Military history author (writing as Russell Phillips). Tabletop RPG and board game player. Lapsed wargamer.
Non-binary. They/them pronouns.
This link opens in a pop-up window
The odds are against him. He’s been given the humiliating assignment of mentoring the female …
Content warning Minor spoiler about the ending
Very good, and an interesting insight into President Snow's early life, which provides some context to his later actions.
The ending is excellent but brutal.
In a narrative as powerful and moving as it is authoritative, David O’Keefe rewrites history, …
O'Keefe makes a strong case for his assertion that the Dieppe raid was planned as a pinch operation. The audiobook narrator is also very good.
Individual greed takes the place of old world rivalries of great nations. Inside look at …
I really struggled to get interested in this one, and eventually just gave up. I don't know if I've changed, or if le Carré's later books just aren't as good as the earlier ones.
Murder on the Sysadmin Express
After accidentally solving two murders, Dale Whitehead hungers to stay …
Content warning Mild spoiler
Part of the appeal of these books is the geekiness, but I hadn't expected the murder weapon to be so geeky.
Fight your own tabletop battles with toy soldiers! These basic wargame rules put you in …
This is an excellent set of quick, simple skirmish rules, ideal for introducing kids to wargaming. Like Panzer Kids by the same author, it includes several scenarios with different win conditions. There's also a welcome section on game etiquette, including notes on how to be a good winner and loser.
Before they were tasked with planning the first permanent colony on Mars, Gurdeep and Georgie …
Another good short story from Si Clarke (@clacksee@wandering.shop). I'm glad she's returned to the Mars Colony series, and I'd love to see a full-length book three. But then, I also want another full-length Vigilaunte Justice book, so maybe I'm just greedy 😎
It's a lovely, cosy short, told from Gurdeep's perspective. My only criticism is that it's very short and I wanted it to last longer.
Fascinating account of the trial. Unfortunately I thought the audiobook narrator wasn't very good.
Vanessa Ugatti dramatically shifts the thinking for accountants, lawyers and consultants taking them from their …
Some of the reviews say that the information is very basic. That may be true, but a lot of it was new to me, and given that it's very short (32 pages in paperback) and cheap (99p for the ebook), I didn't expect it to go into great depth, nor did I want it to.
My only complaint is that a full quarter of the book is back matter - about the author, quotes from clients, etc.
On 10th February, 1973, “The Coward of the Fighting 43rd” first appeared in The Victor, …
As a kid, I read Cadman stories in Victor. I've enjoyed Andrew Knighton's new Cadman stories, and I'm looking forward to reading old ones too.
I hadn't fully appreciated how young the RAF was at this time, and how many within its ranks believed they had to fight to keep the service alive and independent.
Understanding that helps to explain the bomber supremacy belief and hostility towards airborne forces.
There was a night bomber regiment in World War Two composed entirely of women. Natural-born …
I've had my eye on this for a while. I finally bought a copy, and was pleasantly surprised to find the digital version includes an ePub.
Even when you’re dead, you can’t catch a break. Ainlay Harrison is surprised to wake …
A fun story. In some ways, it reminded me of the TV series Ghosts. I like that the author deliberately didn't specify the gender of any characters, although I only realised that when I read the acknowledgements 🙂
If Agatha Christie ran Unix cons
The BSD North conference draws some of the smartest …
If you're a computer geek, this is a great murder mystery. I'm sure others could enjoy it, but computer geeks will understand more of the references and acronyms.
STRANDED IN DEEP SPACE ... BUT AT LEAST THEY HAVE DONUTS.
When a warp engine …
I'm really enjoying this series. As the description says, this book is a cross between The Thing and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. The term "cozy horror" seems like it should be a contradiction in terms, but that's what this book is. It's also very funny.
It's not remotely scary, but nonetheless kept me wondering what was happening and how things were going to be resolved. The ending was unexpected but also very believable.
STRANDED IN DEEP SPACE ... BUT AT LEAST THEY HAVE DONUTS.
When a warp engine …
My pre-order of the latest in @clacksee@wandering.shop's Starship Teapot series just arrived 🙂