Bibliograph

Rag and bone, a Billy Boyle World War II mystery, James R. Benn

Type

Label

Rag and bone, a Billy Boyle World War II mystery, James R. Benn

Language

eng

Index

no index present

Literary Form

fiction

Main title

Rag and bone

Oclc number

694394357

Responsibility statement

James R. Benn

Series statement

Billy Boyle World War II mystery

Sub title

a Billy Boyle World War II mystery

Summary

"Uncle Ike" (aka General Eisenhower) personally pins silver first lieutenant bars on Billy Boyle in Benn's stellar fifth WWII mystery (after 2009's Evil for Evil). In December 1943, Billy's leave with his British girlfriend in Italy is cut short. Orders send him to London to look into a Soviet officer's shooting murder, which may be retaliation for the execution of thousands of Polish officers in the Katyn Forest that's been blamed on the Germans but probably was committed by Russians. Since the Soviets are allies, the investigation requires the utmost sensitivity. Billy's loyalties are tested because his friend who works for the Polish government in exile, Lieutenant Kazimierz, is a prime suspect. Benn excels at depicting the impact of war on London--the bricks from bombed buildings piled neatly on the streets, families living in Tube stations, "the odor of the Blitz." Destruction aside, Billy never forgets that "Even in the midst of war, murder is unacceptable"--Publisher's Weekly

Classification