Mystery People Volume 8, Issue 10 Page 16-17
I thoroughly enjoyed the book. The wartime era is beautifully evoked and the many engaging characters are finely drawn. The story becomes increasingly enthralling as it evolves and I had great difficulty putting the book down.
I wish you all success with it and hope to see you again at another LitFest.
BEST WISHES
HUGH
“FANTASTIC READ, KEPT ME ENTRALLED TO THE LAST PAGE.” Janet Laurence, Former Chair, British Crime Writers Association
A well researched novel surrounding little known facts.
WW2 is deepening and issues of faith arise for our Hero Clement.
Relationships suffer as the country and individuals struggle to survive possible invasion.
The impact of war spreads from this small English Village in 1940 to the wider world beyond.
“In Spite of all Terror” is a good read of a fascinating period.
Beverley Peet.
I went and purchased “In Spite of all Terror” and I must say I have not enjoyed a crime novel as much as I have enjoyed this one in a long time and could not put it down. I am looking forward to picking up If Necessary, Alone tomorrow when I am back at the St Ives bookshop.
James C.
I felt very nostalgic thinking about my Mum who lived through the war in England. It was so historically believable and I loved the character of Clement Wisdom and especially his devotion to Mary his wife. It was exciting to read about the auxillary units and the bravery of people who stayed at home during the war but still participated in defending their country. It must have been terrifying to anticipate the German invasion. VM Knox’s style of writing is compelling and easy to read – I’m a slow reader normally but plowed through this book. I hope there is more on the horizon in this genre from VM Knox.
Elizabeth Clarke
Having rarely read crime fiction (too impatient to see who done it!), In Spite of All Terror captured my attention with its historical background of London and surrounding villages during World War II. It is a story well told, its plot well formulated and an easy and compelling read, taking us to its suspenseful climax. A worthy addition to the crime fiction genre. (Confession: halfway through I peeked at the end!)
Mendon Loupiz
I highly recommend this fantastic book for anyone after a exciting and entertaining read! So much detail and thought has gone into every aspect of this title. The Characters are absolutely brilliant and I found it so difficult to put down. I really hope to see more books release by such a passionate author like VM Knox.
Sean
What a treat! An unpretentious, enjoyable and thoroughly entertaining read.I had not previously heard of the author and was intrigued by the title which is why I decided to read it. Once I started it, I couldn’t put it down. If this is the standard of your work V M Knox, I will definitely be buying more. Thanks!
Zatochi
A really good read. Loved the history and didn’t know who did it until right at the end. A real page turner.
Fred Small
I heard about this book on Sussex Radio, ordered it and have hardly been able to put it down since it’s arrival.
Amazon Customer
A really good read. Got really immersed in the characters and plot, thoroughly enjoyed it
Amazon Customer
The Home Front of World War Two has become a popular topic in crime fiction and not surprisingly. V.M Knox uses this real background for her story of murders. In September 1940, the Reverend Clement Wisdom is digging up potatoes in his garden in a small village in East Sussex when he is contacted by an old friend, Archdeacon Winthorpe, and asked to go to a meeting in London. Clement is asked to form one of the self contained guerrilla units based in the woods outside his village. Each such unit had an elaborately concealed underground base provided from which they could conduct their sorties and live off the land. Of course, they can tell no-one what they are doing. Colonel Colin Gubbins was the man in charge of these groups – a man mentioned in the book whose name makes you think of a joke but who was genuinely the organiser!
The development of a unit, the training, the setting up of the base all are fascinating. The possibility of an invasion was a potent one in the 1940s, especially in the South East. The writer, Margery Allingham, found an army unit settled around her house in Essex in 1940 and realised that she was more likely to see war than her husband away in the Forces!
Added to the story of this group of scallywags is the further mystery for Clement to solve which involves the deaths of several of the group.
I found this a fascinating topic – apparently the author came across the story of the Auxiliary Units when she met some veterans in Australia. Anyone interested in history would like this book and any crime fiction reader would appreciate the mystery. I could read another adventure featuring Clement happily.Jennifer S. Palmer
