From enthralling historical mysteries and gripping wartime adventures to your next great listen on audiobook, there’s something exciting here for everyone. Scroll down to discover this month’s titles from your favourite Sapere authors.
September’s Fiction Releases
The Governor’s Man by Jacquie Rogers is the first book in the Quintus Valerius Roman Mysteries, set at the time of the Roman Empire. When silver from the Emperor’s mines goes missing, Imperial Investigator Quintus Valerius is sent to Britannia. There, he uncovers a conspiracy of fraud and rebellion — but could his own life be in danger…?
Murder in Chains by C. P. Giuliani is the ninth book in the Tom Walsingham Mystery series: set during the Elizabethan era. When an old foe is suspected of leaking state secrets from inside the Fleet Prison, Tom Walsingham is sent to investigate. He soon discovers that any number of inmates could be responsible. As he gets himself into increasingly dangerous situations, can Tom find the mole before it’s too late…?
The Squandered Crown by David Field is the second novel in The Wars of the Roses Saga. Rebellion threatens the Plantagenet court in this medieval historical adventure.
Shadows by Douglas Scott is a gripping espionage thriller set during the Second World War. Ex-newspaper reporter John Abernathy is in a desperate race against time to expose a deadly Nazi plot.
Duty’s Call by William H Keith Jr is the eighth book in the SEALS: The Warrior Breed series: action-packed military adventures. The U.S. Navy’s elite commando demolition unit are given a secret mission behind enemy lines.
Calm Amid the Rage by David Clensy is the fifth book in the Romulus Hutchinson Naval Adventures. The war in Europe is coming to an end, but can Rom escape the brutal POW camp? Will he survive the Pacific campaign? And can brother Remmie find happiness with Adanna at last…?
Evocatus by Neil Denby is the seventh book in the Quintus Roman Thrillers series: historical military adventures set in Ancient Rome. A new task sees Centurion Julius Quintus Quirinius and his men offered the chance to return home. But will they all reach the gates of Rome in triumph?
The Conqueror’s Dilemma by Elizabeth Bailey is a compelling historical love story set in Georgian London. A gauche young woman yearns for a man who’s out of reach — but is there more to the Conqueror than meets the eye?
September’s Audio Releases
Lose yourself in a great audiobook this month!
617 Squadron: The Dambusters at War by Squadron Leader Tom Bennett DFM provides unique insight into the reminiscences of the men who flew in this crack Royal Air Force squadron during the last three years of World War Two.
The Road to Station X by Sarah Baring is the engrossing memoir of one woman’s journey from carefree debutante to working alongside some of Britain’s greatest minds at Bletchley Park at the height of the Second World War Two.
Anne Boleyn by Marie Louise Bruce charts the rise and fall of this remarkable young woman through the course of her short life, from her early days at Hever Castle, to the luxurious courts of France and England, to her terrifying last days in the Tower of London.
The Mighty Ocean by David Clensy is the third book in the Romulus Hutchinson Naval Adventure series: action-packed adventures set during the Second World War. As their ships cut through the Arctic waters, will twin brothers Romulus and Remus Hutchinson survive the gauntlet of U-Boats, icebergs and icy seas?
The Clamorous Dead by David Field is the fourth historical thriller in the Bailiff Mountsorrel Tudor Mystery Series, set during the reign of Elizabeth I. As rumours of witchcraft infiltrate the county of Nottinghamshire, Bailiff Edward Mountsorrel is sent to arrest a local woman. But can he protect the innocent from a bloodthirsty witch-hunter…?
September’s Non-Fiction Releases
The Poor Bloody Infantry: 1939-1945 by Charles Whiting draws on numerous original sources and personal correspondence to reveal the true experiences of frontline soldiers. Having himself served in Belgium, Holland and Germany, Whiting captures the brutal reality of men pushed to the very limits of human endurance and often beyond, confronting constant danger and the ever-present threat of death.
The Merchant Navy at War by Captain Frank H. Shaw draws upon his experience of a lifetime at sea to reveal the brutal reality of wartime merchant service. He recounts extraordinary true stories of endurance, courage and sacrifice — ordinary seamen facing overwhelming danger simply to deliver vital cargo.
Hurricane at War by Chaz Bowyer provides a vivid, cockpit-level portrait of one of the Second World War’s most overlooked yet decisive aircraft — the Hawker Hurricane. Bowyer traces the Hurricane’s story from its pre-war development to its combat service over France and Britain, and across Russia, Malta, Sicily, Greece and even Burma.
The Princes of Wales by renowned broadcaster and journalist Wynford Vaughan-Thomas tells the dramatic story of the Princes of Wales — heirs to the throne whose lives shaped the destiny of a nation. Rich in drama, intrigue, scandal and political conflict, this is the extraordinary history of the men who held the title across six turbulent centuries.
Daring Military Operations of World War Two by C. E. Lucas Phillips brings to life three extraordinary operations carried out against overwhelming odds. From the dramatic destruction of the Normandie Dock at St Nazaire, to the audacious canoe raid on occupied Bordeaux, and the brutal jungle warfare of Burma, these are remarkable true stories of men who risked everything in some of the Second World War’s most daring missions.
The Battle of the Atlantic Collection by Sir Peter Gretton, one of the Royal Navy’s most distinguished convoy commanders, tells the story of the desperate struggle to keep Britain’s lifeline across the Atlantic open. From the bridge of an escort vessel battling wolf packs in the North Atlantic to the wider strategic campaign that ultimately defeated Germany’s U-boats, Gretton combines first-hand experience with masterful historical analysis.
Happy Reading! Team Sapere
Vibrant Voices. Sensational Stories. Beautiful Books.
