LYME — On Thursday, Sept. 23, at 7 p.m., Lyme Public Library will host critically-acclaimed local author Jim Benn, who will talk in a presentation via Zoom about his latest novel, Road of Bones.
This is the 16th novel in Benn’s popular World War II mystery series, in which the main character is Billy Boyle.
Road of Bones sees Boyle sent to the heart of the USSR to solve a double-murder at a critical turning point in the war.
In its description of the book, Amazon.com states, “It’s September 1944, and the US is poised to launch Operation Frantic, a shuttle bombing mission to be conducted by American aircraft based in Great Britain, southern Italy, and three Soviet airfields in the Ukraine.
Tensions are already high between the American and Russian allies when two intelligence agents—one Soviet, one American—are found dead at Poltava, one of the Ukrainian bases. Billy is brought in to investigate, and this time he’s paired, at the insistence of the Soviets, with a KGB agent who has his own political and personal agenda.
In the course of an investigation that quickly spirals out of control, Billy is aided by the Night Witches, a daring regiment of young Soviet women flying at night at very low altitudes, bombing hundreds of German installations.
It’s a turning point in the war, and allied efforts hang by a thread. Unless Billy and his KGB partner can solve the murders in an atmosphere of mutual distrust, Operation Frantic is doomed.”
Road of Bones has received numerous outstanding reviews include this Starred one from Booklist: “Benn’s ability to sustain his terrific premise while adding depth to his characters makes this long-running series a must for those who love WWII crime fiction.”
Another Starred Review came from Publishers Weekly: “Exhilarating…Bolstered by vivid, scintillating descriptions of air strikes and dogfights involving the legendary all-female Soviet air force unit known as the Night Witches, Benn’s high-intensity storytelling shines.”
Kirkus Reviews had this to say, “A World War II supersleuth, deprived of his usual backup, unravels a tangled web of criminality in Russia . . . Benn’s well-crafted series deepens with every installment.”
Visit this link to register for the event and receive the Zoom details. Contact Theresa Conley at 860-434-2272 with any questions.