Solemn Graves
A Billy Boyle World War II Mystery
By James R. Benn
Solemn Graves is
the newest of the outstanding Billy Boyle World War II mystery series, set within the Allied High Command in Europe. The focus on the characters’ stories is surrounded with a brilliantly
researched, historic time and place. It’s illustrated against a background of
military protocol, weapons and culture. The action scenes are vivid and
exciting, and skillfully written to convey the essence of this action even to
readers who haven’t felt anything like World War II.
This time US Army
detective Billy Boyle is called to investigate a mysterious murder in a
Normandy farmhouse, threatening Allied operations just a month after D-Day. The
investigation is top secret to protect the 23rd Headquarters Special
Troops, which are also known as the Ghost Army. The activities of the Ghost
Army are meant to cause the enemy to think they’re facing larger formations
than they really are. That misdirection is meant to change the enemy’s actions
and decisions based on misleading information, almost like red herrings are
meant to mislead mystery readers. In this book you get two for one fiction, a
mystery and a history.
Thoughtful writing describes the investigative drive pulsing
through Billy Boyle. Reading through this acclaimed series from its first book,
this character learns and grows into his responsibilities. As he now comes into
this Normandy murder scene, he positions himself. “I stood back, studying the
scene, trying not to draw conclusions and let the room talk to me. It was one
of the things my dad had taught me, or tried to, back in Boston. He was a
homicide detective, and as soon as I got my badge as a rookie cop, he dragged
me along to watch and study him at work . . . so here I was, carrying on the
family business in Normandy, wearing khaki, instead of home in Boston, wearing
blue.” Stakes are as high as ever this time, unmasking the murderer while
safeguarding the secret of the Ghost Army is critical, if that secret is
discovered it could turn the tide of war decisively against the Allies.
Author James Benn turned to writing full time in 2011, after
over thirty-five years employed in the Library and Information Technology
fields. With that background, it’s no wonder that his research is so thorough
and interesting. He’s a graduate of the University of Connecticut, receiving
his MLS degree from Southern Connecticut State University. When speaking about
his Billy Boyle series he emphasizes that it “has brought me an immense amount
of joy. I’ve gotten to meet people in person and online from all over the
country (and the rest of the world) and hear their reactions, feedback, and
most importantly, their own stories.”
And if you want to hear more from the author listen on
YouTube to – Kendall
& Cooper Talk Mysteries with James R. Benn
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