GIFTED | There’s no better feeling than when an author asks if you’d like to read the sequel to a book you’ve previously reviewed. Ken Lussey’s The Danger of Life is the follow up to Eyes Turned Skywards, which Alan and I jointly reviewed because we share an interest in the history of World War Two. And because Alan is also an ex-RAF officer, so had an expert take on the aviation side of things.
But Ken also had another reason for getting in touch this time: Alan is descended from clan Cameron and his ancestors feature quite significantly in The Danger of Life. How intriguing!
The Danger of Life
It is late 1942. Group Captain Robert Sutherland’s first week in charge of Military Intelligence 11’s operations in Scotland and northern England is not going smoothly. A murder at the Commando Basic Training Centre in the Highlands is being investigated by one of his teams, until events take an even darker turn that draws him in personally.
Bob is also trying to discover who was behind an attempt to steal an advanced reconnaissance aircraft from a military airfield in Fife, an investigation made no easier by the perpetrator’s death. The complication he could really live without comes via a telephone call from Monique Dubois in MI5. An operation she’s been running in Glasgow, without Bob or anyone else knowing, has gone badly wrong, and she wants him to intervene before it is entirely compromised.
The Danger of Life is a thriller set in Scotland during the Second World War. It is Ken’s second novel to feature Bob Sutherland and Monique Dubois and picks up not long after the end of his first, Eyes Turned Skywards. The action moves back and forth across Scotland, with much of it set in Lochaber, where the present war intersects with another conflict that took place two centuries earlier: with deadly consequences.
The Danger of Life is available as an eBook and paperback from Amazon UK.
Ken Lussey spent his first 17 years following his family – his father was a Royal Air Force navigator – around the world. He went to Hull University in 1975, where he met his wife Maureen, hitch-hiked around Great Britain, and gained a degree in philosophy. Next he wrote A Hitch-Hiker’s Guide to Great Britain, published by Penguin Books in 1983.
An inexplicable regression into conformity saw him become a civil servant for the next couple of decades, during which time he moved to Scotland. Since then, he has helped Maureen establish the website Undiscovered Scotland as the ultimate online guide to Scotland. The Danger of Life is his second novel, and the sequel to Eyes Turned Skywards.
First impressions
We both loved the atmospheric front cover of the book and the intriguing strapline about the past coming back to haunt you. And I must say a quick word about the photos for this post. The aircraft is a model of a Mosquito, the advanced (for its time) reconnaissance plane at the centre of one of the plot strands. And the dagger is Alan’s ceremonial clan Cameron dirk.
Alan’s thoughts
The guide to the North and West Coast of Scotland was as detailed as its predecessor. And this time it was further spiced with the inclusion of some historical references to Clan Cameron’s involvement in the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745. The legend of the lost gold made for an interesting conspiracy and I would have liked to share a few drams with my (fictional) ancestor, Archibald.
Not just because as a Cameron, I’ve often mused on what might have happened if the Rebellion had been planned and handled with greater skill and foresight. In common with so many campaigns (Napoleon, Hitler, Genghis Khan), it all hinged on the success (or not) of the supply chain.
The really intriguing element in one of the three main World War Two plots is the Soviet plan to steal a De Havilland Mosquito plane and fly it from Scotland to Murmansk. In real life, such a coup would be a challenge in peacetime, never mind during a time of war. Probably something that not even the NKVD (the KGB’s predecessor) would have dared attempt. But then again, this is a plot twist in a novel and not real life!
Realistically, Stalin could have asked Churchill to send one over via the Arctic Convoys if the Soviets wanted one that badly. And apparently, in April 1944 they got one. Which they then proceeded to crash during testing, leading them to conclude it was too complex/dangerous to fly for ordinary squadron pilots…
The other World War Two plot served to bring Monique back into Bob’s life, with a reminder of how expert the British intelligence services had become at deploying maskirovsa. The deception of the factory bombing was a nice touch.
As mentioned previously, I would have liked to find out a little more about Bob Sutherland’s backstory in this sequel but the action is so fast-paced that I guess that could have been a distraction.
My thoughts
Firstly, I have to admit that I did get rather lost with the continued use of military ranks, which I found very confusing at times. But I was fascinated by the story about the Jacobite gold. Certainly, when I learned about the 1745 Rebellion at school, there was no mention of how it might very nearly have succeeded. And that Hanoverian George II and his family were making plans to flee England in the event of victorious Scottish Stuart forces advancing on London. As ever, history is written and taught by the victors, but it’s worth remembering that every tale has two sides.
