Customer Reviews

Ratcatcher

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
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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

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.

I really enjoy historical fiction especially stories set in the Regency period in England. Unfortunately this book didn't impress me like it did everyone else here on Amazon.

I was an easy read with a somewhat straightforward story unencumbered by a variety of story lines, which is perhaps part of why I was disappointed.

The main character, Matthew Hawkwood, wasn't developed enough for me to really sink into the story. And it was plenty long enough to develop him. I will say I did enjoy his relationship with Sergeant Nathanial Jago and the action scenes, but they weren't enough to leave me satisfied at the end of the book.

Sadly, I purchased the sequel in anticipation of loving this book and wanting to read the next installment but the first story hasn't left me wanting more of Hawkwood or the writing of James McGee.

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.

Excellent service. Very prompt. Even coming from UK, received the book before it was due. Very happy with the quality of my purchase!

The book can be best described as light action-adventure story set in 1811 London. It starts with a coach robbery. The highwaymen not only rob the passengers, they also kill a naval officer and steal the documents he was carrying. The case is assigned to one Matthew Hawkwood, who is a Bow Street runner (police inspector). Soon it is discovered that the robbery was a smokescreen and the highwaymen were in reality after the documents, and all that because of a plot organized by Napoleon's agents. What the plot is, I will not say in order to avoid spoilers, but it is something straight from a James Bond movie.

The book overall is enjoyable, but it suffers from serious faults. The biggest one is cliché writing, cliché characters and cliché dialogues. There are few brilliant scenes, but most of the writing lacks originality and at times is painful to read. This especially applies to the main bad guy who apparently was modeled on James Bond villains. Every time he captures the hero, rather than kill him straight, he explains his evil plan in detail and then hands the execution to his henchmen, who, needless to say, screw up.

Also, it is not a mystery novel despite its premise. Although he is a police investigator, Hawkwood does very little actual investigating. Actually, almost none at all. He walks around, talks to witnesses who always happen to know a crucial piece of information, has evidence and clues literally land into his hands and meets people who explain him everything in lengthy monologues.

I understand that this is not a Sherlock Holmes story, but for a (supposed) mystery novel about a cop doing investigation, there should be more investigation.
Still, the novel does have redeeming qualities. The writing is perhaps cliché, but it is still enjoyable most of the time. The author did his research. The novel is a treasure trove of information about early 19th century London. For someone who is interested in that time period, it is a good read.

Plus, for a light hearted action-adventure book, it has a very dark ending and graphic scenes of sex. I think I will give the author a chance and try the second book in the series. (There are four books so far.)

As a big fan of historical mysteries, I snapped up two of James mcGee's books on a used basis. I received the second in the series first .. and put it aside after one chapter. Days later Ratcatcher arrived per post and I started it with a little skepsis. Soon the story had me in its grip. Hawkwood, the Bow Street Runner protagonist, has an interesting background - many details of which were revealed in this first of the series. The book also doesn't lack atmosphere - one can almost smell the horrible slum areas of then London. The bad guys were suitably creepy, which added to the suspense. Additional details to the plot are already summarized above. Needless to say, I look forward to the next in the series ... and will hopefully learn even more about what makes Hawkwood tick!

While the plot line is intriguing, some of the characters are a little hackneyed, especially for an English person to read. It is a touch formulaic but nothing wrong with that per se, I am not a fan of the 'experimental' style of writing. Some areas are a little crude, especially the sexual scenes and references. If you are not looking for much and want an easy to follow story line with bodice-ripping action then you won't be disappointed. Like my title says, all the good ingredients are there but maybe they could have been mixed with more care.

James McGee became a writer after working in banking, sales and the airline industry both here in the UK and also abroad. He is now a bookseller, a very honourable profession. Where would we be without them. I am not sure whether this is his first novel or not, no matter, I found it an excellent read about a period of history, Regency London, a time perhaps that is not as done to death by authors as say medieval or Victorian. The book is fast paced, full of the atmosphere of the period.

Matthew Hawkwood, the lead player in the book is a man of complex character, feared by those who operate outside the law, loved by the ladies, a hero who is handsome, mysterious and has a ruthless streak. A man who want to do his job, helping to keep the peace on the street of a city that is rife with criminals, prostitutes, pickpockets and so-called beggars who would slit your throat for the change in your pocket.

He is a man whose past keeps haunting him. A past that worries some of the people in high places. But the Chief Magistrate thinks he is just right for a crucial mission . . .

The book has everything you could wish for in a period murder mystery. I enjoyed it tremendously. I am sure you will too.

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.