A different read . I studied war poetry at college , so some memories of the poetry came back from about 26 years ago!

I picked this book up at a very low price and i haven't read anything by Ben Elton since Stark and this book reminded me of what a great writer that Ben Elton is, he has a way of writing that makes you feel like you know the characters, and this is a biography rather than a work of fiction, at least I think its a work of fiction as it doesn't mention anything that contradicts that.
Great book and if you find the books set in WW1 interesting this is for you.

I didn't really enjoy this book very much, parts of it were interesting but, I read the Amazon reviews and agree about the historical innaccuracies - I really don't think a senior police officer - "the Yard's best man" - would have been conscripted.
Parts of the story were very cliched, World War One for dummies, was how one person described it and I thought the ending was rushed.
This was the first Ben Elton book I have read and I must say I was expecting better things.

Utterly Amazing

Word War I is raging, and a reknown London police detective refuses to fight because he thinks the premise of the war is illogical. He is sent to prison where he is hated for his views by the other prisoners. Having been viciously attacked and certain that he will die when released from the prison infirmary, he is mysteriously kidnapped by military authorities who want him to use his expertise to solve the murder of the son of a high ranking political figure. Even though he disagrees with the war, he agrees to pose as a military policeman and go to France to try and solve the crime. With little to go on, Kingsley, the detective, attempts to piece together the circumstances of this complex case while examining his conscience regarding war itself.
Author Ben Elton is a master at creating twists and turns as the case moves forward. His descriptions of the misery of the soldiers in the trenches is heart rending. Great story, Ben Elton!!!

Another great read from Ben Elton - who knew?
Researches his topic and the period so well. Learn a lot about a lot. Not just a whodunnit.

A terrific WWI book, panoramic in scope, that begins with Inspector Dan Kingsley, disgraced and thrown in prison for being a contentious objector, who finds himself unexpectedly sprung, given a new identity and shipped off to the Western Front to investigate the murder of an officer. It was fascinating, fun, surprising, sometimes funny, and I really, really enjoyed it. There is an absolutely hilarious scene in Chapter 36 in which the British soldiers are trying to work out how the war started and what they’re doing in it.

Another novel by Ben Elton, not as gripping as 'Time After Time', but not much could be. This novel is set during WW1 & has lots of interesting facts about the time period which I found fascinating. The story as a whole is a who dunnit. Entertaining read for a long journey or a quiet weekend & worth the 3 stars.

Set during the First World War and follows the story of a disgraced detective turned conscientious objector, tasked with investigating the death of a celebrated officer and patriotic poet killed in a military hospital while recovering from shell shock. There is a lot of agenda here but nonetheless is an interesting portrait of the hell and pointlessness of war using a Sherlock Holmes type cypher.

Ben Elton schrijft normaal gezien komische verhalen dus dit wijkt nogal af. Het is enigszins onevenwichtig, Het detective gedeelte komt pas op gang in de 2de helft van het boek en de plot daarvan is maar dun. Het persoonlijke verhaal van Kingsley is interessanter hoewel ook redelijk ongeloofwaardige. Maar al bij al, geen slecht boek voor wie wil stilstaan bij de absurditeit van een oorlog.

An outstanding piece of faction. That being a combination of fact and fiction.

Ben Elton is a very talented story teller. This one is woven through the fact of World War One and the jingoism it engendered. Bringing in other historical events gives the book credibility and depth. I will not ruin the plot for you, but I would encourage you to read it. You will not be disappointed.

I’ve never been that heavily into war Media at all, films, books, television, but this story was one of pure exhilaration.

The detail in which war is described is excruciating, but I love how it’s all in the perspective of someone who is not fighting at all.

Kingsley is a lovable character - maybe I’m saying that because he reminds me of my brother! - but the way he sticks to his belief is so intriguing. Especially the way he bends his morales, still seemingly thinking that he is in the right.

It’s an extremely interesting look into why people fight in the war, and the ethics of war itself. So enjoyable.

This could have been a Agatha Christie novel with'Poirot' sent to investigate a murder but the vivid descriptions of the horrors facing young soldiers fighting in the trenches during WW1 give this novel a more serious aspect. In parts a comfortable and easy read and in others a disturbing vision of war.