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Shadows of Glory Owen Parry Books

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Shadows of Glory Owen Parry Books

The second in the Abel Jones Civil War mystery series finds now Major Jones sent to New York to find out who murdered two federal agents in a most horrible manner. The sheriff in town is a wonderful, rich picture of a helpful country squire who takes seriously his responsibility to his constituents. Major Jones and he begin to put together the pieces of the puzzle. Next comes the almost fanatical Catholic priest of the local irish population. He speaks like a martyr but acts like a man possessed of wordly weaknesses. The mystical woman at a seance is a prophetess and spiritual medium to Major Jones, a young and beautiful woman dying from tuberculosis. There are many more colorful secondary characters in this story which leads me to want to visit this part of the United States. It sounds breath-takingly beautiful, though very frigid in the dead of winter. Jones pursues the killers and finds a plot which almost gets him killed. He is ambushed and brutally beaten over the head and recovers very slowly with the help of a gentle Christian couple, immigrants from Germany. The author blends the different ethnic people and shows their weakness and strengths though I sometimes thinks he has a particular attraction to the Irish. The use of well-known historical figures gives us a picture of them but they are not necessary for the story and could have been left out, though I did enjoy reading about them. The two letters from Jones' surgeon friend serving with Grant in Tennessee are interesting and I can see they are included to set the stage for the next book in the series. But they do not add to this story except to reveal more of the character of the good doctor who I am sure will show up in the subsequent book. A very good Civil War read and I would recommend it to anyone who likes the history of the Civil War or a good mystery.


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Shadows of Glory Owen Parry Books Reviews

Fast read.
Slow, slow, slow. Put down and walked away at two different points in the first third of the book. Came back to see if it sped up and got better during my absence. Sadly the answer each time was no. At this point I am abandoning my efforts and moving on to something else in my ever-expanding 'to read' stack.
This is the first I've read of his, recommended to me by another Civil War historian. I will admit the story started out a little slow and confused, but you get so drawn in by the first person narrative, written in vernacular of the time, that you really feel you are there.

I especially enjoyed the secondary storyline revolving around the spiritualism craze of the day, which inspired me to go out and do more research on it. The plot seemed a tad weak at times, but it is so filled with interesting material that you learn not to care.

I'll read more by this author.
If you are interested in civil war history, this detective series is a wonderfully entertaining way to learn more. The novels are action packed and top flight mysteries
Parry's writing brings home the cultural epoch, at least a portion of it, as well as the Civil War in general in a way that is captivating, engrossing and thoroughly enjoyable. It has led me to purchase five of his other books. This all started with “Our Simple Gifts,” “Strike the Harp,” “Faded Coat of Blue,” "Call Each River Jordan" and “Honors Kingdom.” In our current age of arrogance and hubris, the striking character of Capt. Abel Jones is a refreshing return to a man and people of simple, humble and honorable living. We could use more adventures staring Capt. Jones and his host of nineteen century folks. His stories can help us connect with those who came before us.
Owen Parry does a great job continuing the development of the Abel Jones character --so great that I almost believe that I am there witnessing the evolution of Abel. And Parry's descriptions of the battles are unrivaled.
This author has a great sense of style. He immerses you in the setting and the story. You see, hear, smell, taste, and touch the scenes in this story set in the winter of 1861-62. In the first book in this series, Faded Coat of Blue, we met Captain Abel Jones of the US Army, but he is no cardboard figure. In the author's hands, we see Jones as a real person, with faults and fears and feelings that make him real and understandable. The story is simple. Jones, now a Major, is sent to Penn Yan in northern New York State to investigate reports of an Irish rebellion against the war. Two secret agents sent there previously have been exposed and murdered, but Jones arrives in full uniform, with no hiding what he is investigating. The winter is bitter cold, and danger seems to be around every corner, but Jones plods forward with his investigation. He finds no evidence of an Irish rebellion, but uncovers something far more threatening to the survival of the United States. If you are willing to sit back and enjoy a good story, this is for you.
The second in the Abel Jones Civil War mystery series finds now Major Jones sent to New York to find out who murdered two federal agents in a most horrible manner. The sheriff in town is a wonderful, rich picture of a helpful country squire who takes seriously his responsibility to his constituents. Major Jones and he begin to put together the pieces of the puzzle. Next comes the almost fanatical Catholic priest of the local irish population. He speaks like a martyr but acts like a man possessed of wordly weaknesses. The mystical woman at a seance is a prophetess and spiritual medium to Major Jones, a young and beautiful woman dying from tuberculosis. There are many more colorful secondary characters in this story which leads me to want to visit this part of the United States. It sounds breath-takingly beautiful, though very frigid in the dead of winter. Jones pursues the killers and finds a plot which almost gets him killed. He is ambushed and brutally beaten over the head and recovers very slowly with the help of a gentle Christian couple, immigrants from Germany. The author blends the different ethnic people and shows their weakness and strengths though I sometimes thinks he has a particular attraction to the Irish. The use of well-known historical figures gives us a picture of them but they are not necessary for the story and could have been left out, though I did enjoy reading about them. The two letters from Jones' surgeon friend serving with Grant in Tennessee are interesting and I can see they are included to set the stage for the next book in the series. But they do not add to this story except to reveal more of the character of the good doctor who I am sure will show up in the subsequent book. A very good Civil War read and I would recommend it to anyone who likes the history of the Civil War or a good mystery.