THE BOOK FAIR

Neal Roberts

ESCAPE

Author:      Neal Roberts

Published: 2015

Genre:        Historical Short Story

Cover:        E-Book

Pages:        10

      A

SECOND      DANIEL

The historical novel takes place in London, England, during the latter 1500’s.  Orphaned after a Pogrom in Poland, Menachem to England to reside with distant relatives.  While delivering produce to the castle’s kitchen, an unexpected and extraordinary event changes Menachem’s life.

 

Years later, Noah becomes a successful barrister, though to be socially accepted, he must keep his Jewish faith hidden.  In court, by counseling of the defenseless, Noah makes both loyal, trusted friends and powerful, dangerous enemies.

 

In the aftermath of a murder, Noah makes the acquaintance of both the coroner’s assistant, Roderigo Lopez and Marie Rodriguez-Miller, the wife of Stephen, the murdered man. Noah takes interest in the murder of the Jewish victim.

 

After successfully besting Edward Coke in a murder trial, Coke humiliated, turns his revenge against Noah.  Noah begins to visit the very attractive widow, Marie.

 

Full of mystery and intrigue, the case won against Coke and the investigation into the Rodriguez murder eventually lead Noah to the biggest case of his life, the defense of the physician, Roderigo Lopez, a fellow Jew, who is accused of spying.  The Earl of Essex forms his plans, determined to destroy the successful, formidable barrister, Noah Ames.

 

The novel delves into detail of the English court system, and its injustice to the common man.  Written in a style complimentary to the times, the author brilliantly portrays the era with beautiful description and the depiction, well interspersed, of both real personages and fictitious characters.  The trial of Roderigo Lopez took place in January of 1594; Lopez, accused of high treason, was tortured and executed.  Roberts exposes the ingrained anti-Semitism throughout the novel.  William Shakespeare’s play, The Merchant of Venice, featuring the lowly Jewish money-lender, Shylock, appeared a few years after the trial.

Neal Roberts, author of several books, is an attorney and resides in New York.

Author:        Neal Roberts

Published:   2016

Genre:          Historical Novel

Cover:          Paperback

Pages:          339

Review:

“The Impress Of Heaven," continues the story of the English barrister, Noah Ames.

 

London England:  1600 C.E.

Noah Ames, special advisor to Queen Elizabeth learns he is appointed as defense counsel for Lord Essex, a sworn rival.   The novel focuses on the Act (of succession), its forbidden verbalization, the future struggle for leadership in the kingdom after Elizabeth’s demise and the royal practice of primogeniture, as it relates to the closest in line for the throne.  The novel also enlightens on the embedded anti-Semitism in the society, as Noah is constantly reminded whether by comment, insult or jest, that he is a Jew, and not English. 

 

After a murder occurs at London Tower, and a subsequent murder follows, Noah, along with Sir Walter Raleigh begin the investigation into the killings.  Pressed by obligations to solve the murders, Noah is unable to travel to a distant town to collect his adult and widowed daughter, Jessica.  In his stead, Noah sends Jonathan Hawkings, a young barrister who is often, his assistant.

On his travels to retrieve Jessica, Noah encounters a rabble of men he believes have stolen information they intend to use for treason against the Queen.  Jonathan and Jessica follow the men in pursuit, taking care to disguise their efforts.  Jonathan and Jessica begin to see in each other, something rare and special. 

Noah and Raleigh chase the clues to find the murderers and retrieve the stolen artifact.  For their efforts, both parties soon converge upon the traitors and learn of the plot behind the theft.

 

The author peppers the language with the vocabulary of the times and depicts the strict code of civility shared in the higher class.  Beautifully descriptive of the era, the novel offers a glimpse into the Elizabethan Period. The expression, the Impress of Heaven, signifies hope and faith. 

  A DRAGON

IN THE ASHES

Descriptive and well plotted, the intriguing historical novel follows two separate, but simultaneous narratives, which later converge.

 

In London, in the year 1600, Sergeant Noah Ames and Sir Walter Riley, colleagues in Queen Elisabeth’s Court, work to save Queen Elisabeth from a deadly conspiracy.  In the second narrative, after an unexpected relative joins Noah’s household, the barrister begins to learn of the tragedy that wrecked his childhood, and diverted his life from Poland to England.

 

Roberts immerses the reader in history, while easily advancing the plot and sub plots.  Richly descriptive, the author blends fact and fiction, and describes historic personages alongside fictitious characters who scheme to commit murder and thwart murder in England.  The story gathers pace quickly and ends in a riveting conclusion.   “A Dragon in the Ashes,” is the third novel in the series.