deborah Mandel.
From the Trade Paperback edition.

About this edition

• Publisher: SOHO PRESS
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 156947849X
• ISBN 13: 9781569478493
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 320