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Dai and Julia #4
Dying as a Druid
It is Saturnalia, but the celebrations in the Llewellyn household are curtailed by a double murder and a personal accusation against Dai, which strikes at the very heart of his marriage to Julia.
76 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 28, 2017
8 people want to read
About the author
E.M. Swift-Hook
49 books203 followersE.M. Swift-Hook is the author of the Fortune's Fools dark space opera series and co-author of the alternate history whodunits the Dai and Julia Mysteries.
In the words that Robert Heinlein put into the mouth of Lazarus Long: 'Writing is not necessarily something to be ashamed of, but do it in private and wash your hands afterwards.'
Having tried a number of different careers, before settling in the North-East of England with family, three dogs, cats and a small flock of rescued chickens, she now spends a lot of time in private and has very clean hands.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 4, 2017
They've done it again. Dying as a Druid is yet another brilliant installment in the Dai and Julia series. The marriage of character development and good old fashioned storytelling has been a defining quality for these short reads, and this installment punctuates the tone of excellence the others already set. Some truly remarkable emotional power is explored by authors E.M Swifthook and Jane Jago, whom it would seem have fully embraced their alternate history world with genuine care and thoughtfulness. I have seldom been so moved by a novella-length read, as the shortened word count tends to withdraw an author's ability to offer me the tools to invest on a deep enough level. This and the others in the series, however, have all impacted me with more power and meaning than many novels I've read. Huge payoff for a short read. Grab a copy, cozy up with a cup of tea or coffee and enjoy a few solid hours of wonderful reading.
June 5, 2018
Another case for D&J!
This novella is a great addition to the Dai and Julia series. This time it focuses on two different stories, one involving Dai's sister, Cariad. She has gone missing, and it is suspected that she has gone with a druid circle. The other story revolves around Dai, who has been accused of fathering a child.
Both stages of the story leave you guessing and are both really well written. And as usual the pair had a great cast of characters to support them...and then there's that ending.
If you like alternate history, especially involving a scenario in where Roman's still resided in Britain, then you'll love this series.
This novella is a great addition to the Dai and Julia series. This time it focuses on two different stories, one involving Dai's sister, Cariad. She has gone missing, and it is suspected that she has gone with a druid circle. The other story revolves around Dai, who has been accused of fathering a child.
Both stages of the story leave you guessing and are both really well written. And as usual the pair had a great cast of characters to support them...and then there's that ending.
If you like alternate history, especially involving a scenario in where Roman's still resided in Britain, then you'll love this series.
May 20, 2018
Dying as a Druid is a quirky book based on the notion of 'What if the Roman civilisation had persisted in Britain?' The tale is a mixture of Roman culture with modern technology and as such is hugely entertaining made more so by the central plot of a detective mystery. This is the first book in the 'Dai and Julia' series I've read and I enjoyed it very much.
The character relationships are portrayed well, the pace is just right - in my view - and the intrigue involving Dai's personal life, centred around the seemingly insurmountable accusations he faces, add to the mystery/thriller element. The book comes across as lighthearted and is an easy read. I was able to pick up where I left off without having to re-read sections to remind myself what happened. There is a nice balance in the number of characters, and sufficient explanation of their interactions without the book becoming tedious or confusing. Well worth reading.
The character relationships are portrayed well, the pace is just right - in my view - and the intrigue involving Dai's personal life, centred around the seemingly insurmountable accusations he faces, add to the mystery/thriller element. The book comes across as lighthearted and is an easy read. I was able to pick up where I left off without having to re-read sections to remind myself what happened. There is a nice balance in the number of characters, and sufficient explanation of their interactions without the book becoming tedious or confusing. Well worth reading.
March 21, 2018
It’s not often you can say you’ve found a little gem, tucked away where you least expect to find it. But, in Dying as a Druid (Dai and Julia Book 4), I uncovered exactly that.
The Dai & Julia Mysteries are a series of novellas (and complete stories in themselves) detailing the life and exploits of a husband and wife team...with a twist
Think of a world – set in the present day – where the Roman Empire of antiquity never lost its grip on power. How would society have evolved? How would it function?
