Richard Rogers

Advantages: Compelling, fascinating mix of historical drama and science fiction
Disadvantages: Slightly dated feel

...that occurred in the Tywardreath of the 14th century. Following always his medieval alter ego Roger Kylmerth, Richard experiences events in the past which are vastly more fascinating than anything in the present. However Richard's life in the present slowly becomes entwined with Roger's in the past and events in both times begin to mirror one another with disastrous consequences. It is rare to find a novel which successfully blends science fiction with historical drama, truly an unusual combination indeed. Yet Daphne du Maurier has achieved this in her book "The House on the Strand". Those acquainted with her previous work, which includes novels such as "Rebecca" and "Jamaica Inn" and short stories like "The Birds", will be familiar with her skill in writing historical dramas which often have an unexpected twist, a sting in the tail. "The House... Read review

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Advantages: Historical accuracy, complex plot, plausible characters.
Disadvantages: Should be better known than it is.

.... Roger Nowell is very much of the same temperament as Margery. Had she been of the same mind as the rest of her family, she would doubtless have been returned to them for being too dull. Squire Nowell, whilst in no way being rebellious (he being a local justice), is nevertheless not run-of-the-mill. Margery is soon thrown in at the deep end of a justice's work when she accompanies Roger to the inquiry into witchcraft at the death of a local man. There is however, no proof and without a confession, no hope of a conviction. Richard Baldwin, a local puritan, urges Roger to do his duty and extract a confession by the usual means i.e. Torture or the beating of said confession from the suspected witches. Roger however will not be swayed. He does not use such means and without proof, he will not commit the accused to the assizes... Read review

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Advantages: good
Disadvantages: none

...Authors who are able to bring science to the masses are few in number and largely unrecognised. It is a sad state of affairs when, in answer to the question “name a popular scientific book”, most come up with nothing, and those that do come up with something are likely to pick Darwin’s Origin of the Species or Hawking’s Brief History of Time, neither of which are what one would describe as ‘readable’. There are, however, authors that can do the unthinkable, and write scientific texts that are eminently readable, and indeed, can be read from cover to cover by non-scientists in a relatively short period of time and leave the reader wanting more. Some writers such as Richard Dawkins (The Blind Watchmaker and The Selfish Gene) concentrate on individual topics (in Dawkins’ case it is biology... Read review

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