This is a book mainly set in The Balkans in the middle of World War II. Three Yugoslavs set out from Rome to warn The Partisans about the German battle plan that will soon be launched against them. They are accompanied by a number of strange people who are not what they seem. In fact,Continue reading “Partisans by Alistair MacLean”
Category Archives: balkans
The Schirmer Inheritance by Eric Ambler
A book I didn’t want to end as for me there are many questions left unanswered about the characters, but I can’t say what those questions are otherwise I will give away the ending. However, the ending is satisfying and does close the main story of this book, which leads from early 19th-Century Eastern EuropeContinue reading “The Schirmer Inheritance by Eric Ambler”
The Schirmer Inheritance by Eric Ambler
A book I didn’t want to end as for me there are many questions left unanswered about the characters, but I can’t say what those questions are otherwise I will give away the ending. However, the ending is satisfying and does close the main story of this book, which leads from early 19th-Century Eastern EuropeContinue reading “The Schirmer Inheritance by Eric Ambler”
21st August – Book Review – The Mask of Dimitrios by Eric Ambler
The English crime novelist, Charles Latimer, is in Istanbul when he hears that the body of a famous criminal, Dimitrios, has been found in The Bosphorus. In order to garner some background information for his new book, Latimer decides to find out more about Dimitrios who has been in most parts of Europe at oneContinue reading “21st August – Book Review – The Mask of Dimitrios by Eric Ambler”
Symi – 2
Yialos stretches around the main bay into the smaller Harani Bay, the main area for shipbuilding in times past. Some boats are still repaired here, though the majority of the vessels tied to the quay are small, multi-coloured fishing boats, piled high with nets, straight out of a photographer’s dreams. On the hill above isContinue reading “Symi – 2”
Patmos – 2 – Greek Orthodox Service
I was lucky enough to see a Greek Orthodox service at the Apokalypsis monastery. The priest wore a white ‘dress’ decorated with Greek crosses. He had a large, bushy grey beard and his hair was a similar colour. He spent most of the service in an inner room chanting while two men, members of theContinue reading “Patmos – 2 – Greek Orthodox Service”
Plum Brandy – 5
The slivovitz was getting to me and eating the bread roll hadn’t helped. I had to think of one more score. Suddenly, it felt really warm in the garden, the more distant trees and flowers seemed to be out of focus, and the birds’ singing seemed further away. I couldn’t think of very much atContinue reading “Plum Brandy – 5”
Plum Brandy – 4
“Ja, Bonev gola,” he said holding up two fingers to indicate Bonev had scored twice. A feeling began to creep over me that he might be right. I drank the clear liquid quite slowly this time. It was slivovitz. It was strong. I then thought about English teams playing against Bulgarians and remembered: Liverpool 5Continue reading “Plum Brandy – 4”
Lake Bled – 6
When I had taken my picture of the bell-tower, to the accompaniment of more failed wishes, I walked over to the church and went inside. The Hungarians were pulling on the rope together. They tried twice and managed to make the bell toll twice, but then decided they had had enough. My travelling companion thenContinue reading “Lake Bled – 6”
Plum Brandy – 3
The man with the cap was sitting at a small table, with a pen and paper lying on it. The table was under a plum tree. He patted the seat next to him. I sat obediently. He poured some liquid from his bottle into two medium-sized glasses. “Bulgaria,” he said pointing at himself and swallowedContinue reading “Plum Brandy – 3”
Julian Worker Fiction Writing 