Mike Hollow’s Direct Hit: The Blitz Detective is intended as the start of a series about, you guessed it, a detective working during the London Blitz of World War II. It’s a good read, probably appropriate for middle school and up because of the series nature of a personal look into the effects of war.
First, Hollow gives us a look at the setting. This is more complicated than just “It’s 1940, England’s at war with the Nazis.” Hollow notes the simmering conflict with communism as well as the troubles with imperialism. The world was not as simple as “good side vs. bad side” any more then than today. Hollow captures that somewhat.
Second, Hollow gives us a complication to investigating the murder. In the post-CSI era, everyone focuses strongly on “following the evidence.” Even some of my favorite novels place that concept into places like the 14th century. The “Direct Hit” of the title, though, drive this on different track.
Third, Hollow gives us good characters to examine. They aren’t perfect. Which makes this story live and breathe. People with problems, people with memories, all trying not only to survive but do the right thing in challenging times.
All in all, this is one that is worth reading. It helps put skin on a recent time in history, an era that is moving from memory to history. I look forward to more installments in the series.
I did receive a free book in exchange for the review.
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