Hawkwood

What a jolly good romp through the underground of Regency London. This debut offers the reader a great new hero who is a bit of a different kind of character we usually see. Retiring from the army, a Captain in the Napoleonic Wars Rifle regiment, Matthew Hawkwood now works for the famous Bow Street Runners catching criminals. The reader does not encounter the wealthy ton of London, but is introduced to the seedy side of the city, complete with rapscallions, pick-pockets, wharfrats, prostitutes, mudlarks, and the entire array of anyone and everything unsavory. The book has great characters, a vivid depiction of what life was like in the late 1700's and early 1800s London and lots of action, humor, and mystery. I loved this debut and hope the author continues with the series in the same adventurous flavor. McGee's writing style could be compared to that of Bernard Cornwell, polished and engaging from start to finish. The character of Hawkwood could be compared to Clive Cussler's famous Dirk Pitt if put in a historical setting. Bravo Mr. McGee, keep 'em coming.

Ratcatcher is the first in what at the time of writing is a two book series about Matthew Hawkwood , a Bow Street Runner (early police officer)in London ,at the time of the Napoleonic Wars .Hawkwood is an ex military man ,having served in the Peninsula War under the Duke of Wellington .The comparisons with Bernard Cornwall's famous creation "Sharpe" are unavoidable and the two men are both tough ,resourceful and ,should the need arise,ruthless. Hawkwood is assigned by his boss ,the Chief Magistrate James Read to investigate a case of highway robbery in the course of which an Admiralty courier is killed and vital documents stolen .He seeks help from an old army colleague ,Jago a man well connected with the criminal underworld .Soon ,Hawkwood finds other cases assigned to him including the murder of a fellow officer ,Warlock ,and the disappearance of a respected master clockmaker ,Josiah Woodburn .The cases turn out to be linked and revolve around French spies and a plot by the French to utilise a new type of weapon ,the submarine ,to destroy British ships at anchor in London ,and assassinating the Prince Regent in the process ,The arch conspirator is an American ,William Lee ,a vicious Anglophobe with a grudge against the Crown . It builds to a tense climax during the submarine's attack on a British dockyard , There is a lot of action and the plot is exciting and well developed with many memorable creations .Hawkwood is part Sharpe and part James Bond ,and not a man to be trifled with .In addition to seeking to frustrate the enemy he finds time for amorous dalliance and fighting a duel The book shows us a darker side to Regency society than the genteel world of Hawkwood's contemporary Jane Austen .This is a gritty urban world in which affluence and aristocracy exist cheek by jowl with abject poverty and violence is the norm ( It is not described gloatingly but there is deal of violence in the book).History buffs will enjoy its solid base of historical fact and its excellent research Great start to a highly promising sries

This book starts off like any great novel, but being besed in the 18th century, has excellent research behind the basic story of the origins of the "Bow Street Runner", who were the forefathers of the Metropolitan Police, and Scotland Yard. The story grips you with feel of yesteryear London, as well introducing you to real historical people. One of the best books that you will read. Think James Bond, before there was a James Bond,and McGee takes you there in style and wit. Ranks up there with Ludlum, Higgins and Follet, and probably better and more readable. VERY difficult to put down, trust me.

Matthew Hawkwood, a former soldier and a sharpshooter, is now one of ten Bow Street Runners. When Highwaymen stop a coach and kill a government courier, Hawkwood is called in to find them. In time, he finds what he is really seeking is the contents of the couriers pouch and those behind a plot to destroy the strength of England's war fleet. Hawkwood, for all this reputation as a top Runner, isn't the most capable. Were it not for his friend, Jago, he wouldn't have made it through the book. In fact, of the two characters, Jago is the more interesting. What McGee did do extremely well was depict the seamy side of London during this period. The other element of the story I found fascinating were the descriptions of the weapon invented by Robert Fulton. I am also always fascinated by reading the history of the Bow Street Runners. While this wasn't the best book, it wasn't terrible either and, being the first in the series, I shall probably read the next one just to see how the author is progressing.