Gail Midgley – Google

There are a thousand stories in the Jack Reacher universe - this has not been one of them. Better off unread. What a juvenile, unappealing and cheapening chunk of doorstop material this is, full of rambling exposition, unedifying prose and unengaging people. No characterisation, no depth, no plot, no intrigue - just words and names thrown together. I couldn't finish it - and I didn't care. It's a series-buster. And what a series it was. Night School. The Enemy. Bad Luck and Trouble. Never Go Back. But please do go back, Lee. We need more war stories both in and out of the Army, more character, more empathy and engagement, more big picture and universal truth. More integrity and loyalty to a canon which had become one of the most thoughtful and compelling in the genre over the last 25 years. But most of all we need some better writing. This one was already on the donation shelves at my local Thrift Store a week after release - right next to its equally appalling predecessor The Sentinel.

Classic example of lush historical romance with little sex and violence. Well-researched, and the life and times are vividly portrayed. Published 1954 so some language is a little dated by now but the story stands the test of time and has a universal truth about it, despite its' medieval setting. Little of Katharine herself is known apart from dates and places and from official writers of the time who were not kind to her, so Miss Seton has improvised and embellished, but this is well done and draws the reader in to Katharine's life. It is proper I think to infer the kind of strength she had from the events and progression of her life and certainly Katharine's centrality to the future of the British monarchy is unquestioned. This is an engaging story of real life characters and real events told well and with obvious care and passion. Highly recommended.