Published by Y Lolfa
15 May 2011
‘The Dead of Mametz' is a crime novel with an unusual setting, set as it is against the backdrop of the famous battle of Mametz Wood during the Somme campaign in the summer of 1916.
The central character, Thomas Oscendale, is a captain in the Military Police who is charged with investigating the murder of two soldiers of the Welsh Regiment and, subsequently, that of a local Frenchwoman.
It is early July 1916, the third year of the First World War. The soldiers of the Welsh Division are poised to begin their assault on the German-held Mametz Wood. Oscendale is in a race against time to apprehend the murderer and to find what secret lies buried in Mametz Wood. He is not alone. Sinister forces on both sides have taken an interest in his investigation and are closing in.
I would recommend this new novel to all those interested in The First World War or who love a great mystery. It is a great mix of an intriguing storyline and superb historical detail, with need-to-read tension in every chapter.
What makes the book different from others currently on the market is its time period and its central character. Oscendale is a thoughtful detective who fights against the brutality he sees all around him to bring a killer to justice and to solve the mystery surrounding the reason for the murders.
The strength of this novel is the storyline; it is pacey, exciting and historically accurate, with strong characterisation. One of the themes is the contrast between the lives of men of the Western Front and those of the workers in the industries of South Wales. The wood provides the backdrop to the roles and actions of the characters, showing the contrast, and sometimes conflict, between Nature and Man. It is also a reflection on the greed of men and women, even in a time of war.
The author, Dr Jonathan Hicks, is the headteacher of a large comprehensive school on the outskirts of Cardiff. He is the author of four books on military history: ‘A Solemn Mockery' on the myths of the Anglo-Zulu War, which in 2006 won an award from the Victorian Military Society; followed by ‘Strange Hells' which tells the story of his great uncle's service at Gallipoli and on the Western Front. He has also written on his hometown's military past, in the 2007 book ‘Barry and the Great War', an illustrated account of the part that Barrians played in that conflict, and in 2008 in his illustrated account on the role Barrians played in The Second World War.
His work has been published in ‘Stand To', ‘The Great War Magazine',' Britain at War' and ‘Soldiers of the Queen'. He writes regular articles for the local press and twice a month gives lectures on military history throughout south Wales.
In this, his first novel, he has created a character about whom readers will surely demand to read more.
‘The Dead of Mametz' is available to order through Amazon.
Reviewed submitted by Paul Kemp, Treasurer of the South Wales Branch of the WFA