And I didn’t know that Polish forces trained in Scotland during World War Two. Next time we visit Kinshaldy beach and Tentsmuir forest, I will be sure to look out for any old army camp traces that apparently can still be found there.
Would we recommend The Danger of Life?
Yes, we would, with a few minor reservations as noted above. But we both enjoyed the further adventures of Bob Sutherland and co, albeit for different reasons. Many thanks to Ken Lussey for getting back in touch and sending us a copy of The Danger of Life to review. And while you don’t have to have read Eyes Turned Skywards first, we’d certainly recommend you try both books for the complete reading experience 🙂
Do you know anyone who’s interested in World War Two history? Or who enjoys a good thriller? Or who just loves Scotland? (!)
* This post features a gifted item and affiliate links but all opinions are our own (see my disclaimer).
Sounds like a very interesting book. Not that genre of reads I am used to but it is always interesting to try new things!
Absolutely, it’s always good to try books that are new genres, one of the reasons I love my Book Club!
I’m not big into war history, but the fact it’s centered around Scotland is quite refreshing! I love the image you chose for this post!
Ah, thank you so much, I’m lucky my husband is so into collecting model airplanes, haha!
Oooh this sounds absolutely amazing, and a book that is right up my street! Definitely going to give this a go!
Love, Amie ❤
The Curvaceous Vegan
Oh, wonderful, do let me know what you think if you try it then!
Love your genuine honest review – I can see why you were asked twice!
Thank you, Lisa, that’s very kind of you! 🙂
Brilliant review Lisa and lovely that you included both yours and Alan’s thoughts on the book. I feel bad saying I’m not interested in wartime stuff and I was absolutely rubbish at history at school. But I’m glad you both enjoyed it. And how amazing that the author included Alan’s ancestors – so cool he let you know about it too. Thanks for sharing x
Ah, thank you so much, Joy that’s so kind of you. Don’t feel bad though, it all depends on how you were taught at school – this is why I don’t like science much, although I do enjoy Flora’s science subscription boxes 🙂 x
I have not heard of this book or the author before. What a great thing to be asked to review the sequel. Such an interesting topic, I can see where you would get confused with the military terminology I think that would confuse me a little. Thank you for sharing such a great review. I’ll have to look out for this one! Xx
I know, we feel very privileged indeed! And thank you, I’m glad I’m not the only one who might get a little confused with the military ranks! xx
Yeah that would confuse me. Definitely but you write beautiful reviews, so it is definitely a perk for authors to collaborate with you xx
Oh my goodness, that’s so kind of you, thank you so much! xxx
Oooh this sounds like a fascinating book! I love historical fiction in general but it’s so intriguing to hear about a book set in Scotland. I’m not very up with all the military jargon but I do love a tale about the Jacobites so this sounds like something I need to check out! Also super helpful to read Alan’s thoughts!
Beth x
I thought you might like the Scottish angle, Beth! And yes, it was fascinating to read all about the Jacobite Rebellion from a different perspective, very illuminating! x
My husband and I are both BIG military history lovers, so I think we would both really enjoy this one. I’ll have to share it with him.
How lovely – please let me know what you think if you do read it, that would be brilliant to exchange views!
Wonderful review Lisa. Even though fiction baswd war history isn’t something I’m interesting in personally, this does sound like a great read. I think it would appeal to my dad who is a history buff – especially WWII.
Thank you so much, Kim, it does sound like something your dad would love then!
This sounds really interesting, not my usual genre, but I quite like history although I’m sure the constant military rank chat would confuse me too. I love that you opted to include mini reviews from both you and Alan! x
Sophie
I’m glad I’m not the only one who gets confused like this! And thank you, I couldn’t have reviewed this book by myself, I definitely needed the expert’s input 🙂 x
My granddad escaped Poland just before the Nazis swept in, and he met and married my grandma in Scotland, so I vaguely knew the Free Polish Army were active up there. I shall have to give this book a go!
Oh wow, that’s so interesting and amazing to have such a personal connection – thank you for sharing your story, Nicola! And I hope you enjoy the book if you do read it 🙂
Great review, this sounds like my kind of book so I’ll definitely check it out
Thank you – I hope you enjoy it too!
Ooo my boyfriend would love something like this! He really enjoys watching war time things and reliving historical moments. I’ll definitely have to recommend it and see if it’s something he would read!
It does sound right up his street, doesn’t it? Maybe he could write a review for you if he does read it!
This sounds like quite the interested read. I haven’t read many WWII novels, but it’s something I would like to explore. I will have to add this and the prequel to my to-read list.
They’re both excellent, especially if you know or love Scotland as well, very evocative of the place and time. I hope you enjoy them 🙂