Disclaimer: I’m already a fan. I’ve read the author’s previous work and was impressed at once. From contemporary crime fiction, ‘Headland’; to the WWII and Great Depression saga ‘The Youngest Son’; this latest epic takes place during World War I and the years preceding.
The writing is sophisticated, assured. John has honed his style – and it’s magnificent.

If you’re after gritty realism, then you’ve come to the right place. Brace yourself for graphic battlefield scenes; confronting social crises; and a dash of searing eroticism for good measure. Expect also, moments of raw tenderness and understated poignancy. John’s ability to describe the full gamut of human sensibility, and to explore the dark corners and jagged edges of humanity, is undeniable.

Each character feels like they existed as part of history …of course they didn’t – but fictional characters are a reflection of ourselves in some way or another. The lead female, Angeline Dubois, is spectacular… She’s actually everything I ever wanted to be: Precocious, resilient, self-made – not made by her lot. Oh, and she’s hot as ****.

When you pick up a John Byrnes novel, the immersion is swift and affecting. This one is about as cinematic as it gets – brilliant imagery, universal relevance, and a captivating plot. It paints a picture of an era that was different in many ways…but the more you read, the more you realise that the ways of people; their motivations and struggles – mostly stay the same.

I suspect that SINS OF THE FATHERS will live in the hearts and minds of readers long after they’ve closed the book.

Reviewed by Eve Stephenson
(Brisbane, Queensland)
IG @evielou81

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