Rock, Paper, Swords! The Historical Action and Adventure Podcast

Matthew co-hosts Rock, Paper, Swords! The historical action and adventure podcast with fellow bestselling author, Steven A. McKay.

Have a listen, and if you like it, please subscribe to the podcast on whatever app you use to listen (Spotify, Google, Amazon, Stitcher, etc.)

REVIEW: JASON (Blades of Bronze #2) by Mark Knowles

Jason by Mark Knowles
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A richly detailed and bold reimagining of one of the greatest heroic myths ever told. Mark Knowles's depth of knowledge and passion for the ancient Greek world shine through on every page. With powerful prose and gripping action, the Blades of Bronze series glitters like the Golden Fleece itself.

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REVIEW: Oath Bound (The Wolf of Kings series) by Richard Cullen

Oath Bound: A gripping historical adventure set in 1066 by Richard Cullen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Richard Cullen's writing is as sharp as the blade wielded by Styrkar, the series' protagonist, who cuts a bloody swathe through his Norman enemies on his quest for vengeance. The books are fast-paced and packed with breathless action. Styrkar is a great heroic creation, and the Wolf of Kings series places Cullen in the top tier of historical action and adventure authors.

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REVIEW: The Guild of Salt and The King's Messenger by Robin Isard

The Guild of Salt and the The King’s Messenger by Robin Isard
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Robin Isard plunges us into a 12th century England riven with revolt and strife, where neighbours are suspected traitors and nobody can be trusted. With empathy and verve, Isard tells the tale of unlikely companions thrown together in a dangerous time of mistrust and violence. The Guild of Salt and the King's Messenger is a rollicking tale of high adventure, self-discovery, survival against the odds, and the forging of lifelong friendships.

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REVIEW: The Bloodless Boy by Robert J. Lloyd

The Bloodless Boy by Robert J. Lloyd
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Set against the backdrop of a convincing portrayal of a wintry Restoration London, young Harry Hunt throws himself body and mind into solving the gruesome murders of young boys, which might be linked to a plot against the king himself. Lloyd's lyrical prose and believable dialogue drags the reader into the grimy streets of seventeenth century London, where danger lurks in every alleyway. A fantastic crime caper.

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Typical early medieval terrain

A walk with Blue uncovers an area of marshland near a river that would be just the sort of terrain all over Britain in the early medieval period (aka Dark Ages).

Is The Power of the Dog a Western?