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, A Murder of Crows, An Air of Treason, A Chorus of Innocents, A Clash of Spheres, and A Suspicion of Silver.
YA‘A rip-roaring tale of adventure, based on the real-life figure Sir Robert Carey. In 1592, part of Carey's duty is to patrol the disputed borderlands between Scotland and England and keep the Scots at bay. One night's patrol ends with a skirmish in which one of Carey's men has his hand blown off through the misfiring of a caliver. Further investigation reveals that the armoury's good weapons have been switched for those of a poorer quality. When these, too, are stolen, Carey and a few trustworthy men follow the trail of weapons into Scotland and to the court of James VI at Dumfries. Eventually, Carey finds all the missing weapons, is falsely accused of treason against both England and Scotland, survives torture and later is proven loyal, spends a few stolen moments with his lady love, and eventually makes it back to Carlisle and his own garrison. The rich vocabulary, full of Middle English and Scotch brogue, transports readers back in time. Chisholm's vivid descriptions involve all of the senses, but the author has a knack for conjuring up the most repelling smells, so common to that time and further emphasizing what 16th-century life was truly like. The author adeptly weaves the story's threads from beginning to end, ever twining the bits and pieces of the complex plot into its final patterns. YAs who read historical fiction or mysteries will enjoy this marvelously written novel and will want to seek out Chisholm's other titles about Carey.‘Pam Johnson, Fairfax County Public Library, VA
After a skirmish on the Scottish border, Sir Robert Carey, Deputy Warden of the English West March in 1592, finds one of his men maimed by an exploding pistol. Carey discovers more faulty weapons back at Carlisle Castle, but these are soon stolen, necessitating a dangerous goodwill trip to the riotous camp of the predatory Scottish King James. Feuding clans, political unrest, rowdy humor and exploits, unwise love affairs, and the plight of the poor all play a part in this skillful re-creation of a period rich in action and opportunity. A fine addition to the series (e.g., A Season for Knives, Walker, 1996).
A Surfeit of Guns is the third novel featuring Robert
Carey--incidentally, he was a real person; his memoirs were
published in 1972--and it will delight fans of historical
mysteries. - David Pitt, Booklist
I've just been reading the Robert Carey books, and they're my most
recent rave. The style, background, and stories are marvelous--and
I'm madly in love with Sergeant Dodd. - Diana Gabaldon,
#1 New York Times Bestselling Author of the Outlander
Novels
In 1592, part of Carey's duty is to patrol the disputed borderlands
between Scotland and England and keep the Scots at bay....
Chisholm's vivid descriptions involve all of the senses, but the
author has a knack for conjuring up the most repelling smells, so
common to that time and further emphasizing what 16th-century life
was truly like. The author adeptly weaves the story's threads from
beginning to end, ever twining the bits and pieces of the complex
plot into its final patterns. YAs who read historical fiction or
mysteries will enjoy this marvelously written novel and will want
to seek out Chisholm's other titles about Carey. -
School Library Journal
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