Well, in the Dai & Julia Mysteries, you find out.
Dai is a Briton – (and naturalized Roman Citizen) – and a Vigilis police officer married to Julia, a Roman citizen.
It’s Saturnalia, but the celebrations are marred when an important woman disappears, leaving behind two dead bodyguards. Is she connected to their demise? If not, who murdered them and where did she go? Are others involved, and to what degree?
The issue is complicated by the fact that the missing woman just so happens to be related to the investigating officer (Dai) ...and married to the district’s overseeing magistrate. And to cap it all, Dai is accused of serious misconduct; an accusation that could have serious implications for him, his marriage, and the professional standing he has worked so hard to achieve.
How do things turn out?
For a shorter story – (I am used to reading novels of far greater length) – rather well.
The plot is involved and entertaining. It rides along at a nice pace without making you feel as if it’s being rushed. The world of Dai and Julia is familiar – in that it contains technology similar to what we know – but it’s also quirkily different enough to give you a taste of what things might have been like under Roman rule.
What’s more, the clues are there to help you work out what may have happened. All in all, a nice little diamond in the rough “whodunit” that you can enjoy in a short space of time.
I know I did...
The Dai & Julia Mysteries are a series of novellas (and complete stories in themselves) detailing the life and exploits of a husband and wife team...with a twist
Think of a world – set in the present day – where the Roman Empire of antiquity never lost its grip on power. How would society have evolved? How would it function?
Well, in the Dai & Julia Mysteries, you find out.
Dai is a Briton – (and naturalized Roman Citizen) – and a Vigilis police officer married to Julia, a Roman citizen.
It’s Saturnalia, but the celebrations are marred when an important woman disappears, leaving behind two dead bodyguards. Is she connected to their demise? If not, who murdered them and where did she go? Are others involved, and to what degree?
The issue is complicated by the fact that the missing woman just so happens to be related to the investigating officer (Dai) ...and married to the district’s overseeing magistrate. And to cap it all, Dai is accused of serious misconduct; an accusation that could have serious implications for him, his marriage, and the professional standing he has worked so hard to achieve.
How do things turn out?
For a shorter story – (I am used to reading novels of far greater length) – rather well.
The plot is involved and entertaining. It rides along at a nice pace without making you feel as if it’s being rushed. The world of Dai and Julia is familiar – in that it contains technology similar to what we know – but it’s also quirkily different enough to give you a taste of what things might have been like under Roman rule.
What’s more, the clues are there to help you work out what may have happened. All in all, a nice little diamond in the rough “whodunit” that you can enjoy in a short space of time.
I know I did...
March 21, 2018
Dai and Julia do it again. I found this story fascinating as it explored the idea that an Archdruid might be every bit as grasping as a televangilist. This one also didn't wrap up as neatly or quickly as some of the other stories. The element of horror in the ritual toward the end was a nice touch.
December 21, 2017
This would have possibly received 5 stars, if not for the many editing issues. It was like there wasn't any proof-reading done at all, which is a pity.
This story revolves around a missing cheating wife, an abused teen mom, a fanatic cult leader, and more on an illegal opium trade. Whew!
Anyway...I still love this series, and am chomping at the bit for more. Interesting characters - good and bad - and the chemistry between Dai and Julia was on point; they reminded me of Nick and Nora Charles of The Thin Man (film). I love this couple, and want to read more about them and their relationship!
This story revolves around a missing cheating wife, an abused teen mom, a fanatic cult leader, and more on an illegal opium trade. Whew!
Anyway...I still love this series, and am chomping at the bit for more. Interesting characters - good and bad - and the chemistry between Dai and Julia was on point; they reminded me of Nick and Nora Charles of The Thin Man (film). I love this couple, and want to read more about them and their relationship!
February 8, 2020
Well-written alternate reality. This is the first book I've read in the series, and now I need to buy the other books! Had trouble putting it down at night.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews