The Desolate Garden

The Desolate GardenBy Danny KempReviewed by R. Murry“Me, being the irrepressible confident soul that I am, I figuratively dived into the ruck and went searching for the ball.” is a quote of the Honourable Harry Paterson at the beginning of this character driven suspense who-done-it novel. And it wasn’t the butler who did it, as in many an English murder novel alludes to. As you can see by the spelling of honorable, I had to use an Oxford dictionary to read this book. Just kidding, the stor [...]

I'm a facebook friend of Danny Kemp's. Knowing somebody in 'real' life is of course different, but I've seen enough of Danny to know that I like him, I respect him, and that I and wish him well with this intelligent book (some of which went over my head!) Danny richly deserves his success. I have one significant caveat regarding the text however, and I hope I don't upset Danny in saying it. Towards the end of the narrative a theme upon homosexuality and a link to spying comes in. It's set up bef [...]

The murder of Lord Elliot Paterson and his youngest son Edward; the discovery of a Leningrad address hidden in the ledgers of the family bank. Are these events connected? It would seem so.In an effort to unearth the traitor, Harry, Lord Elliot’s eldest son, is set up by a gorgeous young woman and roped into the British Secret Service. As family secrets are unveiled, Harry is drawn further and further into a tangled and violent web. Plenty of twists and turns in this spy novel, which, I might a [...]

Sitting down with this book is like a stroll through history. It all begins when Lord Harry Paterson meets Judith Meadows and is thrust into a mystery thriller involving his late father Lord Elliot Paterson.Readers will find espionage, adventure and mystery winding through the story of a man and his past all started with a look at a ledger that doesn't quite seem on the up and up. The author does a great job telling a credible story with great characters. This is a great novel to sit down with i [...]

No wonder Desolate Garden was picked by a film producer! The plot is deep, fascinating and unpredictable, and the characters engaging and well drawn. It was not just luck; Mr Kemp had a well presented novel which the astute producer fully recognised and snapped up. Well done Mr. Kemp and I really hope that Desolate Garden gets the recognition it definitely deserves.

This is a British spy novel in the best sense of the word. We are taken through several generations of the Paterson family and their personal involvement in the world of espionage. The book is a thriller and keeps you wondering until the ending. Mr. Kemp also shares his sense of humor which keeps the story moving. All in all, I truly enjoyed this novel.

I loved the story and it was very well written so I was compelled to read on.

The Desolate Garden By Danny KempReviewed by R. Murry“Me, being the irrepressible confident soul that I am, I figuratively dived into the ruck and went searching for the ball.” is a quote of the Honourable Harry Paterson at the beginning of this character-driven suspense who-done-it novel. Moreover, it was not the butler who did it, as in many an English murder story alludes. As you can see by the spelling of honorable, I had to use an Oxford dictionary to read this book. Just kidding, the s [...]

I have always been a fan of ‘spy’ novels and thoroughly enjoyed this one. Whilst I noted editorial errors, this did not detract from my enjoyment of this complicated, but interesting story. In this case, complicated is good, as it best describes the plot. So, try to keep up, you’ll be glad you did. For those who do not understand much about the ‘cold war’, this may help you in your education. I’m off to download the authors next book now. Thanks, Mr Kemp.

Learned much to understand today's political environmentgabixlerreviews-bookreadershea

A new author for me. Not really used to his writing style. Will need to try another book to get used to it. A lot of background on the protagonist. A lot of information not really needed to tell the story. A lot of British English slang.

The Desolate Garden by Danny Kemp Includes Surprisingly Touching Love InterestsThe great thing about being a ‘Brit’ writer is growing up in the class conscious environment that is Great Britain and having access to worlds peopled by characters representing their social class. Danny Kemp’s, The Desolate Garden, succeeds on many counts.First and foremost, the stream-of-consciousness kind of inner monologue of the protagonist, Harry Paterson, peels away onion skin layers of character developm [...]

I would be fascinated to read a biography about Danny Kemp himself! Since his novel THE DESOLATE GARDEN is being FILMED this year, that is a possibility if it's a big success! (which we all believe it will be!)How much this author must have seen and heard, experienced by the age of 63, as a Metropolitan Police officer who somehow ended up being arrested (and freed) for attempted murder. More recently (to present) spending his time behind the wheel in London as a taxi driver, the stories he could [...]

I love this book, it was like embarking on a journey, accompanied by the Author who took me by the hand and said, "sit here and watch". As each page unfolded vivid images walked slowly by and sometimes I could feel their breath on my face. While each character introduced themselves, I found myself repeating the pronunciation of their names. Little things intrigue me as well. I could smell the air, the booze lol, oh that scene was amazing. Oh I blushed a little but smiled too at the naughty treas [...]

The Desolate Garden is a well-written, well-constructed spy novel about a complex multi-generational tale of espionage and murder. The suspense slowly builds, reaching a climax in the penultimate chapter with a neat denouement. From the very first page the author reveals, layer by layer, the rich characters of the two main protagonists as their relationship develops and the underlying sexual tension between them mounts.I enjoyed the languid language and the sedate manner in which the plot unfold [...]

I found Desolate Garden well written. The contents and characters were well described, with twists and turns throughout the story. Two of the characters Lord Harry Paterson is trying to find the murderer of his father and Judy Meadows an investigator is helping Harry to unravel the pieces of information they have uncovered. The story is full of suspence it keeps you wanting to know more, with each page you turn. I feel Mr D Kemp must have a good background to write with such depth. He has certai [...]

Tried very hard with this one; I wanted to like it and there were passages I liked very much but that was it, passages. After nearly 100 pages I put it down thinking I needed to take a rest from it. I may or may not pick it up again.

2.0 out of 5 stars Too slow for my taste.December 13, 2017Format: Kindle Edition|Verified PurchaseI could not get by 60 pages before I started to skim then after a hundred I gave up. Maybe it was too 'English' for me or maybe I never found myself caring about the characters except for hoping something would happen. Discussions jumping back and forth through history became boring. I read for entertainment and found none here.

Enjoyed this bookI would highly recommend this book to everyone. I found this story so easy to follow. Page by page grips you in wanting you to keep on going . Well written by the author fantastic

Wow for the dialogue!!! This story is so very human. Life's dramas with mega intrigue and murders It's all there and written with a huge personal feel!!! Harry takes the reader for a walk through every scene. I was able to feel, hear, taste and smell each one. "The Desolate Garden" is beautifully written by Danny Kemp and made for a very pleasurable read.I don't want to say anything that is spoilerish, but I am going to say that I don't believe "The Desolate Garden" is a sad story. Yea, sad and [...]

"The Desolate Garden" by Daniel Kemp is a fresh spy mystery providing entertainment, stimulation and insight. Brilliantly constructed, the winding plot, stealthy loopholes and clever humour render this novel one that claims your attention, holding it captive until the final page. What with its vivid descriptions, three-dimensional characters and accessible prose, 'The Desolate Garden' can be thoroughly enjoyed by a wide spectrum of readers. Giveaway your chance for an autographed copy ends on th [...]