A Famine of HorsesI've read one other book in Chisholm's Sir Robert Carey series (An Air of Treason), but A Famine of Horses is the first in the series and very, very good.A Famine of Horses is a fast-paced tale full of historical detail with many of the characters taken from real life, both the good guys and the bad guys. On Sir Robert Carey's arrival as Deputy Warden of the West March, he is faced with a murder to investigate. He must discover the guilty person quickly to avoid further bloodshed. Another mystery pertains to the shortage of horses; horses are being stolen at an alarming rate, and what, wonders Carey, is the purpose.I loved Carey's character, but the other characters were well-drawn with distinct personalities, as well. (oh, and names: the murdered young man is Sweetmilk Graham, Carey's sister's name is Philadelphia, and then there is Red Sandy Dodd, and Bessie's Andrew, and Bangtail Graham, etc.) In An Air of Treason, I was quite fond of Sergeant Dodd, and it was fun to see the beginning of the relationship and get know his wife, a great character in her own right.This was a Kindle read for 99 cents! How I love a bargain that turns out to be a so rewarding; I look forward to the next in the series.Background on Sir Robert Carey-- The real Robert Carey was the son of Lord Hunsdon, Henry VIII's illegitimate son by Mary Boleyn. Lord Hunsdon was also Queen Elizabeth's Lord Chamberlain (and half-brother) and patron to Shakespeare. Obviously, Robert Carey had some interesting DNA to draw from, and he had an interesting life as a dandified courtier in Elizabeth's court. Then, for whatever reason, he decided to switch to soldiering, and he accepted the position of Deputy Warden of the English West March. Quite a switch, that. From courtier to sheriff/marshall of the wildest part of the kingdom in the West March where murders, horse thieves, and outlaws abounded.Evidently a charming and cheerful man, his memoirs are lively and entertaining, and Chisholm says that she lifted him "practically undiluted from his own writings." Information about the West Marches can be found here. P.F. Chisholm is a pseudonym of a well-known writer of historical thrillers, childrens’ books, and nonfiction blogs and ebooks. Previous titles in the Sir Robert Carey and Sergeant Dodd series are A Famine of Horses, A Season of Knives, A Surfeit of Guns, A Plague of Angels, and A Murder of Crows. After the events in An Air of Treason, Sir Robert and Sergeant Dodd will be heading back to the Anglo- Scottish Border where trouble is brewing as usual. (from Poisoned Pen Press)Read in March.Elizabethan mystery. 1999/2012. Print version: 288 pages.
This is a ripping good story. Robert Carey was a real man who was a contemporary of Elizabeth I of England. He became the 1st Earl of Monmouth because of his deeds in service to the crown.He had many different adventures in real life and this is a story of what might have happened when he was sent to the border area between Scotland and England. He did hold a position of power in the border area and he did help settle some of the feuds that were going on during his time there.This book is filled with period detail and description. At times the description is almost too much. But, it also gives the reader a feel for what is happening and who is participating in the action.Most of all, this is a book about people. People are the same whether they are trying to raise their own personal position in politics in the sixteenth century or now. Then it was not a surprise if someone had their opponent murdered. Of course that would not happen now. Robert is a brilliant man. He has traveled extensively and understands and speaks several languages. When possible he tries to use diplomacy and a gentle reasoning to get things moving forward. If that doesn't work, at times he simply pushes things through because he can.Robert is the central character of this book. But, we also meet Elizabeth a gentle lady who is in love with Robert. There is Dodd, he is directly under Robert and has his own agenda when it comes to certain things. Robert's sister and her husband are strong secondary characters.Each of the secondary characters are wonderful. Everyone helps us see the atmosphere and conditions that anyone in the sixteenth century would face. There were political situations from the stable on up and everyone is involved in trying to get whatever they can from life.If you enjoy history and mystery and adventure and wonderful character development, this is a book you will love. I recommend that anyone who likes history look up a picture of Robert Carey and then read this adventure.
What do You think about A Famine Of Horses (2000)?
The first book in a wonderful series! Since the 6th book was recently released, I decided to reread a them all from the beginning. Based on the real life journals of Sir Robert Carey, the 10th son of Lord Hunsdon, who was the cousin (and possibly the half-brother) of Elizabeth I, these mystery novels are set during the last 11 years or so of her reign, starting around 1592. Such wonderful characters, both real and fictional, and an exciting plot. Robert Carey was a fascinating, handsome man; brave, honorable and resourceful, if always in debt, and he had many, many adventures. Seriously, if I had lived back then, I would have been in love with Sir Robert Carey.
—Patricia
Sir Robert Carey, the hero of A Famine of Horses, is a real historical figure, a bastard grandson of Henry VIII, and the youngest, and therefore poorest, son of an earl. Prior to the start of the story, he has been a courtier in Elizabeth I's court, and it's clear he was looking for a way out.He gets himself appointed as Deputy Warden under his ineffectual brother-in-law up in Carlisle, England. Carlisle is the northern most bit of England just south of the "disputed" land between England and Scotland. There are clans, families and feuds aplenty. When Carey arrives, Sweetmilk Grahame has been murdered, and his family wants revenge. Also, someone has been stealing all the horses for miles in each direction for an unknown, but most likely nefarious, reason. It is Carey's job to bring the Law to bear in both situations. He is up to the challenge.The character of Carey is a pleasure. His years at Court have given him the ability to talk circles around just about everyone, and he has plenty of experience on the battlefield also. He knows when to be flattering and when to display the temper of his grandfather. He is smart and quick to use the talents of the men who work for him, who are an interesting band of misfits. There is humor, action, and some good puzzles. The sense of place is fantastic, and you may want a hot cup of tea or soup to get through some of the wet weather Carey and his band encounter. If you like historical mysteries, it would be a shame not to read A Famine of Horses.
—Brenda Mengeling
For some reason I'd thought this was going to be silly, and had put off reading it until I was in the mood. It wasn't silly - there was plenty of humour, some of it pretty base, but just right for a troop of local law enforcers in the Debatable Lands between England and Scotland in the days of Queen Elizabeth. I found myself forgetting that this had not been written at the time, so easy was the writing and the setting, and the plot, though not too complex, moved along at a cracking pace. I found the hero likeable and interesting, and in fact I think I could say the same for about half a dozen of the main characters but that's not to say they were bland pleasantries. I very much hope to read more of these books with the same level of enjoyment.
—Lexie Conyngham