Congratulations to David Mackenzie, whose action-packed military adventure, Defying the Odds, is out now!
Defying the Odds is the second book in the John Noble Fighter Ace Thrillers series.
June, 1940
After fourteen months of flying, John Noble is now a capable and experienced Fighter Pilot.
His squadron has successfully survived the intense period of aerial warfare over Dunkirk, but now new challenges are facing them from the Luftwaffe.
And there is a major issue with their leadership.
415 Squadron’s CO, Wing Commander Christopher Bland has shown that he is clearly not up to the task he’s been given. And if Bland is the one to lead them in the Battle of Britain, John knows the outcome could be disastrous.
But with waves of inbound hostile aircraft relentlessly attacking, there is limited time to raise the issue.
The Battle of Britain is underway and if nothing changes, the outcome for the pilots could be nothing short of a slaughter…
Can the 415s defy the odds, or will this battle be their last…?
Group Captain Bobby Oxspring, author of Spitfire Command, saw action in many of the most famous battles of the Second World War, including Dunkirk and the Battle of Britain. To commemorate the eightieth anniversary of the end of World War Two, his great-grandson, Daniel, shares his reflections on Bobby’s life below.
Flying ace Robert (Bobby) Wardlow Oxspring held the rank of squadron leader when World War Two ended in May 1945. Throughout April
1945, he was confident that the war was soon to conclude. His mood on VE Day as an optimistic family man would have no doubt been a mixture of pride and reflection. He would have been proud of his achievements: he’d been made leader of the 141 Wing at Deanland only the year before, and had been awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross and Two Bars as a flying ace. He would have been reflecting on his numerous wartime adventures, from the Battle of Britain to his time in North Africa, Italy and many other countries. Bobby’s mood on VE Day likely matched the mood of many of ‘The Few’, and I have no doubt he would have felt joy at the war’s conclusion.
For me, the great-grandson of Bobby Oxspring, my great-grandfather has had a huge influence on my life — not only as a proud figure to look up to, exemplifying courage and bravery, but also through his stories. His career after VE Day did not lose momentum. He received a permanent commission as a flight lieutenant on 1st September 1945 and was promoted further to substantive squadron leader on 1st August 1947. One incredible achievement, however, was his award of an Air Force Cross. This was for leading number 54 Squadron of the RAF Vampires to Canada and the US, the very first jet aircraft to cross the Atlantic.
After VE Day, he never stopped being admirable. He undertook further tours, even across Italy, and eventually became Station Commander of RAF Gatow in Berlin. At Churchill’s funeral, he walked at the very front.
I have been to RAF Cranwell to see some of my great-grandfather’s personal scrapbooks and was even fortunate enough to sit in the cockpit of his recovered plane in the Dumfries and Galloway Museum in Scotland. These are only a few of the moments I have taken to reflect on his life.
On VE Day I am almost certain that one thought would have prevailed in his mind: his admiration and respect for the mighty Spitfire, and his pride at having flown it.
Air Commodore Roderick Chisholm, CBE, DSO, DFC & Bar (1911–1994), author of Cover of Darkness, was a night fighter pilot, flying ace and a highly decorated British airman of the Second World War. To commemorate the eightieth anniversary of the end of the Second World War, his son Julian reflects on his father’s life in 1945.
Roderick Aeneas Chisholm by Sir William Rothenstein. Image used with permission from Museums Sheffield
In 1930 Roderick Chisholm joined 604 Squadron of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. He learnt to fly and was commissioned as an officer. He left the squadron in 1935 when his work took him to Iran. Before rejoining his squadron in late June 1940, he took a refresher course to become a night fighter pilot and fly the squadron’s Blenheims. During the war, while flying Beaufighters and Mosquitos, he shot down nine enemy aircraft with the assistance of his airborne observers and the ground controllers, he commanded the Night Fighter Interception Unit at Ford, and was the second-in-command of Bomber Command’s 100 Group, which was charged with defending RAF bombers over enemy territory. He recorded his wartime experiences in Cover of Darkness, which was first published in 1953.
Immediately after hostilities ended, Roderick led a team of twelve charged with gaining as much intelligence as possible about the impact of 100 Group’s radar-assisted night fighters, Mosquitos, and Radio Counter Measures. The team did their work at the final base of the Luftwaffe in Schleswig, just before it was disbanded and its personnel transferred to POW camps. They carried out interrogations of Luftwaffe night fighter commanders and pilots, observers, flight controllers and technicians, held technical discussions, and examined the vast number of German aircraft parked on the airfields. The team gained confirmation of the effectiveness of 100 Group’s efforts, and had the satisfaction that as a result RAF losses were significantly reduced. The Mosquito had an awesome reputation amongst the German airmen.
Major Schnauffer was one of the pilots whose interrogation Roderick witnessed. Schnauffer was a brave and skilful night fighter pilot who was credited with shooting down no less than 124 bombers in defence of his country. He wore uniform, and on the last day the Germans were allowed to wear medals, he wore the highest order of the Iron Cross around his neck. The exchanges with the Germans were generally civilised and friendly, but my father could not ignore that they were Nazis, and that nearby were camps for Russian prisoners living in ghastly conditions, and mini-Belsens for Jews and other displaced persons.
Roderick’s mission complete, he flew back to Norfolk. While doing so, he envisioned a future Europe in which frontiers would mean no more and individual nationalities were less important, as per the multi-national squadrons of the Battle of Britain. After the collapse of France in 1940, British, French, Belgian, Czech, Polish and other nationalities had flown in harmony in polyglot fighter squadrons. Their aims were identical, and their understanding effective thanks to the basic English of the radio. Sadly, later, as national squadrons were formed, national identities asserted themselves and the unity achieved in the Battle of Britain became compromised.
